Bhagavad Gita

Introduction

The Bhagavad Gita is part of the larger Mahabharata, but is often read as a standalone text because it affords a concise summary of the core beliefs of Hinduism. In this text, Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Vishnu, speaks to the soldier Arjuna just before an epic battle between good and evil. Time is effectively frozen so that the two could speak at length. Arjuna is concerned about fighting the opposing army since it contains friends and family. Krishna reassures Arjuna that he is performing his dharma, or holy duty.

Robert Oppenheimer, a lead scientist on the creation of the first Atom Bomb, spoke lines from the Bhagavad Gita before the first test of the bomb: “Now I am become Death, Destroyer of Worlds.” This is Oppenheimer’s own translation of the Sanskrit and is a bit misleading when taken out of context. Krishna says this to Arjuna as a way to tell him that everything is in the hands of the divine. Nevertheless, the cultural significance of both this quote and the effects of the Gita cannot be overstated (if you are interested in the connection between Oppenheimer and the Bhagavad Gita here is a great article from Wired). The effects of this text go beyond Oppenheimer; Mahatma Gandhi too was very influenced by the messages of the Bhagavad Gita—there is something amazing about the juxtaposition between Gandhi and Oppenheimer both being affected by the Gita. The Bhagavad Gita was a source of strength for Gandhi, even during the most trying times of his life. Gandhi believed that religion should be accessible to all and practiced in daily life; he found this in the Gita and prized it for its non-dogmatic approach. The lasting effects of such an important and influential text have shaped new religious movements and the Gita is continually a source of empowerment for people fighting for equality, solidarity, and liberty.

I want you to consider the role Krishna plays in this text: what kind of character type might he fit? How does he describe this moral dilemma and does this typify moral quandaries we might encounter in our daily lives? Also consider that this is a religious text. How might reading a religious text as literature help inform and develop cultural understanding? What does it tell us not just about the religion, but the culture from which the religion emerged? Furthermore, how might this text be useful or provide inspiration in contemporary culture? Given Oppenheimer’s use of the text, how does your reading of this text correlate to Oppenheimer’s understanding and context—i.e., does his comment fit with your understanding of the text?

CHAPTER I