But to proceed. The Rig-Veda from beginning to end abounds with references to the supposed drinking proclivities of the deities, especially of Indra. To the effect of the libations poured out to him by his worshippers all his gifts are attributed. “Come hither, O Indra, to our sacrifice. Drink of the soma, O soma-drinker; thine intoxication is that which gives us abundance of cows.”[57] “Come hither, O Indra, and intoxicate thyself.”[58] Indra was not believed to be capable of accomplishing any heroic deed unless he was intoxicated. For example, “When he (Indra) combated against the withholder of rain (Vritra), in his inebriation, the refreshing rain rushed down the declivity like rivers.”[59] “When Indra, animated by soma, destroyed the defences of Vala with the thunderbolt, as did Trita.” Just as in one of the Hebrew psalms every verse ends with the words, “For His mercy endureth for ever,” so in one hymn to Indra each verse concludes as follows: “In the intoxication which soma has caused him, see what Indra has accomplished.”[60] The account of his toping powers is in some cases ludicrous, for he is described as taking such copious draughts of soma that his inside becomes like a fish-pond,[61] and it is made a merit in him that he is reeling drunk.[62] From these quotations it is obvious that the Vedic people must have been well acquainted with the intoxicating power of soma-drink, or they would not have known what influence it would have upon their gods; and from the same source we may gather with equal certainty that they indulged freely in that beverage themselves. For they seem to have entertained no doubt that their gods were willing to join in their revels, and often invited them to come down and be partakers in their banquets. “Called by us, O Indra,” they said, “sit down and intoxicate thyself with us, thy friends.”[63] They must have renewed old acquaintance amongst themselves, top, over what is called the social glass, for they treated their deities as hail-fellows-well-met, and invited them to do likewise. “Very old is your favour and your auspicious friendship,” they said to one of their gods; “renewing again that auspicious friendship, may we now in your society intoxicate ourselves with soma.”[64] No mincing matters there! Nor was it merely a figurative expression, for the sacrificer, or he at whose cost the sacrifice was provided, as well as the priests, drank soma during the ceremony until they were all drunk together,[65] but the hotar, or chief priest, commenced the operations: “Like the hotar, drink first of this soma, O Indra; we offer thee, O god, this sweet soma for inebriation.”[66] In one place, Indra is described with great circumstantiality as getting drunk with soma-drink mixed with milk early in the morning, a proof that the priests occasionally indulged in a matutinal sip. Indeed, detailed accounts of the ceremonies are found throughout the hymns which show that the priests were inordinate