Symbolism of the three episodes:Shree Durga Saptshati (Devi Mahatmaya)

Shree Durga Saptshati (Devi Mahatmaya): Symbolism of the three episodes

Coburn says:

    "The sage's three tales are allegories of outer and inner experience, symbolized by the fierce battles the all-powerful Devi wages against throngs of demonic foes. Her adversaries represent the all-too-human impulses arising from the pursuit of power, possessions and pleasure, and from illusions of self-importance. Like the battlefield of the Bhagavad Gita, the Devi Mahatmya's killing grounds represent the field of human consciousness ... The Devi, personified as one supreme Goddess and many goddesses, confronts the demons of ego and dispels our mistaken idea of who we are, for – paradoxically – it is she who creates the misunderstanding in the first place, and she alone who awakens us to our true being." Chapter 1, Chapter 4, chapter 5, chapter 11 describe the praise given to the great Goddess Yognindra, Goddess Chandi, who slayed Mahishasura, Goddess Adi-Shakti, the one who is source of all other Goddesses and power inside all gods and Goddess Durga, who was born from combined energy of all Gods & Goddesses declares that Goddess Adi-shakti is Supreme of all and source of all. In chapter 1, Lord Brahma even praises that the great Goddess has created everything including himself.