Hare Krishna.

What is the perspective on India’s Moon mission, Chandrayaan? I will analyze this from four angles using four D’s.

The first D is Discovery. Human beings have an innate eagerness and longing to know, to inquire, to explore, and to push boundaries. We strive to bring into the domain of the knowable and the attainable that which is beyond our grasp. This is reflected in the excitement and ambition associated with humanity’s exploration of space. The Bhagavad-gita explains that this longing to know comes from our spiritual core, the soul. The soul is conscious, cognizant, and curious. It longs to know more and more.

If we were simply biological machines designed for survival and reproduction, what would account for the curiosity that defines humanity? Our curiosity extends beyond what is necessary for our survival, leading us to explore things beyond the material world. This curiosity for discovery has inspired humanity to develop science, technology, philosophy, and the arts. In fact, Einstein said that the sciences, arts, and religions are all rooted in human cognition, in the same quest for knowledge.

This longing for discovery points us toward spirituality, where we wish to know that which exists beyond human limitations. Ultimately, the longing for discovery is meant to lead us to our spiritual nature, beyond material restrictions.

The second D is Development. This longing to know, when translated into action, inspires us to improve things and create something better. As human beings, we continuously strive to develop science and technology, making our outer world much more comfortable compared to the past. We have access to so many facilities and utilities, all due to our desire to improve.

This drive to develop stems from something deep within us—our dissatisfaction with the present existence. Animals may be content with eating the same food repeatedly, but humans constantly desire something more, something better. This longing for improvement is linked to our spirituality, as Krishna says in the Bhagavad-gita: “I am the ability to endeavor” (Bhagavad-gita 10.27). Our thrill and sense of adventure, whether in exploring uncharted territories on Earth or in space, comes from the divine. The results of such development, when they are captivating, manifest Krishna’s divine splendor.

The third D is Distraction. The Bhagavad-gita teaches that in the material world, dissatisfaction will always follow us, just as a shadow follows a person. In the Bhakti tradition, it is said that no matter where we go, old age, disease, and death will inevitably be part of our experience. Whether we move from India to America, from a rural area to an urban one, or even from Earth to another planet, our bodies will eventually decay, and our minds will be preoccupied with desires and dissatisfaction.

While we can work to improve the external world, true meaning and fulfillment in life come not from material development alone. Yes, India’s entry into the space race is natural and aligns with its growing geopolitical presence. But India has something uniquely valuable to offer the world—its spiritual wisdom. In the excitement of space missions, we must not forget this unique contribution. While India may imitate what other nations have done, it should also continue to offer its spiritual insights, which are of great value to humanity.

Srila Prabhupada, founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), emphasized that human life is primarily meant for spiritual elevation, not material advancement. He wrote in the introduction to the Bhagavad-gita: “Modern man has struggled very hard to reach the moon, but he has not tried very hard to elevate himself spiritually.” If one has fifty years of life ahead of them, they should engage that brief time in cultivating the practice of remembering the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Beyond material existence, the highest reality is divinity, and connecting with divinity brings the deepest fulfillment.

The fourth D is Direction. While the world moves forward in various ways, there is an increasing crisis of meaning. Martin Luther King Jr. famously said, “We have guided missiles and misguided men.” Our scientific power has outpaced our spiritual power. We need holistic development, where material and scientific progress does not distract us from what brings the greatest fulfillment—spiritual growth.

With all our technological advancements, we have remarkable facilities, yet we face growing issues of distraction, depression, addiction, and even suicide. While science can help improve the external world, spirituality can improve our inner world. While the pursuit of outer exploration continues vigorously, let us also devote some of that energy to exploring our inner space. This could be India’s unique contribution to the world.

In summary, the urge for discovery comes from our spirituality, the conscious and curious nature of the soul. The aspiration for development points to abilities given by divinity—manifestations of Krishna’s splendor. Distraction is inherent in material existence, but we can best direct our drive for discovery and development when we grow spiritually. Material development will continue, but let us not be distracted—let us also focus on spiritual development. As we explore outer space, let us invest in exploring our inner space as well.

This could be India’s unique contribution to the world.

Hare Krishna.