The Bhagavad Gita is by far the most revered text of ancient Indian thought. In the form of a dialogue between Arjuna and Lord Krishna, it explains the nature of the self and the universe.However, the sheer number of translations, dense commentaries and complex interpretations has created distance between it and readers. With this volume – which includes the Sanskrit original, and a guide to reading and interpretation – poet, translator and religious studies scholar Mani Rao helps readers return to the source text and appreciate its nuances for themselves.