Hare Krishna. What is the Bhagavad Gita’s perspective on the depiction of the Gita being recited during a sexual act in the movie Oppenheimer? I will address this in terms of three “D’s”: Disgusting, Disappointing, and Distressing.

Generally, when I review movies, I only watch those that directly deal with a spiritual theme. In other cases, I read reviews and may look at some excerpts or scenes that seem relevant. In this particular case, I had already written an article about the Bhagavad Gita and its wisdom, discussing how prominent individuals across history have quoted it. So, I was aware of Oppenheimer’s famous quote from the Gita. However, I didn’t know that when the movie was released in the West (before it was released in India), this quote was accompanied by a highly inappropriate scene.

In my video, I did not focus on reviewing the movie itself. My focus was on why Oppenheimer quoted the Bhagavad Gita, and I have not watched the entire film. I do not recommend watching the movie based on what I know about it. My reaction ranges from utter disgust at how someone could be so oblivious to religious sensibilities and the devotional sentiments of millions of people, to disappointment and distress.

The Bhagavad Gita is revered by millions of Hindus, and many non-Hindus also respect it. It is disturbing that such a significant cultural and spiritual text was depicted in this way. This lack of consideration for the feelings of a billion people is truly disgusting.

Second point: It is dull-headed. There is much that is accepted in the name of artistic freedom, and yes, artists need creative license. However, this license should still be compatible with the ethos of what is being depicted. In this case, if the filmmakers wanted to showcase Oppenheimer’s intellect by showing him reciting the Bhagavad Gita in its original Sanskrit, they could have done so without pairing it with a sexual act. There is no creative justification for this.

This approach is dull-headed because artistic creativity should elevate one’s sensibility, not degrade it. The director, despite being celebrated, and especially the Indian Censor Board, should have exercised better judgment. The portrayal was inappropriate, and this lapse reflects a lack of understanding of the deeper cultural and spiritual context.

Third point: It is discordant. The public display of sexuality in the movie is discordant with the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. The Gita teaches that uncontrolled lust is a destructive force. As it says in Chapter 3, Verse 37, uncontrolled sexual energy is an enemy of humanity. It is crucial to regulate the senses and avoid triggers that may lead to selfish, self-destructive cravings.

Thus, depicting a sacred text alongside a profane act is completely out of alignment with the Gita’s teachings. The Gita itself remains pure and purifying; however, context is essential. If we imagine a situation where a disaster has occurred, and a world leader is casually eating ice cream while addressing the public, the juxtaposition would be seen as inappropriate and disrespectful. Similarly, showing a sacred text in this context trivializes it.

Can the Bhagavad Gita be recited or remembered anytime? Yes. Is it beneficial to do so? Absolutely. But is it desirable to depict such remembrance in such a context? No. The public depiction of a sacred act like reciting the Gita alongside a profane act diminishes the reverence for the Gita and may lead to the audience focusing on the wrong aspect of the scene.

Many people have requested that these particular scenes be removed, and there is no need for them in the film. The movie’s message and Oppenheimer’s character would not suffer if these scenes were omitted.

In conclusion, this depiction is not only disgusting, distressing, and disappointing, but also completely unnecessary. We hope that these scenes are removed for the sake of preserving the dignity of the Bhagavad Gita and its millions of admirers. Thank you.