Space Exploration a waste of time, energy and valuable money

Pundit Roshan Singh

While space exploration is expensive and carries inherent risks, it also offers immense potential for scientific discovery, technological advancement, and the long-term well-being of humanity. It is a complex issue with valid arguments on both sides, and the decision of whether or not to pursue space exploration involves balancing competing priorities. 

Let us look at this from both angles and make the choice. The concept of Earth as a “springboard to the spiritual world” suggests that experiences and lessons learned on Earth are crucial for spiritual growth and development, potentially leading to a deeper understanding or even transition into a spiritual realm. This idea is explored in various spiritual and philosophical traditions, often viewing the Earth as a school or testing ground for the soul. 

Here’s a breakdown of the concept:

Earth as a School/Test:

Learning and Growth:

Many believe that the Earth provides a unique environment for learning, experiencing a range of emotions, and developing spiritual understanding. 

Dualistic Nature:

Earth is often seen as a place of duality – good and evil, joy and sorrow – which allows for the development of virtues like compassion and resilience. 

Spiritual Contracts:

Some believe souls choose to incarnate on Earth with specific contracts or lessons to learn. 

Spiritual Awakening:

Experiences on Earth, including challenges and relationships, can be catalysts for spiritual awakening and a deeper connection with the divine. 

Connection to the Spiritual World:

Transition:

Some believe that upon death, individuals transition to a spiritual realm, and the experiences on Earth can influence their journey in the afterlife. 

Interconnectedness:

Many believe that the Earth is interconnected with the spiritual realm, and practices like connecting with nature can help individuals access spiritual energies. 

Spiritual Growth:

The Earth is seen as a place where spiritual growth is nurtured through experiences, relationships, and the challenges one faces. 

Diverse Perspectives:

Spiritualism:

Spiritualists believe that the spirit world is related to truth-seeking and that the relationship between humans and the spirit world is reciprocal. 

Earth-centered Religions:

Some religions and spiritual practices emphasize the Earth as a sacred entity and a source of spiritual power. 

Nature-based Spirituality:

Practices like the Earth Spirit Path focus on reconnecting with nature’s wisdom and the interconnectedness of all living things. 

The Purpose of Human life

ŚB 4.12.25

सुदुर्जयं विष्णुपदं जितं त्वया
यत्सूरयोऽप्राप्य विचक्षते परम् ।
आतिष्ठ तच्चन्द्रदिवाकरादयो
ग्रहर्क्षतारा: परियन्ति दक्षिणम् ॥ २५ ॥

sudurjayaṁ viṣṇu-padaṁ jitaṁ tvayā
yat sūrayo ’prāpya vicakṣate param
ātiṣṭha tac candra-divākarādayo
graharkṣa-tārāḥ pariyanti dakṣiṇam

Synonyms

sudurjayam — very difficult to achieve; viṣṇu–padam — planet known as Vaikuṇṭhaloka or Viṣṇuloka; jitam — conquered; tvayā — by you; yat — which; sūrayaḥ — great demigods; aprāpya — without achieving; vicakṣate — simply see; param — supreme; ātiṣṭha — please come; tat — that; candra — the moon; diva–ākara — sun; ādayaḥ — and others; graha — the nine planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto); ṛkṣa–tārāḥ — stars; pariyanti — circumambulate; dakṣiṇam — to the right.

Translation

To achieve Viṣṇuloka is very difficult, but by your austerity you have conquered. Even the great ṛṣis and demigods cannot achieve this position. Simply to see the supreme abode [the Viṣṇu planet], the sun and moon and all the other planets, stars, lunar mansions and solar systems are circumambulating it. Now please come; you are welcome to go there.

Purport

Even in this material world the so-called scientists, philosophers and mental speculators strive to merge into the spiritual sky, but they can never go there. But a devotee, by executing devotional service, not only realizes what the spiritual world actually is, but factually goes there to live an eternal life of bliss and knowledge. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is so potent that by adopting these principles of life and developing love of God one can very easily go back home, back to Godhead. Here the practical example is the case of Dhruva Mahārāja. While the scientist and philosopher go to the moon but are disappointed in their attempts to stay there and live, the devotee makes an easy journey to other planets and ultimately goes back to Godhead. Devotees have no interest in seeing other planets, but while going back to Godhead they see all of them as passing phases, just as one who is going to a distant place passes through many small stations.