Offer to God

1. Why do we offer food to crows daily?
2. Who will do the rituals for deceased ancestors if he has no son, but a daughter only?

COUNSELLING:

“Janani Thayan” asked like this: (Question editted as it was too long):

“I'm really enjoying the teaching provided by this site to me each and every day. Some days ago there was a topic on how to feed our ancestors. The reply given by you mentioned sons/boys doing the rituals so that our ancestors won't starve.

What to do if there are only daughters in a family in a generation, who would then do the rituals?

Actually, I'm not only concerned about these rituals for our ancestors. Generally, I've been quite irritated about our traditions "favouring" the male gender in many ways. I don't know if the is about favouring or not - but coming from a family with only daughters in a generation, I've sometimes met some incidents which seemed to be quite unfair towards girls.

Another thing is that, why do we offer rice to crows? I live in Denmark, where crows are not to be found to the same extend as in Asia - so my question is also, if it is important that it the crows that we offer our food to?

I'm looking forward to read your reply - many thanks to you to take the time to read my questions and to write the answer.

Lokha Samastha Sukhino Bavanthu. Jai Krishna, Janani"

REPLY:

We should understand the restrictions given to girls in right perspective. Girls can do all rituals and chant limitlessly. And, as per sastras, if the girls help in the spritual practices of their husband, they will get the same benefit that theiur husband get. So, in fact, they are in comfortable position only. You can get all the mercy of Lord even by following your “Sthroi Dharma” of assisting your husband in doing Krishna Consciousness. There are some physical reasons also that I will write in a suitable time for any other question if I come across in future.

Now, your next question. If there is no son, who can do the rituals for deceased ancestors. Garuda Purana has given many alternatives. The son of the daughter, ie, grand son can do the death rituals for the deceased. If the daughter is unmarried, the brother of the deceased person can do. If the deceased is the only child and has no brother and no grandson, the purohit (brahmana) himself will do the rituals. So, any way, the rituals will go on.

Next, why do we offer food to crows? (i) The crows are the representatives of our ancestors; So, when we offer food to crows, our ancestors get pleased ; (ii) The crows are the representatives of the planet Saturn and Yama Dharma Raja. As Saturn is the controller of our duration of life, we will get good health and good image if we offer food to crows. (iii) As we are very busy, we usually do not have time to help others and hence, we offer food atleast to crows to get the same benefit of feeding people. (iv) The crowds are very broad minded. They do not eat alone. They invite all their team and eat together. So, you are feeding more birds, not just one.

Though you are in Denmark, offer food on the open terrace of your home, once, twice, thrice, and daily. If one crow finds it one day, it will come the next day also along with its friends. Then if you offer food daily, the crows will make it a habit of coming to your house at a particular time daily. Thus, you can change the customs of crows.

Try this and see what happens. Though it is not insisted in ISKCON, I have been offering food in my home to crows daily at 8 am for very long time since my boyhood, ie, before coming to ISKCON. Every day the crows come exactly at 7.45-8 am without any watch. If I delay any day for a few minutes, they call me with a peculiar sound. When I offer food, they spread their wings happily and take their food.

This gives a kind of relief for us when they eat the food punctually and promptly. So, I am still continueing this practice as I try to see Krishna in Crows also. Yes, Krishna is living in Crows also.

So, though a person is a senior devotee of Krishna and has no commitment to do any material rituals, there is nothing wrong in offering food to other animals and see them happy. Jeevakarunya is also the good quality of devotees.