Pitru Paksha: Do not shoo away crows, ants, dogs, cows and sparrows at your door
Devotees are told that ancestors may visit in the form of animals and birds during the 16-day Pitru Paksha, and that five creatures are considered especially auspicious.
Pitru Paksha lasts 16 days and is considered a time to express gratitude to ancestors. Shraddha rites are performed for forebears during this period. It is said that grandfathers and great-grandfathers come to meet their descendants in these days, descending from above and keeping watch over the household.
The Garuda Purana also says that during these days ancestors may come to the house in any form, as an animal or as a bird. If an animal comes to the door, one should not beat or chase it away, but give it something to eat. It is said that one's own well-being lies in this. Five creatures are considered especially auspicious visitors during Pitru Paksha.
The first is the crow. The link between Pitru Paksha and the crow is described as very old, and the crow is regarded as a form of the ancestors. If a crow sits on the roof or balcony and calls out, or quietly eats the food kept out for it, the ancestors are believed to be pleased. The crow is the first to eat the portion of food set aside for the ancestors. It is believed that if it eats, the pitru dosha (affliction from ancestors) in the house is removed and money that was stuck is recovered.
The second is the black ant. A line of black ants is often seen in the kitchen or courtyard. People, fed up, kill them, but this should not be done in Pitru Paksha. The sight of black ants is described as an auspicious sign, meaning the poverty of the household is about to ease. Offering them a little sugar or flour in these days is said to bring great benefit, with prosperity in work and business and relief from debt.
The third is the black dog, the mount of Bhairav Baba, also called the guardian of Yamraj. If a black dog comes to the door in Pitru Paksha and stands wagging its tail, it should not be sent away empty-handed. Give it a bhakri or a biscuit. This is said to ward off a serious crisis, ease the troubles of Rahu and Ketu in the horoscope, and bring the ancestors' protection.
The fourth is the cow. The cow is given the status of a mother and is believed to hold 33 crore deities in her belly. During Shraddha, the first portion of food is set aside for the cow, and it is called gograas. If a cow comes to the door on her own and lows during Pitru Paksha, nothing is more auspicious. Feed her the first roti and give her the Shraddha food. This is said to keep illness out of the house, bring progress for children and keep Lakshmi in the home.
The fifth is the sparrow and other small birds. It is a good sign if a sparrow chirps and pecks at grain near the tulsi plant in the courtyard or on the balcony. If a bird builds a nest in the house during Shraddha or pecks at the grain, the ancestors are taken to be satisfied. The vastu dosha (architectural flaw) of the house is removed and good news is soon heard.
A few points are to be remembered. Do not strike any creature that comes to the house with a stick or shout at it to drive it away. Keep a vessel of water and a little rice or bajra on the roof every day so that birds can drink water. When Shraddha food is cooked, set aside five portions first: one for the deities, one for the cow, one for the dog, one for the crow and one for the ants. This is called Panchbali. It is said that doing so certainly brings the blessings of the ancestors.
