Spiritual Stories

Author(s): Raman Maharshi
Publisher: Ramanasramam Tiruvannamalai

Page 84

Her fine clothes and wore for garments the bark of trees, and smeared her entire body with holy ashes. She lived on ears of corn picked by Herself and always repeated the name of Siva. Thrice a day (morning, noon and evening) She bathed in the Kampa, and lovingly shaped its sand into a Linga. Full of devotion she worshipped it with leaves as traditionally prescribed. She respectfully welcomed the holy sages (maharshis) who came to see Her. The sages were filled with wonder at Her austerities.
On one occasion she had collected and cleaned the flowers from the forest. Repeating mantras She began to worship the Linga made of sand, on the bank of the Kampa, in the agamic way. Siva wished to test her devotion and so made the waters of the Kampa rise and overflow its banks. Seeing a huge flood approaching, Her companions warned Devi, who opened Her eyes and saw the river in spate. Distressed at this obstacle to Her worship, She at once embraced the Linga lest it should crumble away and said to them, “What to do? Worship in progress cannot be stopped, come what may. Only those who have acquired merit can bring to completion their good actions in this world and practise the dharma which is capable of fulfilling the desires of the heart. The Sivalinga is made of sand. It will dissolve in the flood. If a Linga is to be destroyed, a true devotee should also perish with it. This flood has risen up through the maya of Siva to test the sincerity of my devotion. I will continue without the least fear. Friends! Go away quickly!” Saying this, Ambika did not abandon the Linga which she was embracing, even though she was fast being surrounded by water. She devoutly adored the great Linga, clasped it to her heart, and with open eyes meditated on Sadasiva with one pointed devotion.
Then a divine voice from the sky spoke: "Girl! This great flood has subsided. You can now leave the Linga, noblest of beings! This Linga worshipped by you will achieve everlasting fame as the one worshipped by the gods and capable of granting