2.

Amrita, Ambrosia, Soma and Nectar

According to the Rigveda, a collection of ancient Vedic hymns that are a

cornerstone of Hinduism, Amrita is a drink that bestows immortality. In
Hinduism and other traditions, it is also referred to as Soma. Indra, the god of
heaven, and Agni, the god of fire, drink Amrita to attain immortality. After
drinking the mysterious substance, they state:

We have drunk Soma and become immortal; we have attained the light, the
Gods discovered. Now what may foemans malice do to harm us? What, O
Immortal, mortal mans deception? (Rigveda 8.48.3)

There are many other references to Amrita and Soma across Hindu,
Zoroastrian, and Indo-European texts. Ambrosia, the food of immortality of
the Greek gods, is analagous with Amrita. They come from the same IndoEuropean root, n-mr-to, roughly translated as non-death. Similarly, the
Greek drink of the gods, Nectar (Nktar), literally translates to Death (Nek)
Overcoming (Tar). According to some Yogic traditions, Amrita can be released
from the pituitary gland during deep meditation.

While the consumption of Amrita by humans is common in traditional texts,

the knowledge of where to obtain it has been lost. It is undoubtedly a plant or
fungus. Instructions for preparation involve pounding parts of the plant into a
paste or to release juices. It is sometimes filtered through wool and mixed
with cows milk before consumption. Like the Mushroom of Immortality, it is
often described as growing in the mountains. While such detailed accounts
exist,the true identity of Amrita was lost. Today, some Indian rituals include
prayers apologizing to the Gods for the lack of Amrita.

Scientists, historians and shamans have speculated on the identity of the

Amrita plant. Because of the spiritual experiences associated with Soma
consumption, it is usually assumed to be entheogenic, producing an altered
state of consciousness. Many anthropologists point to Fly Agaric (Amanita
Muscaria), a mildly hallucinogenic mushroom widely used by Siberian
shamans.

Ethnobotanist Terence McKenna believes Amrita may be the Psilocybe

Cubensis, a hallucinogenic mushroom that grows in cow dung. Cows are often
referred to as the embodiment of soma in Vedic literature. Some, like
McKenna, postulate that the P. Cubensis is responsible for the elevation of
cows to sacred status in Hindu culture. McKenna and other hands-on
ethnobotanists report little to no psychedelic effect from the Amanita
Muscaria mushroom, concluding that the more potent P. Cubensis is a more
probable candidate.

Others believe Amrita is derived from a plant in the Ephedra genus. These
have been widely used in Zoroastrian communities of Iran, Traditional
Chinese Medicine, and modern pharmaceuticals. The Ephedra plants contain
Ephedrine and Pseudoephedrine, which are chemically similar to
methamphetamine and act as stimulants and appetite suppressants. Ephedra
plants are also traditionally used to treat low blood pressure.

In 2003, archaeologist Viktor Sarianidi claimed to have discovered vessels

used for the preparation of Soma in a site in Bactria (present day
Afghanistan). The claims were never verified by other academic sources, but
according to Sarianidi, the vessels contained residue of Ephedra, Poppy, and
Cannabis. These ingredients would undoubtedly create an altered state of
consciousness if prepared properly, and are all native to the region where
Soma is most sacred.