I was watching something on youtube, and this line came up. It’s most famously known as the quotation spoken by Oppenheimer but it actually comes from the Hindu script, the Bhavagad-Gita, spoken by Krishna I believe. It made me think of the Jailer, who said “Death comes for the soul of your world”. While I’m not a student of Hindu texts there are interesting parallels. One reference quotes: “The synthesis in Bhagavad Gita addresses the question as to what constitutes the virtuous path and one necessary for the spiritual liberation and a release from the cycles of rebirth”.
It all seems rather familiar with what we are dealing with in the Shadowlands. There seems to be a lot of parallels between Hindu beliefs and the structure behind the WoW cosmology. I mean, there is even a God of the Dead, Yama, " who weighs the good and evil deeds of the dead and determines retribution". That sounds rather familiar.
If there are any Hindus in the GD who could comment on that, it would be interesting to know if my thoughts were true. Otherwise I imagine there are similarities to a lot of human belief systems and religions, but that quote from Oppenheimer caught my initial attention.
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i only remember that quote from the part of Hunt for Red October movie where the Russian characters start speaking English
With the amount of stretching you’ve done, you shouldn’t be at any risk at all of pulling a muscle.
I don’t think Shadowlands has anything to do with Hindu beliefs outside of Ardenweald having a vague concept of reincarnation.
How dare you equate Blizzard writing to the timeless poetry of religious texts.
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I mean, yeah, there are definitely some similarities to the aspects of Hinduism that you described. However, the idea of facing judgement after death as well as the concept of rebirth are far from unique to Hinduism.
To me, Blizzard’s writing for WoW has always been pretty haphazard. I’m not sure if that’s because it’s done by a large team or if that’s just their style. So while I appreciate your interest in analyzing the lore for hidden meanings and references, I’m personally pretty skeptical that Blizzard is doing heavy research into Hindu mythology/doctrine, or any religion for that matter.
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The belief is that escaping the cycle of life, death and rebirth will lead to enlightenment and freedom into the void of the ether and universe.
The jailer thinks he can rise above it all but he will learn the truth soon enough!
What’s even more fascinating for me having researched the Bhagavad Gita was the ancient nuclear war. Space ships. And all that glass they found in the desert that supposedly only is formed by these kinds of weapons, aka man made.
Makes me wonder how many advanced civilizations have come and gone. Did we war over selves back to the stone age?
“I am become Blizzard, Destroyer of World of Warcraft”.
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Doesn’t he say this in his quote?
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Yeah, he specifically says that’s what he’s quoting before he says the line.
Like most citations, however, it’s not catchy or pithy, so pop-culture prunes it.
This seems like it’s supposed to be a serious discussion but I see the title, I see it’s a gnome op and it reminds me of that angry puppy meme.
Poor leadership in the writing room and red tape, mostly.
A lot of people think Oppenheimer sees himself as Vishnu, the destroyer of worlds, but actually, he sees himself as the prince.
The story is about prince Arjuna, who is super strong, but now he has to fight his brothers in war to protect his people, so he is overwhelmed with doubt. He told Krisna that he just can’t take it upon himself to kill his brothers.
Vishnu (in the story is “disguised” as Krisna) then tell Arjuna that he is wise and kind but also short-sighted and still see things with his mortal eye, Arjuna can’t really kill somebody, he will just destroy his opponent’s physical form but their soul is eternal and will be reborn, it is their karma to die on that day, if not from Arjuna, it will be from something else, death will claim them one way or another. Arjuna’s duty on that day is to bring that death and to protect his people.
For godly beings, a mortal’s death is like when a person changes his clothes, you don’t get upset when your friend wears a yellow shirt today and wear a red one tomorrow.
Arjuna still has doubt so Vishnu decides to shed his physical form and show his real form, which is where the quote comes from, Arjuna then filled with resolve and can finally do his duty as a warrior.
Oppenheimer in this case is Arjuna, he is burdened with what he’s about to do but he knew he has to do it, he saw his purpose just like Arjuna saw Vishnu.
In Hindu you’re taught to escape that cycle of life and death, to sever your ties with Karma, maybe you think that is Sylvanas and the Jailer’s endgame? idk seems way too 4d chess for Blizzard.
There are parallels to be made with a lot of things OP.
I wouldn’t put too much weight on that hindu text.
A lot of the influence in WoW and the ideas were actually from Ancient Greece in SL especially. Metzen himself took a lot of inspiration from ancient history, tolkien, etc…
Oppenheimer and that whole thing is a monstrosity that never should of happened.
