Helpful Tips - Sankalpa Significance (135)

This section Helpful Tips is all about Frequently Arising Questions. Sri Narendra Babu Sharma widely known as Brahmanda Guruji, share the knowledge on general topics and Hindu Sanathana Dharma in his Television Programme - Lakshmi Kataksha, telecasted in Kasthuri Kannada Channel, which i have put in this section. Guruji also share information of knowledge on Vasthu Shastra and lot of Helpful stuffs. Many People have lot of doubts on Hindu Sanathana Dharma, which is also covered in this section.
Please do ask a priest or elders, if you have any doubts in below, who knows very well about our customs and practices and clarify the same.

• Significance of performing Sankalp:
  
  Shri Narendra Babu Sharma Guruji didn't share much details on Sankalp. He said, what do you mean by sankalpa and its importance in few lines. I have shared the below information through googling.
  
  Sankalp is that we set a positive intention expressed out loud to the gods/goddesses to receive blessing for a specific purpose or a specific need, request, ceremony and/or a general all round well being of us and our families. Sankalp is to affirm the positive intention and special reason to ask for blessings from almighty and is mainly always done at the beginning of the pooja ritual for special occasions/ceremonies like weddings, bridal showers, after the baby’s birth, during engagement ceremonies, during special religious festivals such as Ganesha Chaturthi, Navratri, Diwali, Dasera, and so on…
  
  Sankalp is recited with the sanskrit shlokas which typically includes the mentions of the particular hindu calender day, date, year, fortnight,season, time and place during that specific ceremony /that the “pooja performer” is performing the ceremony or pooja Hindu calender year-
  
  Year (Samvatsar)
  Season (Rtu)
  Month (Maas),
  New moon or full moon quadrant (Paksh)
  The number of the particular day (Tithi)
  Day (vaar)
  
  In case you do not know the details one can substitute the word “shubha” which means “very good”
  
  Sankalp shloka includes to recite the name of the pooja performers and the mention of the specific reason for the sankaalp. When more than one members of the family are performing the puja the sankalp recites names of all or the head of the family name and add “Saha Kutumb” which means with family. Sankalp includes within the shloka the intention or purpose of the special or specific pooja.
  
  Traditionally in Hindu religion before performing any work we undertake sankalpa which is a kind of declaration to ourselves and to the God within us. The Vedas says that the whole Universe is evolved through a Sankalpa of Lord Sriman Narayana.
  
  Sankalpa is a Sanskrit word meaning a resolution, free will or determination. The word Sankalpa itself means good intention, an oath or a resolution to do something, a solemn pledge to do something good. In Sanskrit ‘San’ means good and ‘Kalpa’ means a Saasthra or a Veda. Sankalpa means proposing to do something good in a Vedic or a Saasthric way. In any religious ceremony or ritual generally we observe a person taking a Sankalpa (a firm resolve) to achieve the purpose of the ceremony. Sankalpa literally means; taking a firm decision to accomplish one particular thing in spite of facing troubles in its achievement.
  
  Sankalpa cannot come all of a sudden. It is conception of a deep routed strong desire formed in the inner heart of hearts that gets manifested. All Yagnas and worships are accomplished after taking a vow for its performance. Sankalpa is nothing but an expression of feeling which, the Saadhaka (doer) has for accomplishment of a Saadhana (task). By making a pledge a person becomes committed towards the accomplishment of his goal. Taking an oath means becoming committed to something.
  
  Mere Sankalpa alone is not sufficient to accomplish the deed. Besides sankalpa one should have strong dedication; determination (will power); discipline; accompanied by sincere hard work; persuasion. Sankalpa acts as a foundation in accomplishing the task or reaching the goal. When Divinity is added to the Sankalpa; it gains strength and gets proper direction. We have many mythological and historical examples of the power of Sankalpa. Achievements of Lord Hanuman is the best example. Other examples are that of Bhakta Prahlaada, Bhakta-Dhruva, Bhakta-Maarkandeya, Bhageeratha, Sathi-Savithri etc.
  
  

  Sankalpa sloka and its Significance

  Sankalpa is usually done by taking some flowers and rice in the right hand and dropping it using water. A Vedic Sankalpa consists of the elements of time; location; almanac (panchaanga); lineage; purpose; wish or desire; target (the Deity); and nature or mode of karma. It starts with...
  
  Sri Govinda Govinda! subhe sobana muhurthe; Sri MahaVishnor Aagnaaya; Pravarthamaanasya;
  
  Time Element: (Reckoning of time with reference to Lord Brahma)
  
  Aadya Bramhane Dwiteeya Parardhe: That means first half of the life time of Lord Brahma is over and we are in the 2nd half called Dwiteeya Parardhe; in the 51st year of Lord Brahma (50 years of Lord Brahma is equal to 155.52 trillions human years)
  
  Sri Swetha Varaaha Kalpe: That means we are in the first day (only day) called Swetha Varaaha Kalpa in the 51st year of Lord Brahma; the day on which Lord Sri ManNarayana took the form of Swetha Varaaha (White Boar)
  
  Vaivaswatha Manvanthare: In Swetha Varaaha Kalpa (first day of Lord Brahma); after passing through six Manvantharas out of 14; we are currently in the 7th Manvanthara called Vaivaswatha Manvanthara.
  
  Astavinshatitame Kaliyuge; Kali Prathama Charane: In current Manvanthara (Vaivasvatha) we have passed through 27 Maha Yugas out of 71; and we are currently in the 28th Maha Yuga. In this 28th Maha Yuga after passing through Krutha, Thretha and Dwaapara Yugas; we are currently in the Kaliyuga in its first quarter, after passing through 5110 years
  
  Bauddhavathare: In the time when, Lord SriManNaaraayana has taken birth as Buddha
  
  Saalivahana Sakhe: Further reckoning down based on the concept of Sakha, after passing through the Yudhistira and Vikrama Sakhas we are currently in the Saalivaahana Sakha, 1931 years since its beginning in 78 AD.
  
  

  Geographical Element:

  Jambudweepe: Out of 7 Dweepas in this Universe; we are in the Jambudweepa (island) on the Earth (Bhumandala) surrounded by the Sea (Lavana Samudra)
  
  Meror Dakshina bhage (paarsve) - To the south of Meru Parvatha a mountain which is in the center of Jambu Dweepa.
  
  Bhaaratavarshe: There are nine Varshas in this Universe out of which we are in the Bhaarathavarsha which is in the southern region of Meru Parvatha.
  
  Bharathakhande: In the land ruled by King Bharatha; Aasethu Himaachala Paryantham (present India);
  
  Godaavari Dakshina theere: To the south of river Godaavari (depending on location this may change)
  
  Mama Swagruhe (own house) or Sobhana Gruhe (staying in rented house) - This may change depending on the place where one is performing the karma.
  
  Devata Sannidhau: In the presence of God dwelling in my house. Depending on the place where one is performing the karma this may differ.
  
  

  Current Day Element (Description of the day)

  Asmin Vartamaanena: At the present time
  
  Vyavahaarike – Chaandramaanena: As per present calendar that is in vogue.
  
  Samvastare: There are sixty years as per Lunar Calendar which gets repeated cyclically starting from Prabhava and ending with Akshaya.
  
  Aayane: The year is divided into two based on the transit of Sun into Makara raasi called Uttarayana and Karkataka raasi called Dakshinayana.
  
  Ruthau: The year is divided into six seasons starting from Vasantha followed by Greeshma, Varsha, Sharad, Hemantha, and Sisira
  
  Maase: Each season or ruthu comprises of two months named after the star falling on the full Moon day of the month as per Lunar Calendar; starting from Chaitra and ending with Phalguna. As per solar calendar it is referred as per the transit of Sun into each Zodiac (Raasi) starting from Mesha (Aries) and ending with Meena (Pisces)
  
  Pakshe: Each month (Maasa) is again divided into two fortnights; based on the Moon’s position (waxing Moon or waning Moon) called; Sukla Paksha (starting from Prathama to Pournami) and Krishna or Bahula Paksha (starting from Prathama to Amavasya)
  
  Thithau: Each paksha comprises of 15 thithis out of which; 14 gets repeated in both pakshas and the 15th one will be either Pournami or Amaavaasya.
  
  Vaasare: There are seven days in a week starting from Sunday which gets repeated cyclically.
  
  Nakshatre (Constellation): There are twenty seven (27) stars in the almanac which are placed in 12 raasis of the zodiac. These stars cyclically get repeated starting from Aswini and ending with Revathi.
  
  Yoge: There are 27 yogas in the almanac starting from Vishkumbha and ending with Vaidruthi. These yogas also get repeated cyclically.
  
  Karane: There are eleven (11) Karanas out of which, seven gets repeated and four occurs on specific days of Sukla Prathama, (Kimsthugna), Bahula Chaturdasi (Sakuni), and Amaavaasya (Chatushpaath, Naagava)
  
  In practice the names of Yoga and Karana are not spelled out. Instead it is just mentioned as Subha Yoge, Subha Karane. On some occasions it is mentioned as Vishnu Yoge and Vishnu Karane
  
  evam guna visheshana vishitayaam – Subha thitau
  
  Element of Lineage (Gothra): Description of the Rishi lineage in which one is born which is generally known from forefathers. Here one’s Gothra pravara to be spelled out.
  
  Namadheyasya: the name by which you are called (xyz)
  
  Purpose Element: Purpose may differ according to the desire; need; cause. It could be for one’s self materialistic benefits or for family reasons or for self Gyana Bhakti Vairaagya prapthyartham or for performing sacred rites or for the sake of society etc...
  
  How you are performing? Self or with the help of a learned Purohit. If it is self Bhagavat preranaya prapta vidya anusaarena yatha shakthi, if it is through a Purohit; Aachaarya Mukhena,
  
  Reference to the specific Deity: Addressing whom (Deity); the specific ritual is being performed.
  
  Reference to the name, nature and mode of ritual (Karma): The ritual could be Nitya or Naimittika Karma or any specific ritual; pooja; vratha; Homa; Remedy; Seva; Pitru Kaarya; Dana etc.
  
  

  Example of a typical Sankalpa:

  (with reference to the current day)
  
  Sri Govinda Govinda! subhe sobana muhurthe, Sri MahaaVishnor Aagnaaya, Pravarthamaanasya, Aadya Bramhane, Dwiteeya Paraardhe, Sri Swetha Varaaha Kalpe, Vaivaswatha Manvanthare, Kaliyuge, Kali Prathama Charane, Bauddhaavathare, Saalivaahanasakhe, Jambudweepe, Meror Dakshina bhage, Bhaaratavarshe, Bharatha Khande, Godavari Dakshina theere, Sobhana Gruhe, Devata Sannidhau, Asmin Varthamaane, Vyavahaarike, Chaandramanena, Sri Virodhi Naama Sanvatsare, Uttaraayane, Ghreeshma Ruthau, Jyesta Maase, Sukla Pakshe, Panchami Thithau, Bruhaspathi Vaasare, Pushyami Nakshatre, Dhruva Yoge, Baalava Karane, evam guna visheshana visistayaam, subha thithau, Srimaan Aatreya Archanaanasa Syaavaasya Pravaranvita, Aatreya Gothrothpanna, Bhargavasarma Namadheyasya, Mama Gyaana Bhakthi Vairaagya praapthyartham, Sri Bharathee Ramana Mukhya Praananthargatha Sri Lakshmi Naarayaana Preethyartham, Bhagavat preranaaya; praapta Vidyaa anusaarena; Yatha Sakthi; Sri Lakshmi Naaraayanasya Dhyaana-aavaahanaadi shodasa upachaara poojam karishye!
  Thus a Vedic sankalpa has so much of meaning and significance behind its words. During sankalpa we meditate on the Supreme form that has come into existence trillions of years ago. No work can be successfully accomplished without dedication. For successful completion of any aaradhana; Divine blessings is a must which can be obtained with sincere devotion and complete surrender.
  
  Without Sankalpa no objective can be accomplished. No remedies, pooja or karma yields results without Sankalpa. One must always start a work with a proper Sankalpa; with proper understanding of its meaning and significance. The idea behind praying for the sankalpa is to eradicate the feeling of doership or ahankaara. Therefore, before making a Sankalpa one should always bear it mind that, Sankalpa will not result into harming of anyone’s feelings or intentionally done to hurt anybody.
  
  As said earlier, Sankalpa is a deep routed desire that gets registered with the soul. If sankalpa cannot be completed in one life time, the desire will not get vanished after the death. The desire will remain as a poorva janma vaasana (samskara) that gets manifested at some point of time in future births. The soul takes many births to accomplish the unfinished task and it continues to take births till it finally gets detached from the desire.
  
  Sankalpa that is being uttered by every one in Hindu religion has percolated down from ancestors and taught by forefathers in every family since time immemorial. It is the specialty of Aaryan culture that, a tradition started by our ancestors thousands of years ago is still alive.
  
  "Performing of Sanakalpa may vary from Archak to Archaks, but the purpose lies the same."