Asvaghosa was a prominent Buddhist monk, philosopher, dramatist, and poet, considered one of the earliest influential literary figures in classical Indian Buddhism. Born in Saketa (now Ayodhya), he was a Brahmin who dedicated himself to the Astanga-Marga, earning respect among learned monks and being referred to as a Bodhisattva. The Chinese pilgrim I-tsing noted him as one of the great teachers of the past. To spread the Buddha’s teachings, Asvaghoṣa used literature, composing celebrated works such as the kavyas Buddhacarita and Saundarananda, as well as the drama Sariputra-prakarana, which helped popularise the Buddha Dharma.