Ramana Maharishi: The Sage of Arunachala



Ramana Maharishi, born Venkataraman Iyer on December 30, 1879, in the small village of Tiruchuzhi in Tamil Nadu, is one of the most respected spiritual figures in modern India. His teachings and life stories inspire millions around the world, crossing spiritual and cultural boundaries. Renowned for his deep spiritual insights and simple yet powerful teachings, Ramana Maharishi is often seen as the embodiment of Advaita Vedanta, a non-dualistic school of Hindu philosophy.

                    

                                   Sri Ramana Maharishi 

Early Life and Spiritual Awakening

Venkataraman’s youth became fairly unremarkable. Born into a center-class Brahmin family, he exhibited no tremendous spiritual dispositions throughout his childhood. He attended faculty like different youngsters and was known for his bodily energy and intelligence. At the age of sixteen, his life took a significant turn when he experienced a profound spiritual awakening

Click Here to Buy this Ramana Maharishi Statue 

In 1896, while alone in his uncle’s house in Madurai, Venkataraman was suddenly overcome by an intense fear of death. Instead of succumbing to panic, he decided to confront this fear immediately. He lay down and enacted a dramatic simulation of his own death. He determined the manner dispassionately, asking himself what dies and concluding that though the frame dies, the Self stays. This profound awareness of the Self, or the Atman, as wonderful from the body, brought about his awakening.

This transformative enjoyment became so effective that it caused him to go away from his domestic circle of relatives. Without telling anyone, he set off on a journey to Arunachala, a sacred hill in Tiruvannamalai, which he instinctively felt was his spiritual home. 

                            

                                    Ramana maharishi statue 

Life at Arunachala

Upon arriving at Arunachala, Venkataraman adopted the lifestyle of a renunciate, soon becoming called Ramana Maharishi. For the first few years, he engaged in silent meditation, finding deep joy in the experience of the Self. He often lived in caves and temples around the hill. As he radiated spiritual energy, he began to attract a steady stream of seekers and devotees, all drawn to the peace and wisdom he exuded. 

Though he initially maintained silence, Ramana eventually began to teach in response to the needs of those who sought his guidance. His teachings had been direct and simple, emphasizing self-inquiry as the most direct route to religious realization. He often encouraged his followers to ask themselves the question "Who am I?" and to focus on the source of the "I-thought," guiding them toward the realization of their true nature.

Teachings

 Ramana Maharishi's teachings are based on the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta. He emphasized that the true Self, or natural consciousness, is the most fundamental reality, while the sense of individuality or ego is merely an illusion. According to Ramana, liberation (moksha) is achieved not by gaining new knowledge, but by shedding the ignorance that hides our true nature. His method of self-inquiry involves turning the mind inward and questioning the origin of the "I" concept until one goes beyond the ego and realizes the Self. Although this practice may seem simple, it is a profound and direct path to self-awareness. Ramana also taught the importance of surrendering to a higher power. He suggested that for those who find self-inquiry too challenging, it may be beneficial to relinquish their personal will to the divine.

Ramana's teachings are remarkable for their clarity and practicality. He moved away from complex rituals and esoteric practices, instead focusing on the direct experience of the Self. He believed that self-inquiry was not just for a select few, but accessible to anyone willing to earnestly pursue it.

Explore our collections in idol, Figurines, Artefacts, Monuments

Influence and Legacy

Ramana Maharishi’s effect extends some distance past the confines of conventional Hinduism. His teachings have resonance with spiritual seekers across various spiritual and cultural backgrounds. The ashram mounted around him in Tiruvannamalai, Sri Ramanasramam, remains a beacon for nonsecular seekers from around the world, offering a space for meditation, looking at, and immersion in his teachings.

Prominent figures from various walks of life, consisting of philosophers, writers, and spiritual leaders, have stated Ramana's profound impact on their nonsecular trips. For instance, Carl Jung, the renowned psychologist, identified the importance of Ramana's consciousness in the context of contemporary psychology. Paul Brunton, a British journalist, and logician, helped introduce Ramana's teachings to the Western international through his writings.

Despite his worldwide effect, Ramana Maharishi remained a humble and simple guy during his life. He lived modestly, displaying deep compassion and empathy for all who got here to him. His day-by-day routine was marked by simplicity, humility, and a profound connection to the divine.

Writings and Dialogues

Ramana Maharishi’s teachings are captured in various dialogues and writings, primarily recorded by his disciples. His key work, "Who Am I?", is a straightforward guide to the practice of self-inquiry and is essential to his teachings. Other important collections, such as "Talks with Sri Ramana Maharishi" and "Be as You Are," present his teachings in an accessible and practical format.

In these dialogues, Ramana often used metaphors and analogies to explain complex spiritual truths. One well-known analogy compares the self to a movie screen. Just as the screen remains unchanged regardless of the film being shown, the Self also remains constant and unaffected by the experiences of the body and mind.

Visit Us for Unique Figurines

Ramana Maharishi, originally named Venkatraman Iyer, earned the title of "maharishi" for his extraordinary spiritual wisdom and enlightenment. In Hindu tradition, a "maharishi" is a sage who has attained a high level of spiritual understanding, and Ramana Maharishi exemplified this through his life and teachings. His profound insights into the nature of existence came from his direct experience of the ultimate truth, known as Self-realization or God-realization, transcending the ego and embodying spiritual wisdom. He lived a life of moral purity, reflecting virtues such as compassion, non-violence, truthfulness, and selflessness. Detached from material possessions and worldly concerns, Ramana Maharishi focused solely on spiritual knowledge and liberation. His spiritual guidance and teachings have impacted countless individuals on their spiritual journeys. Although some believed he possessed extraordinary spiritual powers, his true greatness lay in his deep realization rather than any display of these abilities.

Central to his teachings were the concepts of self-inquiry and surrender. Self-inquiry involves quieting the mind and asking introspective questions like, "To whom does this thought arise?" or "Who am I?" This practice leads to deeper understanding and inner peace. Surrender, on the other hand, is about recognizing the limitations of human existence and letting go of desires, actions, and emotions to a higher power. Together, these methods foster spiritual growth and provide a clear pathway to self-realization. From personal experience, following Ramana Maharishi’s teachings can lead to profound inner change. They help eliminate mental distractions and reveal true knowledge, offering a route to deeper self-awareness.

In his later years, Ramana Maharishi remained at Arunachala, attracting a large following from across the world. Even after being diagnosed with cancer in the early 1950s, he continued to guide his devotees with calm composure, frequently emphasizing that the body is merely a vessel, while the true Self exists beyond birth and death. Ramana Maharishi passed away on April 14, 1950, entering mahasamadhi, a state of conscious departure from the physical body. His passing left a profound sense of loss among his followers, but his teachings and spiritual presence continue to inspire millions.

As the sage of Arunachala, Ramana Maharishi’s teachings on self-inquiry and the realization of the Self provide timeless guidance for those seeking ultimate truth. His life is a testament to the enduring power of inner awareness and the profound peace of the true Self. Through his legacy, Ramana Maharishi has left an indelible mark on modern spirituality, helping countless individuals in their journey toward self-realization. His simple yet transformative teachings continue to shine brightly, lighting the way for future generations of spiritual seekers.