Kāka (काक).—(crow) Origin.
Kaśyapa was the son of Marīci, who was the son of Brahmā. Kaśyapa’s wife
Tāmrā had many daughters like Kākī, Śyenī, Bhāsī, Gṛdhṛkā, Śukī and Grīvā.
>From Kākī were born the crows in the world. (Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 19).
Crows—the symbol of sin. There is a reference in Śiva Purāṇa to this. Long
ago the King of Kāśī had a daughter named Kalāvatī. Even in her youth, she
received the "Śaiva pañcākṣara mantra." After that, she was married by
Dāśārha, King of Mathurā, who was a sinner. When he touched Kalāvatī who
was a holy woman, he experienced unbearable heat. Kalāvatī said that it was
because of the King’s sin. So she took Dāśārha to the sage Garga, who
purified Dāśārha with his mantras (incantations) and made him stand in
water. At once the King’s sins came out of his body in the shape of crows.
Some of them flew away. Many of them fell down with their wings burnt.
Seeing this, the sage Garga said that all those crows were the volume of
sins accumulated in the course of the innumerable births through which he
had passed. (Śiva Purāṇa, Pañcākṣara Māhātmya). The Crow and
Rice-offerings. In Uttara Rāmāyaṇa there is a story about the crow’s right
to eat the offering of rice to Pitṛs. Once a King named Marutta performed a
Maheśvara sattra. Indra and other gods attended the sattra. Hearing about
this, Rāvaṇa came that way. The frightened gods fled away assuming the
forms of different birds. Yama escaped in the form of a crow. From that
time, Yama was pleased with crows. He gave a blessing that in future, when
human beings worship the piṭrs by offering rice to them, the crows will
have the right to eat that rice. Thus the right of the crows to eat
offerings of rice, originated from that time. (Uttara Rāmāyaṇa).
-------------------------------
The Kaka (Crow) in the Epics
When Vibhishana warns Ravana that if he is not ready to free Sita, he would
end up in trouble.
He tried to show the various inauspicious events.
“Crows in flock utter harsh cries on all sides and are seen gathered in
swarms on the tops of seven storied palaces.”
When Sita was seized by the demon king Ravana, Rama was very much depressed.
He lamented and when he saw a crow in the forest, he said,
“In the past the younger crow emitted a hoarse cry while flying through the
air. Now in the absence of Sita the crow is crying most delightfully while
remaining perched on the tree.”
The crows are said to eat dead bodies. It is said,
“Crows and beasts of prey will eat up my body when I, having sat down for
fasting till death, shall be engaged in my attempt to extricate the soul
from the body.”
There are many references to the crow in the Ramayana.
There are 12 varieties of crows.
The first variety is called Kaka because their cry resembles 'kaka'. In
other words, Kaka is an onomatopoeic name. Onomatopoeia indicates that the
meaning of the word can be guessed from the way it is pronounced, like
bow-wow' or 'meow-meow'. They are jet black in colour. They have big rough
feathers and long beaks. They like to go places by flying. Their cry is a
little harsh. They like to be in groups. They are lazy and cowardly. They
are far-sighted as they can see long distances. They eat a lot and so they
can be called gluttons. Their bodies emit a foul smell.
The 2nd variety is known as Karata. They are also jet black and long
winged. They would be constantly producing their crying noises. They are
very strong birds, but their beaks are small. They can fly fast in the sky.
They are seen everywhere. They are not voracious eaters like the Kakas.
The 3rd variety is Balipushta. They are blue in colour and have smooth
bodies. They are good to look at. They have small tails, beaks and
stomachs. They eat very little. They are interested to be in places where
there are people. They are not afraid of people and they close to them.
They like to remain single. Sacrificial food is given to these crows and
that is why they are called Balipushta.
The 4th variety is Sakritpraja. They are so called because they lay eggs
only once in their life time. They are jet black in colour, except their
necks which are whitish. They are tall and have broad wings. They can fly
fast and high. Their diet consists of flesh, fruits and food grains. We can
also see them in the forests.
The 5thvariety is known as Dhvaksha.Theyare deep blue in colour. They have
long beaks and legs. They are capable of flying in different postures and
can fly very high. While attacking their enemies they scream loudly. They
are not gluttons and are satisfied with small amounts of food.
The 6th variety is Atmaghosha. Their colour is midway between black and
blue. They cry in different modes. They like to be alone, unlike other
crows which like to congregate. They build their nests on trees that are
close to water bodies. They eat mainly small fish. They are found both in
villages and forests.
The 7th variety is known as Parabhrit. They are so called because they
hatch the eggs of cuckoos without knowing that they are not their own eggs.
They are blue in colour except the tip of their wings which are whitish.
They are very good at building nests. They are afraid of two things -people
and the rainy season. They can fly in various postures and they are fond of
bathing themselves at any time of the day. They possess certain good
qualities and are easily trainable.
The 8th variety is Vayasa. These crows have very dark bodies and rough
feathers. They eat the flesh of dead bodies. They are not good to look at.
They beaks are long, sharp and strong. They are often seen perching on
goats, cattle, buffaloes and other quadrupeds, trying to get some pests
that live there. Their cries are harsh and unpleasant. Their flight is
slow. They prefer to live in villages and are hardly found in forest areas.
They are mean minded and do mean things and they are scared of thunder and
lighting.
The 9th variety is called Ciranjivin. These crows live for long periods and
that is why they are called by this name. Their bodies are jet black, but
their necks, breasts and wings are a bit whitish. They do not fly high in
the sky. They are afraid to fly over water bodies. They are gluttons and
are never satisfied with their food and they can be seen eating constantly.
Their cry is very harsh and unpleasant. They eat a variety of things and
they have the advantage of side-sight. They are fickle-minded and show no
stability in their behaviour.
The 10th variety is named Maukuli. These are very small in size and are
blackish white. Their tails and wings have some other colour and also some
dots. They have small beaks. They are fond of eating powdered foods. They
often swim and play in water bodies. They are tame with people. Their cries
are not harsh. When there is a danger, they face it groups. They are easily
trainable.
The 11th variety is called Dronakaka or Raven. They have long bodies and
are jet black in colour. Their beaks and legs are long. Their wings are
broad and their feathers rough. They have sharp nails. They prefer to live
in forests. They do not like the scent of human beings and are not easy to
catch. They like to eat flesh and their cries are unpleasant and harsh.
They attack other birds even without any provocation. They are also fond of
fighting among themselves. They do not need much food. They are very cruel
and show great daring when they are in groups.
The 12th variety is known as Kakola. They dwell among mountains. They are
jet black in colour and their cry is harsh and unpleasant. They destroy all
the small birds near their nests. Their necks are long and feathers very
strong. They fly fast. They often fight among themselves. They even harm
many quadrupeds. They will be seen flying round and round. Their life span
is very short and they live for a maximum period of 5 years. It is believed
that they are one of the worst varieties of crows.
-------------------------------
Kāka-jātaka {JATAKA TALES)
1 "Our old friend," etc.—The Master told this tale while dwelling in
Jetavana, concerning a greedy Brother. The occasion is as above.
Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta
was a pigeon and lived in a nest-basket in the kitchen of a Benares merchant.
A crow became intimate with him and lived there also. Here the story is to
be expanded. The cook pulled out the crow’s feathers and sprinkled him with
flour, then piercing a cowrie he hung it on the crow’s neck and threw him
into a basket. The Bodhisatta came from the wood, and seeing him made a
jest and spoke the first stanza:
Our old friend! look at him!
A jewel bright he wears;
His beard in gallant trim,
How gay our friend appears!
The crow hearing him spoke the second stanza: —
My nails and hair had grown so fast,
They hampered me in all I did:
A barber came along at last,
And of superfluous hair I'm rid.
Then the Bodhisatta spoke the third stanza:—
Granted you got a barber then,
Who has cropped your hair so well:
Round your neck, will you explain,
What’s that tinkling like a bell?
Then the crow uttered two stanzas:—
Men of fashion wear a gem
Round the neck: it’s often done:
I am imitating them:
Don't suppose it’s just for fun.
If you're really envious
Of my beard that’s trimmed so true:
I can get you barbered thus;
You may have the jewel too.
The Bodhisatta hearing him spoke the sixth stanza:—
Nay, ’tis you they best become,
Gem and beard that’s trimmed so true.
I find your presence troublesome:
I wish you a good-day to you.
\With these words he flew up and went elsewhere; and the crow died then and
there.
After the lesson, the Master declared the Truths and identified the
Birth:—After the Truths, the greedy Brother was established in the fruition
of the Third Path: "At that time the crow was the greedy Brother, the
pigeon was myself."
-------------------------------------k RAJARAM IRS 21
1124
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: 'venkat giri' via iyer123 <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, 20 Nov 2024 at 11:11
Subject: [iyer123] CROW & HINDU RITUALS
To: Iyer <[email protected]>
- In Hinduism, crows are considered sacred birds and are associated
with a variety of meanings, including:
- *Messengers between worlds*
Crows are believed to act as messengers between the physical and
spiritual worlds. When food is offered to crows, it's thought that
the crows carry the essence of the offering to deceased ancestors.
- *Ancestors*
- Crows are sometimes considered to be ancestors who visit their
families on Amavasya days.
- *Shani's vahana*
The Hindu deity Shani, who is the divine personification of Saturn,
is often depicted riding a crow or raven. Crows are also offered food
on Saturdays to please Shani.
- *Link to the god of death and goddess of wealth*
Crows are associated with Yama, the god of death, and Lakshmi, the
goddess of wealth.
- *Intelligence and communication*
Crows are known for their intelligence, communication skills, and
ability to recognize people .
[image: Why one should feed black crow as per Hindu Shastras]
Crows are the vehicle of Shani DevThe crows hold a special place in
Hindu mythology. Lord Shani, the deity associated with the planet Saturn,
is often depicted with a crow.The annual Hindu ritual of shradh involves
feeding crows to represent deceased relatives. The ritual includes
cooking a feast of the deceased's favorite foods, carrying the food on a
banana leaf outside, and feeding the crows.
-
- *🙋🙏Crows, Hindu, rituals, 🙇Environment,🌞 Peepul trees✌️- what is
the connection?* 👌🫶
*Hindu rituals*🙇🙋 are performed to bring spirituality into people's
lives and to instill feelings of devotion and religiosity. 🙇👍👍
Sharing this interesting article on the Hindu ritual of feeding Crows
during Mahalaya / Pitru Paksha which has a scientific reason to be
understood and not just be discarded as a blind faith, irrational or
superstitious...
The *Crows exhibit some unique qualities!* :🙇👌
1. *Crows wake up* at Brahma Mahurat everyday. 🌞👏
(A hen and Cock may miss a morning, but a Crow never misses it).
2. If a Crow finds food, it immediately caws and *calls other crows to
share* ✌️.
(no other animal or bird has this sterling trait)
3. Crows *don't eat after sunset,*👌 the Shastras too advise against
eating after sunset.
All *✌️🌞three qualities are something that our ancestors would
advise*👏🙏 us. Hence they are said to use the crow as the medium and not
any other being.
But *why feed them during Mahalaya*?
*🫶✌️This is the only season crows mate and breed!🙋👍*
*So what?*🥸
Our *civilization wanted crows to breed*🫶👍 and multiply.
*🥸??? But why???* 🥸
✌️🙋To *have more Peepal 👏🌞and Banyan trees around us.* 👌🫵
*What do crows have*🥸 to do with Peepal and Banyan trees?
👌👏Peepal and Banyan trees sprout *only and only from the seeds that
have passed through the intestinal tract of crows,*👆🙋 and not from
anything else.
But *why this interest* to have more Peepal and Banyan trees?
Unlike other trees, *Peepal and Banyan trees give out oxygen 24 X 7.
😱👍They are oxygen plants!* 🌞🙋
So the next time, someone calls this a superstitious practice, *educate
the person with this knowledge.*🙋🙇
🌞🙋🙇👏🌞👆👌😰🙏🌞
-
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