The Soma plant should be the pulmonary arteriole at the level of the acinus. When it is pressed by stones, the alveoli, the soma juice (oxygenated blood) oozes out of the crushed portions (the capillaries).
The consumption of soma by human beings is well attested in Vedic ritual. The Soma Mandala of the Rigveda is completely dedicated to Soma Pavamana, and is focused on a moment in the ritual when the soma is pressed, strained, mixed with water and milk, and poured into containers. These actions are described as a representation of a variety of things, including a king conquering territory, the Sun's journey through the cosmos, or a bull running to mate with cows (represented by the milk).
This is fully confirmed now. The preparation of the soma drink -- mixing with water and so on -- is an emulation of the happenings in the respiratory portion of the lungs, the acinus. All of these pertains to gas exchange at the acinus.
ReplyDeleteThe soma plant more appropriately would be the capillaries.
ReplyDelete