Based on The Faith Book by Kadamba Kanana Swami
The Brāhmaṇa’s Daily Worship
In a small holy village nestled by the banks of a sacred river, there lived a brāhmaṇa devoted to the worship of Lord Viṣṇu. Every day, at the same time, he would perform his pūjā with sacred mantras, purified offerings, and loving care.
His food was cooked with devotion. His altar was clean and adorned with fresh flowers. And each day, before partaking in the prasādam, he would offer it to the Lord with folded hands and full concentration.
His heart was simple and pure.
A Sudden Visitor
One morning, as the brāhmaṇa placed the plate of food before the Lord, a crow flew in through the open window, landed on the plate, and began eating.
The brāhmaṇa was horrified. “Oh no!” he cried. “The offering is ruined!”
He felt brokenhearted, for the food had not yet been formally offered. In his anguish, he cried out to the Lord, “Why did You allow this? My worship is destroyed!”
A Divine Revelation
That night, the brāhmaṇa had a dream.
Lord Viṣṇu appeared before him, radiant with lotus eyes and smiling lips.
“Why are you upset, My dear devotee?” the Lord asked.
The brāhmaṇa replied, “My Lord, a crow spoiled Your offering. I could not serve You today.”
The Lord chuckled sweetly. “That crow was Me.”
The brāhmaṇa blinked in confusion.
“Yes,” the Lord continued, “I desired to taste your offering so much that I came as a crow. You always offer with such love—but today, I could not wait for the mantras. I came Myself, hungry for your bhakti.”
The Essence of Bhakti
This story reveals a profound truth: the Lord is not bound by rituals. He is not hungry for food—He is hungry for love. When we offer something with full devotion, He accepts it in any form, at any time.
Even if the rules seem broken, the bhāva—the inner feeling—is what pleases Him.
A Lesson in Spontaneous Devotion
Sometimes we get caught in the mechanics of worship—saying the right prayers, making precise gestures. But Kṛṣṇa is a person. He comes not for the ceremony, but for the sincerity.
As Śrīla Prabhupāda often said, “Kṛṣṇa is not a statue. He is the Supreme Person. He sees your heart.”
Even if a crow comes, or things don’t go perfectly—if there is love, the Lord comes running.
A Verse to Remember
bhāva-grāhī janārdanaḥ
“Lord Janārdana accepts the mood of the offering.”
— Skanda Purāṇa
Whether we chant with a melody or a whisper, offer silver or a leaf, what matters most is our affection. Even a crow, guided by divine will, can teach us this lesson.
