Richard H. Davis (1) (1951–)

As the title says, this is a biography of Bhagavad Gita. In the first part, the author traces the text from its conception and its place in the Mahabharata and its role and the various vedantic interpretations of the middle ages. Its first translations to foreign languages where it became a source of wisdom for the romantics and a source of denigration of Indian civilisation by its selective interpretation. Its adaptation by various revolutionary and political organisations during the colonial period ranging from the pacifist Gandhi to the Hindu nationalists like RSS. Its life in the 20th century when its circulation and readership increased phenomenally.

The second part consists of recommendations of four different English translations of the Gita. He finally ends the book with a chapter on the diverse forms of modern day recitations of the Gita in India and the rest of the world.
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