The first English translation of the oldest extant work in Apabhramsha, a literary language from medieval India, recounting the story of the Ramayana.

The Life of Padma, or the Paumacariu, is a richly expressive Jain retelling in the Apabhramsha language of the famous Ramayana tale. It was written by the poet and scholar Svayambhudeva, who lived in south India around the beginning of the tenth century. Like the epic tradition on which it is based, The Life of Padma narrates Prince Ramas exile, his search for his wife Sita after her abduction by King Ravana of Lanka, and the restoration of his kingship.

The second volume recounts Ramas exile with Sita and his brother Lakshmana. The three visit various citiesrather than ashrams, as in most versions; celebrate Lakshmanas marriages; and come upon a new city built in Ramas honor. In Dandaka Forest, they encounter sages who are masters of Jain doctrine. Then, the discovery of Sitas disappearance sets the stage for war with Ravana.

This is the first direct translation into English of the oldest extant Apabhramsha work, accompanied by a corrected text, in the Devanagari script, of Harivallabh C. Bhayanis critical edition.