Oppenheimer and the Bhagawat Gita

Pallab Bhattacharyya

(Pallab Bhattacharyya is a former director-general of police, Special Branch and erstwhile Chairman, APSC. Views expressed by him is personal. He can be reached at pallab1959@hotmail.com)

On July 21, 2023, the much-awaited movie Oppenheimer by celebrated director Christopher Nolan, based on the 2005 biography “American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer” by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin on the life of the Theoretical physicist, was released in Guwahati, and I could not resist the temptation of witnessing the movie on the first day of the first show!

The chequered life of Robert J. Oppenheimer, his leftist bent of mind, his love for theoretical physics, his emotions, and other interesting facets of his life added a unique attraction to the film. The performances by Cillian Murphy as Oppenheimer, Emily Blunt as Oppenheimer’s wife, Katherine “Kitty” Oppenheimer, Matt Damon as General Leslie Groves (involved in the Manhattan Project for developing the Atom Bomb), Robert Downey Jr. as Lewis Strauss, a Senior Member of the US Atomic Energy Commission, and a tapestry of other actors are really interesting enough to keep the spectators glued to the screen. The conspiracy by Lewis Strauss and his coterie to defame Oppenheimer, his tilt towards Leftist ideals, his extramarital affair with a communist lady, and her subsequent suicide spiced up the storyline.

Robert J. Oppenheimer, who was the scientific director of the Manhattan Project’s Los Alamos Laboratory, famously quoted verses from the Bhagavad Gita after witnessing the first successful test of the atomic bomb on July 16, 1945, called the Trinity Test, near Alamogordo, New Mexico. The Bhagavad Gita is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the Indian epic Mahabharata. It is a profound philosophical and spiritual text that addresses moral dilemmas, duty, and the nature of reality. The influence of the Bhagavad Gita on Oppenheimer can be seen in several ways:

Spiritual and Philosophical Impact: Oppenheimer was deeply interested in Eastern philosophies and had a particular fascination with Hinduism. He was well-read in Indian literature, including the Bhagavad Gita. The Gita’s teachings about the nature of life, duty, and the self deeply resonated with him. Its ideas of detachment from the outcomes of actions and the impermanence of material existence had a profound impact on Oppenheimer’s worldview.

After the successful Trinity nuclear test, Oppenheimer is said to have quoted a verse from the Bhagavad Gita, specifically from Chapter 11, Verse 32: When Oppenheimer, who was a part of the first atom bomb project, witnessed the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, he quoted this verse of Shree Krishna in the following manner: “Time... I am the destroyer of all the worlds.” “Now I become Death, the destroyer of worlds.” These words reflect the sense of awe and dread he experienced upon witnessing the immense power of the atomic bomb. The verse is spoken by Lord Krishna, who reveals his universal form to the warrior Arjuna, showcasing the destructive power of time and death. Chapter 11, Verse 32, states as follows:

“The Supreme Lord said: I am mighty Time, the source of destruction that comes forth to annihilate the worlds. Even without your participation, the warriors arrayed in the opposing army shall cease to exist”.

In response to Arjun’s question regarding who he is, Shree Krishna reveals his nature as all-powerful Time, the destroyer of the universe. All events in nature get buried in time. Time counts and controls the lifespan of all beings. It will determine when great personalities like Bheeshma, Dronacharya, and Karna will meet their end. It will destroy the enemy army arrayed on the battlefield even without Arjun’s participation in the fight because the Lord wants it to happen as a part of his grand scheme for the world.

Reflection on the Moral Consequences: The development of the atomic bomb raised profound moral and ethical questions for Oppenheimer. He grappled with the implications of creating such a devastating weapon and the potential consequences for humanity. The Bhagavad Gita’s teachings on righteousness, duty, and moral choices are likely to play a role in his contemplation of these complex issues.

Sense of Responsibility: Oppenheimer’s sense of responsibility as a scientist and as a human being was influenced by his understanding of the Bhagavad Gita’s concept of dharma (duty). The Gita emphasises the importance of fulfilling one’s responsibilities without attachment to the results. For Oppenheimer, this may have meant carrying out his scientific duties while grappling with the ethical implications of his work.

It’s important to note that while the influence of the Bhagavad Gita on Oppenheimer is evident, it was not the sole factor that shaped his decisions and beliefs. His actions and views were also influenced by his upbringing, education, scientific background, and the historical context of World War II.

In summary, Robert J. Oppenheimer’s familiarity with the Bhagavad Gita and its teachings played a role in shaping his moral and philosophical reflections, particularly in relation to the development and use of the atomic bomb. The Gita’s profound insights into the nature of life, duty, and responsibility resonated with Oppenheimer and likely contributed to the complex mix of emotions he experienced during the Trinity Test and its aftermath. The influence of oriental philosophy on such a prodigy is a cause for celebration for all Indians.