Dashamata Vrat (or Dasha Mata Vrat) is a sacred fast mainly observed by women in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Central India. This fast is observed for the happiness and prosperity of the family, protection of all ten directions, and attainment of good fortune. In this fast, "Dasha Mata" is worshipped, who is considered the goddess protecting all ten directions.

This fast is observed on the Amavasya of Ashadh month. The person observing the fast should take a bath in the morning and listen to the story, and observe the Nakorda fast for ten days, if this is not possible, then observe only one fast. A clay pot should be made and worshipped. On the day of Dashama, this pot should be immersed in water. This fast should be concluded after five years. In the festival, a silver pot should be made and donated to a worthy Brahmin.

Importance of Dasha Mata Vrat – Importance of Dashamata Vrat

• Dashamata protects all ten directions.
• Best fast for the happiness and peace of husband, children, and family.
• Relieves from financial difficulties, debts, and business problems.
• Protects from evil eye and evil forces.
• Helpful in the growth of agriculture, trade, and livestock.
• Increases mental peace and self-confidence.
• Strengthens social and family unity.

Rules of Dashmata Vrat – Rules of Dashamata Vrat

Day of the fast:
This fast is especially observed on Thursday (Brihaspativar). In some regions, the fast is observed for 5 or 7 consecutive Thursdays.

Observer of the fast:
The fast is mainly observed by women, but men can also observe it.

Take a bath in the morning and wear yellow clothes:
After bathing, purify yourself and wear yellow clothes as this day belongs to Brihaspati Dev and the Mother.

Clean the house:
Especially clean the kitchen and the place of worship.

Abstinence from food during the fast:
Some people fast (eat fruits or only water), while some people eat one meal a day – without garlic and onion.

Worship materials:

• Yellow flower, turmeric, rice, lamp, water pot
  
• Rakhi (thread) of Dashamata
  
• Symbol of clay cow/washerman's stone (if possible)
  

Worship of Dashamata and listening to the story:
Worship the Mother and read or listen to the "Dashamata Vrat Katha". At the end of the story, perform Aarti and tie the Rakhi to the door of the house, cow's horn, or hand.

Avoid disputes or harsh words:
Keep your mind, speech, and conduct pure on the day of the fast. Do not quarrel or speak abusive words.

Give donations:
Upon completion of the fast, donate yellow items (gram, clothes, turmeric, etc.) to Brahmins or needy people.

End of the fast:
End the fast on the last Thursday with Udyapan (conclusion ritual) — special worship, food, and inviting girls for a meal.

Dashamata Mantra – Dashamata Mantra

Main Vrat Sankalp Mantra:
Om Namo Dashamate Sarvamangalapradaye Namah. Griha Kalyanam Kuru Kuru Swaha.

Mantra to be recited during Dashamata Puja:
Om Dashamate Namah. Sarvadukhanivarinyai Namah. Raksham Kuru Me Kulam Cha.

Mantra to be recited while tying Rakhi:
Rakhe Rakhe Dashamate, Sukh-Samriddhi De Tu Sate. Bhakti Bhav Se Bandhi Rakhi, Raksha Karna Tu Janani Sachi.

Seed Mantra to be chanted (use in meditation, chanting, or meditative posture):
Om Dashamate Namah.

Dashamata Vrat – Dashamata Vrat

The month of Ashadh arrived. The day of Dashama arrived. The women of the village gathered and went to the river to bathe for the Dashama Vrat. There was a king's palace on the bank of the river. Sitting in the pavilion, the queen saw those women. She called her maid and said, "Go, see what these women are doing there?"

The maid immediately went to the bank of the river and said, "Sisters! What are you all doing here?"

One woman said, "Sister! We are observing the Dashama Vrat."

The maid asked, "How is this fast observed?"

One woman explained, "Take ten threads, tie ten knots in them, and tie those knots to a bag with a thorn."

The maid then asked, "What is the benefit of this fast?"

That woman said, "By observing this fast, the poor get wealth, prosperity, and the happiness of children."

The maid told everything to the queen. The queen was impressed by the fast and decided in her mind that she herself would observe the Dashama Vrat.

At night, the queen told the king about observing the fast. The king flatly refused to observe the fast and said, "What else do you lack? You have wealth, happiness, royalty, property, then why observe this fast?"

The queen became angry at such arrogant words of the king. She went to sleep without eating or drinking.

Dashamata became angry at these words of the king. She went around the entire kingdom. Early in the morning, there was chaos in the kingdom. The warehouses became empty, the food stores were exhausted, and the people became sad.

The king and queen were walking hand in hand. While walking, they reached a garden near the village. Tired, they started resting there. Then all the flowers in the garden withered.

The king, queen, and their two sons moved on from there and reached the house of the queen's friend. The princes were hungry, so the queen asked her friend for food. The friend said scornfully, "Go away, dirty beggars! Aren't you ashamed to beg for food in my house?"

They left from there and found a pond ahead. Both the sons were very thirsty, so they went to the pond to drink water, then Dashamata pulled them into the pond.

The king and queen became worried. The king became certain that this was the result of disrespecting the Dashama Vrat.

While walking, they reached the village of their sister. The king sent a message to his sister and went to meet her himself. The sister thought that there must be some calamity, otherwise her brother would not come without an elephant, chariot, or horse.

She made a Sukhdi and sent a gold chain in a pot to her brother. But when the king opened the pot, there were pieces of brick instead of Sukhdi and the chain had turned into a snake.

The king understood that this was the wrath of Dashamata. He buried that pot in the ground there and moved on.

Ahead, there were paddy fields on the bank of a river. The queen asked a farmer for some paddy to eat. The farmer broke off a stalk of paddy and gave it. But the sun had set, and the rule was that they would not eat after sunset, so they hid it in the verandah and went to sleep.

At the same time, some soldiers came there, who were looking for a prince. They saw something hidden in the verandah and asked the queen, "Sister! What is this?"

The queen said, "Brother! This is a thorn."

The soldiers asked her to take it out. As soon as the queen took out the thorn, it turned into a knife and the prince's head appeared on it.

The soldiers considered her guilty of killing the king's son, tied her up, and took her to their king. The king also put them in jail without investigation.

In prison, the queen thought, "Our condition is due to the insult of the Dashama Vrat." Therefore, the queen started observing the Dashama Vrat in jail itself.

She fasted for ten days and on the tenth day, she made a saree of clay and praised the goddess in a sweet voice. Dashamata was pleased with the queen's devotion and appeared in the dream of the king of the city and said, "O King! The king and queen whom you have imprisoned are innocent. Release them. Your groom will return in the morning."

In the morning, the king saw that his son had returned. He immediately released the king and queen, apologized, gave them clothes, and sent them off with respect.

On the way back, they reached their sister's village. The king dug up that pot, and now a beautiful necklace and a gold chain came out of it.

The king reached the pond with it. There, Dashamata was standing with her two sons. The king and queen handed over their sons to her.

The king asked, "Where did you get these sons from?"

Dashamata appeared in her divine form and said, "Now your time has come. Understand the glory of the fast and take care of your kingdom."

The king and queen fell at her feet and apologized and left from there.

On the way, the king's sister saw them and hugged them and said, "Sister! It has been a long time now, I will not let you go."

The queen said, "When I was in trouble, you did not even give us a piece of bread. Now we will not stay here."

From there, they moved on and the village priest reached there. As soon as he came, the garden became green again. The villagers welcomed the king and queen and happily took them to their kingdom.

The kingdom became prosperous again. The king and queen observed the Dashama Vrat methodically for five years and concluded it.

Jai Dashama Mata! As you showed mercy on the king and queen, show the same mercy on all the observers of the fast.