Sri Balasai Baba was born on 14 January 1960 into a Brahmin family in Kurnool, a city in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. From an early age, he showed a deep connection to spirituality and taught the importance of compassion and the equality of all people before God.

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His early life was marked by hardship. He lost his father at the age of eight and grew up in extreme poverty with his mother and siblings. Food was often scarce, and the family lived in a simple bamboo hut. These experiences gave him a personal understanding of the struggles faced by people in need.

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Even as a child, Balasai Baba stood out for his exceptional intelligence and spiritual presence. Yet few recognised him as an avatar. After leaving school, he received a scholarship and, by the age of 18, had completed studies in medicine, dance and singing. He used part of his scholarship funds to establish his first ashram in Kurnool — a centre for spiritual life and service to others. In 1992, he also founded a humanitarian organisation, now the Balasai Baba Trust, offering free assistance and helping people help themselves, regardless of religion, skin colour or gender.

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Balasai Baba did not see himself as the founder of a new religion, nor did he advocate any particular faith. His aim was to guide people towards a fulfilling life and help them find God in their own way. He emphasised that love and compassion are the foundations of inner peace and harmony in society. He asked no one to give up their religious beliefs or way of life.

Throughout his life, Balasai Baba encouraged people to contribute to society. He taught that science, family, work and social responsibility were just as important as spiritual practice. For him, compassion in action — selfless service to others — was as valuable a form of worship as prayer.

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His humanitarian work received many honours, including awards from the United Nations and honorary doctorates from universities in Europe and India.

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On 27 November 2018, Balasai Baba left his physical body. His legacy lives on through the institutions he founded and the people who continue to share his teachings.