samkalpam is an important concept in spiritual practice. The word samkalpam derives from the Sanskrit root verb कॢप् (klRp; kalpate), which means to imagine or conceive, and samkalpam is a sacred commitment or sacred vow. Any Vedic ritual is preceded by a samkalpam. In the ChAndogya Upanishad (VII.4), SanatkumAra tells NArada that samkalpam is greater than the mind. The idea here is that the force of intention is what precedes and guides mental activity. Therefore, it is very useful to perform samkalpam before commencing spiritual practice. In the Vedic tradition, the sanctity associated with samkalpam is deeply ingrained in the aspirant's consciousness through AcAram (conduct). Once a samkalpam is performed, that activity should not be interrupted. In the context of spiritual practice, this means that disturbances are not allowed to interrupt one's sAdhanA, once the samkalpam has been performed. AcAram (conduct) dictates that one does not interrupt the ritual activity that is commenced with a samkalpam. shAnti mantras are also invoked prior to samkalpam to confer peace at all three levels (Adhibhautika- level of the physical plane, Adhidaiva- level of divinities, and AdhyAtmika- level of individual soul) so that such disturbances may not arise during the ritual activity.
The most important aspect of samkalpam is the bhAvanA (feeling or state of mind) that it invokes in the mind of the aspirant. The attitude should be one of enthusiasm and receptivity to inner experience and knowledge.
The other aspect of samkalpam is the situation of ritual activity in space and time. This is intended to produce in the mind of the performer, the insignificance of the jIva (embodied soul) in the cosmic scheme of things. By placing the tithi, yoga and karaNa in the context of a kalpa, the mind attains the power of focusing from the very minute to the very immense (cf. YS 1.40 'When, through such practices, the mind develops the power of becoming stable on the smallest as well as on the largest, then the mind truly comes under control.) The same is true for space as well. Before certain Vedic rituals such as the brahma yajna, something called mahAsamkalpam is performed. In this an extended version of the samkalpam with additional details on the spatial location is employed.
samkalpam for commencing spiritual practice as well as for morning and evening meditation are given below.
samkalpam for commencing spiritual practice:
mamaupAtta samasta durita kshayadvArA shrI parameshvara prItyartham nara (nArI) janma phala siddhi prAptyartham brahmavidyArambham karishye
In order to reduce accumulated impurities due to past action, to please the Divine Lord, and to obtain the summum bonum of human birth, I commence the study of brahma vidya
samkalpam for morning meditation:
mamaupAtta samasta durita kshayadvArA srI parameshvara prItyartham prAtah samdhyA dhyAnam karishye
In order to reduce accumulated impurities due to past action and to please the Divine Lord, I commence morning meditation.
samkalpam for evening meditation:
mamaupAtta samasta durita kshayadvArA srI parameshvara prItyartham sAyam samdhyA dhyAnam karishye
In order to reduce accumulated impurities due to past action and to please the Divine Lord, I commence evening meditation.