As the release of Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated film, “Oppenheimer,” draws near, interest in the nuclear physicist’s connection to Hinduism has been reignited. J Robert Oppenheimer, known for his role in the creation of the first nuclear bombs, frequently quoted from the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Hindu text, making these words synonymous with his achievements.
After the successful testing of the bomb in the New Mexico desert in 1945, Oppenheimer famously recollected the Gita’s verse: “If the radiance of a thousand suns were to burst into the sky, that would be like the splendor of the Mighty One… I am become death, the shatterer of worlds.” This profound reference reflects his immediate realization of the immense power he had helped unleash.
According to Time Magazine, Oppenheimer would often read the Bhagavad Gita for personal pleasure and to entertain friends. A cherished copy of the text, bound in pink and held together by scotch tape, was kept in his Princeton study. He even took Sanskrit lessons, his eighth language, from Professor Arthur W Ryder at Berkeley. His colleague, Nobel Prize winner Isidor Rabi, described Oppenheimer as being “overeducated” in areas beyond science, such as his deep interest in Hinduism. Rabi noted Oppenheimer’s ability to see the mystique and novelty beyond the boundaries of theoretical physics, embracing a more intuitive and philosophical realm.
Oppenheimer’s association with the Bhagavad Gita and his introspection on the ethical implications of nuclear warfare continued to impact him throughout his life. The deployment of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki marked the end of World War II but also highlighted the devastating consequences of his creation. Oppenheimer acknowledged the inhumanity and evil of modern war, expressing remorse for the destructive power he helped unleash. His reflections on the bomb led him to remark that physicists had known sin and acquired a knowledge that could never be lost.
In the upcoming film “Oppenheimer,” the pivotal 1945 test will be prominently featured, capturing the haunting image of Oppenheimer’s face illuminated by the explosion. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book “American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J Robert Oppenheimer,” the film stars Cillian Murphy in the lead role and boasts an ensemble cast including Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., and Florence Pugh. Fans eagerly await the global release of the film on July 21, which explores Oppenheimer’s complex relationship with science, morality, and Hindu philosophy through Christopher Nolan’s visionary lens.
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Image: Magnum Photos
