The fights between Devi as Maha Durga, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Saraswati with the demonic forces described in detail in the Devi Mahatmya are to be seen as powerful myths to convey higher truths that lie hidden beyond the philosophical, logical and rational levels of understanding.
In the episode where Mahishasura’s ascending power and consequent defeat by Para Sakti are described, it is shown that the triumph of good over evil brings forth widespread joy, pointed out Swami Suprajnananda in a discourse. From her breath, thousands of warriors are created and they fight with enthusiasm to destroy the asuras. They are endowed with divine strength to fight the evil forces. Hence, despite the vivid descriptions of the terrible battle and the battlefield, the atmosphere reverberates as if it were a festival.
Devi casts her spell of Maya and the enemies fall to the ground. She ties some with her noose; some she splits with her sword. Many asuras give up their lives and their bodies are completely covered with the arrows hurled by Devi. With hands, heads, legs all cut up, they all lie strewn in the battlefield.
In some places, some of them fight with Devi though their heads have been cut off. But it is also repeatedly stressed that Devi is able to vanquish the evil forces as if it was mere play even when they assume enormous proportions.
In the sixth chapter of the Devi Mahatmya, it is said that a mere humkara from Devi is enough to kill Dumralochana. In a trice, Devi destroys the asuras just as fire burns up a small blade of grass and can also be the cause of forest fires.
The inherent ignorance in a jivatma that is the cause of bondage is easily dispelled with Devi’s grace.
Is it not true that the light from a small match stick is enough to brighten a room that has been steeped in darkness for many years?