The Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu religious book, was extensively read by the atomic bomb creator, J Robert Oppenheimer whose quote in Sanskrit is viral
The Bhagavad Gita highly inspired Oppenheimer, who even kept a copy of it near his bedside.
How was J Robert Oppenheimer influenced by the Bhagavad Gita and what did he say in Sanskrit after making the atomic bomb
On July 21, this Christopher Nolan movie will be available everywhere. Those who have seen Oppenheimer have described it as “intense” and a “masterpiece.”
A Religious Text That Inspired The Mastermind Behind the Atomic Book
A fascinating Bhagavad Gita connection has arisen. The film received praise for Christopher Nolan’s masterful direction and the performances of Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr. However, the Bhagavad Gita’s intriguing connection has emerged.
The physicist Oppenheimer was profoundly impressed by the Bhagavad Gita’s teachings and is said to have kept a copy of it by his bed. In order to study the book in its original form, he actually learned Sanskrit in 1933.
What is the Bhagavad Gita?
The Bhagavad Gita, often referred to as the Gita is a sacred Hindu scripture. It is a 700-verse portion of the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata, which is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of India. The Bhagavad Gita is written in the form of a dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna, who serves as his charioteer and spiritual guide.
The text of the Bhagavad Gita is believed to have been composed around the 2nd century BCE, although its oral tradition is much older. It addresses fundamental philosophical and spiritual questions, exploring topics such as duty, righteousness, the nature of the self, the path to liberation, and the role of devotion and knowledge in attaining spiritual enlightenment.
The Bhagavad Gita is highly revered by Hindus and has had a significant influence on Indian philosophy, spirituality, and culture. It presents different paths to spiritual realization, including the path of devotion (Bhakti Yoga), the path of knowledge (Jnana Yoga), and the path of selfless action (Karma Yoga). The Gita’s teachings have also attracted the attention of philosophers, scholars, and spiritual seekers from various backgrounds around the world, making it a widely studied and respected spiritual text.
“The Most Beautiful Philosophical Song Existing In Any Known Tongue”- Oppenheimer
According to the physicist, the Gita is “the most beautiful philosophical song existing in any known tongue.” Among the ten books that had the most significant impact on his life, he listed the Bhagavad Gita.
In his work “The Gita of J. Robert Oppenheimer,” history professor James A. Hijiya compares Oppenheimer to Arjuna from the Mahabharata.
He said, “Krishna’s message to Arjuna is clear: you must fight,” he wrote in the book. The message would have been equally plain to Oppenheimer. How could Oppenheimer’s decision to create a weapon to murder Germans and Japanese citizens whose governments were attempting to conquer the world be immoral if it was acceptable for Arjuna to slaughter his own friends and family in a dispute over the succession of a kingdom?”
Oppenheimer recognised that the atomic bomb was a deadly weapon that may wipe out humanity, even if it was necessary to defeat the Nazis.
He cited the Bhagavad Gita when the Trinity Test, or the first successful test of the atomic bomb, took place in Mexico on July 16, 1945.
Oppenheimer once recalled the first nuclear test in an interview with Newsweek, saying, “I remembered the statement from the Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad Gita. In an effort to convince the Prince to carry out his duty, Vishnu assumes his many-armed form and declares, “Now, I am Death, the destroyer of worlds.
Christopher Nolan on Oppenheimer
According to Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer’s story is among the most dramatic ones that he is aware of, and there are numerous other factors that contribute to its allure.
I just thought, “What a remarkable dramatic event to bring the audience to. To be there with these people in that room as they had to make these horrible decisions that have defined the world we live in.”
Christopher Nolan responded in an interview when questioned about how the crowd responded to Oppenheimer: “Some people leave the movie extremely sad. They are mute. In other words, the history and foundations contain a certain amount of terror.”
He concluded by saying. “However, my affection for the characters and the relationships is at its highest level ever.”
BHAGAVAD GITA HITS DIFFERENT✨❤️ #BhagavadGita #CillianMurphy pic.twitter.com/I3lNj0Onvh
— siriichowdary (@17dreamer_) July 15, 2023
This is a 3 min video on Bhagavad Gita explained so beautifully in English. Very short. many youngsters who do not have time to read Bhagavad Gita…they can see it. #bhagavadgita #JaiSriKrishna🙏
🙏https://t.co/6tlteM7Iz1 pic.twitter.com/PmQz8Mvni6— Kumar Bhanu (@KBSharm63460260) July 10, 2023