There are only divinities, but no physical gods.
If understood esoterically, the divinities mentioned in this Rik are the illuminated/strengthened mind (Indra), intuition (Sarama), discerning power of Mind (Daksha).
Rig Veda 8.48.1 saying that all the divinities and mortals crave for the SOMA, indicates the illuminated mind (Indra), intuition (Sarama), discerning power (Daksha) in an individual, which are divine but require the guidance of BRAHMAN for the spiritual growth.
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Rig Veda 8.48.1 - SOMA
स्वादोरभक्षि वयसः सुमेधाः स्वाध्यो वरिवोवित्तरस्य । विश्वे यं देवा उत मर्त्यासो मधु ब्रुवन्तो अभि संचरन्ति ॥
svādor abhakṣi vayasaḥ sumedhāḥ svādhyo varivovittarasya | viśve yaṃ devā
uta martyāso madhu bruvanto abhi saṃcaranti ||
English translation:
I of good wisdom have partaken of the vitality of the sweet drink, which is rich in purpose and excellent at finding wide space, which all the gods and mortals, calling it honey, converge upon.
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It indicates requirement of the guidance of of SOMA/BRAHMAN, for experiencing BLISS, which is as follows:
· The Limitations of the Untethered Mind (Indra): The enlightened or illumined mind is brilliant and receptive to higher truths, but without the overarching wisdom of Brahman, it can become ego-driven (Spiritual EGO), fragmented, or overwhelmed by the vastness of higher consciousness.
· The Direction of Intuition (Sarama): Except Shri Aurobindo, majority of the translators of Rig Veda interpreted Sarama as a divine hound. Shri Aurobindo mentioned in his writings that Sarama represents the power of intuition that tracks hidden truths.
Human mind relies on logic and the senses, leaving it trapped in ignorance. Intuition surpasses this limitation by receiving direct, unerring knowledge, drawn directly from the guidance of BRAHMAN and applied in the seeker's spiritual growth.
· The Purpose of Discerning Power of Mind (Daksha): Daksha is the precise, discerning intelligence, to perceive what is right for spiritual growth. On its own, it can become overly analytical or rigid. Guided by Brahman, discernment transcends logic and becomes a direct, spiritual intuition of the ultimate Reality.
