- As Christopher Nolan’s film shows, Robert J. Oppenhiemer used the Bhagavad Gita as a “mental health manual” in all his personal and professional chapters.
- Recent studies show that the Gita’s mental health tips are still indispensable, even after 5,153 years of its completion!
Amidst stellar reviews and an undefeated box-office collection, renowned director Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer has landed in hot waters, thanks to the “Oppenheimer” connection to the Bhagavad Gita. Nolan himself is accused of hurting religious sentiments as he unlikely paired the holy text with a sex scene in his film.
In the controversial scene, Cillian Murphy’s Oppenheimer is requested to read a verse from the Gita by his romantic interest, Florence Pugh’s Jean Tatlock, while being intimate. The fictional Oppenheimer bares his soul to his beloved, reading the line most associated with the historical Oppenheimer and his “Frankenstein’s Monster” the atomic bomb: “Now I am become Death, destroyer of worlds”.
The steamy scene in the Oppenheimer movie has faced backlash across the world, with many taking to social media platforms to condemn Nolan’s licensed religious association.
One user wrote: “Just imagine any other religious book in place of Gita and you can imagine the outrage! Why is Hindu religion considered as soft target.” Another said, “Oh boi, how could nolan do this to indians who are his most loyal fan base in the world, nolan is anti Indian 😤Boycott Oppenheimer […]”
However, latest censor-board edits have blurred out the nudity of the scene but retained Oppenheimer’s Gita quotation. This move not only removed the seeds of controversy but also kept intact the integral part of Oppenheimer’s character that lay within the pages of the Gita.
He would invoke the comforting Sanskrit scripture during the pivotal moments in his life, particularly after the triumphant Trinity detonation and the tragic bombing of Hiroshima-Nagasaki.
In fact, Oppenheimer’s love affair with the Gita runs steadily through the biographical narration of Nolan’s work. Murphy even revealed that reading the Gita formed an important part of his role preparation. He also reflected on the influence of the text on Oppenheimer’s faith and extraordinary life and scientific achievements.
Murphy said in a promotional interview: “I did read the Bhagavad Gita in preparation, and I thought it was an absolutely beautiful text, very inspiring. I think it was a consolation to [Oppenheimer] … he kind of needed it and it provided him a lot of consolation, all his life.”
The text indeed ventured beyond amusing literature and metamorphosed into moral epiphany as the “Manhattan Project” edged closer to successful completion. And this is not the first time the Gita—written in the form of a dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna (who serves as his charioteer and divine guide) in the Battle of Kurukshetra—has been famously treated as a moral and spiritual compass to navigate gray and difficult circumstances.
The Bhagavad Gita As A “Mental Health Manual”
Mahatma Gandhi once expressed that the Bhagavad Gita consistently provided him with answers and solutions whenever he faced challenges. Psychoanalytical studies further claim that the Bhagavad Gita serves as a valuable case study in therapy.
It demonstrates lessons in psychotherapy related to conflict resolution, overcoming acute anxiety, guilt-laden depression, and ultimately achieving a successful resumption of action. The process of resolving mental distress resonates with the mechanisms of psychotherapy, transcultural therapy, and the more recent pseudo-scientific “therapy speak.”
Emerging literature review of the Gita touts the entirety of the Arjuna-Krishna dialogue as a “therapeutic discussion,” a verbal crisis intervention through which Lord Krishna “the therapist” addresses the mental torments of Arjuna “the patient.”
Arjuna displays symptoms of panic, chronic anxiety, and depression with predominant guilt, as the battle stains his hands with the blood of cousins, gurus, and other loved ones.
Krishna uses this moment of turmoil to impart profound teachings about the mind. He provides the space and time for the cathartic ventilation of Arjuna’s concerns and encourages him to rise with courage to win the battle.
Krishna also resorts to the inherent inevitability of the life cycle, encompassing birth and death, as well as the concept of the immortal soul. Additionally, he highlights the importance of fulfilling one’s own Dharma (duty) to avoid the potential consequences of shame and public disrepute. In the context of therapy, Krishna’s objective appears to be the alleviation of guilt to rekindle Arjun’s motivation for taking decisive action.
Robert J. Oppenheimer famously identified with the conflicted Arjuna from the Gita episode. This identification likely stemmed from the internal struggle and moral dilemmas that he faced while working on the development of the atomic bomb.
Arjuna’s own internal conflict before the Kurukshetra battle, as depicted in the Gita, resonated with Oppenheimer as he grappled with the technocratic proliferation and implications of creating such a powerful weapon that brought in its wake more devastation than peace.
And much like Arjuna, Krishna’s wisdom became Oppenheimer’s guiding light and voice of conscientiousness. Incidentally, all major biographies of the scientist state that the Gita saved his mental health and averted his descent into depression, psychosis, and suicidality.
Mental Health Tips From The Bhagavad Gita
The Gita stands out as a prominent text, addressing various aspects of human psychological well-being. It comprises timeless spiritual tools to restore self-esteem and self-confidence. We can all benefit from these teachings to seek inner peace and balance in our lives.
Here are four mental health tips distilled from the grand narrative of the Bhagavad Gita:
1. Be Yourself:
The Gita emphasizes the importance of recognizing and embracing one’s unique path in life. To maintain mental well-being, individuals must identify their temperament and act in alignment with it (Swadharma).
Krishna’s initial teachings to Arjuna unveil the illusory nature of the material world perceived through the senses, emphasizing that the true essence lies in pure spirit and timeless awareness.
To be authentic, one must embrace their idiosyncrasies and work with their innate nature. Understanding one’s biological predispositions and inclinations is crucial for finding and following the right path, regardless of age.
2. Do Without Expectation:
Krishna advises Arjuna to be indifferent to the concepts of good and bad, abandoning attachments to the fruits of labor. Surrendering to one’s duty (Dharma) involves performing actions without being motivated solely by the desired outcomes.
Krishna reminds Arjuna that his duty as a warrior is to fight for justice, even if it involves confronting difficult situations. This approach encourages individuals to focus on their journey rather than fixate on specific results, leading to a sense of fulfillment and a broader perspective on life’s cycles.
3. Moderate Your Life:
The Gita advocates for moderation in all aspects of life. Excessive behaviors are discouraged, be it in eating, sleeping, or indulgence in other activities. Krishna emphasizes the significance of a balanced approach to activities like eating, sleeping, and recreation.
Following such a disciplined lifestyle brings relief from sorrows and nurtures overall well-being. The Gita also warns against self-torture in the name of devotion or spirituality and promotes self-discipline without causing harm to oneself or others.
4. Practice Meditation:
Krishna imparts profound knowledge to Arjuna about the spiritual wisdom of meditation. The Gita encourages individuals to practice meditation regularly to gain control over their minds and senses, freeing themselves from desires and attachments. Through meditation, one can attain tranquility and wisdom, transcending the influence of doubt, fear, and worry.
Starting with short sessions and gradually increasing the practice can lead to a harmonious connection between the mind and heart, diminishing the incessant chatter of the mind and promoting inner peace.