Feeding animals is one of the most compassionate and spiritually uplifting acts a human being can perform. In Hindu tradition, this simple act goes far beyond charity ; it is seen as a way to foster positive energy, reduce negative karma, and build a reservoir of good deeds. Animals are considered sacred and interconnected with divine energies, ancestors, and cosmic forces.
Why feeding animals matters spiritually?
Feeding animals is not just a gesture of kindness, it holds deep symbolic value in Hindu philosophy. Each animal is associated with specific deities or cosmic energies, and offering them food is believed to invoke blessings, reduce the effects of malefic planets, and bring peace and prosperity to the devotee's life.
Spiritual benefits of feeding specific animals
Cows
Cows hold a revered position in Hinduism, often seen as a symbol of motherhood and selfless giving. Feeding cows with fresh grass, bananas, jaggery, chapatis, or soaked chana dal is believed to:
- Bring prosperity and well-being
- Remove obstacles in life
- Appease planets like Venus and the Moon
Dogs
Dogs are associated with loyalty and protection and are also linked to Lord Kaal Bhairavar, a fierce form of Lord Shiva. Feeding stray dogs, particularly on Saturdays, helps to:
- Dissolve past karmic burdens
- Provide protection from negative energies
- Mitigate malefic effects of Rahu and Ketu
Birds (Especially Crows and Sparrows)
Feeding grains to birds, especially crows, holds ancestral significance. In Hindu belief, crows are considered messengers of forefathers. Feeding them is said to:
- Honour departed souls
- Grant peace to ancestors
- Reduce the influence of Saturn (Shani)
Monkeys
Monkeys represent Lord Hanuman, the deity of strength, courage, and devotion. Feeding them fruits like bananas is considered highly meritorious and helps to:
- Enhance courage and mental strength
- Remove fear and anxiety
- Earn the blessings of Lord Hanuman
Fish
Fish symbolize abundance, movement, and positive flow in life. Feeding them flour balls or grains in ponds or rivers can:
- Attract wealth and financial stability
- Promote harmony and flow in life
- Cleanse emotional blockages
Ants
Feeding ants with a mixture of roasted wheat flour and sugar is a subtle yet powerful remedy in astrology. This act is believed to:
- Remove obstacles caused by Shani (Saturn)
- Cultivate humility and perseverance
- Bring peace and smooth transitions in life
Mahalaya Amavasai: A time for ancestral offerings and compassion
Mahalaya Amavasai is a spiritually significant day dedicated to paying homage to ancestors. It marks the culmination of the Pitru Paksha (fortnight of ancestors) and is observed with rituals to ensure the peace and liberation of ancestral souls.
Feeding animals during Mahalaya Amavasya carries added importance, as it is believed that animals act as messengers of the ancestors. Offering them food is an expression of gratitude, a prayer for blessings, and a path to creating positive vibrations for both the living and the departed.
Key reasons to feed animals on Mahalaya Amavasai
Pacify ancestors : Animals are seen as symbolic carriers of ancestral blessings. Feeding them helps attain peace for forefathers.
Accumulate Good Karma : Selfless acts like feeding animals enhance spiritual merit for both the giver and their ancestors.
Reduce Planetary Dosham : In Vedic astrology, specific animal feedings are prescribed to reduce negative effects of planets like Shani, Rahu, and Ketu.
Promote Family Well-Being : Such acts invite prosperity, health, and protection for the household.
Align with Dharma : Feeding animals embodies compassion and respect for all life forms ; central values in Hindu dharma.
Feeding animals is a timeless act of love, compassion, and spiritual merit. Whether done as a daily practice or during sacred occasions like Mahalaya Amavasai, it connects us to nature, to our ancestors, and to the divine itself. Through this act, one not only uplifts the lives of voiceless beings but also nurtures their own soul’s journey towards peace and purpose.
Source / Image Credit : Times of India, indastro , Google , Spiritual Friend, The New York, Times, TheSmartLocal, Mangal Parinay, WellBeing International