A Study of the Relationship between Kvasir, the Beverage of Norse Gods in Edda and Vedic and Avestan Soma- Haoma

Abstract

Introduction

In the pantheon of Proto-Indo-Europeans, there is a mysterious deity who is usually represented as a plant. This god- plant, from which an intoxicating beverage extracts, is called “Haoma” in Avesta and “Soma” in Vedic Sanskrit texts. But we can also trace this Indo-European deity, with other names and different figures in many other cultures related to the Indo-European race. Kvasir, the god of ancient Norse myths is one of them Whose story is mentioned in Prose Edda and Heimskringla, both written by Snorri Sturluson in 13th century, and in the poetry of skalds. Kvasir is a being who was created by the Æsir and Vanir gods at the conclusion of their war and then he was sacrificed by two Dwarfs in a ritual ceremony by mixing his blood with honey, the mead of poetry obtain; The beverage whose drinking causes poetic inspiration and therefore the ancient Norse poets used it in order to be able to sing the heroic epics of their nation. and for this reason, it is also referred to as ‘mead of poetry’.
The aim of this essay is to compare the similarities between Kvasir, the beverage of Norse gods and Avestan Haoma and Vedic Soma. These similarities have been investigated from three aspects, etymological, mythological and ritual. The essay also tries to be a preface in search of the archetype of the divine drink of the Proto-Indo-Europeans.
 

Methodology

This research is based on descriptive-analytical method with a comparative approach, in order to identify the common patterns and themes of the mentioned texts and to find the relationships between them.
 

Discussion

The name of Kvasir is derived from the word “kvas”, which means strong beer. This beverage represents in some aspects the intoxicating drink of soma- haoma. On the other hand, just as soma had been brought from the heaven by an eagle to be used by Indra, Kvasir was also snatched from the mountainous territory of Suttungr by Odin, in the form of an eagle, to offer it to the gods. Remarkably, Kvasir is a god who is sacrificed to be resurrected as a beverage that is being used by gods and epic poets. in the same way Soma - Haoma is a Sacrificial god, and the result of Sacrificing him in Avesta, is the good sons that Ormusd has given to his sacrificers. Basically, the "drink of the Gods", or ambrosia causes immortality as well as strength and courage. And that's why the heroes of epics drank it before their fateful battle with the demonic forces.
 On the other hand, as Loki, in Prose Edda after escaping from the gods, transforms into the shape of a salmon and hides himself in the waterfall of Franang  and  finally Kvasir, The wisest of gods, pulls him out of the water and chained him to a rock in a cave, in Avesta and Shahname (The Book of Kings) Afrasiab, an opponent of kay Khosrow after escaping from him, hides himself into the cave and then Chichast Sea, in order to be saved, but  Hom  the Hero, Eventually found him. Loki's fate is also similar to Azi Dahaka( Zahāk) that Frēdōn, the hero of Shahname, had chained him on the mythical Mt. Damāvand.
On the other hand, the vessels in which the flowing blood of Kvasir, is kept, i.e, Óðrœrir, Boðn and Són and have symbolized the meanings such as Divine madness, infatuation, wisdom and horse of the sun, have similarities with soma- haoma and its rituals; Because Soma- haoma is also a god and an intoxicating beverage that indicates the wisdom and one of his characteristics is zairi or golden, which implies the sun.
 
4.Conclusion
The ritual beverage of the ancient Indian, Iranian and Norse peoples, Despite their differences, basically are the same and their similarities from the etymological, mythological and ritual aspects are remarkable.
Kvasir, like Soma-Haoma, is a god who is sacrificed in a religious ceremony in order to exist again in the form of a beverage and bring good and blessings to his followers. But the archetype of the mentioned beverage is still ambiguous for many researchers. some of them consider it as a drink which extract from a specific plant, But others consider it as  an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting honey mixed with water, and sometimes with added ingredients such as fruits and spices and grains, or hops. But there is no doubt that there is a significant similarity between the Sanskrit grā́van (a stone used to pound the soma plant and extract its juice) and the Avestan hävana [mortar] which has the same application. The similarity between grā́van, hävana and Hnitbjörg- the mountain abode of the giant Suttungr in the Norse mythology- is undeniable. The word Hnitbjörg can be translated as 'colliding rocks' which may have implied that the mountain could open and close. The origin of this word is the Greek word Συμπληγάδες[Sympligades] which is mentioned in the twelfth book of  Homer's Odyssey (The Wandering Rocks) and refers to a pair of rocks at the Bosphorus that clashed together whenever a vessel went through.
On the other hand, the vessels in which the blood of Kvasir, after sacrificing him, is poured, i.e. Óðrœrir, Boðn and Són, have, respectively, the meanings such as “divine madness” infatuation”, “wisdom” and “horse of the sun”. These meanings remind us the Soma- Haoma, that intoxication and wisdom are their characteristics.
It should also be noted that the meaning of  Boðn in Icelandic  is cask, a wooden container used for storing liquid; which is   equal  to  Avestan word, tashta (aTCaT) ,that is used  in the Haoma Ceremony and its original meaning is  cup or goblet. we should also mention the etymological relationship that between the Icelandic word, Boðn, and the Sanskrit word, Buddhi[बुद्धि]exist. the latter also means intelligence and wisdom