Dictionary of all Scriptures & Myths

Understanding Biblical Symbolism


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SOMA PLANT OR TREE

A symbol of the Divine Life or "Tree of Life" in the soul, which has its rise in the Absolute, and extends through all planes.

“The Chandogya Up. (8, 5, 3) and the Kaushitaki Up. (1, 3) have a knowledge of the fig-tree which distils the soma,' and the tree of life,' of the celestial world." - BARTH, Religions of India, p. 263.

“Agni and Soma (as spiritual conceptions) were invested with a subtle and complicated symbolism; they were impregnated, so to speak, with all the mystic virtue of sacrifice; their empire was extended far beyond the world of sense, and they were conceived as cosmic agents and universal principles." - Ibid., p. 9.

"To sacrifice is (also) to stir up, actually to beget, two divinities of the first rank, the two principles of life, Agni and Soma." - Ibid., p. 36.

Agni represents the force-aspect of the Self, and Soma the life-aspect, and these are aroused in the soul as the soul aspires in offering up the lower for the higher.

 

See Also

AGNI (Fire God)
FIG-TREE
HOMA-TREE
PLANTS
SACRIFICE
TREE OF LIFE
VINE
VRITRA