“In Indo-Iranian texts there are references to a mythical tree that drips the immortal fluid Soma/Haoma, but it is not pictured as a mighty cosmic tree uniting upper and lower worlds; in the Veda it is located in the third heaven, in the Avesta it stands in the fabulous but terrestrial lake Vourukaśa from which all rivers flow. According to a later Pahlavi source an evil lizard lurks beneath it, trying to get at the Haoma. There is perhaps an analogue to this in the Hesperides’ tree which grows golden apples,an guardian serpent at its base, and is located close to Atlas who supports the sky.” PoetryMythologyIndo European Languages Author:Martin L. West