Canto 4: Creation of the Fourth OrderChapter 18: Prithu Mahārāja Milks the Earth Planet

Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 4.18.15

kritvā vatsam sura-ganā

indram somam adūduhan

hiranmayena pātrena

vīryam ojo balam payah

SYNONYMS

kritvā — making; vatsam — calf; sura-ganāh — the demigods; indramIndra, King of heaven; somam — nectar; adūduhan — they milked out; hiranmayena — golden; pātrena — with a pot; vīryam — mental power; ojah — strength of the senses; balam — strength of the body; payah — milk.

TRANSLATION

All the demigods made Indra, the King of heaven, into a calf, and from the earth they milked the beverage soma, which is nectar. Thus they became very powerful in mental speculation and bodily and sensual strength.

PURPORT

In this verse the word soma means "nectar." Soma is a kind of beverage made in the heavenly planets from the moon to the kingdoms of the demigods in the various higher planetary systems. By drinking this soma beverage the demigods become more powerful mentally and increase their sensual power and bodily strength. The words hiranmayena pātrena indicate that this soma beverage is not an ordinary intoxicating liquor. The demigods would not touch any kind of liquor. Nor is soma a kind of drug. It is a different kind of beverage, available in the heavenly planets. Soma is far different from the liquors made for demoniac people, as explained in the next verse.

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His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, Founder Ācārya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness