It is said in the Rig Veda that _soma_ grows upon the mountain M[=u]javat, that its or his father is Parjanya, the rain-god, and that the waters are his sisters[14].

From this mountain, or from the sky, accounts differ, _soma_ was brought by a hawk[15].

He is himself represented in other places as a bird; and as a divinity he shares in the praise given to Indra, "who helped Indra to slay Vritra," the demon that keeps back the rain.

Indra, intoxicated by _soma_, does his great deeds, and indeed all the gods depend on _soma_ for immortality.

Divine, a weapon-bearing god, he often simply takes the place of Indra and other gods in Vedic eulogy.