Oppenheimer it is full of metaphors, symbolism and references. The director’s last film Christopher Nolan explores the various layers of the human condition; within them are religions and philosophies that a person can join in order to find the meaning of life. In the case of the physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, one of the spiritual movements he became interested in was Hinduism.
Hinduism is made up of various religious denominations. Among the literary works included in their composition, Bhagavad Gitaone of the most important sacred texts in the world, which in turn is part of an epic poem Mahabharata. What is the relationship between what is shown in Oppenheimer is this work? Part of the legacy of physics is associated with the following verse: “I became death, destroyer of worlds“.
Christopher Nolan’s film adaptation of a historical moment did not escape this verse. There are two key points for the main character played by Cilian Murphy, in which this phrase becomes relevant. However, its meaning goes beyond the literal reading that physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer once did in real life.
Oppenheimer and the quote “I became death, the destroyer of worlds”
The Bhagavad Gita consists of 700 verses. Perhaps the most famous is number 32, the one quoted in Oppenheimer: “I have become death, the destroyer of worlds.” This reference is made when the physicist realizes how powerful and dangerous the result of his work towards the Los Alamos laboratory, where Manhattan Project which led to the creation of the atomic bomb.
On film, the interpretation seems obvious. Thanks to the weapons of mass destruction he created, J. Robert Oppenheimer recognizes himself as such, “the destroyer of worlds.” However, reading this verse is not so literal. Wired consulted the Rev. Dr. Stephen Thompson, a Sanskrit grammarian, who explained:The quote “I became death, the destroyer of worlds” is literally time destroying the planet.“.
There is a key difference between the doctor’s explanation and the quote used: “death” has been replaced by “time”. According to the expert, this is a valid, plausible interpretation. That is why there are often translations in which the phrase reads: “I became time, the destroyer of worlds,” and others in which it is expressed: “I became death, the destroyer of worlds.” What is the interpretation of this? There is a power that surpasses living beings, divine, that prevails over them.
History of the sacred text
The Bhagavad Gita is estimated to date from the 3rd century BC. S., within Mahabharata. This work recreates the dialogue between Arjuna, the warrior prince, and Lord Krishna, the incarnation of Vishnu, who is considered to be his mentor. Through this figure, Arjuna delves into the philosophy by which he can take on the various duties of a warrior without his personal concerns conditioning him. In this text, this state is defined as “dharma” or “sacred duty.”
As for the interpretations being made as to why J. Robert Oppenheimer could remember this verse, there is the idea that the physicist did his duty in this way, knowing that his individual journey had brought him to the point where he had to put aside his personal concerns for a higher purpose. The historical adaptation directed by Christopher Nolan does not escape this internal conflict of the scientist, exposing both his misgivings and concerns and the context in which he finds himself.
Source: Hiper Textual
