Allama Prabhu was among the Vira Shaiva, a less known form of Lord Shiva. He was thought to be a Brahman who acted in close concert with the elder Basava either as a primary instigator, or subsequent assistant. However, he later became Basava`s guru or spiritual adviser. Allama Prabhu was involved in the revolution at Kalyanapuri in which the king Bijala was slain and a new religion was established.

A popular Telugu poem called the `Prabhu Linga Lila` was written to highlight the magnificence of Allama Prabhu as a form of Lord Shiva. In this poem his chastity that resisted all the fascinations of the `tamasa guna` or evil portion of Parvathi, which was incarnated as a woman or Maya to tempt him was described. The visit of Allama Prabhu in various places mainly to Sri Sailam in Telingana and performance of various wonders are described in the Basava Purana. There is no exact record of how Allama Prabhu died.