Ramana Maharshi: A Brief Biography

Early Life
Venkataraman was born in the ancient township of Tiruchuli, in a dry, dusty corner of South India. Though he was destined to become one of the great sages of our time, there were no apparent signs that would foretell his realization.

After young Venkataraman's father passed away, the family moved to the temple town of Madurai to live with an uncle. Shortly after this time, Venkataraman faced his own mortality. One day, when the family members were away from home, the young boy (now sixteen years old) was overcome with an intense fear of death. Rather than panic or call for help, Venkataraman had the remarkable presence of mind to face the situation then and there. He dramatized his own death to help bring the "experience" to its ultimate conclusion. He held his breath, stiffened his body, and allowed no sound to escape his lips.

Death Experience
To die before death is to face the void, the ultimate empty nature of all things. In this state, the mind, which creates and sustains the sense of individuality, no longer has any ground on which to survive. It is rare to face oneself in this manner without quickly recoiling back into form. However, Venkataraman, like the Buddha, was determined to stay the course. Using his imminent mortality as an absolute investigation into the true nature of "I," Venkataraman died to the limited sense of who he was, and what remained was the infinite Self, the Eternal "I." This is the true resurrection—from identification with form to the freedom of the infinite.

Journey to Arunachala
Later, when his elder brother reprimanded him for behaving like a religious ascetic while enjoying the amenities of home life, Venkataraman recognized the truth of his brother's words. Claiming that he had to return to school, he left for Arunachala, the sacred hill in the northern part of Tamil Nadu. He said of his state at that time:

"When I left home, I was like a speck swept on by a tremendous flood; I knew not my body or the world, whether it was day or night."

On the Hill
Absorbed in the bliss of Being, he sat and slept in various places around the hill and the large temple, sometimes moving when groups of young rascals would throw stones at him. After some time, the light of Venkataraman's profound realization became manifest, attracting a few earnest seekers of truth. These people were keen to bask in the peace of his presence, a peace that gently lifted them above the cycle of unceasing thought that makes up the mind.

Recognized as an authentic sage by the great ascetic Vasishta Ganapathi Muni, Venkataraman was given the name of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi by the Muni. Some years later, a small hermitage was built on the upper slopes of the hill for all to live together. Eventually, when his mother was buried at the foot of the hill, Ramana moved down there and the devotees followed. New accommodations were constructed around him, and this location was to become Sri Ramanasramam, the ashram that hosted (and still does) seekers from all parts of India and the world.

Embodiment of Compassion
Throughout his life, Ramana never asked anything of anyone. He never traveled, gave formal talks, or wrote books. He spontaneously answered questions asked of him and was unconcerned about visitors' comings and goings. He meticulously attended to detail when engaged in the work that he did each day. Whether preparing food in the kitchen, stitching a notebook out of leftover paper, or going through ashram book proofs, Maharshi always taught mindfulness by example. What is more remarkable is that he never had a private room or separate accommodation throughout all the years he lived at the ashram. He slept and lived in the Old Hall—the same location that visitors occupied days and evenings with him. Only much later, toward the end of his life, when his health was frail, was a small room constructed for his use.

Continued Presence
Those who came to the hermitage to sit in Ramana's presence, regardless of their religious or cultural background, felt he belonged to them. And he did, for "I" is common to all people. The investigation into its true nature reveals a universal unity beyond all mind-made differences. The legacy of Ramana Maharshi is the same now as it was in his lifetime. His guidance is available even now since he was not identified or limited to the body. When asked, just before the death of his body, where he would go, he replied, "Where can I go? I am here."