Soma (सोम) is a sacred drink mentioned in the Vedas, originally derived from a plant said to have “descended from the heavens”. It was believed to grant immortality to the gods of the Hindu pantheon, similar to ambrosia in Greek mythology. Soma enabled Indra to slay the dragon Vritra and become king of the gods.
In the Rig Veda, Soma is associated with the Moon, symbolizing the feminine dimension, interiority, and substance.
The word “Soma” is built on the root “Su”, meaning “To press” or “To crush” (to extract juice), and the suffix “Ma”. used to form action nouns.
“You shall command the children of Israel to bring you pure olive oil, crushed for the light, to kindle the lamps continually.” (Exodus 27:20)
“Katit lamaor” (כָּתִית לַמָּאוֹר) means “Crushed for the light”, signifying that, like the olive from which oil is extracted to produce light, a soul must be “crushed”—undergo trials, shed its ego —to reveal the Divine Light within.
It is through pressure that the interiority of things is revealed: the One.
Gematria of Soma
Soma
סומה
Ordinal gematria = 39
= gematria of “YHVH Echad” (“God is One”)
יהוה אחד
Classic gematria = 111
= full gematria of the letter Aleph, the first letter of the alphabet
אלף
The word “Soma” can be linked to the Hebrew “Sam”, meaning “Medicine”, “Drug”, or “Plant”.
סם
In France, when one is sick, they call the SAMU (Emergency medical assistance service).
“Samu” in Hebrew corresponds to “Shemo”, meaning “His Name.”
שמו
“And the Lord will be King over all the earth; on that day, the Lord will be One, and His Name will be One.” (Zechariah 14:9)
וְהָיָה יְהוָה לְמֶלֶךְ עַל כָּל הָאָרֶץ בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא יִהְיֶה יְהוָה אֶחָד וּשְׁמוֹ אֶחָד
Soma
סומה
Gematria with the kolel (+1) = 112
= gematria of the combined Names of God, YHVH (26) and Elohim (86)
יהוה אלהים
His Name is One.