Etymology of Soma — The Sacred Plant
Nirukta (Yaska) · 11 · Verse 1
niruktasomaetymologyplantmoonyajnayaska
Sanskrit Original
सोमः कस्मात्? सूयते — निष्पीड्यते यज्ञे। सौम्यो वा — शान्तो मनोहरश्च। सुनोति वा — आनन्दं प्राणिभ्यः ससृजे॥
somaḥ kasmāt? sūyate — niṣpīḍyate yajñe | saumyo vā — śānto manoharaś ca | sunoti vā — ānandaṃ prāṇibhyaḥ sasṛje ||
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Why is it called Soma? (1) From "su" (to press) — because it is pressed/extracted during the yajna ritual; (2) Because it is Saumya — gentle and pleasing; (3) Because it generates (sunoti) bliss for living beings. Soma is the divine plant pressed in Vedic ritual, also identified with the Moon.