sankalpa

Sankalpa, often transliterated sankalpa, is a Sanskrit term used in Hinduism, yoga, and Indian philosophy to denote a deliberate intention, vow, or resolve. It functions as a mental or spoken declaration that anchors a practice, rite, or life direction to a specific goal.

In ritual contexts, sankalpa is typically stated at the outset of a ceremony such as a yajna or puja to identify the purpose of the rite and to align participants with a shared objective. The declaration may express a desired outcome, ethical intention, or duty within the ritual framework.

In yoga and meditation, sankalpa appears as a personal intention. It is usually brief, positive, stated in the first person and in the present tense. Examples emphasize inner qualities or life directions, such as cultivating balance, compassion, or health. Some practices, notably Yoga Nidra, incorporate sankalpa as a short personal resolution to be reaffirmed during the session and carried into daily life.

Variations of the term include samkalpa, which in some traditions is used for formal, ritual vows, while sankalpa may refer more broadly to inner resolve in daily practice. Across traditions, sankalpa is viewed as a cognitive focus rather than a guarantee of outcome, intended to guide conduct, concentrate effort, and align actions with a principled aim.

Overall, sankalpa is a culturally rooted concept for setting intention, grounding practice, and promoting self-discipline within spiritual or personal development contexts.