JohnMichael
Kava Synchronized
When reading the Rgveda (usually Rig Veda), a kava drinker often tends to feel that Soma sounds a lot like kava. Frequently mentioned, with one entire Mandala dedicated to it, Soma is the ultimate beverage of the Rig. Of course, there is the spiritual interpretation of Soma as well: the beautiful things we do in life, etc. Some scholars believe that, as the Arya people migrated from what is today Iran southward toward the Indus Valley millennia ago, the plant used for their Soma libation changed as they journeyed. So, it may well have been several different varieties of plants.
As I was recently reading a new translation (to me) of the Rig by R. L. Kashyap, I noticed in his linguistics notes an interesting transliteration of a Sanskrit word. In 1.3.3 the shukta says, "O Fulfillers of action, the potent Soma is prepared...". In the notes, the word translated "potent" is transliterated as "yuvakava." This yuva-kava Soma is the most potent of libations. It is just a fun linguistic coincidence, of course, but interesting. The effects of Soma, described in the Rig, are very similar to drinking kava. And even some of the ways the preparation of the sacrificial drink are done sounds like traditional prep of kava.
But enough writing, I think I'll go get out the Pacific Elixir and see what Indra has in store...
As I was recently reading a new translation (to me) of the Rig by R. L. Kashyap, I noticed in his linguistics notes an interesting transliteration of a Sanskrit word. In 1.3.3 the shukta says, "O Fulfillers of action, the potent Soma is prepared...". In the notes, the word translated "potent" is transliterated as "yuvakava." This yuva-kava Soma is the most potent of libations. It is just a fun linguistic coincidence, of course, but interesting. The effects of Soma, described in the Rig, are very similar to drinking kava. And even some of the ways the preparation of the sacrificial drink are done sounds like traditional prep of kava.
But enough writing, I think I'll go get out the Pacific Elixir and see what Indra has in store...