Bhaktamal : Ramana Maharshi
Real Name: Venkataraman Iyer
Other Names - Bhagwan Sri Ramana Maharshi
Aradhya - Shiv Ji
Guru: Arunachala
Birth - 30 December 1879
Place of Birth - Tiruchuli, Tamil Nadu, India
Death - Died 14 April 1950 (aged 70)
Marital Status - Unmarried
Father - Azhagammal
Mother - Sundaram Iyer
Language - Tamil, English
Famous - Spiritual Saint
Philosophy: Self-enquiry (Jnana Yoga)
Ramana Maharshi is widely considered one of the most influential spiritual figures of the 20th century. His teachings focus on self-inquiry and the understanding of the true nature of the self, which he often refers to as "I" or "the Self". His journey towards awakening was intense, marked by a spontaneous and profound experience of self-realization at the age of 16.
Ramana Maharshi had a transformative experience when, as a teenager, he suddenly questioned the nature of his existence. He had what he later described as a death-like experience – an intense feeling of fear and the disintegration of his body, followed by the realization that it was not his body, but the eternal, immutable essence within him. This experience inspired him to leave home, and he traveled to the sacred hill of Arunachala in Tiruvannamalai, where he remained for the rest of his life.
Ramana Maharshi Despite his lack of formal education, he has demonstrated astonishing clarity in understanding ancient spiritual texts such as the Ribhu Gita, a key text in Advaita Vedanta, and other texts. He taught that there is no need for elaborate rituals or beliefs – only direct experience of oneself. He accepted many forms of spiritual practice, including bhakti (devotion), but emphasized that self-inquiry was the most direct path to attainment.
In 1950, Ramana Maharshi left his physical body, but his teachings still resonate today among seekers around the world. His ashram at Tiruvannamalai remains a center of spiritual practice, and his influence can be felt in both the East and the West. His life and teachings continue to inspire countless individuals to explore the nature of their existence and realize the eternal peace and joy that lies at the core of existence.