The crow

The crow. A bird that has no filter or no concern for hygien. It can feast on literal garbage. Yet it has an immense importance in Hindu traditions. Last week I learnt how a crow can trick us and play with our emotions.

Currently we are in the period of Pitrupaksh where it is believed that our ancestors return to earth. They visit our homes in form of crows. We offer them food. They accept our offerings and depart to their realm. If only it was as easy as it sounds.

It was day on which we were required to perform the rituals for our ancestors. We made their favourite delicacies. Puri, sabji, rice, curry, daal, sweet, Kheer everything that is offered to gods as well as ancestors. We prepared the plate and be kept it at our balcony. We folded our hand and said our prayers. We invited our ancestors to accept our offering.

Me and my dad stood at the balcony looking around. I could not spot a single crow around. My area which is generally densely populated with crows and ravens today did not have a single crow around. I looked up to the sky and prayed again. I prayed that ancestor who is around should come and accept our offerings. I also decided to apologize on the behalf of my family to my ancestors and requested them to come and have meal. But no crow was still seen.

Then we decided to move out of the balcony so that the birds could arrive without any fear. We went inside our home and sat in the living room. We had our lunch and came back to see if the meal had been consumed. I saw that the plate of food was untouched. Every delicacy was where it was before I went inside. I looked around once again. There was no crow in the sight. All I could see were pigeons. I would be glad if pigeons would have eaten the meal but as per the rituals the meal has to be eaten by a crow to be considered it as a success. I closed my eyes and prayed again to my ancestors. I asked them to forgive us for any wrong doing however I requested them to come and have the meal.

I went back inside and continued with my work. I decided to convince myself by saying that since the afternoons have been hotter the crows must have taken a shelter where there is no heat. Probably that is why they have not arrived yet. I hoped that the sun would go down in the evening the crows will arrive to have the meal.

At 4 o'clock in the evening I went back to the balcony to see if the meal has been consumed. I saw that the food was not touched. Again I searched for a crow in the vicinity. I noticed none. I decided to give another couple of ours for the crows to consume the food.

At 6 o'clock I came out again to see the outcome. This time I saw that the food was untouched again. But I was hearing crows in the vicinity. It had been dark so may not have been able to see the food. I decided to leave the meal as is.

Next morning I saw that the plate was gone. I did not know whether it was consumed by crows or some other birds or animals. I decided to stop fighting with my thoughts. I felt that I had been defeated by the crows that time. I felt that probably the food was not accepted by the ancestors but whoever ate it may have satiated their hunger with it.

I decided not to get upset by it but let it slide this time.