The Flow of Soma - David Frawley

In the following article we will discuss the Vedic principle of Soma and its related principle of Agni in order to help us understand the internal alchemy behind the process of Yoga. This may introduce a different angle of approach than most practitioners are familiar with, but hopefully it can provide a new perspective to aid their practice. The ideas here can also be complemented by the author’s previous article on Agni and the Fire of Self-Inquiry.

The Vedic ritual reaches its climax in the Soma offering, in which specially prepared plant juices are offered into the sacred fire (Agni) as the drink of the Gods. But this ancient ritual reflects a deeper internal ritual or alchemy of awareness that is its real import. In exploring this process, we will discover many secrets of the practice of Yoga, including the path of Self-inquiry or Jnana Yoga.

Soma is first of all part of a great universal symbolism. Soma pervades the outer world as water in its various forms on the earth and in the sky, as the sap of plants, the vital fluids in animals, the Moon, and even the waters (vibratory field) of space. Soma exists inside ourselves as a psychological principle of feeling, love and inspiration which includes our creativity that we manifest in diverse forms.

© "The Mountain Path" (Aradhana, 2003) published by Sri Ramanasramam, Tiruvannamalai 606 603. Website: www.ramana-maharshi.org. Reprinted with permission.

Click here to view the full content of the article.

<< Back