Universal Mind & Self-Control Vedic Mantra
The first verse of the Shiva Sankalpa Sukta (Yajurveda 34.1): a prayer that the far-travelling mind may hold good thoughts. Text and meaning.
Sanskrit
यज्जाग्रतो दूरमुदैति दैवं तदु सुप्तस्य तथैवैति ।
दूरङ्गमं ज्योतिषां ज्योतिरेकं तन्मे मनः शिवसङ्कल्पमस्तु ॥
This is the first of six verses. Each of the six ends with the same last line, “tan me manaḥ śivasaṅkalpam astu”.
Transliteration (IAST)
yaj jāgrato dūram udaiti daivaṃ tad u suptasya tathaivaiti |
dūraṅgamaṃ jyotiṣāṃ jyotir ekaṃ tan me manaḥ śivasaṅkalpam astu ||
Meaning
The mind is a divine power. It travels far when we are awake, and it travels far when we sleep. It goes far, and it is the one light of all lights. May that mind of mine be full of good intentions.
Source / Textual Reference
Shukla Yajurveda (Vajasaneyi Madhyandina Samhita) 34.1
The first six verses of chapter 34 are called the Shiva Sankalpa Sukta. Text compared with Sanskrit Documents (whose edition gives the chapter and calls the six verses the Shivasankalpa Upanishad) and Sanskrit Wikisource.
Traditional Significance
The hymn is a prayer about the mind itself. It describes the mind as swift and far-reaching, and asks that it may hold good and peaceful resolve. In this verse “śiva” means “good, auspicious”, not the god Shiva by name.
The six verses are also known as the Shivasankalpa Upanishad.
Traditional Practice
The six verses are recited and studied together. No fixed time or number of repetitions is prescribed.
Related Content
- Aa No Bhadrah Kratavo Yantu Vishvatah, a prayer for good thoughts
- Gayatri Mantra, a prayer to guide the understanding
- Gita 6.35, steadying the restless mind