THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: ISRO Chairman S Somanath played a pivotal role in the Chandrayaan project, which was watched curiously by the world. Somnath reached the ‘Pournamikkavu’ yesterday and prayed. If asked what he prayed for, Somnath would say, ‘Shanti’ (peace). This space scientist who was at the helm of the historic mission has always been an ordinary person in his outlook on life. He returned to his residence in Thiruvananthapuram from Bengaluru after the mission that brought India to world victory and gave rest to complex scientific thoughts yesterday. Went directly to Venganur Pournamikavu Sri Balathripura Sundari Temple.

‘I don't go to temples and pray for anything. I don’t believe that one will get what they desire just because they pray for it,’ he said. But, he is a believer that temple darshans are useful to give rest to the mind and refresh the mind. It may, perhaps, stimulate the intellect more. If going to the moon is in search of the interior of the universe, then spirituality is a search for the secrets of knowledge beyond that. The investigation of the creation of the universe beyond science will provide mental energy and strength. That's what you get from such visits amidst the rush. Other religions also say the same thing. Although he goes to temples, he is not a traditional devotee or believer. Vedas are not made by one person. Derived from the thoughts of many individuals. If you read Sukumar Azhikode's books, you will realize that the concepts of time, universe and creation are questionable.

After scientific research, reading is mind-blowing. I was fond of fictions in my youth. Now I read mostly science books and spiritual books. It was the mental transformation that took place in the temples – S Somnath said.

'There are many unanswered questions related to time, time, creation of the world etc. The more you learn about science, the more you will be amazed. There is a limit to what we know. When you know that, you have to see faith in a different layers’-S Somnath