Ancient Indian Alcoholic Drink Called Surā: Vedic Evidence

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The Chinese ferment starter qu for some wines contains peas, showing that starters need not be only cereals.

“The ferment starter (qu) for some Chinese wines contains peas, so by no means only cereals are used in such starters (Zheng et al .2011: 85) .”

• cites Zheng et al .2011: 85 sourcePartly supported

  The Introduction (p. 2) says Daqu can be made from wheat, barley and/or peas, supporting the point that these starters need not contain only cereals. But it describes Daqu chiefly as a starter for distilled liquor, not Chinese wine; the paper separately describes a wheat qu used for rice wine (Composition of Daqu, p. 5). (LLM, conf=0.88)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

May combine two claims.

There are references to surā in the Ṛgveda, but unlike soma references they reveal little about how surā was prepared.

“There are references to surā in the Ṛgveda .15 Yet, unlike with the drink called soma, these references reveal little about how surā was prepared .16”

• cites [15]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites [16]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

BŚS 17.31 instructs measuring one measure of śaṣpa, two of tokman, three of lājā, and four of nagnahu, then completing the cooked rice by scattering these powders and besprinkling with māsara.

“One should then take a measuring vessel (mānam) and measure out one [measure] of śaṣpa (spouted barley), two of tokman (sprouted rice), three of lājā (the popped rice), and four of nagnahu .Then he completes the cooked rice by scattering with those powders and besprinkling with the māsara [liquid].”

• cites BŚS 17.31Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The mixture remains for three nights, as the Brāhmaṇa says the purchased Soma remains for three nights.

“Mixed, it remains for three [nights] .[For] it is said in the Brāhmaṇa”

• Also stated in: § the natuRe of the vedic evidence foR surā · plain

  “The Soma, which is purchased, remains (undisturbed) for three nights.”

• cites BŚS 17.32Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

BŚS 17.32 instructs placing the stool east of the āhavanīya fire, putting the support on the stool, the jar on the support, and the kārotara on the jar, then heaping cooked rice around the kārotara, covering it, and touching it with a mantra.

“Then, taking the stool along the east of the āhavanīya fire he puts it down towards the south .He puts the support (iṇḍva) upon the stool (āsandī), the jar (kumbha) upon the support, and the kārotara (fermentation-drainage structure) on the jar .Then he heaps up the cooked rice all around the kārotara .Having covered it (kumbha?kārotara?both?) he touches it [uttering] the mantra .”

• cites BŚS 17.32Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The kārotara is a filter-structure or fermentation-drainage structure.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

BŚS 26.22 states that the surā for the Sautrāmaṇī is a quarter kiṇva or a fifth.

“The surā for the Sautrāmaṇī [sacrifice] is a quarter kiṇva (pādakiṇvā) 28 or a fifth .”

• cites BŚS 26.22Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

The recipes in these texts vary, but in terminology they are all aligned with a single schema for surā brewing implied by the words of sacrificial formulas (mantras) given in the Brāhmaṇas.

“The recipes in these texts vary, but in terminology they are all aligned with a single schema for surā brewing implied by the words of sacrificial formulas, mantras, given in texts on ritual exegesis, the Brāhmaṇas, which are early, though later than the Ṛgveda .”

• cites [17]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The sprouted grains are referred to as surāsoma, comparing them to soma stalks processed to make the soma drink.

“The sprouted grains are referred to as surāsoma, and thus compared to the soma stalks that are processed to make the soma drink .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

BŚS 17.31 instructs pounding half the rice paddy and parching the other half, with burst grains becoming lājā and unburst grains tarī.

“Then they pound (avaghnanti) 24 half of the paddy (vrīhi) .Then, placing an earthen pan upon the gārhapatya fire they parch 25 the other half [of the paddy] .Such of these as burst open (phalanti) become lājā .Such, indeed, as do not burst open, they are tarī .”

• cites BŚS 17.31Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

At ŚB V.1.2.14 the parisrut for the Vājapeya sacrifice is clearly obtained ready-made, though at ĀŚS XVIII.1.9 it is said to be brewed using the manner for preparing surā.

“At ŚB V.1.2.14 the parisrut for this sacrifice is clearly obtained ready-made, though at ĀŚS XVIII.1.9it is said to be brewed using the manner for preparing surā (surāyāḥ kalpena surāṃ saṃdadhāti), perhaps because parisrut was not always readily available in later periods (especially for brahmins)?”

• cites ŚB V.1.2.14Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites ĀŚS XVIII.1.9Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The śyāmāka millet grains are made into grist.

“Then one makes the śyāmāka (millet) grains into grist (śyāmākān saktūn kṛtvā) .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Vedic recipes use distinctive terms such as nagnahu that evidently needed explanation even at an early date.

“The Vedic recipes use distinctive terms, such as nagnahu, which are evidently in need of explanation even at an early date .”

May combine two claims.

The mixture is heaped in or around a rigid vessel called kārotara and placed over a jar near a fire for three days.

“This mixture is then heaped up in/around a special vessel called a kārotara, which was made of a rigid material, and placed over a jar near a fire for three days .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The coarse part of the toasted barley flour is sprinkled with liquid remnants, and this is nagnahu.

“Then the coarse part of the (toasted barley) flour (sthūlacūrṇāni) is to be sprinkled with the liquid remnants (of curds, etc.? of the oblation?saṃsrāveṇa), and this is the nagnahu (ĀŚS XIX.5.10).”

• cites ĀŚS XIX.5.10Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The other half of the paddy is left unhusked and parched on a hot plate, so some grains pop and some do not.

“The other half of the paddy, not pounded and retaining the husk, is parched on a hot plate, such that some pops and becomes puffed rice, and some does not .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Another passage identifies nagnahu as urad lentils.

“At another part of the text this is said to be urad lentils .”

May combine two claims.

In the BŚS process, half the rice is husked by pounding and boiled in water.

“Half of this is pounded to remove the hull/husk and then cooked in a pot with water.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

In the ĀŚS recipe, one purchases paddy, barley, and śyāmāka millet.

“First one purchases (krītvā) paddy, barley, and a grain called śyāmāka ('millet') (vrīhiyavaśyāmākān) (ĀŚS XIX.5.7).”

• cites ĀŚS XIX.5.7Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

BŚS 26.22 states the kārotara should be made of wood, split bamboo, or clay, and covered with hide on all sides.

“Then the kārotara should be made of wood or of split bamboo (vaidala) or clay (mṛdmaya), and it should be covered with hide (carman) on all sides .”

• cites BŚS 26.22Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

It is unclear whether the malts in the recipe are fresh, dried, or roasted.

“It is unclear if the malts are fresh, i .e ., green malt, or dried or roasted .”

May combine two claims.

One makes tokman by binding paddy in a linen cloth, presumably wetted, to malt it, and slightly heats or roasts barley.

“One makes tokman (malted/sprouted paddy) by binding the paddy in a linen cloth, presumably wetted, to malt it (kṣaume vāsasy upanaddhān vrīhīṃs tokmāni kurvanti), and one slightly heats (roasts?) the barley (yavān īṣadupataptān) (ĀŚS XIX.5.7).”

• cites ĀŚS XIX.5.7Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

After three nights the prepared surā is filtered with a hair sieve into an object called a sata and used in the ritual.

“After three nights the prepared surā is filtered with a hair sieve in/into an object called a sata (note that fabric filters always require a supporting framework) and used in the ritual:”

• cites BŚS 17.34Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Then one sprinkles the mixture with one third of the millet grist and milk of one cow; after one night adds another third and milk of two cows; after another night adds the last third and milk of three cows.

“Then one sprinkles that mixture with one third of the śyāmāka (millet) grist and the milk of one cow .Then after one night one adds another third of the millet grist and the milk of two cows .And after another night one adds the last third of the grist and the milk of three cows .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The māsaras in these recipes are soupy liquids.

“Certainly the māsaras here are soupy liquids.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The origin of śaṣpa is not entirely clear.

“The origin of śaṣpa is not entirely clear .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

When liquid flows on or in that, it is parisrut.

“5 .When it flows on/in that it is parisrut”

• cites ĀŚS XIX.6.5Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

Although the Ṛgveda reveals almost nothing about how surā was made, it contains two references to vessels associated with surā.

“Although the Ṛgveda reveals almost nothing about how surā was made, it does contain two references to vessels associated with surā .”

May combine two claims.

The Ṛgveda mentions a special structure called kārotara and a jar (kumbha) in a hymn to the Aśvins, who are elsewhere connected to surā.

“We hear of the special structure called a kārotara and a jar (kumbha) in a hymn addressed to the twin deities, the Aśvins, who are elsewhere connected to surā: 51”

May combine two claims.

Āpastamba Śrauta Sūtra XIX.6.1 gives a clear description of a kārotara and explicitly states it as an alternative to using a pit.

“The Āpastamba Śrauta Sūtra XIX .6 .1 gives a clear description of a kārotara, and here it is explicitly stated to be an alternative to the option of using a pit”

• cites ĀŚS XIX.6.1Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Later texts explain how surā was brewed.

“Later texts explain how it was brewed”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

The surā brewing we saw above involved all manner of equipment (tubes/spouts) and processes, such as boiling, straining/separating, oozing-up-or-down, dripping-down, lifting up-and-out, with bubbling, steaming, and foaming at certain points, connected with fermentation and cooking.

“The surā brewing we saw above involved all manner of equipment (tubes/spouts) and processes, such as boiling, straining/separating, oozing-up-or-down, dripping-down, lifting up-and-out, no doubt with plenty of bubbling, steaming, and foaming at certain points, connected with fermentation and cooking”

May combine two claims.

The drink called surā is mentioned in the Ṛgveda, though we learn very little about how it was made from that source.

“The drink called surā is mentioned in the most ancient textual anthology we possess from South Asia, the Ṛgveda, though we learn very little about how it was made from that source”

May combine two claims.

The Ṛgveda does not describe brewing, but there are references to the process in the Atharvaveda, the second oldest Sanskrit text.

“Although, as noted above, the Ṛgveda does not describe brewing, there are references to the process in the Atharvaveda, the second oldest Sanskrit text”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The drink is then strained and produces what is apparently a red liquor.

“The drink is then strained and produces what is apparently a red liquor”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Kolhatkar, who also examined surā in detail, comes to the same negative conclusion about ancient distillation.

“Note that Kolhatkar (1987: 44), who also examined surā in detail, comes to the same negative conclusion about ancient distillation”

• cites Kolhatkar (1987: 44)Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The use of the word śuṇḍā 'elephant-trunk' here is notable, as this and related terms are common in later texts to refer to drinking and brewing-related phenomena.

“The use of the word śuṇḍā 60 'elephant-trunk' here is notable, as this and related terms are common in later texts to refer to drinking and brewingrelated phenomena”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The hymn AVP 5.10 begins with the pounding/dehusking and grinding of grains.

“The hymn (AVP 5 .10)begins with the pounding/dehusking and grinding of grains”

• cites AVP 5.10Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

These components were prepared separately.

“These components were prepared separately”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The flavor of the malt stands out.

“Note how the flavor of the malt stands out”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Making an alcoholic drink from cereal grains requires converting starch to fermentable sugar (saccharification) via enzymes.

“Such grains, often a staple food, contain starches .In order to make an alcoholic drink from cereal grains you need to convert the starch to a fermentable sugar, a process called saccharification, which we now understand to rely on enzymes .”

• cites [5]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Traditionally there are three enzyme sources for saccharification: sprouted grains, starch-digesting fungi, and salivary enzymes.

“Around the world humans have discovered many ingenious ways to achieve saccharification, but traditionally there are three sources of enzymes: sprouted grains, especially malted barley (= beer), starch-digesting (amylolytic) fungi (= Japanese sake, Chinese huangjiu), and salivary enzymes .”

• cites [5]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

A mold-based saccharification method common in Asia is still used in parts of India today, and the author believes it was also used in this region in the past, possibly even in the earliest period for which there is textual evidence.

“Another method of saccharification that is common in Asia, based on the use of certain molds, is still used in parts of India today, and I believe this method was also used in this region in the past, possibly even in the earliest period for which we have textual evidence .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

In malting, grains are moistened and germinated to produce saccharifying enzymes, become sweeter, can be dried and stored, and when crushed, mixed with water, and heated, convert remaining starches to sugars.

“In the malting process cereal grains are moistened and allowed to germinate so that they produce saccharifying enzymes .These grains themselves become sweeter .The grains can be dried and stored in this malted state .When malt is crushed, mixed with water, and heated, the action of the enzymes is completed and remaining starches are converted into sugars .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Ancient surā as described in Vedic sources differs from the surā from around the turn of the Common Era.

“Yet ancient surā as described in our sources is quite different from the surā from about the turn of the Common Era, which I explore elsewhere .”

• cites [2]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

Understanding the nature of surā and surā brewing helps make better sense of associated words and concepts.

“Once we understand the nature of surā and surā brewing we can make better sense of a number of words and concepts associated with this drink .”

May combine two claims.

In South Asia, saccharification of starches to make alcoholic drinks has been achieved both with malted grains and with microorganisms.

“As we will see, ancient Indian texts and modern ethnobotanical research reveal that in South Asia saccharification of starches to make alcoholic drinks has been achieved both with malted grains and with microorganisms .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The salivary-enzyme method is not used in South Asia and has not been used there as far as the author is aware.

“This process need not concern us, as this method is not used in South Asia, nor has it ever been used there as far as I am aware, though the process may have been used in Japan at an early period (Huang 2000: 154) .”

• cites Huang 2000: 154Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

The complexity of stages, processes, names, and use of herbs is typical of many traditional grain drinks and is also what is seen with earliest surā.

“The above complexity of stages, processes, names, as well as the use of herbs, is typical of many traditional grain drinks .It is also exactly what we see with the earliest surā .”

May combine two claims.

The word surā remained stable in Sanskrit, and people made a grain drink called surā in South Asia for millennia.

“The word surā remained remarkably stable in Sanskrit, and people made a grain drink called surā in Sanskrit texts for millennia in South Asia .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Comparing surā brewing to other pre-industrial and traditional drinks helps understand how ancient surā was made.

“Comparing surā brewing to the production of other drinks in pre-industrial and traditional contexts helps us better understand how ancient surā was made .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Today in South Asia many drinks are made using the yeast/mold process, with diversity in northeast India and the Himalayan region.

“Today in South Asia many drinks are made using this yeast/mold-process, with an impressive diversity in northeast India and the Himalayan region .”

May combine two claims.

The recipes may help work out what the ancient shared brewing schema might have looked like in practice and reveal a variety of later brewing methods.

“Thus the recipes may help us to work out what the ancient, shared brewing schema might have looked like in practice, as well as revealing a variety of later brewing methods .”

May combine two claims.

The Sautrāmaṇī is a healing or reinvigorating ritual that involves drinking surā, otherwise forbidden to Brahmans, and is prescribed for people suffering loss of strength or vigor.

“Jamison (1991: 98) writes that the”

• Also stated in: § the natuRe of the vedic evidence foR surā · plain

  “Sautrāmaṇī is a healing or reinvigorating ritual, and, curiously, involves the drinking of surā, otherwise forbidden to Brahmans.This ritual is prescribed for people in a number of circumstances, but the common thread that connects them is loss of strength or vigor.”

• cites Jamison 1991: 98Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

Surā brewing is a key element of the Vedic sacrifice called the Sautrāmaṇī, and surā is also used in some other Vedic rituals.

“Surā brewing is a key element of the Vedic sacrifice called the Sautrāmaṇī, and surā is also used in some other Vedic rituals .”

• cites [18]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The nature of surā (cooked, local, squeezed, staple-food-based, possibly the common drink of the masses) and its religious significance are not entirely unconnected.

“I discuss the significance of surā in Vedic rituals elsewhere, where I argue that the nature of surā (cooked, local, squeezed, staple-foodbased, possibly the common drink of the masses) and the religious significance of the drink are not entirely unconnected .”

• cites [20]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

In the Sautrāmaṇī, surā is offered to the twin Aśvins, to Sarasvatī, and to Indra Sutrāman.

“In the Sautrāmaṇī, however, surā is offered to the twin Aśvins, to Sarasvatī, and to Indra Sutrāman ('Indra of good protection'), from whom the ritual derives its name.”

• cites [19]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

Surā is also used in the Vājapeya sacrifice, the Rājasūya, the Punarabhiṣeka, and some Gṛhya rites, though only in the Sautrāmaṇī is the brewing process an intrinsic part of the liturgy and thus described in detail.

“Surā is also used in the Vājapeya sacrifice, the Rājasūya, and the Punarabhiṣeka, and in some Gṛhya rites (ibid.),though it is only in the Sautrāmaṇī that the brewing process is an intrinsic part of the liturgy and thus described in such detail.”

• cites Kolhatkar 1999Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Many scholars believe the Baudhāyana Śrauta Sūtra is the earliest of the Śrauta Sūtras, and it was composed prior to the turn of the Common Era, possibly around 500 BCE.

“Many scholars believe this is the earliest of the Śrauta Sūtras (texts of practical instructions for major rituals) .For our purposes we need only know that the text was composed prior to the turn of the Common Era, possibly sometime around 500 Bce .”

• cites [22]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The māsara may have undergone fermentation or souring, at least outside ritual brewing.

“It is also possible that this mixture underwent some sort of fermentation or souring, at least in a non-ritual brewing context .”

May combine two claims.

The brewing mixture thus contains malts, possibly a ferment starter, and a flavoring-coloring infusion added to rice.

“Thus we have 1) malts, 2) possibly some sort of fermentstarter, and 3) a flavoring-coloring (?) infusion added to the rice.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The Mising people of northeast India make a drink similar to this type of surā.

“The Mising people of northeast India make a drink that is similar to this type of surā (Pegu et al. 2013: 12-17).”

• cites Pegu et al. 2013: 12-17Not checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S1 (asserted), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

The apong drink is generally straw coloured, sometimes reddish-black depending on the skill of the woman making it.

“This drink is”

• cites Pegu et al. 2013: 12-17Not checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

The Āpastamba Śrauta Sūtra recipe is for a different Sautrāmaṇī version called Kaukilī Sautrāmaṇī, probably a later form of the rite.

“This surā is made for a different version of the Sautrāmaṇī sacrifice called the Kaukilī Sautrāmaṇī, which is probably a later form of the rite .”

• cites ĀŚS XIX.5.7-11Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

The ritual three-day period is analogous to the time the soma plant remains after purchase, and a practical rice-beer procedure was selected and fixed for ritual structure.

“As some of the ritual texts explain, three days is ritually analogous to how long the soma plant remains after it is bought, and thus one aspect of a typical rice-beer making procedure, no doubt based on actual, maybe seasonally flexible practices, was selected and fixed to make a neater ritual structure .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Nagnahu may have been a starter, since a later early Indian ferment starter recipe includes these lentils.

“Or perhaps nagnahu was some sort of starter, for a later, yet still early, Indian recipe for a ferment starter contains these lentils .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Three days is a suitable fermentation time for this kind of drink, though a day or so more could also work depending on conditions.

“This is a good length of time for making this sort of drink, though a day or so more would work well, depending on conditions .”

May combine two claims.

Although the exact fermentation mechanism is speculative, several suitable factors for fermentation are present.

“Although exactly how the fermentation would work is pure speculation, we can see there are several quite suitable factors present here .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Unless the measure was extremely small, this quantity of grain is large and would produce a decent amount of surā.

“Of course, we have no idea what size the measure in question was, but unless the measure used was incredibly tiny, this is quite a large quantity of grains, which would produce a decent amount of surā .”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The measure used in the recipe was not extremely small.

May combine two claims.

The ĀŚS grains differ from the BŚS recipe, with śyāmāka, probably a millet, as the principal grain, and the milk is unusual.

“Not only are the grains different from the BŚS recipe, with śyāmāka, probably some sort of millet, as the principal grain, but the milk is unusual.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

The fermenting liquid presumably drips from the kārotara-filter into the jar and can be filtered again to make a clearer drink.

“Presumably the fermenting liquefied drink drips down from the kārotara-filter into the jar, whence it can be filtered again to make a clearer drink”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The urad lentils might have contributed microorganisms, as they do in traditional dosa batter.

“and the urad lentils might well contribute microorganisms as they do in a traditional fermented dosa batter today .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The amount of surā brewed was possibly quite large.

“How much of this drink was brewed?Possibly quite a lot.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Alternatively, māsara could have been used to infuse flavor and color from dark grains before a solid-state fermentation.

“Or this could just be a way to infuse the flavor and color of those dark grains prior to a solid state fermentation where adding dried materials, as with hops in wort, would not work so well .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Despite differences, the apong process helps one better imagine ancient surā, especially the role of kārotara.

“Though different in several respects from the ancient surā, nevertheless this process helps us to better imagine that drink, certainly the role of the kārotara .”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The Mising apong process is sufficiently comparable to ancient surā to help imagine it.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

The resulting drink was quite possibly like handia but reddish brown and aromatic from toasted rice, with malted grain flavor.

“which was quite possibly like handia but reddish brown and aromatic from the toasted rice, with the flavor of malted grains .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The dry-roasted rice would have a somewhat toasted color and flavor.

“This dry-roast rice would be somewhat toasted in color and flavor .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

These terms are essential because they appear in mantras and mark ritual parts, so practitioners needed to know what things corresponded to them.

“These words are essential, being used in mantras in the liturgy, and demarcating parts of the ritual, so the practitioner needs to know what things to align with the words .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

If the mixture of malts, popped rice, and nagnahu is the kiṇva-agent, and if surā contains a quarter or fifth part kiṇva, then the recipe yields thirty or forty measures of rice.

“Let us assume that the mixture of malts, popped rice, and nagnahu is considered to be the kiṇva-agent in the second passage above .That fermentmixture consists of ten measures altogether according to our recipe .And if the surā should consist of a quarter or a fifth part of kiṇva, as we are told in the separate comment, then we have thirty or forty measures of rice (before cooking?).”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The later standard surā brewing schema, grains plus kiṇva, can be used to explain the Vedic brewing system.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

There are numerous references to śyāmāka in Vedic texts, though not in the Ṛgveda.

“There are numerous references to the grain śyāmāka in Vedic texts, though not in the Ṛgveda (Prakash 1987, pt .2: 64) .”

• cites Prakash 1987, pt .2: 64Not checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

Water is used to cook grains and make some mixtures, but the assembled fermenting surā would be a mass of cooked grains with additives.

“Water is used to cook the grains and make some of the mixtures, but the assembled fermenting surā would be a mass of cooked grains with additives”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The translations of grain names are tentative because identifying plant-product words from over two thousand years ago is difficult.

“My translations of grains here are tentative, for it is difficult to identify the real-world referents of words for plant products from over two thousand years ago .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Kīlāla, already in the ṚV, is probably a loan word of unclear origin.

“Another substance sometimes associated with surā, called kīlāla (already ṚV), is probably a loan word of unclear origin.46”

• cites Mayrhofer (EWA s.v.kīlā la-)Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

The fermentation was relatively solid-state, like sake, and there is no word for a liquid wort as in European beer.

“This fermentation was done in a relatively solid state, like sake, and there is no word for a liquid wort (a sugary solution of infused malts) as used for European beer .”

May combine two claims.

The milk interpretation is plausible, and this version of surā may be more strongly influenced by the soma process than the earlier recipe.

“This interpretation of the milk is therefore plausible; maybe this version of surā is more strongly inflected by the soma process than the previous recipe we examined .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Malamoud writes that the sautrāmaṇī presupposes the soma rite and is an addition, replica, or counterpart to it.

“More generally Malamoud (1992: 23) writes”

• cites Malamoud (1992: 23)Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

Because the koumiss method works and produces alcohol, gradually adding milk to a grain mixture is a plausible brewing method, and the milk in the ĀŚS recipe need not be entirely symbolic.

“However, given that this method of making koumiss works, and produces alcohol, the gradual addition of milk to a grain mixture is a plausible brewing method, and the milk in the ĀŚS recipe need not be interpreted entirely as a symbolic action or ritual parallel .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Māsara may be related to Dravidian mucar meaning buttermilk, which may imply buttermilk was once used or that the mixture is analogous to buttermilk.

“Māsara may be related to Dravidian mucar meaning buttermilk, 45 which may imply that buttermilk was once used or that this mixture is somehow analogous to buttermilk .”

• cites Mayrhofer (KEWA, EWA s.v.mā sara)Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The use of milk in this surā calls to mind koumiss, an alcoholic drink made from fermented mare's milk.

“The use of milk in this type of surā calls to mind the Central Asian drink called koumiss, an alcoholic drink made from fermented mare's milk .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

A nineteenth-century koumiss method began with a fermented porridge of water, millet flour, and warmed milk, used as starter for larger milk quantities, with milk added gradually over a day.

“A nineteenth-century method of producing koumiss started with a porridge of water and millet flour mixed with warmed milk that was allowed to ferment for one or two days.This mixture was the ferment-starter for larger quantities of the milk (Carrick 1881: 80-81).Milk was gradually added in stages to the fermenting koumiss over the course of a day (Carrick 1881: 86-89).”

• cites Carrick 1881: 80-81Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Carrick 1881: 86-89Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

According to Mayrhofer, the etymology of kārotara is unclear.

“According to Mayrhofer (EWA s .v .kārotará-), the etymology of kārotara is likewise unclear .”

• cites Mayrhofer (EWA s .v .kārotará-)Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Weber and Fuller report that evidence for differing referent millets in related modern languages implies semantic shift in Southern India, and ancient millet names appear to have been transferred to rice.

“According to Weber and Fuller (2006: 81-82),”

• cites Weber and Fuller (2006: 81-82)Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

Ancient people in different areas may have used the same grain words for different grains, and usage could change over time.

“That is because even at those ancient periods people in different areas may have used the same words to refer to different grains, and usage could have changed over time .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Nagnahu may well be an Iranian loanword.

“Nagnahu may well be an Iranian loanword .”

• cites Mayrhofer (KEWA, EWA s.v.nagnáhu-)Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

The origins of many ancient Indic brewing words are complicated and sometimes hopelessly obscure.

“The origins of many ancient Indic brewing words are complicated and sometimes hopelessly obscure .”

May combine two claims.

Māsara, an infusion, is intrinsic to brewing this type of surā, which is described elsewhere as reddish, possibly partly from this toasty addition.

“What seems to be an infusion, māsara, is intrinsic to brewing this type of surā, which we read elsewhere was reddish, possibly in part due to this toasty addition .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Kolhatkar suggests the milk is not essential and mainly serves to make the surā resemble the soma ritual and elevate it by comparison with soma.

“Kolhatkar (1999: 132-33) suggests that the milk is not an essential part of the surā and”

• cites Kolhatkar (1999: 132-33)Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

The schema may use molds as well as malts for saccharification if nagnahu was that kind of starter.

“This brewing schema may use molds as well as malts for saccharification if the nagnahu was that sort of starter (we may never know) .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Exact botanical identifications beyond vague translations like barley, rice, and millet should be treated with caution.

“Thus any more exact botanical identifications than vague translations like”

May combine two claims.

Emphasizing features of surā brewing as analogous to soma steps does not make them purely ritual contrivances; some ritual features could serve both practical and ritual purposes.

“Yet, isolating certain features of surā brewing and emphasizing them as analogous to steps in the preparation of soma do not mean they are purely ritual contrivances: some ritual features could well be doing double duty in the developed ritual system, both practical and ritual .”

The quote only partly states this claim.

The two surā brewing traditions share a schema of māsara, nagnahu, tokman/śaṣpa, and one or more principal grains.

“Comparing these two above traditions of brewing surā we see the following shared schema:”

May combine two claims.

Kīlāla may have been a sweet, grain-based drink, probably fermented and associated with surā.

“The drink may have been a sweet, grain-based drink, probably fermented and associated with surā .”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

In ṚV I.191.10ab, the speaker fastens poison on the Sun and the skin containing it on the house of the possessor of liquor.

“I fasten the poison on the Sun, the skin (dŕ̥ tiṃ) (containing it) on the house of the possessor of liquor (súrāvato gr̥ hé) [=Indra] .(tr .Jamison and Brereton 2014)”

• cites Jamison and Brereton 2014Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

The phrase sāmdhānakāle can be read both as 'at the time of putting together the components' and as 'at the time of fermentation'; both translations are correct.

“If one were ignorant of that usage one might simply read sāmdhānakāle in the ĀŚS passage above as”

May combine two claims.

Parisrut is no longer the soft mass of just-assembled surā ingredients, but is already a drinkable fluid, yet still not the finished, filtered surā.

“Parisrut is no longer the soft mass of just-assembled surā ingredients, but is already a drinkable fluid, yet still not the finished, filtered surā”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

In Sanskrit, to assemble is to ferment.

“So, in Sanskrit, to assemble is to ferment .”

May combine two claims.

Surā is innately compounded, and this is reflected in the word for fermenting.

“Surā is innately compounded, and this is reflected in the word for fermenting .”

May combine two claims.

In the context of the brewing processes described, nagnahu could plausibly be an herbal fermentation starter like bread starter, or have a bread-like form as many Asian starters do.

“In the context of the brewing processes described in this article it is plausible that nagnahu could be some sort of (herbal?) fermentation starter like one used for bread, or that it might even have had a bread-like form as many starters do today in Asia.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Surā might have been taken on a journey in an unbreakable skin as a source of nourishment and drink.

“However, it is possible that surā might be taken on a journey in an unbreakable skin as a source of both nourishment and drink .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Kīlāla would thus be a sweet semi-fermented grain-based pap, perhaps also connected to dairy products in appearance or composition.

“Thus kīlāla would be some sort of sweet semi-fermented grain-based pap, perhaps also connected to dairy products in appearance or in composition?”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Parisrut is the solid mash that has become 'flowing around', literally 'fluid (mash)'.

“It is the solid mash that has now become 'flowing around': literally the 'fluid (mash)'”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The multiple canonical parts of Indra's body needing reassembly may have been another reason to retain the complex archaic surā brewing schema.

“The multiple canonical parts of a creature's (Indra's) body that need reassembling in this ritual may have been another reason to retain the more complex, archaic surā brewing schema”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

In the first version, liquid seeps up into the kārotara; in the second, it drips down from the kārotara.

“Presumably in the first version the liquid seeps up into the kārotara, and in the second drips down from the kārotara”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

The myth implies that on the outward journey Pañcavājas carried surā from home and on the return carried soma from far away, suggesting a conceptual separation of the two drinks.

“Presumably on the outward journey he has surā from home on the cart and on the way back he has soma, which originates far away, already implying a conceptual separation of the two drinks”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

There would be little reason to put surā into a skin from a jar unless one intended to move it, unless large jars were unavailable locally, or jars needed to be freed for more batches.

“There would be little need to place surā into a skin from a jar unless one had in mind to move it, unless very large jars were not available locally, or they needed to be freed up to make more batches .”

May combine two claims.

Āpastamba Dharmasūtra 1.17.25 prohibits the herbs for kīlāla, following a total prohibition of intoxicating liquor for Vedic students.

“Also, Āpastamba Dharmasūtra 1 .17.25 is a prohibition on the herbs for kīlāla, which follows a total prohibition of intoxicating liquor (madya) for Vedic students .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Since surā may have been perishable and easy to prepare from grains and water, there was typically no long-distance trade in it, unlike dried soma.

“Since surā may have been perishable and relatively easy to prepare from grains and water, one assumes there was typically not a long-distance trade in it (unlike the dried soma plant) .”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Surā was perishable and relatively easy to prepare from grains and water.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The kārotara might also function simultaneously as a fermentation vessel for the assembled, relatively solid surā mash, with the liquefied part dripping out of the opening.

“The kārotara might also function simultaneously as a fermentation vessel for the assembled, relatively solid surā mash, with the liquefied part dripping out of the opening”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Made from grains, associated with brewing, and sweet, kīlāla can be compared to amazake, a creamy sweet slightly alcoholic Japanese sake preparation.

“Made from grains, associated with brewing, and sweet, one might compare this drink to such preparations as amazake, the creamy, sweet, very slightly alcoholic type of sake made in Japan .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

In ṚV X.91.14, Agni is called a kīlāla-drinker who has soma on his back, so kīlāla may sometimes have been offered into the fire.

“It is mentioned in the ṚV (X.91.14),where Agni is said to be a”

• cites Jamison and Brereton 2014Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

Kīlāla is mentioned with milk products at AVŚ IV.11.10, and the earth is said to have a kīlāla-udder at AVŚ XII.1.59b.

“The drink is mentioned in connection with milk products at AVŚ IV.11.10, and the earth is said to have a kīlāla-udder (kīlā́lodhnī) at AVŚ XII.1.59b,though the metaphorical nature of the latter reference need not imply a dairy connection .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Gonda notes that Uvaṭa and Mahīdhara, commentators on Vedic ritual texts, explain nagnahuḥ as kiṇvaḥ.

“Gonda (1980: 163) notes that Uvaṭa and Mahīdhara, commentators on Vedic ritual texts, also explain nagnahuḥ as kiṇvaḥ .”

• cites Gonda (1980: 163)Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

Vājasaneyi Saṃhitā III.43 refers to the kīlāla of food/cooked rice, also mentioned at AVŚ VII.60.5.

“And Vājasaneyi Saṃhitā III .43refers to the kīlāla of food/cooked rice (anna), also mentioned at AVŚ VII.60.5.”

May combine two claims.

There was no ancient Indian concept of alcohol appearing as a new substance, and nothing intoxicating was added to the mixture.

“There was no concept of alcohol appearing as a new substance, and nothing intoxicating was added to the mixture .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The equipment used to make and store surā gives some sense of the material culture of brewing in this very early period.

“The equipment used to make and store surā gives some sense of the material culture of brewing in this very early period .”

May combine two claims.

Surā-skins and travel appear in a confusing myth in two Brāḥmanas, where Pañcavājas, having put a leathern bag of surā on his cart, rode out for soma.

“Surā-skins and travel are indeed mentioned in a somewhat confusing myth recounted in two Brāḥmanas, where a figure called Pañcavājas, who,”

May combine two claims.

Parisrut probably refers to the liquefied, fermenting or fermented grain mash prior to filtration, which was apparently a drink in its own right.

“Parisrut (f .) is a tricky term used in connection with surā, though I think it probably refers to the liquefied, fermenting or fermented grain mash prior to filtration, which was apparently a drink in its own right”

May combine two claims.

Some surā brewing words have deep Indo-Iranian roots, while others appear to be non-Aryan loan words, some perhaps from Dravidian.

“Thus, on the one hand, some surā brewing words have deep Indo-Iranian roots, while others appear to be non-Aryan loan words, some perhaps from Dravidian .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

He needed the local, common, human surā to sustain him on the journey or for trade, in order to fetch the remote, precious, divine soma.

“he needs the (local, common, human) surā to sustain him on the journey (or to trade?), in order to fetch (remote, more precious, divine) soma .”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S1 (asserted), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

The kārotara is compared to a horse hoof, perhaps because of its shape.

“Here it is compared to a horse hoof, maybe because of its shape?”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

As Lubotsky observes, the references to the animals here presumably allude to the addition of animal hairs to the surā in the Sautrāmaṇī sacrifice.

“As Lubotsky observes, the references to the animals here presumably allude to the addition of animal hairs to the surā in the Sautrāmaṇī sacrifice”

• cites Lubotsky (2002)Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Surā brewing would require considerable organization, skill, and hard work for several days, probably involving several people, and strong people.

“Like cooking a complex meal on a large scale, surā brewing would require considerable organization, skill, and hard work for several days, probably involving several people, and strong people at that”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

It would be a quite impressive process to witness, and was arguably more complex than the preparation of the soma drink.

“It would be a quite impressive process to witness, and was arguably more complex than the preparation of the soma drink”

May combine two claims.

These ancient recipes use an ancient brewing terminology, and some elements (sprouted grains, māsara-toasty-infusion) may preserve older forms of brewing.

“These ancient recipes use an ancient brewing terminology, and some elements (the sprouted grains, the māsara-toasty-infusion) may preserve those older forms of brewing”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

The variations in ritual instructions may reflect changing and localized traditions of brewing.

“The variations in ritual instructions may reflect changing and localized traditions of brewing”

May combine two claims.

Despite complexities, we know surā was made with malted grains, a base of cooked grains, perhaps a toasted grain infusion, and a special additive, perhaps a fermentation agent or flavoring.

“Despite the complexities of the surviving evidence, we know it was made with malted grains, a base of cooked grains, perhaps some sort of toasted grain infusion, and a special additive of some sort, perhaps a fermentation agent or flavoring”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

The dripping red surā is possibly associated with the flush of drunkenness, and definitely with the blood spilled by drunken violence.

“Here the dripping red surā is also possibly associated with the flush of drunkenness, and definitely with the blood spilled by drunken violence”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The surā is then removed from the pit in which it has apparently been fermented; the verses refer to the myth of a boar who lifted up the earth from the ocean.

“The surā is then removed from the pit in which it has apparently been fermented-the verses below refer to the myth of a boar who lifted up the earth from the ocean (per Lubotsky's comments)”

• cites Lubotsky (2002)Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

While soma was fossilized as a ritual offering, its psychoactive properties apparently no longer relevant, surā thrived and evolved-a drink and a word with a history of over two thousand years in South Asia.

“While soma was fossilized as a ritual offering, its psychoactive properties apparently no longer relevant, surā thrived and evolved-a drink and a word with a history of over two thousand years in South Asia”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Though there is considerable debate about what plant or plants it was made of, soma was a non-fermented, pressed, squeezed, filtered cold-water infusion, quite unlike surā.

“Though there is considerable debate about what plant or plants it was made of, soma was a non-fermented, pressed, squeezed, filtered cold-water infusion, quite unlike surā”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Some grains were probably roasted and infused, possibly to add color and flavors.

“Some grains were probably roasted and infused, possibly to add color and flavors”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Although difficult to visualize the kārotara, it has some sort of tube or spout, made rigid with bamboo and covered with hide to waterproof it, which is a channel for fluid-mash (parisrut).

“Although it is difficult to visualize the kārotara in the passage above, it has some sort of tube or spout, made rigid with bamboo and covered with hide to waterproof it, which is a channel for a fluid-mash (parisrut)”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Next the rice, perhaps the principal grain, is mentioned as well as a substance called paryodana, a hapax, which may refer to the māsara, as Lubotsky suggests.

“Next the rice, perhaps the principal grain, is mentioned as well as a substance called paryodana-, a hapax, which may refer to the māsara, as Lubotsky suggests”

• cites Lubotsky (2002)Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Fermentation occurred when components were assembled in what may have been a quite large vessel, maybe a bamboo cone lined with hide or a lined pit.

“Fermentation occurred when they were assembled in what may have been quite a large vessel, maybe a bamboo cone lined with hide or a lined pit”

May combine two claims.

Allchin builds on Marshall's flawed hypothesis regarding the function of certain vessels, and his textual evidence is not convincing.

“Allchin (1977, 1979) builds on Marshall's flawed hypothesis regarding the function of certain vessels, and his textual evidence is not convincing”

• cites Allchin (1977, 1979)Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

While preparation of soma is something one would only see in Vedic sacrifices, performed by priests, surā brewing would be far more familiar from life outside the sacrifice.

“While the preparation of soma is something one would only see in the context of Vedic sacrifices, performed by priests, surā brewing would be far more familiar from life outside the sacrifice”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

It is also quite possible that some aspects of this ritual surā brewing were altered, or at least construed, to align it with soma pressing.

“As I have noted, it is also quite possible that some aspects of this ritual surā brewing were altered, or at least construed, to align it with soma pressing”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Fermentation quite probably took place in a (semi) solid state as in some Asian grain drinks today.

“Fermentation quite probably took place in a (semi) solid state as in some Asian grain drinks today”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Mahdihassan's methodology is so loose that one can find stills in any time and any place.

“Mahdihassan's (e .g., 1972) methodology is so loose that one can find stills in any time and any place”

• cites Mahdihassan (e.g., 1972)Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

The alcoholic drink culture reflected in the Vedas is certainly a grain drink culture, like Mesopotamia and ancient China, and other drinks such as those made from sugarcane and grapes have yet to appear in these texts (which may not reflect reality on the ground).

“The alcoholic drink culture reflected in the Vedas, however, is certainly a grain drink culture, like Mesopotamia and ancient China, and other drinks such as those made from sugarcane and grapes have yet to appear in these texts (which may, of course, not reflect the reality on the ground)”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

There is plenty of positive textual evidence here: it is relatively clear how surā was made, and it was only fermented, not distilled.

“Also we have plenty of positive textual evidence here: it is relatively clear how surā was made, and it was only fermented, not distilled”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

The color of whiskey and other distilled drinks is derived from wooden barrels or various additives.

“The color of whiskey and other distilled drinks is derived from wooden barrels or various additives”

May combine two claims.

Like ancient Mesopotamian and ancient Chinese beers, surā used saccharification of malted grains, and depending on nagnahu and māsara, surā may have used microbial saccharification found in other parts of Asia.

“Like ancient Mesopotamian and ancient Chinese beers, surā used the saccharification of malted grains, and depending on how we understand the nature of nagnahu and māsara, surā may have used the microbial saccharification method found in other parts of Asia”

May combine two claims.

The brewing process implied in this hymn is consistent with that treated above, with brewing of surā in a hole in the ground followed by removal and filtration.

“The brewing process implied in this hymn is consistent with that treated above, with the brewing of surā in a hole in the ground followed by removal and filtration”

May combine two claims.

Surā was a relatively complex drink in this period and required specialized objects, skins, frames, jars, and fire.

“Surā was a relatively complex drink in this period and required the use of a number of specialized objects, skins, frames, jars, and, of course, fire”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The surā is removed from the sata vessel where final filtration happens, and there is a plea for surā to create violence and destruction, presumably the aim of this hymn.

“The surā is removed from the sata vessel where (into which?) the final filtration happens, and there is a plea for surā to create violence and destruction, which is presumably the aim of this particular hymn”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Where prestigious soma was restricted to ritual uses, surā, a drink made of food that also caused a type of mada, was no doubt more widely drunk.

“Where prestigious soma was restricted to ritual uses, surā, a drink made of food that also caused a type of mada (intoxication?exhilaration?), was no doubt more widely drunk”