The Indian Crow in our life and after-life:

The Indian Crow in our life and after-life:                         compiled by B.L.Manohar Arasu  VU2UR

The common Indian Urban crow, which is there in every inhabited place, is called  “Corvus splendens (House Crow)”.  They belong to the “corvidae” family. Found throughout India, as also in other countries. It is a  moderate sized bird, with glossy black feathers all over its body, except its neck and  breast which are  grey in colour. They belong to the “passerine” type, as they have three front and one claw backside,  in each foot, for good grip in perching.

                The other variety, is the  Indian jungle crow (Corvus culminatus). This is  an all-black species of jungle crow found in the plains of India,  and readily distinguished from the house crow which has a grey neck. Often grouped along with other crow species in the region, it differs in its voice from the large-billed crow found in the higher elevations of the Himalayas and the eastern jungle crow (Corvus levaillantii) overlaps in the eastern part of its range. In appearance it cannot be easily distinguished from either of these species although the plumage tends to be more uniformly glossed in purple and has a longer bill with a fine tip and an arched culmen. The Himalayan species has a slightly wedge-shaped tail unlike the rounded tail of the Indian jungle crow.

                The 40 or so members of this genus occur on all temperate continents except South America, and several islands. In Europe, the word "crow" is used to refer to the carrion crow or the hooded crow, while in North America, it is used for the American crow or the northwestern crow.  The gender of a crow cannot be determined easily, but with blood  or DNA analysis.

                (Not related to bird family, there exist a group of human beings, the  native Indian Tribe called “Crow Indians”, in the North American States of Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota. The Crow were generally friendly with the whites and managed to retain a large reservation.)

                Crowe or Crow is a surname of Middle English origin. Its Old English origin means 'crow', and was a nickname for someone said to resemble this bird, probably if they had very dark hair. The name may alternatively have a Gaelic origin: in Ireland, it may originate as an anglicisation of Mac Enchroe while in the Isle of Man it represents an anglicised version of Mc Crawe.

 

                In its behavior, the crow  is an intelligent bird, aggressive and invasive. Lives in groups, in open perches on tall trees. Only for raising their  young ones, they build nests, to lay eggs,  watch out and warm them till they hatch.  Though it is intelligent, it is duped by the ordinary Cuckoo, which visits its nest, pushes out one egg, and in its place, lays its own and departs. The duped crow hatches and feeds all of them, till they start vocalizing. The baby singer is pushed out immediately and the singer  has to fend for itself.

                Recent research has found some crow species capable of not only tool use, but also tool construction.  Crows are now considered to be among the world's most intelligent avians  with an encephalization quotient approaching that of some apes.

                The crow adopts itself to the changing environs. They used to build nests by using plant materials like twigs, long grass, and others. But, now in urban Bangalore surroundings, you can watch crows building nests with binding wire pieces (used for jointing the TMT steel bars in building construction). They have learnt to twist the wires  so that the materials do not fall apart. Thus,  the vacated  nest after  successfully raising the young ones, can be found to contain only wires with very little of cushioning materials. Crows are monogamous.

                As a group, crows show remarkable examples of intelligence. Natural history books from the 18th century recount an often-repeated, but unproven anecdote of "counting crows" — specifically a crow whose ability to count to five (or four in some versions) is established through a logic trap set by a farmer. Crows and ravens often score very highly on intelligence tests. Certain species top the avian IQ scale.  Wild hooded crows in Israel have learned to use bread crumbs for bait-fishing.  Crows engage in a kind of mid-air jousting, or air-"chicken" to establish pecking order. They have been found to engage in activities such as sports,  tool use, the ability to hide and store food across seasons, episodic-like memory, and the ability to use individual experience in predicting the behavior of environmental changes.

 

One species, the New Caledonian crow, has also been intensively studied recently because of its ability to manufacture and use tools in the day-to-day search for food. On 5 October 2007, researchers from the University of Oxford presented data acquired by mounting tiny video cameras on the tails of New Caledonian crows. They pluck, smooth, and bend twigs and grass stems to procure a variety of foodstuffs.   Crows in Queensland have learned how to eat the toxic cane toad by flipping the cane toad on its back and violently stabbing the throat where the skin is thinner, allowing the crow to access the nontoxic innards; their long beaks ensure that all of the innards can be removed.  The crows love carrion, but eat anything under the sun, including shellfish, amphibians, louse from bovines, spiders, acorns, fish, etc.,.The crows store excess food, but what is remarkable about this is their ability to find these exact locations despite a time lapse and subtle changes which occur in an area. Stealing from other birds is a well-developed component of the crows' behavior.  Crows do have their enemies and include eagles, hawks and falcons, but it is the owl that is of the highest concern.

 

Crows have demonstrated the ability to distinguish individual humans by recognizing facial    features.Evidence also suggests they are one of the few nonhuman avians  capable of displacement (communicating about things that are happening in a different spatial or temporal location ).

               

                Many great writers and  artists were drawn to the crow. Mark Twain, has eulogized the  crow by observing its behavior closely and comparing them with the civilized human beings. He has made his correct observations of this bird’s behavior, very humourously, in his book “Following the  Equator”.He writes “…….In India their number is beyond estimate, and their noise is in proportion. I suppose they cost the country more than the government does; yet that is not a light matter……..I suppose he has no enemies among men. The whites and Mohammedans never seemed to molest him; and the Hindoos, because of their religion, never take the life of any creature, but spare even the snakes and tigers and fleas and rats……..In India their number is beyond estimate, and their noise is in proportion….etc..  He spent hundreds of words in his characteristic style.

                The great Indian cartoonist, Mysore-born  R.K.Lakshman spent quite some time  watching and sketching various poses  of this bird, which attracted  him very much. He had even organized an exhibition of his sketches of crows. Lakshman appreciated the crow, as a very intelligent bird, which shares even a tiny morsel of food with its group. He has been quoted as telling that crows knew to count upto seven.  Laxman’s  sketches and Twain’s  eulogy are a perfect combination for the Indian Crow.

                Crow as a pet or domesticated bird, is rarest of the rare. In Srirangapatna Sangam area, a particular person guiding in performing shraadh, gives pieces of plantain to  various crows, who come and take them from his hand. In another instance, a friend of mine at Kakinada, has the routine of feeding a crow, by holding food in his hand, which is taken by the particular crow.

                Crows for centuries have been closely connected with death. The main reason for this is crows feed on carrion-- the flesh of the dead. Because of this many cultures associate crows with death and dying. Some cultures in the past believed that crows were messengers of death. How this reputation came about is certainly understandable. If we look at examples in history around the world it becomes clear why so many cultures have a tradition of associating crows with death. In mans' early history bodies were not buried, it was a common sight to see crows feasting upon human corpses. Some Native      American cultures see crow  as a positive symbol because they believe the crow acts as a communicator or liaison between this world and the next. They are viewed as assistors that help the deceased cross over. The early Celtics viewed crows as the mediators between the human and spirit worlds.

                In the 13th century Talmud, a vast collection of Jewish laws, there is a story where a crow teaches Adam and Eve to bury the body of their son. Adam and Eve being confronted with this first dead body on earth after creation did not know what to do with it. The story states the crow then kills another crow and buries it in front of Adam and Eve as a demonstration.  The Irish for generations believed that when a crow caws three times they are announcing the death of an individual. It was also believed if a crow flew in a house and couldn’t get out it was a bad omen.

                The crows seem to understand their own mortality. When one of them dies people have observed the following phenomenon. They often fly around the deceased bird cawing; in fact they seem to hold their version of a crow funeral. They are seen landing and forming a circle around the deceased bird’s body. They stand still and silent for anywhere from a few minutes to over thirty minutes.  The people who have witnessed this event state that it shocked them for it was obvious to them these crows were not just standing around.

                According to the Hindu religion, there is a belief that the ancestors come in the form of crows. Apart from the crow there are other birds like Garuda, owl, swan, etc which play a great role in the Indian mythology. Crows are supposed to be the most intelligent birds in the world for a deep study of them shows how they bring up their young ones in an orderly manner and live in unity. Crows are known for their unity, for when food is offered for a crow it is not a single crow which comes to feed on it but a number of crows come together and take the food.

                Crow’s link the dead and the alive -The Hindus strongly believe that crows play major role in linking the dead and the living people. Thus by feeding the crows they in turn take or carry the food to our dead ancestors or relatives. This practice of feeding our ancestors through the crow is known as “Shraadh offering to vaayasa” (Sanskrit for Crow). There is a belief among the Hindus that when a crow makes sound in a house then the people living in that house are likely to get guests. There are other theories which say that the crows are not the representatives of our ancestors but instead the Apes are referred to our dead forefathers. According to the latest belief the crows are the only birds which can communicate and act as a messenger to the “pitru loka”. When food is offered to our pithrus or the ancestors the way a crow acts at that part of the time, plays a major role in knowing the lakshana shastram.

                Worship of the Crows on the First Day of Diwali -In Hinduism birds and animals takes a prominent place for most of the legends and myths say that the former acts as vehicles of many gods and goddesses, as divinities and also as embodiment or aspects of Vishnu or Siva. The people of Nepal celebrate and worship the crows on the first day of Diwali or Tihar festival. The whole days is dedicated by the people to worship the crows. The rituals done on this day is popularly known among the Nepalese as Kag Puja or Kag Parv.

                In Indian Mythology  (Valmiki’s Ramayana) , crow has shown up on many occasions.   A crow pestered Sita, while Rama was sleeping  with his head in her lap. Lord Rama could make out that it was Jayant son of Indra, and invoking a weapon through a blade of grass, sent it to kill the crow. The crow went round all over the worlds, but, no one could protect him. Finally after the crow surrendered to Rama and begged for sparing his life, Rama was kind to take only one of the eyes of that crow, as punishment, and making the remaining eye see things which are invisible to two eyed creatures. He blessed it “You will be able to see ancestors and unsatisfied souls.  Jayant, you will have a long life. Whoever feeds you during the time of honoring our ancestors (Pitru Paksha), their ancestors will be satisfied.”  From that day forward, the crow has one active eyeball, a long life, and a strong connection with ancestors.

                During funeral ceremonies, Hindus are encouraged to feed crows. The crow caws, “Ka? Ka!” It is the voice of the ancestors who hope that the children they have left behind on earth spend adequate time on the most fundamental question of existence, “Why? Why!”  (The word ‘why’ is translated as ka in Sanskrit, the sacred language of Hinduism. Ka is the first consonant of the Sanskrit language. It is both an interrogation as well as an exclamation.)

Crow: the Representation of Pitrus

                It is the general belief among Hindu, that crow represent the Pitrus. People who died will take food and offerings through a variety of crows called "Bali Kaak". Every year people whose parents or relatives have died will offer food to crows as well as cows on the Shraaddha day. Perhaps since they represent Pitrus, they never become close to people. They keep distance. It is very difficult to catch crow as a bird, put in cage and bring it up like parrots. During Shraaddh, people ensure the crow to come and eat the Pind, and somehow for the reasons unknown, crows are also ready by the time Pind is to be offered. In fact crow itself is not the Pitrus, it is only additional representation.

Lord Shaneeshwar and the Crow

                Shaneeshwar holds a crow in his hand. It is said to ward of evils if any occur during Shani's Dashaa (period), Shani's sub-period, or Kandak Shani or Ashtam Shani. Astrology recommends to feed crows at that time. Otherwise also, whether Shani Dashaa is there or not, it is always good to feed crows. During Shani's Dashaa you will be more prompted to do so. It is good to give them water to drink. Since now-a-days because of new buildings architecture people cannot keep water outside, they really become thirsty without getting water. So on can keep some water on one's terrace in a flat pot without fail, especially in summer. They will come and drink water from there.

Ganesh as a Crow: Origin of Kaaveri River

                Once sage Agastya was coming through South. He did not want to get separated from his wife Lopaamudraa, so he changed her into water, and poured her into his Kamandal and carried her with him. Lopaamudraa liked being water so much that she always desired to become a river. Once it was time for Rishi's Sandhyaa, so he kept his Kamandal on a small rock, went to a small nearby water pond and started performing Sandhyaa. Lord Ganesh took the form of a crow and came near the Kamandal. He tilted it a little bit and water in it started flowing as a river. This is the origin of the River Kaaveri. Sage also thought that "let her desire get filled up if it is so".

Story of sage  Kaagbhushandi

                This story also comes in Tulasee Das’ “Raamcharit Maanas”. Kaagbhushandi Jee was a crow. He was fortunate enough to play with infant Raam and got the boon of being real immortal and telling Raam Kathaa to all birds. When Garud Jee (see From Maanas) got deluded when he helped Raam and Lakshman to cut their Naag Paash and free them, that what kind of Bhagavaan they were if they could not free from Naag Paash themselves. He went to Shiv Jee and thinking that Garud Jee was a bird so only Kaagbhushandi Jee could remove his delusion, he directed him to Kaagbhushundi Jee. He went there, listened to Raam's Kathaa and got Gyaan.  In mythology, Kakabhusandi sits on the branch of Kalpataru, the wish-fulfilling tree. The tree fulfills every wish but is unable to answer Kakabhusandi’s timeless and universal question, “Ka? Ka!”

                Those who get the occasion to visit the holy shrine of Badrinath, should enquire from the locals, about the small “black” peak, in the surrounding snow covered mountains, which is called the Kaagbhushandi peak, which never gets covered by the heaviest snow fall in the region, so that the sage can see Lord Badri Vishaal , all the time.

Yam Raaj as Crow

                After obtaining boons from Brahmaa Jee, when Raavan went for the world victory tour, he went to Usheerbeej country to win Raajaa Marut. At that time he was doing a Yagya. All Lokpaal were present there. As soon they saw Raavan, they got afraid and they assumed Tiryak Yoni (lower form of life) form to disguise themselves from him. Indra changed himself to peacock, Dharm Raaj (Yam Raaj) changed himself to crow, , Kuber changed himself to chameleon and Varun Dev changed himself to swan. When Raavan went away, they all granted boons to these animals and birds.

Bird Omen:

Man is surrounded by  the domesticated birds and animals, and also some of them which are wild too. The vocalizations of the various sounds produced by lizards, crows, eagles, dogs, cats, donkeys, cows, caged birds, owls  and others have different meanings and forecasts, which a careful observer, can make out. Their directional movements in the domestic area and the outside, have significant foretelling. These are called as beliefs by some and superstitions by the others. For many centuries, our ancestors looked to nature to bring them important information on their health, love, prosperity, and more. Many of our ancestors relied heavily on the messages that birds brought to them, including Native Americans, the Celts, and many more cultures.

Crow is probably the most common bird in India and hence they are often ignored as mere scavengers. But, Vaastu Shastra associates a number of omens with it.  The Sanskrit word used for an omen  is “shakunam”, which referring to a bird, and comes to mean an omen from the fact that in ancient days omens were largely decided by the flight of birds. The old Hindu writings contain passages referring to portents and omens  explaining omens is a disreputable one. A knowledge of omens is considered an art or science amongst the Hindus generally.There is a book in Telugu, translated from the Sanskrit, upon this subject. The three divisions of this book are palmistry (“saamudrikam”), or the interpretation of spots on the body and of creases in the hands ; enquiry (“prashnam”), or divination tried by dipping the hand into the " Ramayanam "; and omens. There is a  class of people who are learned in omens and kindred subjects ; the chief of these are the  astrologers (“jyotishka”) who, as their name implies, are learned in the stars and occult matters.

These omens are as follows:  When you learn to listen to nature's language, you start to hear and see things in a totally different light. Nature has messages for us, just as our spirit guides, ancestors, and gods have messages for us. It's just whether we choose to listen or not.    Bird omens and signs are powerful tools and can be utilized by anyone who is open to nature. A bird of ill omen to you might be a bird of good luck to me and vice versa. It's all in how you  experience and interpret it. Just give it a try!

All roosting birds and those animals raising their young ones, are highly possessive, protective and even aggressive  and  do not like someone unknown, approaches their young ones. The crows too, do not tolerate intruders near their nesting area, and they resort to attacking them by hitting with their wings, and clawing too.  The crow may even sit on the head of a human being. This unforeseen attack on a human being is  called an omen, and various interpretations are made by experienced and learned people for the meaning. There are scores and scores of recorded observations and interpretations available, and suitable remedial measures indicated. It is for those believers.

Albinos: 

True “albinism”, whereby all “melanin” pigment is missing resulting in a pure white bird with red/pink eyes, is very rare in adult wild birds. This is because those affected usually have severe eyesight problems, and tend not to survive very long once they are independent of parental care. In human beings, albinos have vision defects, eyelashes too are white as also the hairs on the head and body. Survival rate is low. The white tigers of Rewa and the white elephants of Thailand are world famous, as also the white peacocks. White crows are indeed very rare but they've been recorded and documented almost in every country where they are part of the local bird population. Their white colors are due to a congenital disorder called albinism. This is caused by problems with pigment production.

                Despite a reputation as crop stealers and dumpster divers, a study found that a family of crows devoured about forty thousand grubs, caterpillars, army worms and other pests to farmers in just one nesting period. Also, they aid in keeping rodent populations down, and on a dubious note, help to keep our streets free of road-kill remains.

                The bird “crow”, has been helping mankind in maintaining an ecological balance and benefits in man’s present, past and future lives, through the various religious beliefs.