Childhood

Shri Shivabalayogi Maharaj was born Sathyaraju on 24 January 1935, in the small village of Adivarapupeta, the rice paddy country of Godavari River delta in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. Most of the villagers earned a simple living making cotton sarees and dhotis on handlooms. Sathyaraju’s father, Bheemanna, was a weaver with very little means and died before Sathyaraju was three. The young boy was raised by His mother, Parvatamma, and maternal grandfather, Goli Sathyam. They were among the poorest in the village. At the age of five, Sathyaraju began working to support His family. His hard-working nature ensured that He soon earned enough money from weaving sarees to open a small shop. Sathyaraju was by nature extremely determined and honest; He found injustice difficult to tolerate. Once, when a man posing as a spiritual figure began terrorizing His village by threatening to curse anyone who crossed him, the young Sathyaraju openly challenged him to prove his powers. That man did not trouble the villagers again. Later when Sathyaraju’s business flourished, He took it as His duty to generously support His community.