The ancient man and his few concepts pertaining to drugs and cosmology
Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: The ancient man and his few concepts pertaining to drugs and cosmology
The ANSCI is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal focused on Ayurveda and traditional medicines. It publishes original research, reviews, and literary studies linking traditional knowledge with modern science, covering disciplines like botany, ethnomedicine, pharmacology, and clinical research.
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Original source:
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S. Mahdihassan
Ancient Science of Life:
(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)
Full text available for: The ancient man and his few concepts pertaining to drugs and cosmology
Year: 1985
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA
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Summary of article contents:
1) Introduction
In the article "The Ancient Man and His Few Concepts Pertaining to Drugs and Cosmology," S. Mahdihassan attempts to explore the beliefs and interpretations of ancient man concerning drugs and cosmology, particularly focusing on the ancient texts such as the Rig-Veda. The author emphasizes the need for proper interpretation of these texts, as many terms used in ancient writings may not fully resonate with their literal meanings when translated. By analyzing the concept of Soma, a key medicinal plant, the author highlights the complex relationship between ancient beliefs and their understanding of drugs, chemistry, and the cosmos.
2) Sweetness and Bitterness of Soma
One of the pivotal concepts discussed is the nature of Soma, which is associated with both bitterness and sweetness in the texts of the Rig-Veda. The author identifies Soma as potentially linked to the plant Ephedra, which contains ephedrine, a substance known for both its energizing and euphoric effects. While certain verses in the Rig-Veda describe Soma as a "bitter draught" or "pungent," others refer to it as a "sweet juice." Mahdihassan interprets this discrepancy as the ancient understanding of the effects of Soma; despite its bitterness, it was perceived as sweet because of the vital energy it provided. This juxtaposition indicates that in ancient times, taste was not merely about flavor but also about the experiential and energetic qualities associated with the substance.
3) Conclusion
The study concludes that the conceptual frameworks of ancient cosmology and the use of medicinal plants are intricate and cannot be taken at face value. The author presents the idea that ancient expressions reflect deeper beliefs and purposes, particularly in how cosmological elements relate to divine entities. The names and roles ascribed to these elements suggest they were once honored as gods that continue to offer blessings even in their transformed, elemental forms. This perspective highlights the rich interplay between spirituality, nature, and human experience in ancient civilizations, illustrating that cosmology operates as a substitute for an earlier pantheon intended to confer vitality and longevity to humankind.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What concepts regarding Soma are discussed in the text?
The text explores Soma as a medicinal plant, likely ephedra, highlighting its contradictory descriptions in the Rig-Veda as both 'bitter' and 'sweet.' It suggests Soma acts as an energizer and euphoriant, contributing to the well-being of early Aryans.
What parallels are drawn between Indian and Chinese cosmology?
Indian and Chinese cosmology share similarities in their elements and qualities, such as Akasha corresponding to Wood. The text illustrates how each element has a role in generating creative energy, emphasizing dynamic, cyclic arrangements that contribute to life.
How does the text interpret the concept of 'Red' in relation to Soma?
The text interprets 'Red' as a significant quality, suggesting it symbolizes richness in soul-content and immortality. Red is linked to life essence and longevity in various cultures, including ancient Chinese and Indian traditions.
What conclusions are drawn about ancient cosmology and divine elements?
The text concludes that ancient cosmology reflects a pantheon of deities, where cosmic elements represent dethroned gods that continue to offer blessings. This perspective portrays cosmology as a system designed to generate and promote life through creative energy.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for 鈥淭he ancient man and his few concepts pertaining to drugs and cosmology鈥�. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Soma (Som膩):
Soma refers to a medicinal plant with extensive literary references in the Rig-Veda. It is noted for its energizing and euphoric properties. The text suggests it relates to plants like ephedra and Catha edulis, highlighting its role as an energizer crucial for ancient Aryans amidst their hunting lifestyle.
2) Akasha (膧k膩艣a, 膧k膩sa, 膧k膩sa, 膧ka峁, Ak膩艣a, Ak膩sa):
Akasha is considered a fundamental cosmic element in ancient cosmologies, equated to space or ether. The text connects Akasha to sound and creative energy, viewing it as the container of the universe. It serves as the symbolic beginning in cosmological discussions of the universe's creation and existence.
3) Bitter:
Bitter is a taste descriptor used in the Rig-Veda to characterize the juice of Soma, despite its generally acknowledged sweetness. This duality in description reflects a deeper understanding of ancient thought processes, linking bitter tastes with stimulation and the dual nature of medicinal effects in plants like ephedra.
4) Water:
Water, one of the primary elements in both Chinese and Indian cosmologies, is also associated with moistness and coldness. The discussion emphasizes its universal presence in earthly matters and plays a critical role in the holistic systems governing cosmological elements, highlighting its significance in sustaining life.
5) Substance:
Substance refers to the essential material or essence of an object, which in the text, parallels the idea of cosmic elements representing physical existence and qualities. It encompasses the tangible nature of elements while exploring their philosophical and cosmological implications, linking materiality with spiritual interpretations.
6) Blood:
Blood is associated with life and vitality in ancient belief systems, symbolizing the soul and its essence. It is mentioned to signify active principles and longevity, as seen through the connection of red substances to life essence, reflecting cultural understandings of health and immortality in ancient practices.
7) Drug:
Drug is used to describe substances, like Soma, that possess medicinal and euphoric properties. The text identifies the historical significance of such drugs in ancient cultures, exploring their effects on mental and physical states, thereby bridging pharmacology with spirituality and traditional wisdom in drug usage.
8) Veda (Ved膩):
Vedic pertains to the body of texts that form the foundation of ancient Indian knowledge, encompassing hymns, philosophy, and cosmology. It signifies the source of cultural and spiritual heritage from which the notions discussed in the paper derive, showcasing the continuity of thought through historical time periods.
9) Vayu (V膩yu):
Vayu signifies the wind or air in Indian cosmology, acknowledged as the life breath permeating existence. The text connects Vayu to the concept of creative energy, highlighting the interplay between air as a life-giver and its role in determining the cosmos' dynamic processes and vitality.
10) Pungent:
Pungent describes another flavor aspect observed in Soma juice, exemplifying the complexity of its effects. This term emphasizes the interaction between different taste qualities and their links to the physiological and spiritual experiences of ancient users, illustrating a nuanced understanding of ancient pharmacological effects.
11) Science (Scientific):
Science denotes the systematic study of the natural world, emphasized in the paper through the analysis of ancient texts. The text proposes a scholarly perspective on ancient beliefs, merging traditional knowledge with scientific interpretations of substances and their interactions, reflecting a blend of empirical inquiry and spiritual exploration.
12) Cina (C墨na, C墨n膩, Ci峁塧, Ci峁壞�, C墨峁壞�, Cin膩):
China represents an ancient civilization with its own cosmological understanding, likened to Indian thought in the discussion. The text explores the parallels and differences in cosmological elements, indicating shared philosophical frameworks in interpreting cosmic phenomena and offering a comparative view of cultural cosmologies.
13) Soil:
Soil is connected to the grounding element of earth in cosmology, encapsulating life sustenance and fertility. The text depicts its significance in the natural world and as a metaphorical substance representing various qualities, consequently bridging the gap between physical reality and spiritual interpretations in cosmological frameworks.
14) Discussion:
Discussion symbolizes a reflective process of sharing and analyzing ideas explored in the text. It serves as an indicator of the dialogue between ancient wisdom and contemporary interpretations, emphasizing the importance of critical inquiry in unraveling the complex layers of cosmological and philosophical views of ancient civilizations.
15) Sugar:
Sugar connects to the description of sweetness attributed to Soma in the Rig-Veda. This term symbolizes the energizing properties of sweet substances, illustrating the relationship between sugar as a source of energy and joy, which ancient cultures would recognize in their medicinal and recreational practices.
16) Hand:
Hand is a symbol of action and agency, representing the human element in shaping experiences and interpretations. The text implies that deliberate actions (like the harvesting and processing of plants) are essential for gaining medicinal benefits, linking the physical presence to the broader cosmic and medicinal themes explored.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: 鈥�The ancient man and his few concepts pertaining to drugs and cosmology鈥�. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Akasha, Rigveda, Medicinal plant, Vital force, Ancient Science of life, Perennial plant.
Concepts being referred in other categories, contexts and sources.
Wood, Cosmic element, Soma juice, Breath of life, Creative energy, Divinities, Philosopher.