The greatest epic, of the world i.e.; “Mahabharata” has.The Nuclear weapons or weapons of mass destruction (WMD) stems to the thought-process and accusations that have been leveled against the greatest epic, of the world i.e.; “Mahabharata”.
In reference to the Trinity test of Atomic Bomb in New Mexico, the father of atomic bomb, Robert Oppenheimer, recalled the Bhagavad Gita:
“If the radiance of a thousand suns were to burst at once into the sky that would be like the splendour of the mighty one. . . ………………….. Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.”
In the war of Kurukshetra, there is reference of heavy destructive war weapons which is correlated with today’s Nuclear weapons or weapons of mass destruction (WMD). If such weapons were used during the war of Kurukshetra, does it mean that the epic or the ‘champion of the war’ or the utmost controller of the war i.e.; Lord Krishna gave a sanction or permission for the usage of it? In view with controversy of banning the of the Bhagavad Gita in Siberia, could it be seen that such usages had a sanction or permission in what is now being termed as ‘extremist literature’ in the mentioned country?
It is said that the father of atomic bomb, Robert Oppenheimer, made the statement when he saw the huge cloud of the blast reaching out to the sky. Robert Oppenheimer was a scholar, when he was in his 20’s learnt Sanskrit, besides many languages and he considered Bhagavad Gita to be the foundation of philosophical views on which he was working and he been famous for. He had kept a copy of the Bhagavad Gita on his bookshelf and he also gifted a copies of Bhagavad Gita to his friends.
The significant prescribed value of human life and fighting for its maintenance and resurrection roots to Bhagavad Gita. Human beings of those times, perhaps, not only knew how to destroy but also knew about the peaceful use of Nuclear weapons or weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The rules and regulations on the basic of which the war of Kurukshetra was governed, ranges from the general prohibition of the use of weapons that caused unnecessary pain, to overcome the enemy, to the treatment of the enemy’s people and property for the conquered territory. The modern laws of warfare do not defines equality of the war powers. There is no such rules that when war breaks out fighting must be conducted on the basis of ‘like with like’ or by using like weapons, it would not only minimise the impact of war but would also instill aggression and hostility, and ultimately which will makes war more humane, with the intention to have a civilized effect on mankind. Our world would be a better place to live in, if the modern laws, rules and regulations of war, as defined by the Geneva Conventions were to incorporate and implement some of the rules and regulations that were followed in Kurukshetra. Mahabharata do not advocate for war however if war had to be done, then it can be done on the basic of equality of existence and usable property and strength.
In ancient times, the concept of a war was against the evil characters, whether it is for national or alien. In simple terms, the concept of war was on the philosophy of war for justice and is based on right and wrong, on justice and injustice in the day to day life of all mortals. Unlawful and unjust actions, for example, the denial of the rights to which one was entitled, give rise to war on the philosophy of justice.On this basic of this philosophy of war for justice, the context of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) (called divyastra e.g. Brahmastra and Pashupatiastra) in the battle of Kurukshetra. Before Arjuna acquired the divyastras from the respective Gods, he was strictly advised by them to use it as a “threat weapon” rather than a weapon to be actually used in the war. There are extensive dialogues between various characters in the war of Kurukshetra on not using the divyastras which were the ultimate weapons that any warrior could then possess.
When the epic war of Kurukshetra was about to end, Aswathama, son of Drona, frustrated seeing the condition of to be defeated in war used such weapon he was cursed by Lord Krishna, and the same was diffused by him to result in minimal devastation.
Besides the numerous references of such weapons, using them was never an alternative then and nor does Bhagavad Gita advocate about such weapons, rather it has chastised and reprimand severely for the single use of such weapon.
Basically the problem lies in interpreting the context. One of the most important things to keep in mind is the times and the rationale of such writings. When was it written and for what context? If we look back at the times of the Mahabharata, then many things might look normal, but the same things in the modern context would seem out of place and at times quite sacrilegious and committing sacrilege.. Again, when something is being said and some event is taking place, if seen in the chronology of events, it might seem justified. But the same scene out of context would seem as a misfit.
What was right then need not be right at the moment taking into consideration of the present scenario. When we have a different thinking which is tempered and disposition, with a lot of modern concepts like – human rights, feminism, equal rights, etc. Take the essence of it, draw lessons from it and look for the symbolism in it. Don’t take it literally and above all, don’t debase such esteemed thought process with ignorance and hidden motive.
In reference to the Trinity test of Atomic Bomb in New Mexico, the father of atomic bomb, Robert Oppenheimer, recalled the Bhagavad Gita:
“If the radiance of a thousand suns were to burst at once into the sky that would be like the splendour of the mighty one. . . ………………….. Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.”
In the war of Kurukshetra, there is reference of heavy destructive war weapons which is correlated with today’s Nuclear weapons or weapons of mass destruction (WMD). If such weapons were used during the war of Kurukshetra, does it mean that the epic or the ‘champion of the war’ or the utmost controller of the war i.e.; Lord Krishna gave a sanction or permission for the usage of it? In view with controversy of banning the of the Bhagavad Gita in Siberia, could it be seen that such usages had a sanction or permission in what is now being termed as ‘extremist literature’ in the mentioned country?
It is said that the father of atomic bomb, Robert Oppenheimer, made the statement when he saw the huge cloud of the blast reaching out to the sky. Robert Oppenheimer was a scholar, when he was in his 20’s learnt Sanskrit, besides many languages and he considered Bhagavad Gita to be the foundation of philosophical views on which he was working and he been famous for. He had kept a copy of the Bhagavad Gita on his bookshelf and he also gifted a copies of Bhagavad Gita to his friends.
The significant prescribed value of human life and fighting for its maintenance and resurrection roots to Bhagavad Gita. Human beings of those times, perhaps, not only knew how to destroy but also knew about the peaceful use of Nuclear weapons or weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The rules and regulations on the basic of which the war of Kurukshetra was governed, ranges from the general prohibition of the use of weapons that caused unnecessary pain, to overcome the enemy, to the treatment of the enemy’s people and property for the conquered territory. The modern laws of warfare do not defines equality of the war powers. There is no such rules that when war breaks out fighting must be conducted on the basis of ‘like with like’ or by using like weapons, it would not only minimise the impact of war but would also instill aggression and hostility, and ultimately which will makes war more humane, with the intention to have a civilized effect on mankind. Our world would be a better place to live in, if the modern laws, rules and regulations of war, as defined by the Geneva Conventions were to incorporate and implement some of the rules and regulations that were followed in Kurukshetra. Mahabharata do not advocate for war however if war had to be done, then it can be done on the basic of equality of existence and usable property and strength.
In ancient times, the concept of a war was against the evil characters, whether it is for national or alien. In simple terms, the concept of war was on the philosophy of war for justice and is based on right and wrong, on justice and injustice in the day to day life of all mortals. Unlawful and unjust actions, for example, the denial of the rights to which one was entitled, give rise to war on the philosophy of justice.On this basic of this philosophy of war for justice, the context of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) (called divyastra e.g. Brahmastra and Pashupatiastra) in the battle of Kurukshetra. Before Arjuna acquired the divyastras from the respective Gods, he was strictly advised by them to use it as a “threat weapon” rather than a weapon to be actually used in the war. There are extensive dialogues between various characters in the war of Kurukshetra on not using the divyastras which were the ultimate weapons that any warrior could then possess.
When the epic war of Kurukshetra was about to end, Aswathama, son of Drona, frustrated seeing the condition of to be defeated in war used such weapon he was cursed by Lord Krishna, and the same was diffused by him to result in minimal devastation.
Besides the numerous references of such weapons, using them was never an alternative then and nor does Bhagavad Gita advocate about such weapons, rather it has chastised and reprimand severely for the single use of such weapon.
Basically the problem lies in interpreting the context. One of the most important things to keep in mind is the times and the rationale of such writings. When was it written and for what context? If we look back at the times of the Mahabharata, then many things might look normal, but the same things in the modern context would seem out of place and at times quite sacrilegious and committing sacrilege.. Again, when something is being said and some event is taking place, if seen in the chronology of events, it might seem justified. But the same scene out of context would seem as a misfit.
What was right then need not be right at the moment taking into consideration of the present scenario. When we have a different thinking which is tempered and disposition, with a lot of modern concepts like – human rights, feminism, equal rights, etc. Take the essence of it, draw lessons from it and look for the symbolism in it. Don’t take it literally and above all, don’t debase such esteemed thought process with ignorance and hidden motive.
Really very informative. Very rightly stated that Geneva Conventions must incorporate and implement some of the rules and regulations that were followed in Kurukshetra war in Mahabharata.
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