Mahabharata: Myth or Reality

3. Brahmastra and Ancient Weapon Descriptions

The Mahabharata describes powerful weapons like the Brahmastra, capable of massive destruction.

Modern scholars generally agree that these descriptions are symbolic or poetic exaggerations, possibly inspired by:

• Advanced metallurgy
• Fire-based weapons
• Psychological warfare

Interestingly, J. Robert Oppenheimer, after the first nuclear test, quoted the Bhagavad Gita:

“Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.”

This quote shows the philosophical influence of Indian texts—but it does not prove ancient nuclear weapons existed. The similarity is metaphorical, not technological.