Nilanjan
India’s ambitious Chandrayaan-3 mission, which aims to explore the south pole of the Moon, has been making headlines for its scientific and technological achievements. However, there is another aspect of the mission that has also caught the attention of many people: the name of the lunar landing site. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the spot where Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram lander touched down on the Moon will be called ‘Shiv Shakti Point’. This name has a deep meaning and significance, as explained by Sadhguru, a renowned spiritual leader and founder of Isha Foundation. In this blog post, we will explore the origin and symbolism of this name, and how it reflects the blend of science and spirituality in India’s space exploration.
What does Shiv Shakti mean?
Shiv Shakti is a combination of two Sanskrit words: Shiv, which means ‘the auspicious one’, and Shakti, which means ‘the power or energy’. Together, they refer to the cosmic principle of creation and destruction, represented by Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti in Hindu mythology. Lord Shiva is considered as the supreme deity who transcends all forms and attributes, while Goddess Shakti is his dynamic manifestation who creates and sustains the universe. They are inseparable and interdependent, as they complement and balance each other.
PM Modi said that he chose this name to honour the humanitarian resolve and the empowerment of women scientists involved in the Chandrayaan-3 mission. He said, “The humanitarian resolve is integral to the concept of Shiva, and it is from Shakti that we get the ability to fulfil that resolve. The ‘Shakti’ in the name ‘Shiv Shakti’ comes from the hard work, inspiration and empowerment of the women scientists.”
How did Sadhguru explain the significance of Shiv Shakti Point?
Sadhguru, who was invited by ISRO to address its scientists in Bengaluru on August 26, gave a deeper insight into the significance of Shiv Shakti Point. He said that this name is not just a religious or cultural reference, but a scientific and universal one. He said that all physical manifestation in this creation happens between two polarities: clockwise and anti-clockwise. He said, “Shiv Shakti is an appropriate term that matters for the whole universe. People will always have a say in whatever name is given to that spot.”
He further explained that it is human’s understanding and harmony with Shiv Shakti that is important for their well-being and perception. He said that the more synchronized the two spins – clockwise and anti-clockwise – in one’s body are, the less turbulent and more perceptive one will be. He said that Moon and perception are connected, as evidenced by Lord Shiva’s association with the crescent moon on his head. He also pointed out that ISRO’s chief name too, is Somnath, which means ‘the lord of the moon’.
He concluded that Shiv Shakti name holds immense significance because it signifies the meeting of Shiva with Shakti, which is the peak of human evolution. He said that it is very insightful that political leadership is becoming more aware as they are choosing names with profound significance.
Why is Shiv Shakti Point a blend of science and spirituality?
Shiv Shakti Point is a unique name that reflects the blend of science and spirituality in India’s space exploration. On one hand, it represents India’s scientific achievements and aspirations, as Chandrayaan-3 is one of the most advanced lunar missions ever undertaken by any country. It aims to study the lunar surface, especially its south pole region, which is rich in water ice and minerals. It also aims to demonstrate India’s technological capabilities in soft landing and rover operation on the Moon.
On the other hand, it also represents India’s spiritual heritage and culture, as Shiv Shakti is a concept that has been revered for millennia by millions of Indians. It symbolizes the cosmic balance and harmony between creation and destruction, male and female, static and dynamic aspects of reality. It also symbolizes India’s respect for diversity and inclusivity, as it acknowledges the contribution of women scientists in the mission.
By naming the lunar landing site as Shiv Shakti Point, India has shown its unique vision and approach towards space exploration, which is not only driven by scientific curiosity but also inspired by spiritual wisdom.
What are some other names related to Chandrayaan-3 mission?
Apart from Shiv Shakti Point, there are some other names related to Chandrayaan-3 mission that have been announced by PM Modi. These are:
- Tiranga Point: The point on the Moon where Chandrayaan-2 crashlanded in 2019. It signifies that Tiranga, the Indian national flag, is there on the Moon – India’s first contact with the lunar surface.
- Jawahar Stal: The point on the Moon where Chandrayaan-3’s orbiter is orbiting. It is named after Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister and a visionary leader who laid the foundation of India’s space programme.
- Vikram: The name of Chandrayaan-3’s lander, which is derived from Vikram Sarabhai, the father of India’s space programme and the founder of ISRO.
- Pragyan: The name of Chandrayaan-3’s rover, which means ‘wisdom’ in Sanskrit. It reflects India’s quest for knowledge and discovery on the Moon.
We hope this blog post has helped you to get all the information about Shiv Shakti Point, the symbolic name of Chandrayaan-3’s lunar landing site. We congratulate ISRO and its scientists for their remarkable achievement and wish them all the best for their future endeavours. For more updates on Chandrayaan-3 and other topics, stay tuned with us.
