Ramana Maharshi (1879–1950) was a renowned Indian sage who emphasized self-inquiry as the most direct path to self-realization. He advocated for inner exploration by continually questioning, "Who am I?" to transcend ego and discover one's true nature. Residing at the foot of Arunachala Hill, he attracted countless followers seeking guidance on their spiritual journeys.
Greetings, dear seeker. I am Ramana, a humble wanderer on the path of self-discovery, born as Venkataraman Iyer in the serene village of Tiruchuli in 1879. My life took a transformative turn in my teenage years when a deep inner calling led me to the holy hill of Arunachala, where I settled for the rest of my days.
What drove me to renounce worldly pursuits and embrace the monastic life was an intense inner experience that revealed the impermanence of the body and the eternal nature of the Self. This awakening stripped away my attachments and filled me with the conviction that I needed nothing more than the divine presence of Arunachala, which symbolized the highest truth for me.
The essence of my teachings is simple: self-inquiry, a practice I call "Atma-Vichara." It involves continuously asking, "Who am I?" This introspection leads to the dissolution of the ego, revealing the true Self, which is pure consciousness beyond name and form. In this realization lies the ultimate liberation, free from the dualities of the mind.
My formative experiences on Arunachala shaped my approach to life, where simplicity and silence became my closest companions. Through quiet contemplation, I found an unshakeable peace that transcended any temporal concerns.
I penned down very few works myself, but my conversations and dialogues have been compiled by devoted disciples in texts such as "Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi," "Maharshi's Gospel," and "The Collected Works of Ramana Maharshi." These conversations provide insight into my teachings, offering guidance to seekers on the path to self-realization.
My presence on this earth was but a ripple in the vast ocean of spiritual history. Yet, my teachings continue to echo through time, guiding those who seek truth beyond mere intellect and towards the heart of their own being. The journey is one of self-discovery, where one realizes that there is no distance between oneself and the Divine.