Ramana Maharshi
Sage of Arunachala and teacher of self-enquiry
- Lived
- 70 yrs
- 1879 – 1950
- Works listed
- 2
- Teachings, Poem
- Honours
- 0
- Awards & distinctions
- Profile views
- 0
- 0 followers
Ramana Maharshi was a Hindu sage who, after a profound experience of awakening at 16, spent the rest of his life at the sacred hill of Arunachala in Tiruvannamalai. His simple method of self-enquiry, asking “Who am I?”, drew seekers from around the world.
Biography
Awakening
Born Venkataraman Iyer, he had an intense experience of death and awakening at the age of 16 in Madurai. Soon afterwards he left home for the holy hill of Arunachala in Tiruvannamalai, where he lived for the rest of his life, at first in silence in temples and caves.
Teaching
Devotees gathered around him and an ashram, Sri Ramanasramam, grew at the foot of the hill. He taught mostly through silence and short answers, recommending self-enquiry — persistently asking “Who am I?” — to realise the Self, in the tradition of Advaita Vedanta. The British writer Paul Brunton’s A Search in Secret India (1934) introduced him to Western readers. He died at the ashram on 14 April 1950.
Years of silence
On arriving at Tiruvannamalai in 1896 Venkataraman stayed in the thousand-pillared hall and underground vault of the Arunachaleswara temple, so absorbed in meditation that he was unaware of insects biting him. He later lived for many years in caves on the hill, including Virupaksha Cave and Skandashram, before settling at the foot of the hill where Sri Ramanasramam grew around him.
Teaching and visitors
Ramana taught that liberation comes through self-enquiry — tracing the sense of “I” back to its source — and through surrender. He spoke little, and many visitors described being transformed simply by sitting in his presence. His ashram welcomed people of all faiths and castes, as well as animals, which he treated with great affection. His teachings were recorded in works such as Who Am I?, Upadesa Saram and Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi.
Final illness
In his last years he suffered from a cancerous tumour on his arm but declined to stop meeting visitors. He died on the evening of 14 April 1950; observers reported seeing a bright light cross the sky over Arunachala at the moment of his death.
Timeline
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1879
Born in Tiruchuzhi, Madras Presidency (now Tamil Nadu)
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1896
Awakening experience; leaves for Arunachala
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1899
Moves to Virupaksha Cave on Arunachala
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1916
Moves to Skandashram
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1922
Sri Ramanasramam begins to grow
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1927
Composes Upadesa Saram
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1934
Paul Brunton’s A Search in Secret India
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1950
Dies at Tiruvannamalai
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1950
Died, aged 70
Notable works
-
1902
Who Am I? (Nan Yar?) Teachings
Answers to a devotee’s questions, later published.
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1927
Upadesa Saram Poem
Thirty verses on spiritual practice.
Did you know?
-
1
He spent years in near-complete silence in the caves of Arunachala.
-
2
Animals such as cows, dogs and monkeys were welcomed at his ashram.
-
3
He welcomed visitors of every faith and caste.
Gallery
Frequently asked
Who is Ramana Maharshi?
Ramana Maharshi was a Hindu sage who, after a profound experience of awakening at 16, spent the rest of his life at the sacred hill of Arunachala in Tiruvannamalai. His simple method of self-enquiry, asking “Who am I?”, drew seekers from around the world.
When did Ramana Maharshi die?
Ramana Maharshi died on 14 April 1950 at the age of 70.
Where is Ramana Maharshi from?
Ramana Maharshi was born in Tiruchuzhi, Madras Presidency (now Tamil Nadu).
What is Ramana Maharshi known for?
Ramana Maharshi is best known for Self-enquiry (“Who am I?”); Sri Ramanasramam at Tiruvannamalai.
References
- Ramana Maharshi — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Ramana Maharshi — Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Ramana Maharshi — Goodreads author page. Goodreads. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Ramana Maharshi — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Ramana Maharshi (Q288441) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editors; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal
- First published 26 October 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“Ramana Maharshi.” TrackFame, last updated 26 October 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/ramana-maharshi
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