Nepal seeks new child goddess: must have voice like a duck. Now I have to admit, I used to think the personals were a little bit strange, but after reading this one. I have changed my mind, read this.
If you are female, possess “the voice of a duck” and are between 2 and 4 years old, it could be just the job for you – Nepal is advertising for a new living goddess.
Despite being revered as a powerful Hindu divinity, the Himalayan state’s Royal Kumari has no option but to step down once she reaches puberty. Because Preeti Shakya, the current holder of the centuries-old role, has reached her 11th birthday, the race is on to find a replacement before the end of the summer.
Preeti, who has been visited by a ceaseless throng of pilgrims since she became a goddess at the age of 4, should retire during the annual Hindu festival of Dasain in October, according to temple officials in Kathmandu.
“If we don’t change her now we’ll have to wait until next year, which could be late,” said Deepak Bahadur Pandey, of the Trust Corporation, which oversees the Kumari search. “It is inauspicious if the girl starts menstruating while serving as Kumari.”
The job criteria are rigorous: Kumaris, who are typically selected as toddlers, must have a voice “as soft and clear as a duck’s”, “the body of a Banyan tree” and “the chest of a lion”. The 32 prerequisite physical “perfections” also include flawless skin, hair, eyes and teeth. A suitable horoscope is mandatory and being afraid of the dark is not allowed.
Reading this story today, reminded me of an Okie that went to Tibet. I once heard a story of an Okie who went to Tibet to become a Monk.
Tibet is close to Nepal isn’t it?
Anywho, the story goes something like this. A disgruntled Oklahoma University Football fan, having had enough of the current round of plays and players, decided to check out and head for Tibet to become a Monk. He flew half-way around the world and joined up in a Tibetan Monastery and was informed of the rules.
You can stay here, you can meditate daily, but you are allowed only two words per year while in indoctrination.
The first year went by rather quickly and when called into the Master’s presence, the Okie looked up and said, “Food …Bad.” Another year went by, and once again, the Okie was called into the Master’s presence and he said, “Bed …Hard.”
And then he again went about his business of mediating and searching out the meaning of life.
On the anniversary of his third year, the Okie came into the Master’s presence and said, “I Quit!”
The Tibetan Master looked at him and replied, “No small wonder. All you have done since you got here is complain.”
000
Filed under: Oklahoma, Recent, blogging, random | Tagged: child goddess, Nepal, Okies, Tibet
