Devi Mahatmayam by Munindra Misra

Devi Mahatmayam is a seven hundred mantra story describing victory of the Goddess over Asuras representing conquest and freedom from tamsik Maha Kali (Ch 1), rajsik Maha Lakshmi (Ch 2-4) and satvik Maha Saraswati (Ch 5-13) human tendencies.

Awaken from your tamas foolish lethargy,

Purify the mind and remove all negativities;

Cultivate rajas - virtues, wealth earnestly,

Gain sattva wisdom - transcend limits truly.

Spiritual practice of Sadhaka, to face readily,

Tamas, Rajas and Sattva by stages gradually;

Devi-Mahatmayam - meaning for spirituality,

With control, strength, wisdom to freedom lastly!

After the slaying of these three basic qualities,

Dawn dawns, comes ‘Dussehra’ – final victory;

Devi-Mahatmayam or Durga Saptashati story,

Showing the path of life for whole of humanity.

Then on to Dushmi, the tenth day finally,

When one is freed gets salvation totally,

From tamas, rajjas, sattva qualities,

Does the Dussehra dawn unfailingly.