A Crow Finds Shelter in the Forest of Sages
In a peaceful forest āśrama where saintly sages lived, daily recitations of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and other Purāṇas were held. These sages sat beneath large trees, surrounded by disciples and wandering pilgrims, chanting the names of Lord Viṣṇu and glorifying His divine pastimes. The spiritual atmosphere was saturated with purity, sound, and grace.
The Unexpected Listener
One day, while the sages were narrating the qualities of Lord Rāma—His unbounded mercy, charming smile, and heroic deeds—a crow landed on a branch above the gathering. It was tired, looking for a place to rest, unaware of the sacredness of the environment below. But something unusual happened: the crow did not fly away. As the recitation of the Lord’s glories continued, the sound vibrations entered the crow’s ears.
Silent Witness to Divine Sound
The crow remained still on the branch, listening quietly as the sages described the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa, including His rāsa-līlā and loving exchanges with His devotees. For several days, it returned, sitting through entire readings of Hari-kathā, without causing any disturbance.
Final Flight to Freedom
One morning, just as the narration concluded, the crow let out a soft caw, fluttered its wings, and fell to the ground lifeless. The sages, sensing something extraordinary, paused their recitation.
Suddenly, the sky was illuminated by a brilliant light, and Viṣṇudūtas descended—celestial messengers holding conchs, lotuses, and clubs. They addressed the sages:
“Though in the body of a crow, this soul has faithfully heard the glories of the Supreme Lord. Even without full understanding, the heart has been sanctified. By the power of divine sound, this jīva has become eligible for Vaikuṇṭha.”
The soul of the crow emerged in a radiant spiritual form, bowed to the sages, and was lovingly taken to the eternal abode of the Lord.
Lessons to Be Learned:
- Hearing Hari-kathā, even in a non-human body, purifies the soul.
- The holy name and pastimes of the Lord uplift all beings—regardless of form or intelligence.
- Simply hearing, when done without offense, is enough to transform and liberate.
- The Lord’s mercy is so great that even a crow became an eternal servant by simply hearing His glories.
Origin of the Story: Padma Purāṇa – Stories section, based on traditional retellings of the power of hearing Hari-kathā.
