The Quantum Book of Soma by Major-General GD Bakshi takes a deeper, expansive approach to Soma that is needed today, in harmony with the ancient Vedic seers and modern great yogis. He adds a detailed scientific dimension to the understanding of Soma relative to the secrets of modern physics and cosmology, as well as modern psychology and medicine, particularly to the workings of brain chemistry and the nervous system. This gives the book a special ability to motivate us and awaken our minds in the high-tech era, endowing the ancient Vedic mantras with a new expression through a futuristic vision of science.

This extensive book of nearly four hundred pages contains a wide spectrum of views and insights on Soma, from new translations of Soma hymns to an extensive explication of the botanical Somas and different plants, to a recognition of the artistic and sensory Somas. He examines the emotional and rasa aspect of Soma, with their connection to poetry and arts.

General Bakshi explores Soma extensively in neurobiology and mind body medicine and depth psychology, and ultimately its connection to the subtle body and chakras, and Agni/Kundalini, weaving modern science with yogic meditation. All these many types of Somas are part of a greater integral and universal view of the infinite and eternal reality, the Atman that is Brahman. His explanation of Soma in terms of Vedantic Mahavakyas like Tat Tvam Asi is most notable. Our inner Self is Soma, and the entire universe is Soma as this explication of Vedanta reveals.

Such new and dynamic studies of the Vedic teachings as General Bakshi has elaborated are essential today, not only to counter old distortions but to open the Consciousness raising potential of Vedic knowledge for everyone in the new planetary era.

May your highest Soma or Ananda flow within you by examining the Soma wisdom of the Vedic Rishis through this in depth and detailed book.

Encountering the Vedic Soma Today Soma is said to be the essence of the Vedas and the veritable nectar of immortality. It is given the highest praise by the Vedic Rishis as the supreme goal of their inner labors to bring down the Divine Light to humanity. This means that any authentic understanding of the Vedas must explain the power of Soma and how to manifest it within and around us. Yet Soma is a subject of much mystery and complexity, so divergent ideas have been proposed as to its identity and meaning. Different views of Soma may reflect some aspect of it, but Soma ultimately transcends all limitations of name and form, time and space as the Supreme Ananda, with many forms in the time-space universe.

To approach Soma at the deeper level of yogic insight, we must recognize the multileveled and multidimensional nature of the Vedic mantras, which address all aspects of the human being, all the realms of nature and lokas of the universe as interrelated and mutually reflective. This is no easy task as it requires a fundamental change of mindset over our common external view of reality. To know the essence of Soma requires a higher intuitive awareness and inspiration beyond the information-based intellect. It cannot be simply measured, quantified or understood as a particular factor in the outer world. Soma pervades the whole of life.

**Contents and Sample Pages**