Shiva sankalpa Suktam (शिव सङ्कल्प सूक्त )

शिव सङ्कल्प सूक्त

A sukta is a divine song. Shiva Sankalpa means right intention or having an
auspicious resolve. The Shiva Sankalpa sukta consists of six verses. These six
verses are very sacred Vedic verses and constitute a hymn. They are regarded as
an Upanishad. In fact some people also call it Shivasamkalpopanishad because
although it is part of the karmakanda, it also has adhyatmic significance. In
the Shuklayajurveda it forms the 34th adhyaya of the Vajasaneyi Samhita.
These six Shiva Sankalpa mantras are also repeated in the first chapter of
Rudrashtadhyayi. Chanting the six mantras of the Shiva Sankalpa for some time
every day, is a method to steady the mind. It is also a method to control one's
subconscious mind (the chitta), and the faculty of thought. The six verses of
the Shiva Sankalpa sukta are listed below with the meaning in English.

yajjāgrato dūramudaiti,
daivaṃ tadu suptasya tathaivaiti.
dūraṃgamaṃ jyotiṣāṃ jyotirekaṃ,
tanme manaḥ śivasaṃkalpamastu ...........................(1)
Verse 1:
That mind which in the waking state through the means of the senses
roams through this world [1], and which in the dream state roams through
many worlds [2] and in the state of deep sleep returns to its origin [3],
that far wanderer, that light of knowledge [4] my mind, may you have good
intentions [5].
yena karmāṇyapaso manīṣiṇo,
yaj¤e kṛṇvanti vidatheṣu dhīrāḥ.
yadapūrvaṃ yakṣmantḥ prajānāṃ,
tanme manaḥ śivasaṃkalpamastu................................(2)
Verse 2:
The means by which a man who wants to do good [6], whose senses are
stilled and who is wise and diligent becomes proficient in yajnas and
other karmas established by the shastras and also that which is the
principal and most revered of the means of knowledge, my mind, may you
have good intentions.
yavpraj¤ānamuta ceto dhṛtiśca,
yajjyotirantaramṛtaṃ prajāsu.
yasmānna|ṛte kiṃcana karma kriyate,
tanme manaḥ śivasaṃkalpamastu...................................(3)
Verse 3:
That mind which disregarding the demands of the senses is focused on
knowledge alone, and which knows the elements of the universe [7], constant
and immortal, which lives inside a man but is capable of illuminating what
is outside, without whom no actions are possible, my mind, may you have
good intentions.
yenedaṃ bhūtaṃ bhuvanaṃ bhaviṣyata
parigṛhītamamṛtena sarvama.
yena yaj¤astāyate saptahotā,
tanme manaḥ śivasaṃkalpamastu......................................(4)
Verse 4:
That exists until mukti [8], that knows past, present and future,
through which the yogis obtain immortality [9], and through which the yajna
with seven priests [10] is performed, my mind, may you have good
intentions.
yasminnṛcḥ sāma yajūṃṣi,
yasmina pratiṣṭhitā
rathanābhāvivārāḥ.
yasmiṃścittaṃ sarvamotaṃ prajānāṃ,
tanme manaḥ śivasaṃkalpamastu..............................................(5)
Verse 5:
That mind which is the hub of the chariot wheel whose spokes are the
Rks, Yajus, and Samans and whose axle is knowledge and which is pulled
this way and that by the sense-horses, my mind may you be of good
intentions.
suṣārathiraśvāniva yanmanuṣyāna,
nenīyate|bhīśubhirvājina iva.
hṛvpratiṣṭhaṃ yadajiraṃ javiṣṭhaṃ,
tanme manaḥ śivasaṃkalpamastu.............................................(6)
Verse 6:
Just as a good charioteer makes the horses run according to his
commands so they go where he wants them too, so too the mind can guide a
man towards his desire and by restraining animal instincts lead to that
dweller in the heart who is immortal and free of turmoil [11], my mind may
you have good intentions.

NOTES:
1. The eyes, ears record data but it is the mind that makes it mean something.
2. As much as there is which is novel and wonderful in this world, the
imagination can come up with a thousand times as much.
3. In deep sleep, the senses withdraw into the mind and the mind withdraws
into the atman giving some taste of the bliss and tranquillity of Brahman. But
like the other two states it is fleeting and unstable so a poor substitute for
the real brahma jnana.
4. The mind is like a light that illuminates the darkness of ignorance through
knowledge.
5. Shivasamkalpa. The wandering mind is the cause of all sorrows but when
turned to the right goals, it becomes the vehicle by which release is possible.
6. karmanishta, literally established in karma.
7. padarthas. The essential constituents of reality. Different schools count them
differently.
8. The mind deals with samsara. as important as it is, it too is part of samsara
and becomes non-existent or irrelevant after mukti.
9. By understanding the true nature of time past, present and future, the Yogis
conquer death.
10.The yajna called Agnishtoma has seven priests (hotrs) or alternatively the
seven are the hotr (represents Rgveda), adhvaryu (Yajurveda), udgatr
(Samaveda), Brahmana (Atharvaveda), The yajaman and his wife, and Agni
himself who is the hotr of the Gods and brings the offerings to them. These
seven are needed in any shrauta yajna.
Shiva Sankalpa Suktam
Our mind determines our destiny. Choosing our thoughts, staying focused
on the great goal, we are on our way to living the ‘peace, bliss and completeness’
of the Spirit within.
The six immortal verses of the Shiva Sankalpa Suktam are a hymn in praise
of the Truth which illumines the mind. The verses sing of the great glory of the
mind, forming a continuous prayer for the mind and generate a deep desire to
fill it with auspicious thoughts (shiva sankalpa).
Verse 1:
May my mind- that mind which runs far from the waker and returns back
to the deep sleeper, that wanderer who is the light of all lights-have auspicious
thoughts (good intentions).
Verse 2:
May my mind-that mind by which the wise men, well established in Karma
Kanda, remain engaged in various fire rituals (yajnas) and also that which is
unique and lives in all beings-have auspicious thoughts.
Verse 3:
May my mind-that mind which is endowed with intelligence,
consciousness, fortitude, is immortal and the light within all beings, and that
without which no action is possible-have auspicious thoughts.
Verse 4:
May my mind-that mind which is immortal because of which the past,
present and future is known, that through which the fire ritual with seven priests
is performed- have auspicious thoughts.
Verse 5:
May my mind-that mind in which the Rig, Sama, and Yajur Veda mantras
are established like the spokes in the hub of a chariot wheel and by which the
minds of all beings are pervaded-have auspicious thoughts.
Verse 6:
May my mind-that mind which guides men like a good charioteer that
controls the horses, and which dwells within and is ageless and fast-have
auspicious thoughts.
Tanme manah shiva sankalpam astu: May the mind have auspicious thoughts.