Sankalp and vikalp what
- Sankalp (संकल्प): A firm mental vow or resolve to do something good or spiritual. It is a one-pointed determination taken before a ritual, fast, or practice to guide thoughts and actions in a positive direction. In many pujas and rites, sankalp sets the intention to follow dharma sincerely.
- Vikalp (विकल्प): The opposite, i.e., unwholesome or distracting thoughts and desires that arise and can derail the sankalp. It also means any alternate, wavering thought that tries to pull you away from the stated vow.
Notes
- In Jain practice, sankalp is commonly used before activities like paushadh (living like a monk for a period), fasts, and devotional rites; vikalp is what practitioners try to avoid or overcome through discipline and mindfulness.
- There is no major difference in the basic meaning of sankalp and vikalp between Digambar and Shwetambar traditions; both traditions view sankalp as the positive, dharma‑oriented vow and vikalp as the negative, distracting thoughts to be restrained.