Introduction
A sukta is a divine song. Shiva Sankalpa means right intention or having an auspicious resolve. The Shiva Sankapa 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 everyday, is a method to steadying the mind. It is also a method to control one's subconscious mind (the chitta) and the faculty of thought.
Text
That mind which in the waking state through the means of the senses roams through this world1, and which in the dream state roams through many worlds2, and in the state of deep sleep returns to its origin3: that far wanderer, that light of knowledge4, my mind, may you have good intentions5.
The means by which a man who wants to do good6, whose senses are stilled and who is wise and dilligent, 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.
That mind which disregarding the demands of the senses is focused on knowledge alone, and which knows the elements of the Universe7, 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.
That what exists until mukti8, that knows past, present and future, through which the yogis obtain immortality9, and through which the yajna with seven priests10 is performed, my mind, may you have good intentions.
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.
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, my mind, may you have good intentions.
Notes
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The eyes, ears record data but it is the mind that makes it mean something. ↩︎
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As much as there is which is novel and wonderful in this world, the imagination can come up with a thousand times as much. ↩︎
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In deep sleep, the senses withdraw into the mind and the mind withdraws into the atman giving some taste of the bliss and tranquility of Brahman. But like the other two states it is fleeting and unstable so a poor substitute for the real brahmajnana. ↩︎
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The mind is like a light that illuminates the darkness of ignorance through knowledge. ↩︎
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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. ↩︎
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Karmanishta, literally established in karma. ↩︎
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Padarthas. The essential constituents of reality. Different schools count them differently. ↩︎
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The mind deals with samsara. As important as it is, it too is part of samsara and becomes non-exstent or irrelevant after mukti. ↩︎
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By understanding the true nature of time past, present and future, the Yogis conquer death. ↩︎
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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. ↩︎