According to the introduction of Panchatantra, Vishnusharman was a wise old brahmin tasked with educating three wayward princes in the mysterious kingdom of Maiden's Delight. He compiles his teachings into this collection of fables with a guarantee to teach the princes the 'art of intelligent living'. The biographical detail of Vishnusharman's life is lost to history, with only Panchatantra to speak for him, whether historical figure or literary creation himself.