A copy of a purjī from Bhīma Śamśera instructing the Gorkhā Māla to supply cannabis to ascetics on the occasion of Śivarātri (VS 1968)
ID: K_0382_0039
Edited and
translated by Ramhari Timalsina
in collaboration with
Yogesh Budathoki
Created: 2021-08-30;
Last modified: 2024-09-18
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Abstract
This copy of a purjī from Bhīma Śamśera instructs the chief and clerks of the Gorkhā Māla to deliver cannabis to the Guṭhī Bandobasta Aḍḍā for distribution to ascetics coming to Paśupati on the occasion of the Śivarātri festival.
Diplomatic edition
[1r]
1श्री\1श्री३सर्कार2१153 [Unknown Seal] 1स्वस्तिश्रीमद्राज∙कुमारकुमारात्मजश्री∙कम्यांडरइनचीफजनरलभीमसम्सेरजङ्गबहादुर∙राणाकस्यगोर्खामालकाहा
2कींकारींदाहरूके∙पुर्जिउप्रान्त∙६८सालका∙सिवरात्रीलाई∙कालमोचन∙अखडामारहेका∙साधुसंत∙हरूलाईरसोसी
3वरात्रीकामेलामा∙आउनेदेसीपरदेसीसाधुसंत∙फकिर∙फकेडाअतीथीअभ्यागतरमतातीर्थवासीस्मेतलाई
4षुव़ाउनानीमीत्त∙तेसअडाका∙आम्दानिमध्ये∙किफाय़त्साथ∙असल∙गाजामोहरू∙३०तीस्रूपैञासम्मके
5षरीद∙गरीमुठातौलदरषोलीचलानिलेषी¯ ¯१¯तर्फगुठीवंदोवस्त∙अडामा∙पुग्नेगरीपौषमैन्हा ∙ भरमाचुक्तीगरीबुझाईदी
6नेकामगर∙सोचलानि∙वमोजिम्मालवुझीली¯ ¯१¯तर्फगुठीषर्चअडावाटभर्नाहुनेछसोगाजालेहर्जानहवससो
7गाजानपठाई∙हर्जागराय़ौभनेहामीनाराजहोईवक्सन्याछौंईतीसम्वत्∙१९६८साल∙मीती∙कार्तिकगते८
8रोज३शुभम् ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ 1सकलवमोजिमनकलदुरुस्तछसहीनौनरोत्तममहर
Translation
[1r]
531
[Unknown seal]
Hail! A purjī of the venerable Commander-in-Chief General Bhīma Śamśera Jaṅga Bahādura Rāṇā, a venerable prince born of a prince, to the chief and clerks of the Gorkhā Māla.
Uprānta: On the occasion of Śivarātri in the [Vikrama] era year [19]68, in order to provide for (lit. to feed) the ascetics residing in the Kālamocanaakhaḍā,2 and for the local and foreign ascetics (sādhu santa) and mendicants (phakira phakeḍā), guests, visitors and itinerant pilgrims attending the Śivarātri festival, buy from your (lit. that) office’s revenue, with [an eye to] frugality, good-quality cannabis (gājā for gā̃jā) worth a total of moharu (for mohararupaiyā̃s) 30—[in words] thirty rupees—write a note (calānī), clearly mentioning the [number of] bundles, weight and rate, and clear it in full and submit [the goods] so that [they] arrive at the Guṭhī Bandobasta Aḍḍā of -1- (Śrī 3 Sarkāra) by the month of Pauṣa. The Guṭhī Kharca Aḍḍā of -1- (Śrī 3 Sarkāra) will receive the goods according to this calānī and [the amount spent] will be repaid by it. Let there be no scarcity of cannabis. If you create a scarcity by not sending the cannabis, we will be displeased.
Tuesday, the 8th day (gate) of Kārtika in the [Vikrama] era year 1968 (1911 CE). Auspiciousness.
Signed by Nau.3 Narottam Mahara in attestation that the copy is identical with the original
Commentary
The present document elucidates the historical tradition of cannabis use in Nepal and the government's stance towards it, particularly in relation to the Śivarātri festival and the Pashupati area.
Cannabis holds cultural and religious significance in Nepal, considered as it is a gift from Lord Śiva. Its use is particularly prominent as a sacred stimulant during the festival of Mahāśivarātri. Historically, officials tolerated cannabis, but starting around 2018 police began arresting festival participants found smoking in public places during the celebrations. Nepal has a longstanding history of cannabis use, yet it has been illegal since 1976, when it was classified as a narcotic drug, and its cultivation and trade were prohibited. In 1973, Nepal, under pressure from the United States and the wider international community, revoked the licenses of all cannabis shops, dealers and farmers. However, personal cultivation and use were largely unaffected, and illicit cannabis commerce has persisted.