Important Messages From Durga Saptashati

Durga Saptashati, the Devi Mahatmyam as you may know, is divided into three major parts.

They are called Charitras.

First, second and third - prathama, madhyama and uttama.

In the first Charitra, we see Mahavishnu killing the Asuras, Madhu and Kaitabha.

In the second Charitra we see Devi destroying Mahishasura.

The third Charitra is about Devi eliminating Shumbha and Nishumbha along with Dhumralochana, Chanda Munda and Raktabeeja.

There are certain interesting themes associated with each of these three Charitas.

Take the first Charitra.

Mahavishnu is asleep.

The Asuras Madhu and Kaitabha are born from his ear wax.

They try to kill Brahma who is sitting on a lotus coming out of the navel of Mahavishnu.

Brahma looks up to Mahavishnu for help.

He doesn't wake up.
Then Brahma realizes that Mahavishnu has been taken over by Yoga-nidra Devi, sleep.

Brahma prays to Devi to come out of Mahavishnu's body.

She comes out.

Mahavishnu starts fighting the Asuras.

Even after a long battle, he is not able to defeat them.

Then with the help of Devi he destroys them.

What do we realize from this ?

Mahavishnu is all powerful.

He can do whatever he wants.

But if that power is not awakened, then it is not of any use.

You may have all the potential, but unless you awaken it and put it to use, nothing can be achieved.

Mahavishnu woke up, he fought madhu and kaitabha for five thousand years.

Nothing happened.

Then he started thinking: why am I not able to defeat them?

They have got the boon of iccha-mrityu.

They will die only if they agree to die.

Then Devi tricked them and caught them unawares.

She brought them into a situation in which the Asuras out of their arrogance asked Mahavishnu to ask for a boon from them.

The Lord said: die at my hands.

Very clearly establishes how intelligence supersedes muscle power.

Madhu and Kaitabha came out of the body of Mahavishnu himself.

Most of our problems, we only create.

In the second Charitra Mahishasura ousts Devas from Swargaloka.

Then along with the Trimurthis, the Devas put all their powers together and Devi Mahishasura Mardini manifests.

Before getting thrown out of Swarga they must have definitely fought Mahishasura, each Deva with his own strength.

But when they put all their powers together, they could defeat Mahishasura.

Be it a family, be it a community, be it a nation; when facing a problem, unity is very important.

We should not divide ourselves and blame each other.

Unity is strength.

Anything can be achieved only if we stay together.

As Mahishasura Mardini, Devi is all powerful.

But during the battle, we see her consuming liquor to stimulate her valor.

Liquor is external.

We all need motivation from others to do well.

Potential should be nurtured by deliberate motivating.

Then only it can excel.

In the third Charitra, Ambika manifests from the body of Parvathy Devi.

But then, the powers of all the Devas come and join her in the battle.

She didn't fight single handedly.

If your goal is good, pure, you get support from everyone.

Even from unexpected sources.

Before starting the fight , Devi sends Shiva to the asuras as her messenger.

For conciliation.

Using force should be the last resort.

Even when using force, like how a medicine is given as a dosage of a specific quantity.

You don't gulp down a whole bottle of cough syrup at a time.

You take only a spoonful.

In the same way, even if you have to use force it should be metered, just enough to achieve the purpose.