A faithful and readable translation of one of the world's most treasured books. The Bhagavadgita is one of the most widely read spiritual masterpieces of India. It has influenced such diverse figures as Mahatma Gandhi, Henry David Thoreau, Aldous Huxley, and C. G. Jung. It raises universal questions that are as important today as they were thousands of years ago. What is the right way to act in this world, balancing social duty with personal responsibility? Is there an eternal reality behind the ordinary reality of daily life? What is our relationship with the divine? The teaching takes place in a war zone. Arjuna, a great warrior, is troubled by the terrible battle he is about to fight. Krishna, his friend and spiritual guide, consoles him with insights into the nature of duty. This accurate new translation is both clear and direct. Those new to the Bhagavadgita will appreciate its straightforward style. It is also an excellent resource for Sanskrit students, including a word-for-word Sanskrit vocabulary. This translation is the result of over a decade of work blending the skills of world-renowned Sanskritist Ram Karan Sharma with the sensitive insights of Carol Pitts and the Sanskrit editorial skills of Les Morgan. Their collaboration produced a compelling contemporary version without losing the traditional Indian perspective. Dr. Ram Karan Sharma is an esteemed Sanskrit scholar and poet. He is the former President of the International Association of Sanskrit Studies. Carol Pitts has taught the Bhagavadgita for over thirty years. She is the author of Spiritual Freedom in the Brahma Sutras. Editor Les Morgan is the author of Croaking Frogs: A Guide to Sanskrit Metrics and Figures of Speech. This edition includes the Sanskrit text of the Critical Edition both in the original Devanagari and in a romanized transliteration. Issued as Volume One of a two-volume companion set. Volume Two, which is sold separately, is titled A Study Guide to the Bhagavadgita: With a Practical Concordance, planned for publication in 2016.