Ramana Maharshi, Indian guru and philosopher (b. 1879)

Ramana Maharshi, revered by many as a modern sage and a liberated being or jivanmukta—one who is freed from the cycle of birth and death while still embodied—was born Venkataraman Iyer on December 30, 1879, in Tiruchuli, a village nestled in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Though initially named Venkataraman, he is predominantly known globally by his spiritual title, Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi, a name that embodies profound respect and reverence for his enlightened state. His life journey, marked by an extraordinary spiritual awakening, left an indelible mark on seekers worldwide.

The Profound Awakening

A pivotal moment in his nascent spiritual journey occurred in 1895, when a deep, inexplicable attraction to the sacred hill of Arunachala and the revered Tamil Shiva saints, the 63 Nayanmars, began to stir within him. This growing spiritual inclination culminated in a transformative "death-experience" in 1896, when he was just sixteen years old. During this profound internal event, he became intensely aware of a powerful, continuous "current" or "force," which he referred to as avesam. He recognized this as his true "I" or "self," an eternal, unchanging presence beyond the physical body and mind. Later, he came to identify this profound realization with "the personal God, or Iswara," understood in the Shaivite tradition as none other than Lord Shiva himself. This extraordinary experience left him in a state he would later describe as "the state of mind of Iswara or the jnani," signifying a profound wisdom and oneness with the divine.

The Journey to Arunachala and a Life of Renunciation

Just six weeks after this life-altering experience, young Venkataraman decisively left his uncle's home in Madurai. His heart drew him irresistibly to the holy mountain of Arunachala in Tiruvannamalai, a place steeped in spiritual significance and revered as a physical manifestation of Shiva. Upon arrival, he embraced the simple life of a sannyasin, a renunciate, though without undergoing any formal initiation. This sacred mountain became his lifelong abode, a silent witness to his spiritual evolution and the growing convergence of seekers around him, where he remained until his passing on April 14, 1950.

A Sage Among Devotees and the Transmission of Wisdom

As word of his spiritual presence spread, Ramana Maharshi began to attract a multitude of devotees, many of whom regarded him as an avatar, a divine incarnation. They sought his darshan, the spiritual blessing gained from beholding a holy person or a deity. Over time, an ashram, a spiritual community, naturally grew around him at the foot of Arunachala. Here, visitors and sincere seekers received upadesa, or spiritual instruction, not always through elaborate discourses, but often through the profound silence of his company, interspersed with direct answers to their earnest questions. His unique approach and profound wisdom began to gain wider recognition, particularly in the West, where his teachings started to be popularized from the 1930s onwards, influencing numerous spiritual traditions and individual seekers.

Core Teachings: Self-Enquiry and Surrender

While Ramana Maharshi acknowledged and approved various spiritual paths and practices, his central recommendation for aspirants was self-enquiry (Atma-vichara). He taught that this introspective method, often encapsulated by the question "Who am I?", was the principal means to dismantle ignorance and to abide perpetually in one's true self-awareness. Complementing this, he also emphasized the path of bhakti (devotion) or complete surrender to the Self, recognizing that different temperaments might find different approaches more accessible on their journey to liberation. Ultimately, both paths were understood as leading to the same destination: the realization of the one, eternal Self.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ramana Maharshi

What is Ramana Maharshi best known for?
Ramana Maharshi is primarily known for his profound spiritual awakening at a young age, his lifelong residence at the sacred Arunachala mountain, and his central teaching of self-enquiry (Atma-vichara) as the direct path to self-realization.
What was his "death-experience"?
His "death-experience" was a spontaneous and profound spiritual awakening he underwent at the age of 16. During this experience, he mentally simulated his own death and became intensely aware of an unchanging "I" or "Self" distinct from the perishing body, which he later identified with the personal God, Iswara (Shiva).
What is the significance of Arunachala in his life?
Arunachala, a sacred hill in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, holds immense significance as it is believed to be a manifestation of Lord Shiva. Ramana Maharshi felt an irresistible pull towards it and lived there for the rest of his life, making it the spiritual epicentre of his teachings and the ashram that grew around him.
What is a jivanmukta?
In Hindu philosophy, a jivanmukta is a "liberated being" or "one who is liberated while living." It refers to an individual who has attained self-knowledge and liberation (moksha) during their lifetime, having transcended the illusion of separate self and realized their true nature as Brahman, the ultimate reality.
What is self-enquiry?
Self-enquiry, or Atma-vichara, is Ramana Maharshi's primary teaching and a meditative practice of constant attention to the inner sense of "I." Instead of focusing on thoughts or external objects, one continually asks "Who am I?" or observes the source of the "I-thought" to ultimately transcend the ego and realize the true, ultimate Self.
Did Ramana Maharshi advocate for other spiritual practices?
While he emphasized self-enquiry as the most direct path, Ramana Maharshi approved of and recognized the validity of other spiritual paths and practices, including bhakti (devotion) and complete surrender to the Self, acknowledging that different individuals may find different methods more suitable for their spiritual journey.