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Hinduism * Part 2 (some points from Elwood’s text). Soma p.59. Soma was an intoxicating drink used in religious ceremonies and believed to be drunk by the gods, especially Indra .
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Soma p.59 • Soma was an intoxicating drink used in religious ceremonies and believed to be drunk by the gods, especially Indra. • No one knows today its composition (speculation – fly agaric mushroom a.k.aamaritamuscaria – still used today by central Asian shamans) • In contemporary Hinduism, Soma is a god associated with the moon.
Rig Veda Hymns, On Soma • Book 10, Chapter 116 Indra DRINK soma juice for mighty power and vigour, Drink, Strongest One, that you may smite down Vritra. Drink you, invoked, for strength, and riches: drink you your fill of meath and pour it down, Indra. Drink of the foodful juice stirred into motion, drink what you choose of the flowing Soma. Giver of weal, be joyful in your spirit, and turn you hereward to bless and prosper. Let heavenly Soma gladden you, Indra, let that effused among mankind delight you.
RigVeda 10:119 Indra THIS, even this was my resolve, to win a cow, to win a steed: Have I not drunk soma ? [1] Like violent gusts of wind, the draughts that I have drunk have lifted me Have I not drunk soma ? [2] The draughts I drank have borne me up, as fleet-foot horses draw a car: Have I not drunk soma? [3] ………. The heavens and earth themselves have not grown equal to one half of me Have I not drunk soma ? [7] I in my grandeur have surpassed the heavens and all this spacious earth Have I not drunk soma ? [8]
Mantras • Chants. Example…. Om (aum) • Not just the power of the words, but the actual sounds are thought to resonate with the gods and reality itself. • Rituals keep the universe on course and help tune the human lives of the people involved with the workings of brahman.
The Yoga Sutras (300 A.D) Pages 69-73 • Haitha yoga is a collection of teachings on the physical (biological, psychosomatic) techniques to relax the mind and body to achieve new states of consciousness. • Withdraw from distractions and illusions to explore an inner world (spiritual) • Techniques posture control= asana breath control = pranayama • A yogi is someone who practices yoga
Other yogas • Karma yoga: selfless action, charity, bravery (emphasized in the BhagavadGita), selfless acceptance of one’s fate (caste). • Bhakti yoga: emotional, mystical experience of love and devotion to a particular god. (statues, images, chants).