Svayambhudeva byl básník a učenec, který žil na jihu Indie kolem počátku desátého století. Jeho dílo zkoumá hlubiny lidské zkušenosti s pronikavou inteligencí a poetickým vkusem. Psaní Svayambhudeva je pozoruhodné svou formální dokonalostí a zároveň svou emocionální rezonancí, které čtenářům nabízí nadčasové postřehy.
The Life of Padma, Volume 1 recounts the histories and noteworthy ancestors of Rama's allies and enemies, focusing on his antagonist Ravana. This first direct translation into English of the oldest extant work in Apabhramsha is accompanied by a corrected reprint in the Devanagari script of Harivallabh C. Bhayani's critical edition.
The Life of Padma, Volume 2 recounts Rama's exile in the Dandaka Forest with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana. When Sita disappears, Rama prepares for war against Ravana. This first direct translation into English of the oldest extant Apabhramsha work appears alongside a corrected text, in the Devanagari script, of Bhayani's critical edition.