Bhave was born on September 11, 1895 in Gagode, Maharashtra. He died on November 15, 1982.

Bhave said, "It is a curious phenomena that God has made the hearts of the poor, rich and those of the rich, poor.", "What we should aim at is the creation of people power, which is opposed to the power of violence and is different from the coercive power of state.", and "A country should be defended not by arms, but by ethical behavior.".