Guest guest Posted September 19, 1999 Report Share Posted September 19, 1999 On 16 Sep 1999, Thakura-seva das wrote: > I was wondering about the soma plant. It is praised in the Vedas and used > in the great soma sacrifices. But what about vaisnavas? Is there > regulations in any vaisnava sampradayas against drinking soma? Has soma > ever been used in some forms of deity worship? I attended an Agnistoma yajna performed many years ago in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. It was organized by Pusti Margi (Vallabhacharya Sampradaya) Vaisnavas and was performed by Agnihotri Tatacharya (of the Sri or Ramanuja Sampradaya). I was invited to attend the full 14 days of the function and promised a taste (one drop) of the Soma prasadam offered to Lord Visnu at the end of that time. At the time I had other travel committments and could not stay. However I believe that Agnihotri Tatacharya (of the Sri or Ramanuja Sampradaya) is the only Vaisnava who performs these sacrifices thesedays. Basu Gosh of Baroda Temple will perhaps remember more about this incident than me. At that time Soma was described to me as a Sattvic Intoxicant which after the sacrifice each brahmana could have one drop of. Apparently the system is to perform prayascitta for taking even this small amount by shaving of the head and other purifications.I also understood that the plants came from Kerala and were crushed for their juice which was then used to make a fermented dough which then was the final source of the Soma.I suggest you contact Agnihotri Tatacharya for more details. Gaura Keshava das Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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