GV Subba Rao served with UNICEF and the United Nations as head of the Energy Section, for 34 years. He retired in 1985 to return to India to be with his 92 year old father, Sri Ghandikota Subrahmanya Sastry, the Rishi of the Sathya Sai Gayathri and a renowned Vedic scholar.

Subba Rao lived there until he passed away on 29 Dec 2003. On occasion, he translated Swami's speeches (from Telugu to English), gave lectures to overseas devotees, and edited publications of the Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust. He composed the Sai Surya Gayatri and the Sai Hirayagarba Gayatri.