NationStates Jolt Archive

No I couldn't be bothered to come up with my own title.


A 10-year-old girl who is worshipped as a living goddess in Nepal has been stripped of her title for defying tradition and visiting the US.
Sajani Shakya was one of the three most-revered Kumaris, who are honoured by Hindus and Buddhists alike.

Chosen after undergoing tests at the age of two, she had been expected to bless devotees and attend festivals until she reached puberty.

But she provoked the ire of temple elders by travelling to the US.

Attributes needed

Sajani is a Kumari in the town of Bhaktapur, next to the capital, Kathmandu.

She recently went to promote a documentary film in the US.

Elders said the visit had tainted her purity, adding that they would now begin the search for a successor.

Sajani was one of several Kumaris in Nepal, and among the top three who are forbidden from leaving Nepal.

A Kumari is chosen between the ages of two and four, always from the same Buddhist clan. Tradition holds that she must hold 32 attributes, including thighs like those of a deer and a neck like a conch shell.

She lives a confined life, only coming out of her palace three or four times a year until she reaches puberty when another Kumari must be found.

This main outing coincides with a festival of thanks to the local rain god and as always, her feet must never touch the ground unless there is a red carpet beneath them.

Last November Nepal's Supreme Court ordered an inquiry into whether the Kumari tradition has led to the exploitation of girls.

link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6264014.stm)

You darn Americans with your corrupting influences.

Good for her. It's a good thing when young women tell their adult male keepers to stuff themselves.

Good for her to be undeified :) before she's totally fucked up in the head.

neck like a conch shell

http://i10.tinypic.com/66bl8na.jpg
That's hot.

Good for her to be undeified :) before she's totally fucked up in the head.
if I recall from the last Kumari special I saw, former Kumaris really can't do anything after they lose the position. They usually never wed because superstition is anyone who marries a former Kumari will die tragically or some such.

How did she manage to travel there without her guards permission ?
Or is she truly seen as a god and can simply order them ?

if I recall from the last Kumari special I saw, former Kumaris really can't do anything after they lose the position. They usually never wed because superstition is anyone who marries a former Kumari will die tragically or some such.
I hope (well actually I'm sure) not all Nepali are that backwards. Besides if she was to the US, she probably will emigrate anyway when she's grown up.

That's just stupid. You can't CHOOSE a god.

That's just stupid. You can't CHOOSE a god.
Says who? I rather choose a god than have one appointed for me.

neck like a conch shell

http://i10.tinypic.com/66bl8na.jpg
That's hot.

:eek:

FASS! Stop corrupting the children!

if I recall from the last Kumari special I saw, former Kumaris really can't do anything after they lose the position. They usually never wed because superstition is anyone who marries a former Kumari will die tragically or some such.

I saw that too. They get sent back to the remote farms they came from, totally unequiped for everyday life.

They seemed to lay around all day expecting to be treated like the goddess they once were, whilst their family wanted them to muck out the Yaks and collect firewood.

They effectively become Nepalese Paris Hiltons

Its cruel to force a child to abide by draconian expectations, wether or not she is venerated as a Goddess. Its good that she can finally catch up on normal life. This is one religious tradition that needs to be halted.

No I couldn't be bothered to come up with my own title.



link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6264014.stm)

You darn Americans with your corrupting influences.

Meh the jobs only until the onset of puberty anyway, she is 10 so shes only got what 3-4 years left?

Man I remember the days when a Godesss had a job for life! I blame that Thacher woman.

and a neck like a conch shell

A beg pardon?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f9/Conch_shell_2.jpg/250px-Conch_shell_2.jpg

That's just stupid. You can't CHOOSE a god.

Why not ?
In any case, they are technically not choosing gods. They are finding the incarnations of gods on earth with the help of a set of criteria to recognise them.

Why not ?
In any case, they are technically not choosing gods. They are finding the incarnations of gods on earth with the help of a set of criteria to recognise them.

A god is a god. You can't just say "Hey, you disobeyed us! You're fired!"

A god is a god. You can't just say "hey you disobeyed us! Your'e fired

It's an amusing image though. I'm trying to imagine Muslims and Christians, firing Allah and Jesus for disobedience.

What good is it being a divinity if you can't go wherever you please?

It's an amusing image though. I'm trying to imagine Muslims and Christians, firing Allah and Jesus for disobedience.

*Jesus turns water into wine*
Cop: "You can't do that, this is a dry county."
Jesus: "It is a miracle, my son, give thanks to God."
Cop: "Nope sorry Jesus, you broke the law; you're no longer the Lord and Savior."

Can she rain fire and brimstone on them for sacking her?

A god is a god. You can't just say "Hey, you disobeyed us! You're fired!"
Would you rather they had crucified her?

A god is a god. You can't just say "Hey, you disobeyed us! You're fired!"

You can say: "you left the country. A god does not do that. Therefor you are not a god (anymore)".

Up to the person stating it to determine if the original identification as god was wrong, or that the godpart left the human shell prematurely.

No I couldn't be bothered to come up with my own title.



link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6264014.stm)

You darn Americans with your corrupting influences.yep... we be bad for letting a 10 yr old to travel alone to the States. apologies!

How did she manage to travel there without her guards permission ?
Or is she truly seen as a god and can simply order them ?well if she could just order them, then who has the power to strip her of her divitiy?

It's an amusing image though. I'm trying to imagine Muslims and Christians, firing Allah and Jesus for disobedience.
Why... Donald Trump of course.
Allah, for inciting your followers into martydom through Jihads, You're Fired.
Jesus, for promoting abortion bombings and the crusades... You're Fired.
Buddah, for allowing these two to run amok and for laughing at my hair... please stop that giggling... You're Fired.

FSM, for forgetting the Parmasean cheese... a very bad mistake in my opinion. and for innapropriatly touching your followers with your noodliy apendages... You're Fired!

They should look for the next goddess through a reality show. "Nepalese Goddess" (technically not an idol, since those are inanimate objects, like the ones on American Idol)

You can say: "you left the country. A god does not do that. Therefor you are not a god (anymore)".

Up to the person stating it to determine if the original identification as god was wrong, or that the godpart left the human shell prematurely.

... I'm still trying to figure out what would've been on her passport...


Occupation: Goddess.

... I'm still trying to figure out what would've been on her passport...
Occupation: Goddess.

Even if occupations are listed on Nepalese passports (many countries do not list them), they will almost certainly not do so for minors ;)

I wonder if she could use the diplomats line.

Meh the jobs only until the onset of puberty anyway, she is 10 so shes only got what 3-4 years left?

Man I remember the days when a Godesss had a job for life! I blame that Thacher woman.

Hell, maybe just one year. My cousin is just turning 13, and has a bigger chest then most 25 year olds I know. That chest started when she was 11.

A god is a god. You can't just say "Hey, you disobeyed us! You're fired!"

Actually, you can. Since they are not deciding who is a god, merely locating those that have been that since birth, they can simply decide they made a mistake and she was never a goddess to begin with.

Omg, will someone please buy Nepal an Xbox 360.

FASS! Stop corrupting the children!

Why?

Even if occupations are listed on Nepalese passports (many countries do not list them), they will almost certainly not do so for minors ;)

I wonder if she could use the diplomats line.

Where do they list occupations on passports? I've never seen that.

Why?

*shrug* You're de-goddessifying people by proxy.

Why?

Because you'd be playing into the stereotype of homosexuals corrupting children otherwise?

:D

Where do they list occupations on passports? I've never seen that.
I never had one so I was just guessing. :p

Why?

Because we want to corrupt the children too, you're hogging them.



*searches for gods/esses to de-divinify*

I never had one so I was just guessing. :p

It would certainly be unpleasant to have to buy a new $100+ passport each time you changed jobs.

It would certainly be unpleasant to have to buy a new $100+ passport each time you changed jobs.

"Jack-of-all-trades" :D

Well, shit...if you can be fired from godhood, does that mean you can be promoted too? I mean, I'd even take demi-god status; it might be cosmic middle management, but you've got to star somewhere.

Well, shit...if you can be fired from godhood, does that mean you can be promoted too? I mean, I'd even take demi-god status; it might be cosmic middle management, but you've got to star somewhere.

Bring back the Greco-Romanic or Egyptian pantheon and that is easily arranged ;)

Bring back the Greco-Romanic or Egyptian pantheon and that is easily arranged ;)

I'm working on it...now I just need to reestablish the Roman Empire and become Emperor. That might take a little longer, but you've got to spend money to make money.

... I'm still trying to figure out what would've been on her passport...

Occupation: Goddess.
Probably something to do with the clergy, "priest" or something along those lines, if it is mentioned.

If she really was a living goddess, do you really think some cranky old American-hating men would be able to undeify her?

If she really was a living goddess, do you really think some cranky old American-hating men would be able to undeify her?

If I'm hindu....yes.

No I couldn't be bothered to come up with my own title.

link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6264014.stm)

You darn Americans with your corrupting influences.

Idiots.

She's going to go Upanishadsi* on their ass!

*Upanishads = Basis of Hinduism. Like a Hindu Bible.

She's going to go Upanishadsi* on their ass!

*Upanishads = Basis of Hinduism. Like a Hindu Bible.

Not exactly. The Vedas are closer to the Bible than the Upanishads. Though the Upanishads are sometimes considered a part of the Vedas.

Because you'd be playing into the stereotype of homosexuals corrupting children otherwise?

Who said it was just a stereotype?

Who said it was just a stereotype?

You know, stereotypes can be true, and still be stereotypes, yes?

Not exactly. The Vedas are closer to the Bible than the Upanishads. Though the Upanishads are sometimes considered a part of the Vedas.

Well I'd say that was very good guess for a Sikh who isn't very religious :p

Well I'd say that was very good guess for a Sikh who isn't very religious :p

It was a nice try, bhai, but let us Hindus talk Hinduism :p

It was a nice try, bhai, but let us Hindus talk Hinduism :p

Fine! Well at least we get free food!

You know, stereotypes can be true, and still be stereotypes, yes?

Maybe it's also an archetype!? *travels to Africa to research new theory, loses funding*

Freedom can lead to exploitation. Maybe we should ban that too.

Have a nice day.

Fine! Well at least we get free food!

Pfft, we get a monkey god. Are you really going to try and tell me that free food > a monkey god?

It was a nice try, bhai, but let us Hindus talk Hinduism :p

Elitist.

Elitist.

You're god damned right I am! ;)

Pfft, we get a monkey god. Are you really going to try and tell me that free food > a monkey god?


Well since free food is always avaliable. Monkey Gods are limited in stock.

Pfft, we get a monkey god. Are you really going to try and tell me that free food > a monkey god?

Free food + monkey god > free food || monkey god

Edit: I was going to suggest hamburgers as the free food… but thought: "Wait…"

You know, stereotypes can be true, and still be stereotypes, yes?

There is an implication in "stereotypes" that they are flawed, that they need to be disproved, that one should strive not to "playing" (again, an allusion to the pretended) into one - the post I responded to certainly seemed to give off that air.

I'll corrupt any children I want, because it's to their betterment.

I'm not sure I understand this, but, between 2 and puberty, she's the incarnation of a deity. If she doesn't behave in a diety-like fashion, she's no longer an incarnation of a deity. When she reaches puberty, she's no longer an incarnation of a diety. Where does the deity go when and if these events occur? Does it just vacate? What's left after the deity vacates? Illogical. Does not compute.

Free food + monkey god > free food || monkey god

Edit: I was going to suggest hamburgers as the free food… but thought: "Wait…"

Free Indian food >> Free Hamburgers

There is an implication in "stereotypes" that they are flawed, that they need to be disproved, that one should strive not to "playing" (again, an allusion to the pretended) into one - the post I responded to certainly seemed to give off that air.

I'll corrupt any children I want, because it's to their betterment.

Just as long as you stay in Europe, we're good. American children are fucked up as it is. Just look around this forum :p

I'm not sure I understand this, but, between 2 and puberty, she's the incarnation of a deity. If she doesn't behave in a diety-like fashion, she's no longer an incarnation of a deity. When she reaches puberty, she's no longer an incarnation of a diety. Where does the deity go when and if these events occur? Does it just vacate? What's left after the deity vacates? Illogical. Does not compute.

It doesn't need to make sense. It's religion.

I'm not sure I understand this, but, between 2 and puberty, she's the incarnation of a deity. If she doesn't behave in a diety-like fashion, she's no longer an incarnation of a deity. When she reaches puberty, she's no longer an incarnation of a diety. Where does the deity go when and if these events occur? Does it just vacate? What's left after the deity vacates? Illogical. Does not compute.

The deity likes a really clean house and we're ...let's face it.... damn dirty apes.

So the deity shacks up with toddlers. Not just any toddlers, mind you. She is even picky about them. But if the right toddler comes along, the deity shares space until the toddler becomes a filthy adolescent or in some other way makes herself inhospitable to a goddess with OCD.

Then she begins seaching for a new roommate. *nod*

Just as long as you stay in Europe, we're good.

Don't worry - your nation is not exactly on my A or B list over countries I'd choose to live in voluntarily.

What's the point of a deity incarnating a child? Do they make laws, or preside over something?

A god is a god. You can't just say "Hey, you disobeyed us! You're fired!"

We should be able to, to paraphrase Vimes.

Isn't the whole point of a deity that they can flaut human traditions all they like and do what they want? I mean really, what human can restrain a goddess?

Not exactly. The Vedas are closer to the Bible than the Upanishads.

It is hard to say what would be a "bible" to Hinduism.

It is actually absurd to think along those lines, because all the major Hindu holy books - the Vedas, the Bhagavatham, the Puranas (Ramayana, Mahabaratha including the Bhagvad Gita, other puranas etc), the Upanishads, ALL predate the bible by over a millenia. :cool:

Though the Upanishads are sometimes considered a part of the Vedas.

Nope. Upanishads are commentaries/treatises on vedas.

Illogical. Does not compute.

Stop trying to make sense out of traditions based on superstition.

Goddesses should be allowed to mishave like the old-style Goddesses, they were really badly behaved.

You darn Americans with your corrupting influences.

I think we should adopt her as our goddess, after all America only has Paris Hilton. :eek: Perhaps it's time to replace Paris with someone younger. :D

I think we should adopt her as our goddess, after all America only has Paris Hilton. :eek: Perhaps it's time to replace Paris with someone younger. :D

The Goddess behaves like child because she is one, Paris behaves like child but she isn't one :p

The Goddess behaves like child because she is one, Paris behaves like child but she isn't one :p

The Goddess behaves like child because she is one, Paris behaves like a Goddess but she isn't one.

I corrected your statement. :p

No I couldn't be bothered to come up with my own title.

link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6264014.stm)

You darn Americans with your corrupting influences.

No Charge. :D

It is hard to say what would be a "bible" to Hinduism.

It is actually absurd to think along those lines, because all the major Hindu holy books - the Vedas, the Bhagavatham, the Puranas (Ramayana, Mahabaratha including the Bhagvad Gita, other puranas etc), the Upanishads, ALL predate the bible by over a millenia. :cool:

When they say Bible, they mean central holy text. Inasmuch as any Hindu text is central to the faith, it's the Vedas.

Nope. Upanishads are commentaries/treatises on vedas.

Similar to how the Pauline Epistles are in many ways a commentary on the gospels. Both are lumped together in the NT.