Ascending the pontifical seat after Madhvacharya, he served as the primary commentator of his works and in doing so, significantly elucidated Madhva's terse and laconic style of writing.

His pioneering efforts in expanding upon the Dvaita texts to uncover the underlying metaphysical intricacies was taken forward by the 14th Century philosopher, Jayatirtha.

[3] According to Narayana Pandita's Madhva Vijaya, Padmanabha, born Shobhanabhatta, a Marathi Deshastha Rigvedi Brahmin, was an accomplished scholar and logician.

His notable works include Nyayaratnavali, a commentary on Madhva's Vishnu Tattva Vinirnaya, Sattarkadipavali a gloss on Bramha Sutra Bhashya and Sannyayaratnavali on Anu Vyakhyana.

[6] Though Jayatirtha later diverges from Padmanabha's views, he eulogies the latter's pioneering work in his Nyaya Sudha and acknowledges his influence.