Dashamata Vrat Katha | Puja Vidhi, Significance, Auspicious Times, and Complete Story

Dasha Mata Vrat (or Dasha Mata Vrat) is a sacred fast primarily observed by women in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Central India. This fast is performed for the well-being and prosperity of the family, protection in 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 new moon day of the Ashadha month. Those observing the fast should bathe in the morning, listen to the story, and observe a fast of 'nakorda' for ten days; if this is not possible, then observe a single fast. A clay pot should be made and worshipped. On the day of Dashama, this pot should be immersed in water. After five years, the vow should be concluded. In the celebration, a silver pot should be made and donated to a worthy Brahmin.

Importance of Dasha Mata Vrat – दशामाता व्रत का महत्व

• Dasha Mata protects in all ten directions.
• The best fast for the peace and happiness of husband, children, and family.
• Provides relief from financial hardship, debt, and business problems.
• Protection from the evil eye and negative energies.
• Aids in the growth of agriculture, business, and livestock.
• Increases mental peace and self-confidence.
• Strengthens social and family unity.

Rules of Dashmata Vrat – दशामाता व्रत के नियम

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

Vratdhari (Observer):
The fast is primarily observed by women, but men can also observe it.

Bathe in the morning and wear yellow clothes:
After bathing and purifying yourself, wear yellow clothes as this day is dedicated to Lord Jupiter and the Mother Goddess.

Clean the house:
Especially clean the kitchen and the prayer area.

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

Puja Samagri (Worship materials):

• Yellow flowers, turmeric, rice, lamp, water pot
  
• Dasha Mata's Rakhi (thread)
  
• Symbol of a clay cow/washerman's stone (if possible)
  

Worship of Dasha Mata and listening to the Katha:
Worship the Mother Goddess and read or listen to the "Dasha Mata Vrat Katha". At the end of the story, perform the Aarti and tie the Rakhi to the main door of the house, or wear it on your hand.

Avoid arguments or harsh words:
Keep your mind, speech, and actions pure on the day of the fast. Do not engage in quarrels or speak abusive language.

Offer charity:
Upon completion of the fast, donate yellow items (chickpeas, clothes, turmeric, etc.) to Brahmins or the needy.

Conclusion of the Vrat:
On the last Thursday, conclude the fast with the Udyapan (concluding ritual) — perform special worship, offer food, and invite young girls to dine.

Dashamata Mantra – दशामाता मंत्र

Main Vrat Sankalp Mantra:
Om Namo Dashamate Sarvamangalapradayai Namah. Grihakalyanam Kuru Kuru Swaha.

Mantra to be chanted during Dasha Mata Puja:
Om Dashamate Namah. Sarvaduhkhanivarinyei Namah. Raksham Kuru Me Kulam Cha.

Mantra for tying the Rakhi:
Rakshae Rakshae Dashamate, Sukha-Samriddhi De Tu Saate. Bhakti Bhav Se Bandhi Rakhi, Raksha Karna Tu Janani Saachi.

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

Dashamata Vrat – दशामाता व्रत

The month of Ashadha arrived. The day of Dashama arrived. The women of the village gathered and went to bathe in the river to observe the Dashama Vrat. By the riverbank was the king's palace. The queen, seated in the pavilion, saw these women. She called her maid and said, "Go, see what these women are doing there."

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

One woman replied, "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 these knots in a pouch with a thorn."

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

The woman said, "By observing this fast, the poor attain wealth, prosperity, and the joy of children."

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

At night, the queen spoke to the king about observing the fast. The king flatly refused, saying, "What else do you lack? You have wealth, happiness, royal status, property, so why observe this fast?"

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

The king's words angered Dasha Mata. She circled the entire kingdom. Early in the morning, chaos ensued in the kingdom. The storehouses became empty, the granaries depleted, and the subjects became distressed.

The king and queen walked hand in hand. As they walked, they reached a garden near the village. Exhausted, they began to rest there. Suddenly, 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 scornfully said, "Go away, you dirty beggars! Aren't you ashamed to beg for food at my house?"

They left from there and found a pond ahead. The two sons were very thirsty, so they went to the pond to drink water, and at that moment, Dasha Mata pulled them into the pond.

The king and queen became worried. The king became convinced that this was the consequence of disrespecting the Dasha Mata Vrat.

They walked on and reached their sister's village. The king sent a message to his sister and went to meet her himself. The sister thought that some calamity must have befallen them, otherwise, her brother would not have come without an elephant, chariot, or horses.

She made a 'sukhdi' (a sweet dish) and sent it to her brother with a gold chain in a pot. But when the king opened the pot, instead of 'sukhdi', there were pieces of brick, and the chain had turned into a snake.

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

Ahead, there were paddy fields by a river. The queen asked a farmer for some paddy to eat. The farmer broke off a stalk of paddy and gave it. But sunset had occurred, and the rule was that they did not eat after sunset, so they hid it in the 'dalan' (verandah) and slept.

At that time, some soldiers arrived, searching for a prince. They saw something hidden in the 'dalan' and asked the queen, "Sister! What is this?"

The queen said, "Brother! It 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 on it appeared the head of the prince.

The soldiers considered her guilty of the prince's murder, tied her up, and took her to their king. The king, without investigation, imprisoned them.

In prison, the queen thought, "Our plight is due to the disrespect of the Dasha Mata Vrat." Thus, the queen began observing the Dashama Vrat in jail itself.

She fasted for ten days, and on the tenth day, she made a clay sari and sang praises to the goddess in a sweet voice. Pleased by the queen's devotion, Dasha Mata 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 prince 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 away with honor.

On their return, they reached their sister's village. The king dug up the pot, and now it contained a beautiful necklace and a gold chain.

The king took it to the pond. There, Dasha Mata stood with her two sons. The king and queen handed over their sons to them.

The king asked, "Where did you find these sons?"

Dasha Mata, appearing in her divine form, said, "Now your good times have arrived. Understand the glory of the fast and take care of your kingdom."

The king and queen fell at her feet, begged for forgiveness, and left from there.

On the way, the king's sister saw them and embraced her, saying, "Sister! It has been many days, I will not let you go."

The queen replied, "When I was in distress, you did not even give me a piece of bread. We will not stay here now."

They moved on from there, and the village priest arrived. As they arrived, the garden became green again. The villagers welcomed the king and queen and happily took them back to their kingdom.

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

Victory to Dasha Mata! May you bestow your grace upon all the observers of the fast, just as you did upon the king and queen.