Letter#42 Delhi's Whispers, Ancient Herbals & Soma

The poetry of the earth is never dead.― John Keats

Dear Friend,

I found myself writing this letter to you a bit later than usual. You see, I've been going back and forth to Delhi quite a bit lately, for all sorts of reasons. Those trips made my letter a little tardy this weekend.

There's something about Delhi that always brings a smile to my face. I've talked about it in many of my letters before – it's like this city has a special way of talking to you each time you set foot here.

And here's the magical part: Whenever I leave Delhi and journey toward Faridabad, there's this enchanting forest lane that I pass through. It's like a passage through time itself. As I drive along that leafy path, I feel like the trees themselves are whispering stories to me.

They ask me questions, you know? They wonder aloud where I was when Ghalib, used to wander these very streets of Delhi. Can you imagine that? I think about how the air must have carried his words, his thoughts, his dreams. And then, as I continue through that forest corridor, I can almost hear the echo of Amir Khusrau's qawwali. It's as if his soulful melodies are still floating in the air, mixing with the rustling leaves.

They tell me stories of old, of kings and queens who once walked these lands, of poets and philosophers who sought solace in the embrace of nature. It's like the past is alive and intertwined with the present, and I find myself pondering the timeless connection between humans and the world around them.

Speaking of seeking solace, I've been on a journey of my own lately, one that I'd like to share with you. You see, I've been struggling with alcohol for quite some time now. It became a refuge, a way to escape the pressures and challenges of life. But as I started to recognize the toll it was taking on my health and well-being, I knew I needed to make a change.

I embarked on a quest for a healthier alternative, scouring books and resources to find a solution that would help me find balance without resorting to alcohol. It was during this search that I stumbled upon the fascinating world of fermentation and ancient herbal drinks.

It's remarkable to discover that fermentation has been an integral part of human history, a practice deeply rooted in our cultural and medicinal heritage. As I delved into my research, I couldn't help but be captivated by the stories of traditional drinks like "soma," a revered elixir mentioned in the Vedas and Upanishads.

Soma, a term used for both the drink itself and the plant from which it was derived, is woven into the fabric of ancient Indian texts. In the Rigveda, drinking soma is associated with immortality and divine connection.

In Rigveda's verses, there's a timeless declaration that speaks to the transformative power of soma. As I navigate this journey of self-discovery and transformation, I find solace in the stories of soma, in the whispers of the forest, and in the echoes of poets long gone.

I’ll write again, my friend.

Yours,

Bohemian Dialogue