Traditional Sankalpa states the place, purpose and intention of a religious act before the ritual begins
The word Sankalpa is commonly heard during Hindu religious rituals. It is the formal declaration of the intention behind a religious act. But what is meant by Mukhya Sankalpa?
According to vedic texts Vedamurthi Manjulagiri Venkataramana Bhatta explains, the Mukhya Sankalpa is a statement in which a person identifies their place in the vast universe, states the purpose and desires connected with the intended religious act, and finally expresses the main objective of performing the ritual for the pleasure of the Divine.
What Is Mukhya Sankalpa?
Traditional explanation begins with the person identifying where they are situated in this vast universe. Sankalpa then states the religious act that is going to be performed. It may also include the person's specific intentions or purposes. Declaration finally concludes with the central intention: “Sri Parameshwara Preetyartham.”
This means that the religious act is being performed for the pleasure of Sri Parameshwara. Thus, the Mukhya Sankalpa gives a clear purpose to the ritual.
Why Is the Place Mentioned?
A Sankalpa traditionally identifies the location where the ritual is being performed. A Person places the religious act within a larger cosmic and geographical context. This is why traditional Sankalpa statements can contain detailed references to time, place and other contextual details.
Underlying idea is simple: A Person performing the ritual clearly identifies where and for what purpose the religious act is being undertaken.
Stating the Purpose
Sankalpa also states the purpose of the particular religious act. A person may undertake a ritual for different traditional purposes. These may include family welfare, health, prosperity, removal of obstacles, fulfilment of a particular intention or other religious objectives.
Specific purpose is therefore included in the Sankalpa according to the nature of the ritual.
Main Intention: Divine Pleasure
After stating the details and purpose, the Sankalpa expresses the central objective. This is traditionally stated as: “Sri Parameshwara Preetyartham.”
The phrase conveys the intention of performing the religious act for the pleasure or satisfaction of the Supreme Lord. This is described as the main purpose underlying the Sankalpa.
Can the Deity's Name Change?
Yes. According to the traditional explanation, the name of the deity can be mentioned according to the particular religious act and the devotee's chosen deity.
For example, the Sankalpa may include expressions such as:
Sri Kuladevata Preetyartham - for the pleasure of the family deity.Sri Durga Parameshwari Preetyartham - for the pleasure of Goddess Durga Parameshwari.
Sri Lakshmi Narayana Preetyartham - for the pleasure of Sri Lakshmi Narayana.
Thus, “Sri Parameshwara Preetyartham” can be adapted according to the deity being worshipped in the particular ritual.
Sankalpa Gives Direction to the Ritual
Traditional concept of Mukhya Sankalpa can therefore be understood through three broad elements:
Where am I? What am I performing and for what purpose? For whose divine pleasure is it being performed? Sankalpa brings these elements together before the religious act begins.
More Than a Formal Declaration
For devotees, Sankalpa is not merely a set of words recited at the beginning of a ritual. It is traditionally understood as a conscious declaration of intention and purpose. By stating the purpose before beginning the religious act, the person formally commits to performing it.
As explained by Vedamurthi Manjulagiri Venkataramana Bhatta, the Mukhya Sankalpa ultimately expresses the central intention of carrying out the religious act for divine pleasure, while allowing the specific deity's name to be stated according to the ritual and devotee's tradition.
ಧಾರ್ಮಿಕ ಕಾರ್ಯಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಮುಖ್ಯ ಸಂಕಲ್ಪ ಎಂದರೇನು?
ತಾನು ಈ ವಿಶಾಲ ವಿಶ್ವದ ಇಂತಹ ಭಾಗದಲ್ಲಿ - ಸ್ಥಳದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದುಕೊಂಡು ತನ್ನ ಉದ್ದಿಷ್ಟ ಕರ್ಮಗಳ ಸಲುವಾಗಿ ಅಪೇಕ್ಷೆಗಳನ್ನೆಲ್ಲಾ ಹೇಳಿಕೊಂಡು ಕೊನೆಗೆ ಶ್ರೀಪರಮೇಶ್ವರ ಪ್ರೀತ್ಯರ್ಥಂ ಎಂಬ ಮಾತಿನಿಂದ ಈಶ್ವರ ಪ್ರೀತಿಸ೦ಪಾದನೆಗಾಗಿ ಎಂಬ ಮುಖ್ಯೋದ್ದೇಶವನ್ನು ಹೇಳಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವುದೇ ಮುಖ್ಯ ಸಂಕಲ್ಪ.
ವಿ.ಸೂ:- ಸಂಕಲ್ಪದಲ್ಲಿ ಶ್ರೀ ಪರಮೇಶ್ವರ ಪ್ರೀತ್ಯರ್ಥಂ ಎಂಬಲ್ಲಿ ಆಯಾಯ ಕರ್ಮಗಳ ಸಂದರ್ಭಕ್ಕೆ ಅನುಗುಣವಾಗಿ ತಮ್ಮತಮ್ಮ ಇಷ್ಟದೇವತೆಗಳ ಹೆಸರುಗಳನ್ನು ಹೇಳಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವುದು. ಉದಾ - ಶ್ರೀ ಕುಲದೇವತಾ ಪ್ರೀತ್ಯರ್ಥಂ, ಶ್ರೀದುರ್ಗಾ ಪರಮೇಶ್ವರೀ ಪ್ರೀತ್ಯರ್ಥಂ , ಶ್ರೀಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀನಾರಾಯಣ ಪ್ರೀತ್ಯರ್ಥಂ ಇತ್ಯಾದಿ.
| ವೇದಮೂರ್ತಿ ಮಂಜುಳಗಿರಿ ವೆಂಕಟರಮಣ ಭಟ್ಟ,
This article presents the traditional religious understanding of Mukhya Sankalpa as explained by Vedamurthi Manjulagiri Venkataramana Bhatta.
Keywords: Mukhya Sankalpa, Sankalpa meaning, Hindu rituals, Sri Parameshwara Preetyartham, religious rituals, Hindu worship