Yet another mantra that explores the beautiful union of Amma and Shiva. I found a beautiful story about why we bathe the Shivalinga:
A legend from the Ramayana speaks of King Bhagirath who once meditated before Lord Brahma for a thousand years for the salvation of the souls of his ancestors. Pleased with his devotion Brahma granted him a wish. He requested the Lord to send the river Ganges down to earth from heaven so that she could flow over his ancestors' ashes and wash their curse away and allow them to go to heaven.
Brahma granted his wish but asked him to pray to Shiva, for he alone could support the weight of her descent. Accordingly he prayed to Shiva and he allowed the Ganges to descend on his head, and after meandering through his thick matted locks, the holy river reached the earth. This story is re-enacted by bathing the 'linga'.
I love this story because Amma is also the sacred Ganga who has come down on earth in order to wash away all the curses on humanity. Someday when the world is alight with Amma's radiance and each and every one of us has been touched by Her magic, we will finally be cleansed of all vices. And on such a day, there will be heaven on earth.
Om Amriteswariye namah!
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