In Jain dharma, “saṅkalp” (सङ्कल्प) means:

a clear inner resolve or decision made consciously, with dharma in mind.

Very simply:

• When you decide:

“Today I will do upvās / āyambil / paushadh / pūjā / jāp with full discipline” – that decision itself is saṅkalp.

• It is taken before starting any vrat, tapa, pūjā, pāṭh, or stotra.
• It is usually done in front of Jina idol, scriptures, or Guru, with folded hands.
• Inside, you fix:

- What you will do (which vrat / tapa / pūjā) - How long (1 day, 8 days, etc.) - With what niyam (ekāsan, chauvihār, maun, etc.) - With what bhāv (for samvar–nirjarā, not for worldly gain).

Spiritual point in Jain view

• Right saṅkalp = pure, dharmic intention → supports good bhāva, samvar (stopping new karma), and nirjarā (shedding old karma).
• Wrong saṅkalp = violent, greedy, egoistic intention → creates paap‑karma.

Both Śvetāmbara and Digambara traditions use the word in the same basic sense: a vow / mental resolution done with awareness before religious practice.

You can see it used this way in explanations of fasts, paushadh, pūjā, etc. on JainKnowledge