Dashami
दशमी • Dashami
"Tenth"
Dasha (ten) + Mi (suffix) = The tenth one
Dharmaraja (Yama as upholder of Dharma)
Dharmaraja represents divine justice, righteousness, and the moral order of the universe. He ensures dharma prevails over adharma.
Calculation Details
| Shukla Paksha | 108° to 120° elongation of Moon from Sun |
| Krishna Paksha | 288° to 300° elongation of Moon from Sun |
| Formula | Tithi = (Moon longitude - Sun longitude) / 12 |
| Duration | Approximately 19-26 hours (varies) |
Shukla & Krishna Paksha
Shukla Paksha (Waxing)
Tenth day of waxing moon - victory of dharma
Highly auspicious for victory celebrations and dharmic activities
Krishna Paksha (Waning)
Tenth day of waning moon - dharmic activities
Good for righteous activities and government work
Auspicious & Inauspicious Activities
Auspicious Activities
- Victory celebrations and achievements — Vijaya Dashami represents ultimate victory
- Government and administrative work — Dharmaraja rules justice and governance
- Legal matters and court cases — Justice-oriented energy
- Religious ceremonies — Purna tithi supports completeness
- Righteous and dharmic activities — Dharma prevails
- Buying property and real estate — Stable, earth element energy
- Starting new ventures after worship — Victory energy supports success
- Beginning education and training — Shastra Puja tradition on Dussehra
Inauspicious Activities
- Very few restrictions — Highly auspicious tithi
- Unrighteous or adharmic activities — Dharmaraja's energy opposes adharma
Associated Festivals
Vijaya Dashami (Dussehra)
Victory of good over evil; major pan-India festival
Ayudha Puja
Worship of weapons and tools
Dashami Shraddha
Shraddha for ancestors who died on Dashami
Spiritual Significance
Represents the victory of dharma, the ten directions, and completeness
Practices
- Shastra Puja (worship of books/weapons)
- Vishwakarma Puja in some regions
- Rama Puja for victory
- Durga Visarjan
Health & Profession
Health
| Focus | Good for all health activities |
| Advice | Favorable day for medical treatments |
| Caution | No major restrictions |
Profession
All activities related to justice, governance, and victory
Remedies
- Worship Dharmaraja
- Perform righteous deeds
- Visit temples and offer prayers
- Donate to worthy causes
Mantras
Om Dharmarajaya Namah
Om Shri Ramaya Namah
Om Vijayaayai Namah
Om Dashamyai Namah
Classical References
| Brihat Samhita | Dashami is ruled by Dharmaraja; excellent for victory and dharma |
| Ramayana | Rama's victory on Dashami after Durga worship |
| Muhurta Chintamani | Among the most auspicious tithis for new beginnings |
Regional Variations
| North India | Ravana Dahan with grand processions |
| Bengal | Sindoor Khela and Durga Visarjan |
| Mysore | Dasara procession with royal grandeur |
| Kullu | International Kullu Dussehra festival |
Dashami occurs when the Moon has moved 108-120 degrees ahead of the Sun (Shukla) or 288-300 degrees (Krishna). Moon in waxing gibbous phase.
