According to the introduction of Panchatantra, Vishnu Sharma 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 Vishnu Sharma's life is lost to history, with only Panchatantrato speak for him, whether historical figure or literary creation himself.