Hare Krishna. India on the Moon: Chandrayaan-3’s Success from a Bhagavad Gita Perspective

The whole of India and much of the world are celebrating India’s successful soft landing on the southern pole of the moon with the Chandrayaan-3 mission. While Indians are understandably thrilled, many around the world are highly appreciative not only of India’s technological achievement—becoming the fourth country to land a spacecraft on the moon and the first to land at the South Pole—but also of the cost-effectiveness of the mission, with the budget being significantly lower than that of many top Hollywood movies. But how can we view this event from the perspective of the Bhagavad Gita?

I will address this in three points, which I’ll summarize using the acronym P.O.D.—Perspectives, Opulence, and Direction.

P: Perspectives

The Bhagavad Gita and the wisdom tradition associated with it are vast, offering a multitude of perspectives that can help us understand events like the moon landing. For example, the Bhagavata Purana teaches that the world is both a place of distress (duḥkhālayam) and a manifestation of extraordinary beauty, which should be seen as an opulence of the divine. Misery and beauty are distinct perspectives, depending on the context.

One perspective often taken by followers of the Bhagavad Gita, especially those following Srila Prabhupada’s teachings, is that the moon is a higher planet and we cannot truly “go” to the moon. I have analyzed various statements Prabhupada made on this topic in another video, linked below. Prabhupada was a sophisticated thinker who followed the nuanced nature of the Gita, which offers multiple perspectives on the same issue.

For instance, while the Bhagavad Gita tells us that everything in this world is temporary and even if one ascends to heaven, they must return to Earth, the Bhagavatam speaks of Arjuna’s ascent to heaven in the same body, where he sits on the throne of Indra. This example shows that from a spiritual perspective, everything material is temporary, but from a material perspective, certain attainments can be glorious and deserve appreciation. Arjuna himself recognizes the divine mercy in his ascent to heaven.

Similarly, if we stick to one perspective in examining the moon mission, we may become literalists who miss the deeper, more sophisticated nature of the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. For example, if we say we didn’t see Chandra Dev or any heavenly attributes on the moon, does that mean we didn’t go to the moon? Or does the absence of Bhoomi Devi’s physical presence on Earth mean we’re not truly on Earth?

No, it simply means that the Earth and the moon are multilayered entities with spiritual dimensions that we might not perceive. The Gita encourages us not to reduce everything to a single view but to appreciate multiple perspectives that help deepen our spiritual consciousness.

O: Opulence

The Bhagavad Gita teaches that everything glorious, powerful, and wonderful manifests as an opulence of Krishna. Krishna says, “I am victory, I am adventure” (Bhagavad Gita 10.36). The sense of excitement, anticipation, and the ultimate experience of victory that gripped millions during the Chandrayaan mission is a powerful emotion, and these emotions are also a reflection of the divine.

As humans, we long for extraordinary experiences, and when we have them, we can recognize them as pointers to the divine. A Krishna-conscious vision enables us to see the presence of Krishna in everything—not just as a challenge to our faith but as an opportunity to connect with the divine.

When Hanuman saw Ravana’s power and charisma for the first time, he didn’t question why Ravana, if he was so powerful, could still be opposed to Rama. Instead, Hanuman saw Ravana’s potential for greatness if only he had been virtuous. This perspective of recognizing the divine potential in everything is a hallmark of Krishna consciousness.

Krishna says in the Gita (7.8), “I am ability in human beings.” The scientists behind Chandrayaan have demonstrated extraordinary ability and dedication, and their success reflects the divine opulence of Krishna. After numerous efforts, they achieved success, showing that such accomplishments are not mere human endeavors but manifestations of divine opulence.

D: Direction

Finally, when human opulence is manifested—whether through technological advancement, scientific achievement, or cultural triumph—does it direct us toward the divine or away from it?

Srila Prabhupada saw in technological advancement an opportunity for spiritualization. In fact, the first book he wrote after the space age began was Easy Journey to Other Planets, dedicated to the scientists of the world. In this book, he affirmed that technological progress could be used to deepen our spiritual connection.

As India lands on the moon, we are witnessing not only a rise in India’s global position but also a rekindling of its spiritual and material prosperity. India has a rich spiritual tradition, exemplified by figures such as Aryabhata and Bhaskaracharya, and a dynamic, living dharmic tradition today. The scientists behind Chandrayaan, before launching the mission, even sought blessings at Tirupati Balaji. This reflects the harmonious integration of material progress with spiritual wisdom.

As India’s self-confidence grows on the world stage, we hope this confidence will not be confined to material achievements but will also extend to spiritual exploration and accomplishment. The Bhagavad Gita teaches that true success lies in aligning material progress with spiritual growth. If India can embrace its spiritual essence—much like Arjuna, who, despite his worldly victories, always relied on Krishna—then India can lead the world toward holistic progress, both materially and spiritually.

Conclusion

In summary, P.O.D.—Perspectives, Opulence, and Direction—are key to understanding the moon landing through the lens of the Bhagavad Gita. The Gita offers multiple perspectives on contemporary issues. By seeing opulence in everything, we connect with the divine, and by ensuring that material success directs us toward spiritual growth, we align with Krishna’s teachings. India, with its rich spiritual heritage, can lead the world into an era of holistic prosperity, where material and spiritual progress go hand in hand.

Thank you.