About Author

The text of the Bhagavad Gita as cited by Adi Shankaracharya has come down through the centuries as the authentic text, and his commentary has proved to be of seminal value ever since. The English translation of this revered commentary by Sri Alladi Mahadeva Sastri is a landmark in Indian philosophical literature. First published in 1897, this translation remained the only English version of Shankara’s Gita Bhashya for over 80 years, making Vedantic thought accessible to English-speaking audiences worldwide.

Sri Mahadeva Sastri was a distinguished Sanskrit scholar, translator, and Vedanta expert. He served as Director of the Oriental Section at the Adyar Library, Chennai, and held prestigious positions such as Curator of the Government Oriental Library, Mysore, and Fellow of the Theosophical Society. His deep scholarship and clarity of expression earned him wide respect in the fields of Indian philosophy, spiritual literature, and Upanishadic studies.

In addition to his translation of the Gita Bhashya, he translated several other important works of Adi Shankaracharya, including commentaries on the Taittiriya Upanishad, Amritabindu, Pranava Vartika, Dakshinamurti Stotra, and Dakshinamurti Upanishad. He also edited four of the five volumes of the Minor Upanishads series for the Adyar Library.

At Samata Books, we consider it a great privilege and blessing to have republished this revered translation as our very first publication—a timeless classic that continues to inspire students and seekers of Advaita Vedanta.

— V. Sadanand, Founder – Samata Books