NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, along with Butch Wilmore, has triumphantly returned to Earth after a nine-month space mission. Early on a Wednesday morning, their successful landing occurred off the coast of Florida via SpaceX's Dragon Capsule. Originally slated to last only eight days, their mission commenced on June 5, 2024, but unforeseen technical issues extended their stay in space for nine months.
After months in space, Sunita Williams has safely returned to Earth. The SpaceX Dragon Capsule, carrying Sunita and three other astronauts, completed a remarkable 17-hour journey from space to a landing in Florida.
One heart-stopping moment during the landing process recalled a tragic memory shared with astronaut Kalpana Chawla, but Sunita Williams' courageous passage demonstrated the profound spiritual strength in which she firmly believes.
Source: aajtak
Sunita's Belief in India's Timeless Traditions
Sunita Williams, whose roots are entwined with Indian ancestry, has always held a deep respect for India's spiritual traditions and philosophies. Her belief in ancient divine principles and a personal connection to spirituality have drawn her closer to the transformative teachings of Lord Krishna's Bhagavad Gita. Revering Lord Ganesha as a remover of obstacles, she embraces the cosmic practice and meditation of Lord Shiva while cherishing the sacred Om and Swastik symbols as ever-present reminders of her faith.
According to a BBC report, Sunita has visited her ancestral village Jhulasan, situated 40 km from Gandhinagar in Gujarat, India, twice. Her profound faith in the temple of Dol Mata there is a testament to her spiritual journey, having taken a sacred veil (prasad) with her on her missions.
Several media outlets assert that during her first space mission, she carried a veil as a blessing from her ancestral village's Kuldevi Dol Mata temple. Sunita attributes immense significance to her mother's blessings throughout her life.
Ceremonial Prayers at Kuldevi Temple
Inside the Dol Mata temple, her Kuldevi, continuous prayers and rituals have taken place over the last nine months with a lit eternal flame, all for Sunita Williams' safe return. Her faith in such spiritual practices highlights her connection with spirituality even amidst space missions, finding strength to overcome even the most demanding challenges.
Incredible Faith in the Bhagavad Gita
When Sunita first ventured into space, she carried along the wisdom-filled Bhagavad Gita. She asserts that its teachings on action and life understanding assist in triumphing over adversities. Her debut trip to space in 2006 revealed how significantly the Gita inspired her, harboring a positive impact on her mental state amid the solitude of space.
Source: aajtak
Devotion to Mahadev Shiva and Om
During her second space journey in 2012, Sunita spent four months at the International Space Station and engaged in groundbreaking research. Carrying the symbol Om and a painting of Lord Shiva, alongside a copy of the Upanishads, Sunita experienced the universe's primordial sound, enriching her cosmic voyage with serenity and positive energy. Lord Shiva's embodiment of supreme meditation remained an enduring source of inspiration throughout her space endeavors.
The Auspicious Blessings of Lord Ganesha
On June 5, 2024, Sunita embarked on her third mission, initially intended as a brief eight-day trip. However, a propulsion system setback prolonged her stay to nine months. Throughout this ordeal, the reassuring presence of Lord Ganesha's figure proved helpful. Sunita regards Lord Ganesha as her harbinger of good fortune.
