संकल्प मन्त्र — Word-by-Word Meaning
संकल्प मन्त्र
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
विष्णुः
Vishnuh
Lord Vishnu — invoked thrice at the start to sanctify and protect the act
विष्णोराज्ञया प्रवर्तमानस्य
Vishnor-Ajnaya Pravartamanasya
Proceeding by the command (sanction) of Lord Vishnu
अद्य
Adya
Today; at this present moment
ब्रह्मणो द्वितीये परार्धे
Brahmano Dvitiye Pararadhe
In the second half (Pararardha) of Brahma's lifespan
श्रीश्वेतवाराहकल्पे
Shri-Shveta-Varaha-Kalpe
In the present Shveta-Varaha Kalpa (cosmic day of Brahma)
वैवस्वतमन्वन्तरे
Vaivasvata-Manvantare
In the age of the seventh Manu, Vaivasvata
कलियुगे प्रथमचरणे
Kali-Yuge Prathama-Charane
In the first quarter of the Kali Yuga
भरतवर्षे भरतखण्डे
Bharata-Varshe Bharata-Khande
In the land of Bharata (India), in the region of Bharata
जम्बूद्वीपे
Jambu-Dvipe
On the continent of Jambudvipa
अमुकनामसंवत्सरे
Amuka-Nama-Samvatsare
In the (named) year — 'Amuka' is replaced with the current Samvatsara name
अमुकायने
Amuka-Ayane
In the (named) Ayana — Uttarayana or Dakshinayana
अमुकऋतौ
Amuka-Ritau
In the (named) season (Ritu)
अमुकमासे
Amuka-Mase
In the (named) lunar month
अमुकपक्षे
Amuka-Pakshe
In the (named) fortnight — Shukla (waxing) or Krishna (waning)
अमुकतिथौ
Amuka-Tithau
On the (named) lunar day (Tithi)
अमुकवासरयुक्तायाम्
Amuka-Vasara-Yuktayam
Joined with the (named) weekday (Vasara)
शुभपुण्यतिथौ
Shubha-Punya-Tithau
On this auspicious and meritorious occasion
मम उपात्तसमस्तदुरितक्षयद्वारा
Mama Upatta-Samasta-Durita-Kshaya-Dvara
For the removal of all the sins I have accumulated
श्रीपरमेश्वरप्रीत्यर्थम्
Shri-Parameshvara-Prityartham
For the pleasure (grace) of the Supreme Lord
यथाशक्ति अमुककर्म करिष्ये
Yatha-Shakti Amuka-Karma Karishye
I shall now perform this (named) rite to the best of my ability
Complete Translation
ॐ — विष्णु, विष्णु, विष्णु। श्रीमान् महापुरुष भगवान् विष्णु की आज्ञा से प्रवृत्त होकर — आज, ब्रह्मा के द्वितीय परार्ध में, श्वेतवाराह कल्प में, वैवस्वत मन्वन्तर में, कलियुग के प्रथम चरण में, भरतवर्ष में, जम्बूद्वीप में, इस वर्तमान व्यावहारिक काल में, प्रभव आदि साठ संवत्सरों में से (अमुक नामक) संवत्सर में, (अमुक) अयन में, (अमुक) ऋतु में, (अमुक) मास में, (अमुक) पक्ष में, (अमुक) तिथि में, (अमुक) वार से युक्त, इन समस्त गुण-विशेषणों से युक्त इस शुभ-पुण्य तिथि पर — अपने द्वारा संचित समस्त पापों के क्षय हेतु तथा श्रीपरमेश्वर की प्रसन्नता के लिए, मैं यथाशक्ति यह (अमुक) कर्म करूँगा। (साधक 'अमुक' स्थानों पर वर्तमान वर्ष, मास, तिथि, स्थान और किए जाने वाले कर्म का नाम भरता है।)
Origin & History
Source: Traditional Puja Paddhati / Nitya-Karma manuals (drawn from Smriti and Grihya tradition)
Author: Unknown (codified in the Smarta ritual tradition)
Period: Ancient / classical
The Sankalpa formula belongs to the body of Nitya-Karma (daily ritual) and Naimittika-Karma (occasional ritual) preserved in the Grihya and Smriti traditions and in Puja-Paddhati manuals used across India. Its structure reflects the Puranic cosmology of time — the lifespan of Brahma divided into Kalpas, Manvantaras and Yugas — placing the worshipper's tiny moment within the vast wheel of cosmic order. By naming this exact coordinate of time and space and dedicating the act to Vishnu, the Sankalpa transforms an ordinary action into a sacrament.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'Sankalpa' mean?▼
Sankalpa means a firm resolve or solemn vow of intention. Before any Hindu rite, the worshipper formally declares what they are about to do, when, where and why — turning a casual act into a deliberate, consecrated offering.
What do the words 'Amuka' mean in the mantra?▼
'Amuka' is a placeholder meaning 'such-and-such'. The worshipper replaces each 'Amuka' with the real detail of that day — the year's Samvatsara name, the Ayana, season, lunar month, fortnight, Tithi, weekday, and the specific ritual being performed (e.g., Satyanarayana Puja, Griha Pravesha, Shraddha).
Why is Vishnu's name said three times at the start?▼
Repeating 'Vishnu' thrice invokes the all-pervading Lord as the witness and protector of the act, removing obstacles so the rite proceeds 'by the command of Vishnu' (Vishnor-Ajnaya). It also purifies any defects of place, time or person.
Do I need to know the exact Tithi and Samvatsara to make a Sankalpa?▼
Traditionally yes — these details are taken from the Panchanga (Hindu almanac) for the day. If exact details are unknown, many teachers permit a simplified Sankalpa stating the place, the date, your name and the intended act, with the same sincerity of resolve.
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