sankalpa is derived from “san,” meaning a connection with the highest truth, and “kalpa,” meaning vow or commitment.  By saying the sankalpa at the beginning of any religious activity, it denotes intent one’s intent to achieve something spiritual or to manifest a specific outcome.

sankalpa has four parts:

• the place where the ritual (puja / homa) is being performed
• the time when the religious activity is being performed
• the person(s) performing the ritual
• the activity that will be performed to completion