Life and Teachings of Ramana Maharshi

I still remember the first time I heard about Ramana Maharshi. It was during a casual conversation with a friend who was deeply into spirituality. They spoke about him with a kind of reverence I’d rarely seen before. Intrigued, I started reading more about this man, often called the Sage of Arunachala. His life, his teachings, and the profound simplicity of his message had me rethinking so many things I thought I knew about life.

Ramana Maharshi wasn’t your typical spiritual figure. He didn’t start out as a guru or have any grand plans to lead others. Born in 1879 in a small village in Tamil Nadu, India, he was named Venkataraman. His life was ordinary in every way until the age of 16, when a sudden and life-changing experience set him on a completely different path. He faced an intense fear of death, and instead of panicking, he decided to explore what death actually meant. He asked himself, “Who dies? Who am I?” That simple but profound self-inquiry led him to realise the truth of his existence—the eternal, unchanging Self.

Not long after, he left his family and travelled to Arunachala, a sacred mountain that became his home and the centre of his spiritual life. There, he spent years in silence, absorbed in deep meditation. People started noticing his peace and wisdom, and eventually, seekers from around the world flocked to him for guidance. What struck me most when I first read about him was how approachable his teachings felt. There was no heavy philosophy or rituals—just a quiet invitation to turn inward and find the answers within yourself.

For me, learning about Ramana’s teachings was like finding a compass in a world full of distractions. His focus on self-inquiry, particularly the question “Who am I?”, felt so simple, yet it touched on something so fundamental. Unlike many spiritual paths, which often seem layered with rules and complexity, Ramana offered a way that was direct and uncomplicated. That’s why I think his works still hold such power today. His words, his silence, and his presence continue to inspire people across cultures and generations.

Key Teachings and Philosophy of Ramana Maharshi

When I first encountered Ramana Maharshi’s teachings, it felt like he was cutting straight to the heart of identity. His focus was laser-sharp: self-realisation, the ultimate understanding of one’s true nature. And the method he offered was just as straightforward—self-inquiry, anchored in the question “Who am I?”

At first, it seemed almost too simple. I mean, how could such a basic question hold the key to understanding life’s biggest mysteries? But as I dug deeper, I realised this wasn’t just some mental exercise. It was an invitation to turn inward, to peel back the layers of identity and ego that we all cling to. For Ramana, the true Self isn’t the body, the mind, or even the personality—it’s something far deeper, the pure awareness that underlies everything.

One of the core ideas in his teachings is that the mind creates our sense of separation from this true Self. We get caught up in thoughts, desires, and fears, and we forget who we really are. The question “Who am I?” is like a key that unlocks this illusion. It helps you trace your sense of “I” back to its source, where you discover that the “I” you thought you were doesn’t even exist in the way you imagined. What remains is the Self, which is infinite, peaceful, and unchanging.

For me, this teaching was both liberating and challenging. It’s liberating because it points to something so simple and accessible—you don’t need to go anywhere or do anything special to find it. But it’s challenging because it forces you to confront all the ways you avoid looking inward. I realised how much of my life was spent chasing things outside of myself, without ever questioning the one doing the chasing.

Another thing that struck me about Ramana’s philosophy was how inclusive it felt. He didn’t demand that you follow a particular religion or tradition. His teachings were grounded in Advaita Vedanta, which is about the non-duality of existence, but he wasn’t dogmatic about it. Instead, he emphasised that the truth is universal and can be experienced by anyone, regardless of their background.

Ramana also spoke a lot about silence—not just as the absence of noise, but as a state of being. For him, silence was the purest expression of truth. He often said that his teachings were best conveyed in silence, and those who sat in his presence reported feeling an indescribable peace. While I’ve never had the chance to visit Arunachala or experience this silence firsthand, even reading about it has been enough to leave an impression on me.

Overview of Ramana Maharshi’s Books

When I first decided to dive deeper into Ramana Maharshi’s works, I didn’t know where to begin. His teachings, though simple, have been recorded and preserved in so many forms—books, conversations, poems, and even translations into different languages. At first, it felt a bit overwhelming, but once I got started, I realised that each book carries its own flavour of his wisdom. What’s more, they don’t feel like just “books.” They’re more like windows into his way of seeing the world, or maybe into the world as it truly is.

The first book I picked up was Who Am I?, which is probably the best place to start for anyone new to Ramana Maharshi’s teachings. It’s a small book and when I saw its size, I thought, “This can’t take more than an afternoon to read.” But reading it was one thing; absorbing it was another. The entire book is focused on the practice of self-inquiry, distilled into the most straightforward language possible. It’s made up of Ramana’s answers to questions from seekers, and the recurring theme is always the same: turn inward, ask yourself who you are, and stay with that question until everything else falls away. 

Another work that really struck me was Talks with Ramana Maharshi. This one is essentially a collection of conversations between Ramana and the people who visited him at Arunachala. The questions people ask are the same ones we all grapple with—questions about love, death, purpose, fear, and suffering. And Ramana’s responses are so calm, so unshakeable. He doesn’t give you the answers you think you want; instead, he points you back to the real question: Who is asking? Reading these dialogues feels almost like sitting in his presence. It’s as if his silence, his peace, radiates from the pages.

One of the more accessible books for modern readers is Be As You Are, compiled by David Godman. I came across this one after a lot of recommendations, and I can see why it’s so popular. Godman has done an incredible job of organising Ramana’s teachings into topics that are easy to follow, like happiness, the nature of the mind, and self-realisation. If Who Am I? felt like diving straight into the deep end, Be As You Are felt more like wading in gently. It’s the kind of book you can return to again and again, and every time, it feels like you’re unravelling another layer of understanding.

Of course, there’s also The Collected Works of Ramana Maharshi, which is a treasure chest of his original writings. This one is for those who want the complete picture, including his poems and philosophical commentaries. The way he writes about Arunachala, for instance, is so full of devotion that you can almost feel the sacredness of the mountain.

Autobiographical and Biographical Accounts

As I dug deeper into Ramana Maharshi’s life, I realised that understanding his teachings is only part of the story. To truly appreciate his message, it helps to know the man behind it—the life he lived, the challenges he faced, and the profound simplicity of his existence. That’s where the autobiographies and biographical accounts come in. Reading about his life was just as transformative for me as exploring his teachings.

The first account I came across was Ramana’s own brief autobiography. It’s not a traditional autobiography in the sense of a detailed life story, but rather a succinct retelling of his spiritual journey. What struck me most was how ordinary his early life seemed. Born as Venkataraman in a small village, he was like any other child—until that pivotal moment when he experienced a sudden, life-altering awareness of death. This experience, which he described in such simple yet profound terms, marked the beginning of his spiritual awakening.

What’s fascinating about Ramana’s autobiography is how little focus he placed on the external details of his life. Instead, the emphasis is always on the inner journey—the discovery of the Self. For me, this was a powerful reminder that it’s not the events of our lives that define us, but how we respond to them and the truths we uncover along the way.

One of the most detailed biographies I’ve read is Self-Realisation: The Life and Teachings of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi by B.V. Narasimha Swami. This book offers a comprehensive look at Ramana’s life, from his childhood to his final years at Arunachala. What I loved about it was the way it wove together personal anecdotes, historical context, and spiritual insights. It’s not just a biography—it’s also a reflection on the impact Ramana had on those around him.

The Mountain Path, a publication by Ramanasramam that often features articles and essays about his life. Through these writings, I got a glimpse of what it was like to be in his presence. Devotees described him as both incredibly ordinary and utterly extraordinary—a man who lived simply, yet whose silence spoke volumes.

For those who prefer a more narrative approach, Ramana Maharshi and the Path of Self-Knowledge by Arthur Osborne is an excellent choice. Osborne was a devotee of Ramana, and his writing reflects a deep love and respect for the sage. This book doesn’t just chronicle Ramana’s life—it also delves into his teachings in a way that feels personal and relatable. Osborne’s descriptions of Ramana’s interactions with visitors, his serene presence, and his unwavering focus on self-realisation have stayed with me long after reading.

One of the most touching stories I’ve come across is about Ramana’s final days. Despite his failing health, he continued to receive visitors, radiating the same peace and compassion he always had. When asked why he didn’t heal himself, he simply said, “Where could I go?” For him, the body was just a vessel, and his true Self was beyond birth and death. This perspective, which is at the core of his teachings, was something he lived until his very last breath.

For Tamil readers, there are also beautifully written life histories, such as Ramana Maharshi’s Life History in Tamil. These texts offer a closer look at his early years and his deep connection to Arunachala. I’ve heard from friends who’ve read these accounts that they provide a unique sense of intimacy, as though you’re walking alongside him through the streets of Tiruvannamalai.

The Influence of Ramana Maharshi’s Works

Writers like Paul Brunton, who introduced Ramana to the West, often described him as a sage whose wisdom transcended traditional labels. Brunton’s book A Search in Secret India is how many Western readers first heard about Ramana Maharshi, and his description of sitting in Ramana’s presence is something I’ve come back to many times. He wrote about feeling an almost tangible silence—a peace that seemed to erase every question and doubt.

But it’s not just the big names that stand out. I’ve read countless personal accounts from everyday people who’ve had their lives changed by Ramana’s teachings. Some of them discovered his books during moments of crisis, and his words gave them a sense of direction. Others visited Arunachala and felt an unexplainable connection to the mountain that Ramana loved so deeply. Hearing these stories makes me feel like I’m part of a larger community—a network of seekers, all drawn to the same truth.

Perhaps the most striking thing about Ramana’s influence is how it’s rooted in simplicity. He didn’t travel the world or give  speeches. He didn’t seek followers or create an organisation. He simply sat in silence at the foot of Arunachala, and yet his presence was enough to draw people from across the globe. It’s a reminder that true influence doesn’t come from effort or ambition—it comes from living authentically and staying true to what matters.

Books on Ramana Maharshi in Different Languages

Ramana Maharshi’s  message is universal, but it’s also deeply rooted in the culture and language of his homeland. When I started exploring his works, I mostly stuck to English translations, but as I dug deeper, I realised just how many people have brought his words into other languages. It’s a testament to the fact that his teachings resonate across boundaries and backgrounds.

For example, in Telugu—one of the languages spoken in southern India—there’s a rich tradition of translating Ramana’s works. Telugu readers have access to beautifully rendered versions of Who Am I? and Talks with Ramana Maharshi. I’ve heard from friends who speak Telugu that these translations capture the essence of Ramana’s teachings without losing the flow of the original. 

Then there’s Tamil, which is particularly significant because it was Ramana’s native tongue. Many of his original works, including his devotional hymns to Arunachala, were written in Tamil. I’ve tried reading some of these with the help of translations, and even then, the depth of his devotion and wisdom shines through. Tamil-speaking devotees often describe how reading his works in the original language adds an extra layer of connection.

In Hindi, too, there’s a growing library of translations. For me, it’s inspiring to see how his teachings are reaching people across India, transcending regional differences.

For Kannada readers, there are also translations available, though I haven’t explored these as much. What I do know is that Kannada speakers often find great value in these works, particularly because they allow more people to engage with Ramana’s teachings in their native language.