Embracing Sankalpa Shakti: The Timeless Spirit of Bhagiratha

 Embracing Sankalpa Shakti: The Timeless Spirit of Bhagiratha

Last week, I was in Chennai for an orientation program organized by Jnana Prabodhini on how to conduct the Varsharambha Upasana Ceremony, marking the beginning of the new session by observing Sankalpa Din (Resolution Day). This ceremony, initiated by Jnana Prabodhini, serves as a modern-day Sanskar ceremony to encourage and guide students and teachers towards a path of a strong and determined mindset. Fifty-five teachers from 16 schools across Chennai attended the orientation. To prepare myself mentally and make use of the travel time, I took an old novel from my bookshelf—one that I’ve probably read a hundred times.

Aamhi Bhagirathache Putra by Gopal Dandekar, also known as Go. Ni. Da., is a Marathi novel that intertwines the construction of the Bhakra Nangal Dam with the ancient story of Bhagiratha bringing the Ganga to Earth. Set in post-independence India, it explores the lives of workers, engineers, and villagers dedicated to building the dam, symbolizing national pride and progress. The story features a visionary engineer leading the project, mirroring Bhagiratha's determination and efforts. It highlights the sacrifices of laborers and families facing harsh conditions and displacement. The novel draws parallels between the mythological and modern efforts, emphasizing resilience, commitment, and the transformative power of water. The Bhakra Nangal Dam symbolizes new hope, providing life to millions, much like Bhagiratha’s mythical achievement. It celebrates the spirit of perseverance, connecting ancient tales with contemporary struggles and victories."

The term " Bhagiratha Prayatna; Bhagirath efforts" holds significant meaning in the context of Indian tradition and is often used metaphorically in literature to describe extraordinary perseverance, determination, and dedication to achieving a difficult goal, particularly when it is for the greater good.

 King Bhagiratha of the Ikshvaku dynasty made a vow to bring the River Ganga from the heavens to Earth to liberate the souls of his ancestors, who were cursed to wander as ashes. Driven by this Sankalpa (resolution), Bhagiratha performed intense penance for years, seeking the blessings of Lord Brahma. Pleased with his devotion, Brahma allowed Ganga to descend, but warned that her powerful flow could destroy Earth. Undeterred, Bhagiratha continued his penance, this time to Lord Shiva, who agreed to contain Ganga’s mighty currents in his locks. As Ganga flowed down, Bhagiratha guided her carefully through the land, ensuring she reached the ashes of his ancestors, granting them salvation. His journey required unwavering focus, persistence, and sacrifice, facing challenges at each step but never giving up. Bhagiratha’s success in bringing Ganga to Earth is a symbol of dedication and the power of commitment, turning a seemingly impossible task into reality through selfless determination.

In Indian tradition and literature, "Bhagirath efforts" symbolizes the spiritual aspect of hard work, emphasizing that true labor is aligned with a higher purpose, akin to Bhagiratha's quest to bring divine grace to Earth. This metaphor inspires perseverance and encourages individuals to stay committed to their goals despite daunting challenges. It embodies values of selflessness, determination, and the belief that firm resolve can lead to success in achieving difficult objectives.

To engage in Bhagirath efforts, one must cultivate Sankalpa Shakti (Power to Resolve), which represents inner strength and focused determination. Nurturing this power fosters resilience and clarity, enabling individuals to tackle monumental challenges. By combining personal determination with collective action, they can transform seemingly impossible goals into achievable realities, mirroring Bhagiratha's triumph in bringing the Ganga to Earth.

 In Hindu tradition, Sankalp is a solemn vow or intention that precedes various Samskaras (sacraments or rites of passage). Sankalpa means "resolution" or "determination," representing a commitment to a specific purpose, often seeking divine support. It includes an invocation that affirms the ritual's purpose and connects the individual to the cosmic order.

The opening lines of a Sankalpa often reflect the geographical and temporal context of the ritual. The traditional invocation we mentioned can be elaborated as follows: "Hiha Pruthivya Jambudwipe Bharat Varshe Bharat Khade Godavarasya Dakshin Tire, samvastre [insert current year], nakshatre [insert nakshatra], dine [insert day], asmakam [name or purpose]."  translated as "Here on Earth, in the Jambudvipa (the Indian subcontinent), in the land of Bharat (India), on the southern bank of the Godavari River, in the year [insert current year], under the constellation [insert nakshatra], on the day [insert day], we [insert name or purpose]."

This invocation serves to establish the geographical, temporal, and personal context for the ritual being performed. This sets a sacred intention for the Samskara, invoking blessings and aligning the ritual with the cosmic energies of time and space.

In Indian tradition and ancient scriptures, Sankalpa (resolution) is considered as a significant aspect of mental discipline, intention-setting, and focus. It involves a conscious decision made with full awareness, often for self-transformation or the attainment of a higher goal.

उद्धरेदात्मनाऽऽत्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत् |

आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मन: ||

Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 6, Verse 5

Sri Aurobindo’s Interpretation

By the self thou shouldst deliver the self,

thou shouldst not depress and cast down the self

(whether by self-indulgence or suppression);

for the self is the friend of the self and the self is the enemy.

This verse emphasizes the role of  intention (Sankalp) in self-improvement. It suggests that a person can uplift themselves through a strong resolve and control over their thoughts. Without such discipline, the mind can become an obstacle to one’s growth.

 In the Bhartiya tradition, the triad, Sankalpa (resolution or intention), Tapa (austerity or penance), and Vrata (vow or observance) are deeply interconnected. Sankalpa serves as the initial commitment and clarity of purpose that guides the practitioner’s actions. 

The synergy between these three is seen as a holistic approach to cultivating inner strength, self-control. Without Sankalpa, Tapa may lack direction, and Vrata may lack sincerity, showing how intention is key to self-nurturance.

Samskara refers to the transformative actions that individuals must undertake themselves to achieve personal growth and self-improvement. While teachers and parents can play a crucial role in mentoring and creating a conducive environment for learning, the responsibility for Sankalpa ultimately rests with the learner.

By practicing on Sankalpa students understand

while external support is valuable,

the ownership of personal development lies solely with the individual.

Teachers and parents play a crucial role in guiding students through the process of setting and achieving goals. To define, practice, and review resolutions, it is important to cultivate a reflective mindset that considers not only why a resolution is important but also what needs to be achieved and how to plan and work towards it. This reflective approach allows learners to gain a deeper understanding of the purpose behind a resolution and provides a clearer path to follow for success.

However,

Achieving a resolution requires acquiring strength and power.

What types of powers are necessary?

One must learn to think and work on five powers:

Sharir Shakti (Physical Power), Kriya Shakti (Power of Action),  

Iccha Shakti (Will power), Jnana Shakti (Knowledge Power),

and Atma shakti (Power of Self).

To truly make resolutions meaningful and achievable, one must tap into five key powers, each of which is essential in the journey toward fulfilling a commitment:

Sharir Shakti (Physical Power): This power emphasizes the importance of maintaining physical strength and endurance, which is crucial for staying active and disciplined in any pursuit.

Kriya Shakti (Power of Action): This power focuses on translating plans into actionable steps. It emphasizes consistency, discipline, practical application of actions and metabolic process that require to channelize the energy required for actions.

Iccha Shakti (Willpower): Iccha Shakti refers to the inner drive and determination required to stay committed to a resolution, especially when faced with challenges or setbacks. This mental power is what keeps the individual motivated to keep pushing forward, even when the path becomes difficult.

Jnana Shakti (Knowledge Power): Jnana Shakti involves acquiring the necessary knowledge and skills required to achieve a resolution.

Atma Shakti (Power of Self): Atma Shakti is the strength of self-awareness and introspection. It involves regular self-reflection to assess progress, recognize areas for improvement, and adjust plans accordingly. This power encourages individuals to stay true to their core values and adapt as needed, ensuring that the journey toward the resolution remains authentic and aligned with the deeper purpose.

Similar to the SMART formula, which helps define resolutions, the 5P-SKIJA formula assists in formulating actionable statements as small, workable objectives to achieve goals. It is essential to learn how to analyze a resolution and break it down into actionable sub-statements. This process is guided by the five powers: SharirShakti (Physical Power), KriyaShakti (Power of Action), IcchaShakti (Will Power), JnanaShakti (Knowledge Power), and Atmashakti (Power of Self).

The mentor plays a vital role in nurturing a resolute mindset throughout this journey by channelizing actionable power guided statements.

5P-SKIJA formula:

Let’s discuss how to process a resolution

“I will complete a five-kilometre run by practicing for 3 months.”

by applying the 5P-SKIJA formula to convert resolution into small actionable objective statement

Here's how each of these powers can help to structure the actionable statements:

Sharir Shakti (Physical Power)

Focus on gradually building endurance, preventing injuries through warm-up and cool-down exercises, and maintaining a balanced diet with proper hydration to support energy and recovery during 5-kilometer run training.

Kriya Shakti (Power of Action)      

Develop a weekly training plan that gradually increases running distance and incorporates stretching and cross-training exercises. Track progress using a logbook or fitness app to monitor daily distance, time, and energy levels, adjusting as needed.

Iccha Shakti (Willpower)

Use personal motivators like music or running with a friend, and practice visualization to maintain enthusiasm and determination. Plan alternatives for setbacks, such as treadmill running, to stay committed to the training.

Jnana Shakti (Power of Knowledge)

Research the benefits and techniques of running, including warm-up and cool-down routines, and find suitable training programs/apps. Set milestones and understand the role of diet and hydration to ensure gradual progress toward a 5K run.

Atma Shakti (Power of Self)

Weekly practice self-reflection to assess progress and identify areas for improvement, maintaining a disciplined routine with a set practice time. Adjust the training plan as needed based on endurance levels to prevent burnout or injuries. Try to connect running with a sense of inner strength and fulfilment.

Based on this analysis, a set of sub-statements to accomplish the resolution can be written:

·       “I will follow a balanced diet plan and ensure proper hydration to support my training.” (Sharir Shakti)

·       “I will run 1 km daily by focusing on rhythm in breathing while running the first week, increasing the distance by 500 meters every week until I reach 5 km.” (Kriya Shakti)

·       “I will find a running partner or use a playlist to stay motivated during my training sessions.” (Iccha Shakti)

·       “I will study proper running techniques and warm-up routines within the first month.” (Jnana Shakti)

·       “I will review my progress every Sunday connecting the running practice with a sense of inner fulfilment, using it as a time for self-reflection and peace.” (Atma Shakti)

By breaking down the resolution in this manner, a learner can approach the goal in a structured way, making the journey toward achieving the 5K run both realistic and manageable. This methodical analysis not only clarifies the path forward but also builds the mindset required for successful completion, emphasizing the physical, mental, intellectual and practical aspects of the commitment.

By developing these five powers, one can not only set resolutions but also master the process of achieving them. This holistic approach ensures that resolutions are not merely lofty aspirations but achievable goals that contribute to the growth of both students and educators, fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the school community.

Nurturing Sankalpa Shakti enables a person to tackle monumental challenges like Dashrath Manjhi, known as the Mountain Man of India, exemplified Bhagirath efforts through his relentless determination to carve a path through a mountain. Driven by the loss of his wife, who couldn’t access timely medical care due to the mountainous terrain, he dedicated over 22 years to breaking the mountain with a hammer and chisel.

Like Bhagiratha, who brought the Ganga to Earth, Manjhi’s selfless mission transformed the lives of his village, connecting them to essential services. His extraordinary perseverance stands as a testament to the Power of Sankalpa Shakti—the strength of a resolute mind.

Nurturing Sankalpa Shakti enables a person to tackle monumental challenges—Bhagirath efforts—with inner strength, resilience, and clarity. It empowers learners to stay the course, overcome setbacks, and persistently work towards their vision, inspiring others along the way. This combination of personal determination and collective action can transform even the most difficult goals into achievable realities, much like Bhagiratha’s success in bringing the Ganga to Earth.

Prashant Divekar

Jnana Prabodhini, Pune