Too Young to Cook, Old Enough to Have a Husband and Three Kids: The Shanti Devi Story

This week on Twisted & Mysterious, Faren tells the unforgettable reincarnation story of Shanti Devi, a young girl in 1930s India who insisted she was not a child at all—but a grown, married woman with three children, a past life, and some very strong opinions about how things used to be done in the kitchen.

Her claims were so detailed and consistent that they eventually caught the attention of the Indian government, leading to a formal investigation into her alleged past life. While officials took the case seriously, we’re left asking the practical questions: is it fair to criticize your mother’s cooking when you can’t reach the stove, aren’t allowed near knives, and still need to hold someone's hand when crossing the street? And how exactly do you ground a 30-year-old mother of three who is currently eight years old?

Add in historical documentation, existential whiplash, and a chaotic cold open featuring a kitten who clearly wants a producer credit, and you’ve got an episode that’s equal parts fascinating and ridiculous.

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