Acharya Shanti Dev, was a Sanskrit poet and the author of 'Bodhicharyavatar' a classic of Mahayana Buddhism was born in 687 A.D. in the royal family of Gujarat. His father was king Kushala Varman and mother Vajrayogini. On his father's death Shanti Dev, who was then known as Shanti Varman, became heir to the throne. But a few days before his coronation, Bodhisatva Manjushri appeared before him in a dream and beckoned him to follow the path of Dharma. On waking up, Shanti Dev left the place quietly. After travelling for 21 days, he reached Nalanda and studied the Buddhist scriptures, mastering Sanskrit and Pali.
Not only was he a great saint and scholar, he was also a great benefactor of the poor and the lowly, and an apostle of peace and goodwill. At the time of a famine in Gujarat, he is said to have worked as a social worker and provided food to thousands of starving people. He passed away at the age of 78.
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