119 - The Holy rites to be observed on Daśhami (i.e. tenth) days (in The Lunar fortnight)

Sanatana said: 

1. Henceforth, I shall recount to you the holy rites to be observed on Daśhami (tenth) days (of lunar fortnights). On observing them devotedly, man becomes a favourite of Dharmarāja. 

2. On the tenth day, in the bright half of the month of Chaitra, the devotee should worship Dharmarāja1 by means of the seasonal flowers and fruits plucked for the nonce, and scents and other things.

1. This and the next Vrata is not recorded in the VRJ. or HD. V. 1.

3. He should either observe fast or take a single meal per day. After feeding fourteen excellent Brāhmaṇas, he should give them monetary gifts according to his capacity. 

4. O Brāhmaṇa, he who thus performs the worship of Dharmarāja, shall at the behest of Dharma, attain similarity with the Devas—a position from which he will not fall. 

5-6. On the tenth day in the bright half of the month of Vaiśhäkha, a man should worship god Vishņu with scents and other articles of worship and formalities) as well as with white fragrant flowers. He should make hundred circumambulations, (round Vishnu’s shrine) and assiduously feed Brähmaņas. He (thereby) attains to the world of Vishņu (Vishnuloka). No doubt need be entertained in this respect. 

7. It was on the tenth day in the bright half of the month of Jyeshtha that the Jahnavi (the river Gangā), the most excellent of all the rivers, came to the Earth from the heaven. Hence, the day is remembered as the bestower of merit. 

8-9. The month of Jyeshtha,2 the bright fortnight, the constellation of Hasta, Wednesday, Daśhami Tithi, the Gara (Karaņa), Ananda (Yoga) and Vyatipāta, the moon in the Zodiac of Virgo and the sun in the Zodiac of Taurus-the combination of all these ten, O Brāhmaṇa, is regarded to be highly meritorious. It removes ten kinds of sins.1 Hence it is called Daśhahara. 

2. This astronomical combination constituting Dashahară is repeated in the Sk. P. as follows: 

jyeshthe mäsi site pakshe dashamyambudha-hastayor- garanande Vyatipate kanya chandre vruse ravih |

daśhayoge naraḥ snátva sarva-papaih pramuchyate ||

Kane says that the Varsha P, accepts Tucsday instead of Wednesday (HD. V. i. P. 91) but the actual quotation of Varaha P. in the VRT. p. 165, states that it was on Wednesday on 10th Jyeshtha Shu. that the Gangå descended from heaven, The NP. limits the merit of this Vrata to bath in the Gang, but the Nirnaya Sindhu (P. 98), on the authority of the SK.P., extends the merit of Dashaharā to both etc. in all big rivers. A festival of the Gangå is celebrated in towns and villages in big rivers like the Krishna and the Godavari in Maharashtra, though not on that big scale as found at Haradwar, Prayaga or Vårānasi. 

1. The other derivation of Daśhaharā is that which washes off ten kinds of sins”. The ten kinds of sins are given in Manu XII, 5-7 as 

(1) Mental Sins: Coveting another man’s wealth, wishing evil to befall others, entertaining heretical ideas,

(2) Vocal Sins: harshness of speech, speaking the untruth, back-biting, irrelevant speech.

(3) Bodily Sins: misappropriation of another’s wealth, injury to living beings, illicit intercourse with another’s wife. 

This efficacy of Dashahara is endorsed in other Purānas also; vide Br. P. 63. 15, Nirnayasindhu (p. 98) quotes the SK. P and Varaha P to the same effect. The VRJ. (pp. 166 ff) gives details of this Vrata. 

10. On this day if a delighted devotee takes his holy dip in the Jähnavi in accordance with the injunctions, he goes to Hari’s abode. 

11. The tenth day in the bright half of the month of Ashādha is remembered by Manu and others as highly meritorious. Holy dip, Japa, charitable gift, or Homa on that day is the bestower of heavenly goal. 

12. The tenth day in the bright half of the month of Śhrāvana is the bestower of the fulfilment of all hopes. The worship of Shiva’, with scents and other articles of worship on this day, is praiseworthy. 

13. Observance of fast, taking of food only at night, feeding of Brahmaņas, Japa, the charitable gift of gold, cow, etc. performed on this day-all these are destructive of all sins. 

14-19. On the tenth day in the bright half of the month of Bhadrapada, O excellent Brāhmaṇa, the holy rite called Daśhāvatāra2 (the ten incarnations) is to be observed. After taking his bath in a water-reservoir (i.e. a tank, a river etc.) and performing Sandhya etc. and the rite of Tarpaņa to the Devas, sages and Pitris, he should, with great concentration, worship ten incarnations (of Vishņu) viz. Matsya (the Divine Fish), Kūrma (the Divine Tortoise), Varāha (The boar), Narasimha (Man-lion), Trivikrama (the religious student Vamana), Parashu-Rāma, Shri-Rāma, Krishņa, Buddha, and Kalki. O Närada, he (the observer of the Vrata) should worship ten gold images (of these incarnations) in accordance with injunctions. He should then give them to ten excellent Brāhmaṇas after duly honouring them. After observing fast or taking one meal (on that day), he should feed the Brahmaņas. After bidding fare well to them, he should enjoy a meal with his friends and relatives. By performing this Vrata with devotion, he shall enjoy all excellent pleasures here. In the end he will go to the eternal Vishnuloka, in aerial chariot. 

2. VV. 14-19 describe the Vrata in honour of the currently believed ten incarnations of Vishnu. The inclusion of the Buddha and Kalki in the list is comparatively late when people forgot that the Buddha was the propagator of a non-Vedic faith. 

Hemådri (Vrata I. 1158-61) instructs to begin this Vrata on 12th Margashirsha Shu. VRJ (P. 168) on the authority of the Bhavishyottara P., gives a different procedure though the Vrata commences on Bhadrapada Shu, 10th and the Vrata is to be observed for 10 years. 

20-22. The tenth day in the bright half of the month of Aśhvina is glorified as Vijayā.1 In the morning the devotee places four cow-dung balls in the courtyard of the house in the form of the horizon (i.e. semicircle). In their midst he should worship the four warriors Rāma, Lakshmaņa, Bharata and Shatrughna. Four vessels with lids are taken and smeared with cow-dung. Grains and silver coins are put therein and closed. They are covered with white silken cloth. 

1. VV. 20-25a describe one variety of Vijaya dashami Vrata allied with Rama but not connected with his victory over Råvana which forms the basis of the present Ramalila festival. This variety is not recorded by Hemådri (Vrata 1. 970-73), Nirnaya sindhu (PP. 69-70), VRJ. pp. 169-170 or by Kane (HD. V. i. pp. 188-194). 

The other variety in VV 25b-31a, which is to be observed by kings or noblemen for securing conquest on the enemies, has been current all over India in slightly different forms. The worship of the Shami tree, royal procession of elephants, horses etc., waving of lights (Nirajana) after return from Shami-Pujana etc. have been the common features. The NP, does not include the worship of the goddess Aparăjită (recorded in Dharma-sindhu, pp. 96 ft) though some features in Hemādri (Vrata I. pp. 970-971) such as despatching an arrow at the effigy of the enemy or imagining him to be facing oneself, are common. 

In Maharashtra probably due to scarcity of Shami trees, they worship the Aptă tree or its branch on the eastern outskirts of the village. Going out of the boundary of the village is the technical Simollarghana (crossing the boundary for “invading” the enemy). People return home in the evening and lights are waved round the men. (Nirajana) by women in the house. They distribute the leaves of the Aptă tree as “gold coins”. 

23. The devotee then worships them in accordance with the injunctions with scents, fragrant flowers, Naivedyas, etc. accompanied by father, mother, brothers, sons, wife and servants. 

24-25a. After paying obeisance he feeds the Brāhmaṇas who are duly honoured. By performing this holy rite, the man remains happy throughout the year. O Brāhmaṇa, he shall decisively become flourishing in wealth and grains. 

25b-31a. (Another holy rite) On the previous Navamī day the devotee goes to a shami tree and chants Mantras: On the afternoon of the Daśhami day, O Brahmaņa, the devotee goes again to the Shami tree which is on the eastern side of the village etc and takes mud from the foot of tree. To the accompaniment of songs and instrumental music, he brings the mud to the house. He worships the clay in accordance with the injunctions and arranges his army. He goes out of the village by means of the eastern gate without any perturbation. He should get the image of the enemy prepared by means of leaves, etc. or mentally fancy the same. He should feel mentally delighted that the deity will hit the enemy with an arrow that has its tail of gold. He should then return home at night. Or after making all these arrangements he should proceed against the enemy to curb him. O Brāhmaṇa, this Daśhami rite, performed always in accordance with the injunctions, shall bestow wealth, victory, sons, cows, elephants, horses, goats and sheep in this world. O Nārada, at death he attains heavenly world. 

31b-33. One should perform the holy rite of SarvabhaumaVrata1 (Vrata for Sovereignty over the world) on the tenth day in the bright half of the month of Kärttika. The devotee either observes complete fast or takes only one meal a day. At midnight, outside the house or the city he offers oblations in all the ten directions with Apūpa (baked pie) etc. On a level spot of ground smeared with cow dung, he draws a mystic diagram of a lotus of eight petals. After worshipping Gaņeśha and other deities he (wipes off sins) by means of these Mantras. 

1. VV. 31-47 describe the Sarvabhauma Vrata primarily meant for kings. A similar Vrata is given in the Varaha P. 65.1-6 and Vishnudharma P. III. 164. 1-7. The guardians of the quarters are at times identified with the protectors of the worlds. Manu V.96 mentions Surya (the Sun) as the protector of the South-West instead of Nirruti in the NP. 

34. May God Indra, the king of the Devas, the granter of all desired things, destroy the sin that is to my cast as a result of my own sinful actions. 

35. May God Vahni (fire) the king of all splendours, the granter of all desired things quell the sin that is to my south-east as a result of my own sinful actions. 

36. May Yama, the king of Pretas, ghosts, the bestower of all desired things annihilate the sin that is to my south as a result of my own actions. 

37. May Nirruti, the king of Råkshasas, the bestower of all desired things, wipe off the sin that is to my southwest as a result of my own actions. 

38. May Varuņa, the Lord of aquatic animals, the bestower of all desired things, destroy the sin that is to my west as a result of my own actions. 

39. May Väyu, the king of Maruts (gusts of wind), the bestower of all desired things eradicate the sin that is to my north-west as a result of my own actions. 

40. May Soma (Moon), the Lord of Řukshas (constellations) and Yakshas, the bestower of all desired things, quell the sin that is to my north as a result of my own actions. 

41. May Ishäna, the lord of Bhūtas (goblins), the granter of all desired things, quell the sin that is to my north-east, as a result of my own actions. 

42. May Brahma (the Lord of the Prajāpatis), the granter of all desired things annihilate the sin that is above, as a result of (my own) actions. 

43. May Ananta, the king of serpents, the granter of all desired things, quell the sin that is stationed below me as a result of my own actions. 

44. After offering oblations in the ten directions thus, with great concentration, he should alertly offer oblations to Kshetrapāla externally. 

45. After having completed the rites thus the intelligent devotee should spend the remaining part of the night in mainly auspicious songs, recitation of hymns, Japas etc. 

46. In the morning, he should take bath, worship guardians of the worlds (quarters), and honour and feed twelve Brāhmaṇas. He should give them Dakshinī according to his ability. 

47. O Brāhmaṇa, after performing the holy rite thus, the royal devotee shall enjoy all auspicious worldly pleasures. After enjoying heavenly pleasures thereafter, for the duration of a Yuga, he will become an Emperor. 

48. On the tenth day in the bright half of the month of Märgaśhīrṣha, the devotee should perform the holy rite of Arogyaka Vrata1 (health-giving Vrata). He should worship ten Brāhmaṇas with scents and other things and drink the water with which their feet have been washed. 

1. This is a special variety of Vrata in the NP. Kane records a number of Arogya Vratas on different Tithis, but none of them prescribes the Tirtha (water after washing the feet) of Brahmaņas. Even the Vrata on the Dašhami day prescribes the worship of goddess Lakshmi and Hari. 

49-50a. After giving Dakshiņā to them, he should bid them farewell. He should take only a single meal. O Brāhmaṇa, after performing this Vrata the devotee attains health in this world. Thanks to the grace of Dharma-Rāja, he rejoices like a Deva in the heaven. 

50b-51. On the tenth day in the bright half of the month of Pausha, he should worship Viśhve Devas.2 They are Kratu, Daksha, Vasus, Satya, Kala, Kāma, Muni, Guru, Vipra and Rām. Keśhava has identified himself with these in ten different ways. 

2. These gods are supposed to be the sons of Vishva. The list of their names differs e.g. Apte’s SK. Dict. p. 523 and MWP. 992 give the following list: 

Vasu, Satya, Kratu, Daksha, Kala, Kåma, Dhruti, Kuru, Pururavas and Madravas the last four are not found in the NP. list. 

52-54. He should make effigies of Darbha grass to represent them as seated in their seats or lying down. O Närada, he should worship them with scents, incense, lights and Naivedyas. After giving them Dakshiņā separately, he should ritualistically bid farewell to them. The gifts that had been offered to them should be given to excellent Brāhmaṇas or to the preceptor. O Brahminical sage, the observer of the Vrata who performs the rite thus, taking in only one meal a day, shall be the enjoyer of pleasures of both the worlds. 

55-58a. On the tenth day in the bright half of the month of Māgha, the devotee should observe fast and conquer his sense-organs. He should properly and completely worship the ten Devas called Angiras after making their images in gold. He shall worship them with scents and other Upacharas. They are Atmā, Ayus, Manas, Daksha, Mada, Prāņa, Barhishmån, Gavishtha, Datta and Satya. О Närada, as their representatives ten Brahmaņas are to be fed with sweet cooked rice. For the purpose of acquiring heavenly world, the devotee should give those Brahmaņas the golden image. 

58b-62. On the tenth day in the bright half of the last month, the devotee should worship the fourteen Yamas. They are: Yama, Dharmarāja, Mrutyu, Antaka, Vaivasvata, Kāla, Sarvabhūtakṣhaya, Audumbara, Dadhna, Nila, Parameshthin, Vrukodara, Chitra and Chitragupta. He should properly and correctly worship them with scents and other Upacharas. He shall perform Tarpaņa three times for each with handful of water mixed with gingelly seeds. O Nārada, thereafter, with a copper vessel he should give Arghya to the sun with the mixture of red sandal, gingelly seeds, raw rice-grains and barley in the waters with the following mantra. 

63. “O sun of thousand rays, come O huge mass of splendour, O Lord of the Universe, accept the Arghya given by me with devotion. Take pity on me.” 

64-66. The devotee should offer Arghya by uttering the above Mantra. He should feed the fourteen Bråhmaņas and give them silver coins as Dakshina. After bidding farewell to them, he should partake of his own food. O Brahmana, the devotee who performs the holy rite thus, enjoys all worldly pleasures, inaccessible to the Devas, such as sons and riches. At the death of his body, he occupies excellent aerial chariot and attains to Vishnu’s Loka.