Description
Devi Mahatmyam describes the story of how Devi (mother Goddess) killed Madhu and Kaidabha as Vishnu Maya (Thamasic-base), killed Mahishasura as Lakshmi (Rajashic form-materialistic) and killed Shumbha and Nishumbha in the form of Goddess Saraswati (Sathvic-spiritual). It is mentioned in the Markandeya purana. Devi Mahatmyam is also known as Saptashti because it contains 700 mantras (7= sapta and 100=ashta.) and 518 verses. There is another opinion that the name should be Saptasati as it deals with the story of seven Satis .The seven mothers are Brāhmi, Māheśwari, Kaumāri, Vaisṇavi, Vārāhi, Indrāṇi, and Cāmunḍa.
One of the important parts of this Holy Scripture is the stories of Markandeya which explain stories that lord Markandeya narrated to Jamini and his students. These stories talk about the brave conquests of the Devi against several dem