The phrase "I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds" is a famous quote attributed to J. Robert Oppenheimer, an American physicist who played a key role in the development of the first atomic bomb during World War II. He uttered these words upon witnessing the successful detonation of the Trinity nuclear test on July 16, 1945, in Alamogordo, New Mexico.
The quote itself is a paraphrased version of a line from the Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad Gita. In the Gita, Lord Krishna reveals his universal form to the warrior Arjuna, and Arjuna is overwhelmed by the terrifying vision of destruction and death. Reflecting on the enormous power of the atomic bomb and its potential consequences, Oppenheimer chose this line to describe the profound impact of the successful test. The line is originally found in Chapter 11, Verse 32 of the Bhagavad Gita:
कालोऽस्मि लोकक्षयकृत् कृत् प्रवृद्धो लोकान्समाहर्तुमिह प्रवृत्तः। ऋतेऽपि त्वां न भविष्यन्ति सर्वे येऽवस्थिताः प्रत्यनीकेषु योधाः॥
Translation: "I am time, the great destroyer of the worlds, and I have come here to destroy all people."
Oppenheimer's use of this quote has since become a poignant symbol of the ethical and moral implications of scientific discoveries, particularly those that can be used for mass destruction. It reflects the profound responsibility that scientists and humanity, in general, have in controlling and utilizing such powerful technologies wisely and ethically.