Ramana Maharshi
Who was Ramana Maharshi?
Indian sage and non-dualist philosopher who taught the practice of self-inquiry and attracted followers from around the world to his ashram at Arunachala.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Ramana Maharshi (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Ramana Maharshi (1879-1950) was an Indian Hindu sage and self-realized individual who became one of the most influential spiritual teachers of the 20th century. Born Venkataraman Iyer in Tiruchuli, Tamil Nadu, he had a profound spiritual awakening at age 16 that transformed him into the respected figure known as Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. His teachings focused on the practice of self-inquiry (atma-vichara) and the direct experience of one's true nature. This attracted seekers from across India and later from the Western world.
In 1896, after a transformative experience where he became aware of his true Self, Ramana left his family and went to the sacred mountain Arunachala in Tiruvannamalai. He lived as a renunciant, although he never had a formal initiation. For the next 54 years, he stayed at Arunachala, initially in caves and temples before settling at what became Sri Ramana Ashram. Devotees came to see him as an incarnation of Shiva and sought his darshan.
Ramana's teaching style was straightforward and clear. Instead of giving formal lectures or developing complex philosophical systems, he mainly taught through silent presence and answered questions with deep inquiry that guided people back to their true nature. His main teaching was the question 'Who am I?' (Nan Yar?), which he used to help others see through their temporary identities and realize their eternal Self. He taught that the sense of a separate self was an illusion that could be cleared away through constant self-investigation.
Throughout his life, Ramana welcomed all visitors regardless of their background, caste, or nationality. The ashram that grew around him became a place for spiritual seekers, where he would receive visitors daily and answer their questions. His followers recorded his teachings, which were later compiled into many books that spread his influence well beyond Arunachala. He passed away at Sri Ramana Ashram on April 14, 1950, leaving teachings that continue to guide spiritual seekers worldwide.
Before Fame
Venkataraman Iyer was born into a middle-class Tamil Brahmin family and lived an ordinary life until his mid-teens. He wasn't particularly interested in spirituality and was seen as an average student. His life changed dramatically at age 16 when he had what he later called a 'death-experience' while alone in his uncle's house in Madurai. During this experience, he lay down as if dead and became intensely aware of his body's mortality while at the same time discovering an indestructible essence within himself that he saw as his true identity.
This spontaneous awakening happened during a time when interest in India's spiritual traditions was growing, partly in response to British colonial rule and Western influence. The late 19th century saw the rise of figures like Swami Vivekananda and the founding of the Theosophical Society, which helped connect Eastern and Western spiritual ideas. Ramana's realization fit with the ancient Advaita Vedanta tradition, though his approach was unusually direct and free of scholarly interpretation.
Key Achievements
- Developed and taught the method of self-inquiry (atma-vichara) as a direct path to self-realization
- Established Sri Ramana Ashram at Arunachala, which became a major center for spiritual seekers worldwide
- Influenced the introduction of Advaita Vedanta philosophy to Western audiences through his international followers
- Authored several fundamental texts including 'Who Am I?' and 'Self-Enquiry' that systematized his teachings
- Demonstrated the possibility of spontaneous enlightenment without formal guru initiation or lengthy spiritual practices
Did You Know?
- 01.He maintained complete silence for several years after arriving at Arunachala, communicating only through gestures and written notes
- 02.Ramana never charged money for his teachings and the ashram provided free food and accommodation to all visitors
- 03.He had a special affinity for animals and regularly fed peacocks, monkeys, squirrels, and cows, treating them as equals to human devotees
- 04.His mother initially came to take him home but eventually became his disciple and lived at the ashram until her death
- 05.Paul Brunton's book 'A Search in Secret India' introduced Ramana to Western audiences in the 1930s, leading to international recognition