Svayambhudeva was een dichter en geleerde die rond het begin van de tiende eeuw in Zuid-India leefde. Zijn werk duikt met scherpzinnigheid en poëtische gevoeligheid in de diepten van de menselijke ervaring. Svayambhudeva's schrijven valt op door zijn formele elegantie, terwijl het resoneert met emotionele diepte en lezers tijdloze inzichten biedt.
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.