Who is Who is RamanaRamana Maharishi?.Maharishi?.

An awe inspiring sage An awe inspiring sage whose presence graced whose presence graced the renowned the sacred the renowned the sacred ArunachalaArunachala hill of hill of ThiruvannamalaiThiruvannamalai, in , in TamilnaduTamilnadu during the first during the first half of 20half of 20thth century. He century. He was known throughout as was known throughout as a silent sage whose a silent sage whose peaceful presence and peaceful presence and powerful gaze changed powerful gaze changed the lives of many.the lives of many.

Who is Who is RamanaRamana Maharishi?.Maharishi?.

Encouraged people Encouraged people to look within and to look within and decide whether decide whether they were actually they were actually the body or the the body or the changeless eternal changeless eternal self within.self within.

Who is Who is RamanaRamana Maharishi?.Maharishi?.

Born on Born on December 30December 301879 1879 seemingly as an seemingly as an ordinary mortal at a ordinary mortal at a certain point of his life certain point of his life in an instant of in an instant of realization that he realization that he grasped that his grasped that his inmost awareness was inmost awareness was actually that of the actually that of the universal self. There universal self. There was no struggle for was no struggle for self awareness.self awareness.

Sri Sri RamanaRamana MaharshiMaharshiDecember 30, 1879 December 30, 1879 –– April 14, 1950April 14, 1950

born born VenkataramanVenkataraman IyerIyer, was , was an Indian sage.an Indian sage.He was born to a Tamil He was born to a Tamil HinduHinduBrahmin family in Brahmin family in TiruchuzhiTiruchuzhi, , Tamil Nadu. After having Tamil Nadu. After having attained attained liberationliberation at the age at the age of 16, he left home for of 16, he left home for ArunachalaArunachala, a mountain , a mountain considered sacred by Hindus, considered sacred by Hindus, at at TiruvannamalaiTiruvannamalai, and lived , and lived there for the rest of his life. there for the rest of his life.

Early yearsEarly years

Born in Born in TiruchuzhiTiruchuzhi, , TamilnaduTamilnadu, near , near Madurai. Madurai. Named as Named as VenkataramanVenkataramanIn Madurai, living In Madurai, living with his uncle with his uncle attended Scott’s attended Scott’s Middle schoolMiddle school

The Awakening, July 17, 1896The Awakening, July 17, 1896In 1892 In 1892 Venkatraman’sVenkatraman’s(Age 12) father (Age 12) father SundaramSundaramIyerIyer died at the age of 42.died at the age of 42.He contemplated on the He contemplated on the subject of death ,how his subject of death ,how his father’s body was still father’s body was still there but the “I” was gone.there but the “I” was gone.Attended American Mission Attended American Mission High School.High School.In 1895 he met an elderly In 1895 he met an elderly relative from “relative from “ArunachalaArunachala”, ”, enquired about the enquired about the location. location.

The Awakening, July 17, 1896The Awakening, July 17, 1896On the above day at age On the above day at age 16 16 VenkatramanVenkatraman had a life had a life changing experience.changing experience.He He spontaneoulyspontaneouly initiated a initiated a process of self enquiry.process of self enquiry.Dramatized death .Dramatized death .The body is dead. Am I The body is dead. Am I dead?. Is the body I?. I am dead?. Is the body I?. I am the spirit transcending the the spirit transcending the body. body. On Aug 29On Aug 29thth 1896 1896

ArunachalaArunachala, , ThiruvannamalaiThiruvannamalai,Location ,Location in in TamilnaduTamilnadu

ThiruvannamalaiThiruvannamalai

ThiruvannamalaiThiruvannamalaiThis is one of the places attributed to five This is one of the places attributed to five elements viz., earth, water, fire, sky and elements viz., earth, water, fire, sky and air. This place is dedicated to the Fire air. This place is dedicated to the Fire element, whereas Chidambaram is element, whereas Chidambaram is AkasaAkasasthalasthala. It is also said that one attains . It is also said that one attains salvation by merely thinking about salvation by merely thinking about ThiruvannamalaiThiruvannamalai. The beautiful hill is said . The beautiful hill is said to be abode of sages. to be abode of sages. Located 187 Km from ChennaiLocated 187 Km from Chennai

TiruvannamalaiTiruvannamalai, at the foot of , at the foot of ArunachalaArunachala, , is a town of medium size, 120 miles is a town of medium size, 120 miles southwest of Chennai, an ancient village southwest of Chennai, an ancient village with a large and splendid temple.with a large and splendid temple.Yearly festivals draw large crowds of Yearly festivals draw large crowds of pilgrims to pilgrims to TiruvannamalaiTiruvannamalai from all over from all over South India.South India.This is especially so at This is especially so at KarthigaiKarthigai (known (known also as also as DeepamDeepam), which usually falls in ), which usually falls in November. On this occasion a beacon light November. On this occasion a beacon light of clarified butter (ghee) is lit at nightfall of clarified butter (ghee) is lit at nightfall on the summit of the mountain.on the summit of the mountain.

Think of Think of ArunachalaArunachala, you get liberation, you get liberationExpressed in the old Tamil Expressed in the old Tamil saying: “To see saying: “To see Chidambaram, to be born at Chidambaram, to be born at TiruvarurTiruvarur, to die at Banaras , to die at Banaras or even to think of or even to think of ArunachalaArunachala is to be assured is to be assured of Liberation.”of Liberation.”“Even to think of” because in “Even to think of” because in the case of the direct path the case of the direct path physical contact is not physical contact is not necessary.necessary.Hence, it was no accident Hence, it was no accident that the that the MaharshiMaharshi made made TiruvannamalaiTiruvannamalai and its sacred and its sacred ArunachalaArunachala mountain his mountain his home home

ThiruvannamalaiThiruvannamalai

ThiruvannamalaiThiruvannamalai templetemple

Temple towers Temple towers ThiruvannamalaiThiruvannamalai

ArunachalaArunachala

VenkataramanVenkataraman meditated meditated in many caves although in many caves although was disturbed by local was disturbed by local children often.children often.GurumurtamGurumurtam, , VirupakshaVirupakshacave , cave , PatalaPatala Lingam vault,Lingam vault,Where he spent days in Where he spent days in samadhisamadhi. Finally for 17 . Finally for 17 years he moved to years he moved to VirupakshaVirupaksha cave.cave.A A sadhusadhu named named PalaniswamiPalaniswami had his first had his first darshandarshan of swami and of swami and since then stayed with him since then stayed with him serving him.serving him.

Family discovers his whereaboutsFamily discovers his whereabouts

Family members Family members requested him to requested him to return.return.December of 1898 December of 1898 his brother and his brother and mother begged mother begged him to return, him to return, appealed to the appealed to the devotees.devotees.

Venkataraman’sVenkataraman’s responseresponse

“ In accordance with the “ In accordance with the prarbdhaprarbdha of each of each the one whose function is to ordain makes the one whose function is to ordain makes each to act. What will not happen will each to act. What will not happen will never happen , whatever effort one may never happen , whatever effort one may put forth. What will happen will not fail to put forth. What will happen will not fail to happen, however much one may seek to happen, however much one may seek to prevent it. This is certain. The part of prevent it. This is certain. The part of wisdom is to stay quiet.”wisdom is to stay quiet.”At this point the mother returned to At this point the mother returned to MaduraiMadurai

Ramana’sRamana’s first teachingsfirst teachings

IN 1902IN 1902 a government a government official official SivaprakasamSivaprakasamPillaiPillai with writing slate with writing slate in hand asked “how to in hand asked “how to know one’s true know one’s true identity?.”identity?.”The 14 questions put The 14 questions put to young swami and his to young swami and his answers were answers were Ramana’sRamana’s first first teachings. Widely teachings. Widely known eventually known eventually published as “ Nan published as “ Nan YarYar?.”?.”

How the Maharishi got his nameHow the Maharishi got his name

Several visitors came to Several visitors came to him. him. KavyakanthaKavyakantha srisriGanapatiGanapati SastriSastri, a , a vedicvedicscholar came to see him scholar came to see him in 1907in 1907. After . After receiving instructions receiving instructions from him he proclaimed from him he proclaimed him as Sri him as Sri RamanaRamanaMaharishi .Maharishi .

Life of a Life of a renunciaterenunciateLed a modest and Led a modest and renunciaterenunciate life.life.Just used a Just used a kaupinakaupina..“A wrong popular “A wrong popular image..always in image..always in samadhisamadhi.”.”David Goldman has David Goldman has written extensively . written extensively . From the period the From the period the ashram began to rise ashram began to rise around him after his around him after his mother arrived mother arrived RamanaRamana was active in was active in ashram activitiesashram activities

The Westerners discover The Westerners discover RamanaRamana

In 1911 Frank In 1911 Frank Humphreys discovered Humphreys discovered RamanaRamana and wrote and wrote articles on him in The articles on him in The International Psychic International Psychic gazette in 1913.gazette in 1913.It was Paul It was Paul BruntonBruntonpublished the first published the first book “A Search of book “A Search of Secret India “Secret India “

Other notable visitorsOther notable visitorsParamahansaParamahansaYoganandaYogananda..Somerset Somerset Maugham. 1944 Maugham. 1944 novel The”Razor’s novel The”Razor’s Edge” models its Edge” models its spiritual Guru Sri spiritual Guru Sri RamanaRamanaJulian P JohnsonJulian P JohnsonArthur Osborne Arthur Osborne

Book on Book on RamanaRamana

Many Books On Many Books On RamanaRamana

Power of silencePower of silenceSri Sri RamanaRamana was noted was noted for his belief in the for his belief in the power of silence and power of silence and his relatively sparse his relatively sparse use of speech use of speech lack of concern for lack of concern for fame or criticism.fame or criticism.Life style remained Life style remained that of a that of a renunciaterenunciate..Never travelled Never travelled outside.outside.

Final YearsFinal YearsIn November of 1948 a In November of 1948 a cancerous lump developed cancerous lump developed in Maharishi’s arm and was in Maharishi’s arm and was removed in Feb of 1949. removed in Feb of 1949. Refused complete Refused complete amputation of arm.amputation of arm.After three operations on After three operations on the evening of the evening of 1414thth aprilapril 19501950 while his while his disciples were chanting “ disciples were chanting “ ArunachalaArunachala sivasivaArunachalaArunachala sivasiva” ” BhagavanBhagavan was in radiant was in radiant joy ,at 8.47 PM breathing joy ,at 8.47 PM breathing stoppedstopped

Bhagavan’sBhagavan’s demisedemise

At 8.47 on 14At 8.47 on 14thth

aprilapril 1950 all 1950 all over India there over India there were were independent independent reports of seeing reports of seeing a bright light a bright light rising into skyrising into sky

Bhagavan’sBhagavan’s demise as reported demise as reported by Henri Cartierby Henri Cartier-- BressonBresson

It is a most astonishing experience . It is a most astonishing experience . I was in the open space in front of I was in the open space in front of my house when my friends drew my house when my friends drew attention to the sky ,where I saw a attention to the sky ,where I saw a vividly luminous shooting star with a vividly luminous shooting star with a luminous tail coming from the south luminous tail coming from the south moving slowly moving slowly acossacoss the sky. We the sky. We raced to the ashram only to find our raced to the ashram only to find our premonition had been only sadly premonition had been only sadly true.true.

Method of teachingMethod of teaching

Urged people to practice self enquiry.Urged people to practice self enquiry.Directed people to look inward rather than Directed people to look inward rather than seeking outward for realization.seeking outward for realization.The true The true BhagavanBhagavan resides in your heart resides in your heart as your true self. This is who I truly am.as your true self. This is who I truly am.He viewed all who came to see him as the He viewed all who came to see him as the Self rather than lesser beings. ( “The Self rather than lesser beings. ( “The JnaniJnanisees no one as an sees no one as an ajnaniajnani. All are only . All are only JnanisJnanis in his sight”)in his sight”)

Maharishi’s love for animalsMaharishi’s love for animals

LakshmiLakshmi the the ashram cow.ashram cow.Animals treated as Animals treated as equals. Sick equals. Sick animals were animals were brought to brought to BhagavanBhagavan..Felt that animals Felt that animals could get salvation could get salvation or or MokshaMoksha

His love for animalsHis love for animals

Favorite cow Favorite cow LakshmiLakshmi

Believed that Believed that animals also can animals also can reach salvationreach salvation

Teachers in his traditionTeachers in his tradition

Considered his own Considered his own Guru to be self in Guru to be self in the form of sacred the form of sacred mountain mountain ArunachalaArunachala,,Did not publicize Did not publicize himself as a Guru,himself as a Guru,Never claimed to Never claimed to have disciples and have disciples and never appointed never appointed any successorsany successors

TeachingsTeachings

Encouraged study of Encouraged study of AshtravakraAshtravakraGitaGita, Yoga , Yoga VashishtaVashishta, Tripura , Tripura RahasyaRahasya, , KaivalyaKaivalya navaneetamnavaneetam, , EllamEllam OnreOnre..Unlike traditional Unlike traditional advaiticadvaitic school school discouraged most who came to him discouraged most who came to him from adopting a from adopting a renunciaterenunciate life stylelife style

TeachingsTeachings

Path of Knowledge (Path of Knowledge (JnanaJnanaMargaMarga))Consistent with Upanishads Consistent with Upanishads and and advataadvata vedantavedanta, gave his , gave his approval to a variety of paths approval to a variety of paths and practices.and practices.

Method of teachings

He charged no money, and was He charged no money, and was adamant that no one ever ask for adamant that no one ever ask for money or anything else in his name.money or anything else in his name.He never promoted or called He never promoted or called attention to himself. Instead attention to himself. Instead RamanaRamanaremained in one place for 54 years, remained in one place for 54 years, offering spiritual guidance to anyone offering spiritual guidance to anyone of any background who came to him of any background who came to him and ask nothing in return.and ask nothing in return.

Method of teachingsMethod of teachings

He considered He considered humility to be the humility to be the highest quality.highest quality.that equality that equality towards all was a towards all was a true sign of true sign of liberation , and liberation , and that a true that a true jnanijnanidid was always for did was always for others, not others, not themselves.themselves.

Grace and GuruGrace and Guru

I have not said that a Guru is not necessary. But a I have not said that a Guru is not necessary. But a Guru need not always be in human form. First a Guru need not always be in human form. First a person thinks that he is an inferior and that there is a person thinks that he is an inferior and that there is a superior, allsuperior, all--knowing, all powerful God who controls knowing, all powerful God who controls his own and the world's destiny and worships him or his own and the world's destiny and worships him or does does BhaktiBhakti. When he reaches a certain stage and . When he reaches a certain stage and becomes fit for enlightenment, the same God whom becomes fit for enlightenment, the same God whom he was worshipping comes as Guru and leads him on. he was worshipping comes as Guru and leads him on. That Guru comes only to tell him that ‘God is within That Guru comes only to tell him that ‘God is within yourself. Dive within and realize.’ God, Guru and the yourself. Dive within and realize.’ God, Guru and the Self are the same. Self are the same.

RenunciationRenunciation

Asked “How does a Asked “How does a grihasthagrihastha (householder) fare in the scheme (householder) fare in the scheme of of MokshaMoksha (liberation)?”(liberation)?”BhagavanBhagavan said, “Why do you think you are a said, “Why do you think you are a grihasthagrihastha? If you ? If you go out as a go out as a sannyasisannyasi (ascetic), a similar thought that you are a (ascetic), a similar thought that you are a sannyasisannyasi will haunt you. Whether you continue in the household will haunt you. Whether you continue in the household or renounce it and go to the forest, your mind goes with you. or renounce it and go to the forest, your mind goes with you. The ego is the source of all thought. It creates the body and thThe ego is the source of all thought. It creates the body and the e world and makes you think you are a world and makes you think you are a grihasthagrihastha ..The obstacle is the mind. It must be got over whether at home The obstacle is the mind. It must be got over whether at home or in the forest. or in the forest. If you can do it in the forest, why not at home? Therefore, why If you can do it in the forest, why not at home? Therefore, why change your environment? Your efforts can be made even now change your environment? Your efforts can be made even now --in whatever environment you are now. The environment will in whatever environment you are now. The environment will never change according to your desire.” never change according to your desire.”

Essential MessageEssential Message

Who Am I ? EnquiryWho Am I ? Enquiry

For all thoughts the source For all thoughts the source is the 'I' thought. The mind is the 'I' thought. The mind will merge only by Selfwill merge only by Self--enquiry 'Who am I?' The enquiry 'Who am I?' The thought 'Who am l?' will thought 'Who am l?' will destroy all other thoughts destroy all other thoughts and finally kill itself also. and finally kill itself also.

Ramana’sRamana’s teachingteaching

“If a man considers he is born he cannot “If a man considers he is born he cannot avoid the fear of death. Let him find out if avoid the fear of death. Let him find out if he has been born or if the Self has any he has been born or if the Self has any birth. He will discover that the Self always birth. He will discover that the Self always exists, that the body which is born exists, that the body which is born resolves itself into thought and that the resolves itself into thought and that the emergence of thought is the root of all emergence of thought is the root of all mischief. Find where from thoughts mischief. Find where from thoughts emerge. Then you will abide in the everemerge. Then you will abide in the ever--present inmost Self and be free from the present inmost Self and be free from the idea of birth or the fear of death.” idea of birth or the fear of death.”

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