Oppenheimer and Arjuna - The Quantum Connection

Oppenheimer’s coat was soaked in sweat despite the cold and rainy weather. As he went near the lever to detonate the atomic bomb, he could not stop but think about how the bomb could annihilate the world. At least that is what the math says.

Arjuna was spending sleepless nights. He couldn’t eat well. What were once his strengths – focus, and clarity did not help him when he needed them the most. On any other day, he would love to take up his bow and arrow and jump into the war field. He couldn’t now. At least not this war.

Anxious, fretful, ruminative, and conscience-stricken.

This was how Arjuna felt before the Kurukshetra war and Oppenheimer felt before pulling the trinity bomb. A moral dilemma plagued them, eating them alive.

Arjuna didn’t want to fight his kith and kin. Oppenheimer didn’t want to gift a weapon of mass destruction to the world. They didn’t want to undergo the painful process of doing the wrong thing. Yet, they had to experience the greatest of conflicts – a clash between their ideas and actions.

But did this dilemma stop them from carrying out their duty?

Despite his inner conflict, Arjuna waged war with his relatives and masters. Being a warrior, he was supposed to perform his duty and uphold the honor of his Kshatriya clan.

What if he refused to participate in the war?

He would have felt guilty for going against the values of his clan, for not being just and righteous. The war is going to happen with or without him. His absence was going to worsen the consequences for the Pandavas because his dexterity in archery gives an upper hand to the team he was supporting.

Despite the veracity of the math, Oppenheimer pulled the trigger. Being a scientist, he was supposed to perform his duty for scientific progression and the upliftment of humanity.

What if he refused to build the bomb?

The Germans or the Russians might have built it first which would have rendered the Americans powerless. Or he would have been replaced by another American to lead the Manhattan Project. 

The construction of the bomb was inevitable irrespective of his stance. Just like how the Kurukshetra war was inevitable.

When war was nearing, Arjuna sought refuge in Lord Krishna just like how Oppenheimer took comfort in the holy scripture.

If Oppenheimer and Arjuna have so much in common, are they quantum twins?

Quantum twins are two entities/bodies/particles that are separated by a distance which have similar properties and are connected in a unique way. Like any other quantum concept, this subject eludes even the brilliant of scientists let alone a layman like us. But it would have been great food for thought for Oppenheimer if he was alive.

Now, to answer the question if they were quantum twins.

Perhaps, yes and no.

Like the Schrodinger’s cat.

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