Somaras is said to cause hallucinations and therefore the consumption of soma was permitted only during sacrifices. Somaras gave a sense of growing to gigantic size and possessing superhuman strength or experiencing visions of the gods coming down to join the worshippers on the sacrificial site. Even in the present days, a few Brahmanic families who try to keep up the very ancient Vedic rituals make a rather bitter drink from a kind of wild rhubarb which they call soma. The modern Somaras is not injurious, because the powerful hallucinogenic property of the original soma plant was replaced by the ineffectual substitute that is used now. It is said that Somaras is similar to the agarics mushroom widespread in central Asia and the Himalayan forests. This article is a stub. You can enrich by adding more information to it. Send your Write Up to content@indianetzone.com |