"This English translation of the Bhagavad Gita is the first one done directly from the original Sanskrit. Published by the East India Company in 1785, it is a collector’s item. Widely perceived as authentic, it had a deep impact on some of the greatest Western intellectuals of the time, including Carlyle and Emerson. The text was used for translations into French, German, and Russian. A best- seller, the little book inspired a number of scholars to study Sanskrit and created a lasting interest in Hindu thought and philosophy in the West. The Prologue by VR Panchamukhi, provides a valuable critique of the translation, as well as his views on the message of the Gita for today. The Introduction by multi-faceted scholar, MV Nadkarni, provides a nuanced appreciation of the work, as well as fascinating glimpses of the early colonial period in India, and of the influence on Wilkins of his mentor, Warren Hastings."