The Radiance
Linkin Park (C. Bennington/J. Hahn/B. Delson/R. Bourdon/M. Shinoda/D. Farrell) Lyrics
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A few people laughed, a few people cried, most people were silent.
I remembered the line from the Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad-Gita.
Vishnu is trying to persuade the Prince that he should do his duty
And to impress him takes on his multi-armed form and says,
Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.
I suppose we all thought that, one way or another.
The song "The Radiance" by Linkin Park/Musicfire.in is a thought-provoking piece that delves deep into a significant event in human history - the creation and use of the atomic bomb. The lyrics refer to the moments after the first atomic bomb was detonated in Hiroshima, Japan, and the reactions that people had to this unprecedented event. The lyrics describe how some people laughed or cried, but most remained silent, perhaps because they were in shock or disbelief.
The lyrics then go on to reference the Bhagavad-Gita, a well-known Hindu scripture. The singer remembers a particular line from this work, in which the god Vishnu attempts to persuade a prince to do his duty. In this context, the reference to the Bhagavad-Gita may suggest that the creation and use of the atomic bomb was a duty that the scientists and military personnel involved had to undertake, whether they liked it or not. The reference to Vishnu taking on his multi-armed form and declaring himself to be "Death, the destroyer of worlds" is a powerful image that underscores the destructive nature of the bomb.
The final lines of the song suggest that, in the aftermath of the bomb's creation and use, everyone might have had to come to terms with the fact that they were all in some way responsible. The reference to "we all thought that, one way or another" implies that even those who did not directly contribute to the bomb's creation might have contributed to the climate of fear and conflict that led up to its development.
Line by Line Meaning
We knew the world would not be the same.
We were aware that the events that were going to take place would bring about a significant change in the world.
A few people laughed, a few people cried, most people were silent.
Some reacted emotionally to what was happening, while the majority remained quiet and passive in their response.
I remembered the line from the Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad-Gita.
In the midst of the chaos, the singer recalled a piece of wisdom that he had encountered before.
Vishnu is trying to persuade the Prince that he should do his duty
The artist references a story from the Hindu scripture about a god attempting to motivate someone to fulfill their responsibilities.
And to impress him takes on his multi-armed form and says,
In the story, the deity Vishnu transforms into a powerful entity to impress his message upon the listener.
Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.
The quote refers to a pivotal moment in history when a scientist, witnessing the destructive capabilities of the atomic bomb, recognized that he had become like the god Vishnu, with power over life and death.
I suppose we all thought that, one way or another.
The singer suggests that everyone, in some capacity, shared in the sentiment of being powerful in the face of destruction or consequential change.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRAD DELSON, CHESTER CHARLES BENNINGTON, DAVE FARRELL, JOSEPH HAHN, MIKE SHINODA, ROBERT G. BOURDON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tresnonugroho6397
My thoughts on Oppenheimer's thoughts about the scriptures:
● Vishnu -> the US
● the Prince -> the UK (and the Allied Forces)
● do his duty -> support/obey the US
● multi-armed form -> the atomic bomb
Or it could be...
● Vishnu -> the US
● persuade -> threaten
● the Prince -> Japan
● do his duty -> surrender
● multi-armed form -> the atomic bomb
I could be wrong, though.
@pedroa.2242
After 7 years i can finally understand the real mean of "Thousands Suns"
@TeddyMcrunner
You are not alone.
@Sara_sweet-hi9ct
Same
@nigzmakanoche
Same though
@xristosmakris4477
❤ιηηηηη
@iron7952
After watching Oppenheimer, I felt a need to listen to this album again. hits hard as ever. One of LP’s best works.
@darthmoomoo
I hope Nolan includes this album somewhere in the upcoming film
@mrputraa_
Ikr. Not only Radiance, but also The Requiem as beginning, then Radiance, and Burning in The Skies as ending. Because they couldn't be separated. Especially how Burning in The Skies described very well how horrible the Little Guy after was dropped by Enola Gay on Hiroshima
@praetorian1877
Haha I went here after watching the movie trailer!
@Orashidimaru
That would be terrific 💯 👏👏