Life story of Ramana Maharshi

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Hari Aum _/\_

 

Sri Ramana Maharshi attained Maha Nirvana in April 1950. According to

the Indian Calendar, his Thithi (date) falls today (May 9th). Below

is his life story in brief from www.freeindia.org.

 

Introduction

A great soul, he left home in boyhood seeking Knowledge and Peace.

Ramana Maharshi was full of compassion for all living beings. He

became a kindly light to all who came to him seeking peace of mind.

 

Author - Shamsa Aithala

 

 

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Ramana Maharshi

 

The sacred land of India (Bharat) has given birth to many great men

and women. From the time of the Vedas to the present day, many

Rishis, Seers and Saints have been born in this country. Some of

them, living in the forests, performed severe 'Tapas' (meditation on

Gods), sought Truth, and attained Knowledge; they helped the

spiritual progress of the world. Some others dedicated their lives to

the service of the people and the country; they lived with the people

and shared their life. They have contributed to social progress.

Ramana Maharshi is a great man who belongs to the latter category.

 

Ramana Maharshi was born in 1879. There is a small village, thirty

miles from Madurai, in Tamilnadu. The name of the village is

Tiruchuli. The village has a small temple. In a house close to the

temple lived a couple called Sundaram Iyer and Alagammal. They were

an ideal couple.

 

Both the husband and the wife were God - fearing and kind hearted.

 

The couple had three sons. Venkata- ramana was the second among them.

He was born on December 30. It was the day of the Jatra (the Village

Community Festival). There was nothing remarkable in the early life

of Venkataramana. He grew up like other boys. His elementary

education was completed in the village school. When he was twelve

years old, his father Sundaram Iyer passed away. Alagammal had to

leave the village, go to Madurai with her children, and live with

Subba Iyer, brother of Sundaram Iyer. Venkataramana joined the

Mission High School and continued his education.

 

Venkataramana showed no interest in the lessons. He was very lazy. It

used to be a task for his mother to send him to school each day. But

the boy kept radiant health. His classmates were afraid of him. He

was very strong. One interesting thing about him was his deep

slumber. He used to sleep so soundly that he would not be awakened

even by any thing his friends did to him -if they beat him or carried

him to some other place and left him the he would not wake up. He was

fitting nick named 'Kumbhakarna' (brother Ravana, the King of the

Rakshasas in to 'Ramayana'; Kumbhakarna slept sound for months).

 

'Arunachala'

-------------

Who ever -knew that this boy would become a saint some day? But many

of the important events in life come about by chance. Venkataramana

became a saint How did it come about?

 

When the boy was sixteen years old, one day a guest came to the house

of Subba lyer. He was asked where he came from. He replied, "From

Arunachala." The word attracted Venkataramana'

 

curiosity. He asked: "Was it from Arunachala you came? Where is it?"

The guest replied: Tiruvannamalai itself is Arunachala."

 

Something attracted the boy. He made up his mind then and there that

he should visit Arunachala once. One of the Tamil poems that he had

read was Kulothunga's 'Periya Purana'. The stories relating to Shaiva

saints narrated in it left a deep impression on his mind. The example

of those saints produced a strange effect on the Wart and mind of the

boy. 'How I wish that I could also become one like them!' so he

yearned. From that very day he commenced solitary, silent meditation

on God.

 

The Body Is Not 'I'

---------------------

It was the middle of the year-1896. Venkataramana was only seventeen

years old. One day, as usual, he was in the first floor of his

uncle's house, in a mood of deep thought. His health was good. But

all of a sudden, he was seized by the fear of death. He felt he was

almost dying. Trying to prevent this feeling from weakening him, he

began to think of what he should do. He said to himself:

 

'Now death is approaching. I am dying. What is death? This body gets

lost.'

 

Then he held his breath completely, closed his lips and eyes, lay

down as one dead, and began to ponder:

 

'Now my body is dead. They will carry this body, motionless, to the

cremation ground and burn it. But do I really die with this body? Am

I merely this body? My body is now motionless. But still I know my

name. I remember my parents, uncles, brothers, friends and all

others. It means that I have a knowledge of my individuality. If so,

the "I" in me is not merely my body; it is a deathless spirit.'

 

Thus, as in a flash, a new realization came to Venkataramana. His

thoughts may seem boyish fancy. But one thing must be remembered.

Usually a man wins God realization by performing tapas for years and

years, without food and sleep; he subjects the body to great

suffering. But Venkataramana won the highest knowledge without all

these. The fear of death left him. Venkataramana became 'Ramana

Maharshi'.

 

Studies at school, relations and friends none of them seemed

important to him, He ever dreamed of Arunachala. He spent the greater

part of the day in solitary meditation. He tried to escape from

surroundings, and to grow in solitude. Away from friends he would

seek a lonely place. It became difficult for his mother to find him

and bring him home for food. Every day Venkataramana visited the

Meenakshi temple. His interest in Gods and saints grew deeper.

 

His brother observed all these changes in his behavior.

 

The Boy Leaves Home

-------------------------

It was the 29th of August 1896 weeks had passed since his strange

experience. He did not answer a question in the English class. So the

teacher asked him to copy some passages from a text book of grammer

three times. The boy wrote two times and then stopped. Understanding

the uselessness of what he was doing, he threw aside the book and

pen, and entered into meditation in the classroom. The teacher also

saw it. What could he do with such a queer boy? The teacher sat

dumbfounded.

 

Venkataramana resolved to go to Arunachalam. If he had informed the

elders at home, they would certainly not have given him permission.

Therefore, the only way open to him was to run away from

 

home without anybody's knowledge.,

 

He looked into the map and located the railway station near

Tiruvannamalai. He needed three rupees to reach the place. The same

day his brother had received five rupees from his mother to pay his

(the brother's) college fees; he gave the money to Venkataramana, and

asked him to go to the college and pay it. But Venkataramana told his

people that he had a special class and left home that afternoon.

Before leaving, he addressed a letter to his brother, which ran as

follows:

 

'I have left to seek 'lather'. Nobody need worry about me. No money

need be spent to search for me, no one should try to find me. I have

not paid your college fees. I have taken three rupees out of the

college fees, and the balance of two rupees is with this note.'

 

When Venkataramana left home, it was afternoon. He went straight to

the Railway Station. Fortunately the train arrived late that day.

Otherwise he could not have travelled that day. He bought a ticket

for two rupees and thirteen annas (one anna is roughly six paise); he

still had three annas.

 

The Journey

-------------

Venkataramana boarded the train and sat in a corner. He had no desire

to speak with anybody. But a Maulvi Saheb who sat beside him began a

conversation. It was from him that Venkataramana learnt that it was

possible to go upto Tiruvannamalai by train. As he had already bought

a ticket,this information was of no use to him. He was hungry. He

bought some fruits for half an anna and ate them.

 

Early next morning he reached Viluppuram station. He had decided to

walk the distance to Tiruvannamalai. He was very tired. He was hungry

also. He entered a hotel on the way, and asked -if food was ready. He

had to wait a long time for food. After food, he paid two annas to

the owner of the hotel. But the owner asked him ho w many money ties

had. The boy answered, "Two and a half annas." Probably the owner

felt sorry for him. He did not take any money from him. He also

listened to the boy's tale and suggested that it was better to reach

Tiruvannamalai by train. So Venkataramana walked again to Vilup-

puram station. With the money he had, he could travel upto

Mambalapattu on the way. He bought a ticket and continued the

journey. He got down at Mambalapattu. He had no money and had to

continue the journey on fast. So he walked and walked, and by the,

evening, he had covered ten miles.

 

Venkataramana was tired because of the long walk. By evening he

reached a village called Arayininallur. There was a Shiva temple in

the village. He entered the village temple and fell into meditation.

He had a vision of divine illumination.

 

The priest of the temple observed the boy in deep meditation. As he

had to Iock the door of the temple, he woke up the boy. The priest

had to go to another temple at a. place called Kilur, three miles

away to offer worship there. Venkataramana followed him to Kilur. He

fell into mediator again in that temple. The priest woke him up after

his worship, and took him to the house of a Sastriji in the village.

 

As soon as Venkataramana reached the house, he fell down in an

unconscious state. A few minutes later, When he regained

consciousness, a large number of people had gathered around him. All

eyes were fixed o ' n him in curiosity. He drank a little water and

felt revived. Sastriji served him food. After food he went to sleep.

 

Next morning he got up early. It was Krishna Janmastami day.

Venkataramana was very eager to continue the journey. But he had no

money. Besides, he was very tired. So he stopped in front of a house

on the way.

 

The name of the owner of the house was Krishna Bhagavathar.

Venkataramana, who was hungry, asked for a morsel of food. The

mistress of the house was a kind lady. She felt happy and thought it

a privilege to give food to a young sanyasin, and that too, on the

Krishnastami day. That afternoon, Venkataramana partook of a feast in

the Bhagavathar's house.

 

He had to continue his journey. But he had no money. He took off his

earrings, gave them to the Bhagavathar, and requested him to keep

them and give him four rupees. The Bhagavathar who examined the ear-

rings, decided they were worth at least twenty rupees. He gave the

boy four rupees, wrote out his own address on a piece of paper and

gave it to him. He said to Venkata ramana, "Come and take back your

ear rings at any time." The mistress of the house gave some sweets to

the, boy, before he left. Venkataramana continued his journey. He

tore to pieces the paper on which the address of the Bhagavathar was

written, and threw them to the winds. He had no thought of taking

back the earrings.

 

The Ship Reaches The Port

-----------------------------

Venkataramana reached Tiruvannamalai on the next day. His joy knew no

bounds. With great enthusiasm he ran towards the temple of

Arunachaleshwara. All the doors were open. There was no one in the

temple. His heart throbbing with, joys, the boy stood before Lord

Arunachaleshwara.

 

So, Venkataramana's long journey came to an end. The ship had reached

the port safely. He became a sanyasi (a monk). He threw into the pond

the little money he had with him together with the sweets that the

Bhagavathar's wife had given him. He thought, 'This body died away,

why make a fuss about it?' And so he did not bathe. He settled down

in the temple.

 

Soon some naughty boys began to tease him. As he sat in meditation,

they used to throw stones at him. To escape from them Venkataramana

changed the place of his meditation to the under-ground cellar. This

cellar was called Pathalalinga. For some days he was there without

being troubled by the boys. But the naughty boys found out that

place, too.

 

In the Arunachaleshwara temple, there was an aged sanyasin called

Seshadri. Some people though the was a mad man. He not only saw to it

that Venkataramana was not teased by the boys, but also under took to

find food for him.

 

The meditation of the young sanyasin soon attracted the attention of

the people. They took it upon themselves to look after him. But,

generally he never spoke to anybody. Not that he had taken a vow of

silence; 'the truth was that he had no desire to speak to any one.

When he was forced to speak, he said just what was absolutely

necessary.

 

'Brindavan'

------------

Six months must have passed. A gentleman, Thambi Rangaswamy by name,

invited the young sanyasin to go and stay with him. Venkataramana

agreed. The gentleman had a garden called 'Brindavan' and he made the

necessary arrangements for the sanyasin'smeditation there. His

prayers and meditationcontinued undisturbed there. He could think

deeply and meditate on God; and so, new knowledge dawned on him. Many

problems had troubled his mind. What is God?

 

'What man means Soul? What is the relation between the Atman and the

Paramatman (the Soul and God)? What happens to the Atman after the

death of the body? Is the Atman also subject to death as the body is?

Or is it immortal? Now he found answers to all these questions.

 

Venkataramana arose from the 'Samadhi' (or trance of contemplation);

after this, knowledge came to him. He decided to suggest solutions to

the problems of people patiently and to relieve their sufferings. His

fame spread far and wide. The number of people visiting him grew.

Pilgrims who came to the shrine of Arunachala came to pay him homage,

without fail.

 

There was a mango grove very near Thambi Rangaswami's residence.

Venkataramana resolved to stay there.

 

Meeting The Mother Again

-----------------------------

Nelliappa lyer, one of Venkataramana's uncles, somehow learnt that

Venkata Ramana did tapas and became a sanyasin. Alagammal sent him to

bring her son home. He arrived at Arunachala. What if he arrived? His

efforts to take the boy home were in vain. He returned home

disappointed and informed the fact to Alagammal.

 

Alagammal herself went to Tiruvanna malai. Her eldest son also went

with her. Though Venkataramana recognized his mother, he did not say

a word to her. The mother cried and wept. Venkataramana remained

silent. One of the pilgrims was observing the mother's grief and the

son's firmness of mind. He felt pity for the mother. On behalf of the

mother, he requested Venkataramana at least to write on a piece of

paper what he wanted to convey to her. Venkataramana wrote as

follows: -Everyone has to work according to "Prarabdha Karma" (result

of the action done in past life carried to the present). However much

one may strive, what cannot happen will not happen. In the same way,

however much one may resist, what has to happen will

happen.Therefore, the one and only way open to every person is to

carry out his duty.' Alagammal had to return home disappointed with a

heavy heart.

 

The Family Grows

-------------------

After some time Venkataramana abandoned the mango grove, returned to

Mount Arunachala, and commenced his meditation, settling down at the

Virupaksha temple. But the stream of visitors increased even there.

Many of them were weary- of the difficulties and sorrows of earthly

life and sought peace. Others were eager to have more knowledge of

Atman and Paramatman. Each man had a problem of his own. And

Venkataramana had a satisfactory solution to everyone's problems. So

day by day the number of visitors grew.

 

Etchammal was one of the many visitors who came for the 'darshan' of

Ramana everyday. Her life was filled with grief. She had lost her

husband, children, and all. Somebody suggested that she might have a

darshan of Ramana. In his presence she forgot grief and experienced

peace of mind. Ramana had no though of rest or food; Etcharnmal took

upon herself the duty of providing food punctually to Ramana.

 

In 1907, a Samskrita scholar named Ganapathi Sastry came to

Tiruvannamalai He was famous as 'Ganapathi Muni'. He was a worshipper

of Devi. He was drawn to the young sanyasin by the force of his

personality and came to see him. When he first saw Ramana, he was

gazing at the sun. It was a habit with him to gaze the scorching sun

in the afternoon till the sunset. Ganapathi Muni stayed with Ramana

for a number of days and had discussions with him; many of his doubts

were cleared.

 

Although he had studied the Vedanta (Indian Philosophy) and the

Upanishads, he had not clearly understood what 'tapasya' meant. The

simple explanation that Ramana gave cleared a big doubt that

tormented him. It was Ganapathi Muni who gave the young Sanyasin the

name of 'Maharshi' or '13hagawan'. Not only that. He wrote hymns in

Samskrita, in praise of Ramana Maharshi, and wrote a book with the

title 'Ramana Gita' explaining his teachings.

 

Mother And Brother

---------------------

Some time later, Alagammal lost her eldest son.Then she went to

Tiruvanna- malai with her younger sonNagasundaram. She soon fell ill

and suffered from typhoid for many weeks. The Maharshi put aside his

meditation and nursed his mother with devotion. He prayed to Lord

Arunachal- eshwara for the quick recovery of his mother, and composed

several hymns. In one of the hymns he said: 'Oh Lord, it is your duty

to save my mother who has steadfast faith in you.'

 

When Alagammal regained her health, she and Nagasundaram settled down

with at Tiruvannamalai. She took charge of the kitchen. Nagasundaram

was also initiated into sanyasa. He was given the name of

Niranjanananda. The inmates of the Ashram called him 'Chinna Swamy'

(the junior Swamy). Ramana Maharshi's mother passed away in May 1922.

 

The Ashram

-------------

An Ashram was built for Ramana Maharshi on the top of the Mount and

was named 'Ramanashram'. It was the result of the devoted efforts of

the disciples of Ramana who came to stay with him.

 

Niranjanananda won the affection of all the ashramites. In course of

time the number of people living in the Ashram increase. A temple was

also built there. The Ashram progressed rapidly. Not only people from

all parts of India but also people from abroad began to pour into

Ramanashram.

 

The number of disciples seeking advice and help from Ramana in their

spiritual life grew day by day.

 

A gentleman by name F. H. Humphry was his first Western disciple. He

came to India in 1911, to fill a high post in the Department of

Police at Vellore in Madras State. He was keen to study the Principle

of Hinduism. Ganapathi Muni directed 'him to Ramana Maharshi. His

visits to Raman and talks with him solved all his problem,, and he

attained peace of mind. He uses to visit the Ashram now and then, as

on as he stayed in India, and to exchange thoughts with the Maharshi.

He contribute articles in English to the 'Internation,

PsychicGazette' about his experience with Ramana Maharshi and the

Ramanashram. This helped to spread the fame of Ramana Maharshi

quickly through out the world.

 

This was what he wrote about the Maharshi: 'A smile of Ramana

Maharshi is exceedingly beautiful. No one can imagine anything more

beautiful than that. It is sweet and joyous experience to be in

hispresence for a while.'

 

Thieves There Too

--------------------

People began to flock to Ramanashram in large numbers. Everyone who

went there was not necessarily good. Once in 1924, a band of thieves

came to the Ashram in the guise of disciples. All the valuable things

in the Ashram were looted. One of them thrashed even the Maharshi.

But Ramana's disciples caught him. They asked for permission to

punish the thief. Ramana did not give his consent. His reply

was: 'The snakebites, the scorpion stings, the bull buffs. Are we

right in crushing them because they do so? We should try to keep away

from them.Even so, the thieves think that it is their nature to

commit theft. But to pardon them is our Dharma (sacred duty). True

humanity lies not in returning violence for violence, but in

forgiveness. Let us set the man free."

 

Then, he turned to the thief who hadbeaten him and said, "If you are

not satisfied, you give me another blow." There were tears of

repentance in the thieve's eyes.Ramana advised him and sent him away.

To ask for forgiveness when one has erred, and to forgive one, who

has asked for forgive- ness, are acts of great value in Ramana

Maharshi's view. When the thieves left, Ramana Maharshi observed

jokingly: "They have worshipped me also."

 

Love For All Living Beings

-----------------------------

Ramana Maharshi was full of compassion. He used to feel pity for the

hardships of others. He was sympathetic towards those in sorrow. So

at the very first meeting he became dear to them. He was the friend

not only of human beings but also animals and birds. His Ashram would

bring to memory the abodes of Rishis of bygone days. Cows, birds,

monkeys and squirrels were his companions. He used to refer to them

always as 'he' and 'she', but never as 'it'. The cow 'Lakshmi', was

the great pet of everyone. Animals and birds used to be fed regularly

at the Ashram. Whenever an animal or a bird died, the last rites were

performed in all earnestness. Ramana Maharshi believed that, like

human beings, animals and birds have life as well as joys and

sorrows, and, therefore, they too should be treated with sympathy.

This is a good example of his boundless affection.

 

Ramana Maharshi never left Arunachala till death came to him. His

Ashram life was quiet and peaceful. Some of the visitors to

Arunachala used to stay with him for a few days. Some others settled

there. The Ashram grew extensively. Arrangements for sanitation and

medical help and organization of board and lodging for the devotees,

were all looked after by the disciples themselves.

 

Life In The Ashram

--------------------

Many departments were opened in the Ashram. Among them, separate

cattle- sheds,a school for the study of the Vedas, a

Publications'Section and a temple of Sridevi were the important ones.

Ramana -Maharshi was never inactive. He used to be ever active. He

himself attended to every piece of work from proof-correction to

Ashram correspondence. He took interest in all the activities of the

Ashram.

 

Ramana Maharshi found it delightful to go round Mount Arunachala. He

had cultivated a garden of flowers, fruits and vegetables in a part

of the Ashram. He would not allow even a single article of the Ashram

to be wasted. The peels of fruits and vegetables were given as food

to cows. All the members of the Ashram were treated as equals. The

same food was served to all. The Maharshi also sat for food along

with others. He never wished to be shown special regard.

 

The Maharshi was an embodiment of nonviolence. The way he treated the

thieves who broke into the Ashram is an example of it. He would pity

the bad men who did evil to others. He often used to say the it was

not wise to break the teeth just because it bit the tongue in

ignorance His conviction was that the wise should not punish bad

people but should correct them by gentle persuasion.

 

He would not allow even birds and animals to be ill treated in the

Ashram. Once while he was tending a dying monkey, it bit his leg, and

he was wounded. He did not become angry or unhappy. The great love he

bore towards the animals made him forget the pain of the wound.

 

When the cow Lakshmi died, Ramana Maharshi sat by her side and wept,

as though she was his mother! It is said that one day when he was

sitting on a rock in Mount Arunachala, a serpent passed over his

thighs. Somebody, who observed this, asked him: "Did you not

experience fear as the serpent moved across your body?" Ramana

replied with a smile: "No. I had the feeling that some thing cool and

soft was moving on my body."

 

What Courage

---------------

Devotees used to pour in for 'darshan' from five o'clock in the early

morning. Then there would be the chanting of Vedic hymns for some

time. After breakfast at seven, Ramana would move about for an hour

on the Mount and return. At eight, he would sit for meditation along

with the devotees. Normally he would not speak to them. But if the

devotees expressed some doubt, he would give them suitable replies.

 

Meal would be over by eleven. After that, till two o'clock in the

afternoon, there would be no activity of any sort. Again the devotees

would begin to arrive for darshan and discussion, after which Raman

would go again for a stroll for some time. That would be followed by

chanitng for Vedic hymns. Supper would be over by seven-thirty. This

was the routine in the Ashram.

 

Ramana Maharshi did not expound his teachings either in speeches or

in books. He would give simple, direct, short and cleat replies to

the questions put to him by his devotees. He used to guide his

devotees. He used to guide his devotees always on the path of reason.

His constant teaching to his devotees always on the path of reason.

His constant teaching to his devotees was that the way to cleanse the

mind of its impurities was meditation. According to him, the mind

becomes pure by thinking over and over again about the source of

evils.

 

In the ashram, all were welcome with out distinction of caste or

religious belief. Whatever the caste or disease of the visitor, no

one prevented him from entering the Ashram. Raman maharshi held that

all were children of god.

 

The Last Days

---------------

By the year 1947, Ramana's health began to decline. His doctors

advised him to take utritous food. But he did not evince any interest

in their advice. He had the same kind of food as was served to

others. As days passed, his condition grew worse. A small tumour was

found growing on his left forehand. Doctors who examined it declared

it to be sarkoma. They operated and removed it. But it appeared

again. An expert doctor was summoned from Madras. He suggested that

if the Maharshi was to survive, the left hand itself should be

amputated.The Maharshi firmly refused

 

He said:

 

"There is not need for it. This body itself is a big disease. Such

being the case why should the hand itself be cut off? Let any thing

happen. Let, this hand die naturally." He didn't bend to any kind o

persuasion. Doctors performed an operation. In spite of it, Ramana

Maharshi's health did not improve. The disease only great worse. The

tumour grew bigger. The wound did not heal at all. Ramana Maharshi

remained untouched by it. That he showed not signs of pain was a

wonder to all the ashramites.

 

People from far and near flocked to the Ashram to have the last

darshan of Ramana Maharshi. They were all sorrow- stricken. Ramana

Maharshi himself had to console them all. He said his devotees "Every

one that is born must die. The body is not the soul. Therefore nobody

need feel miserable for the death of the body."

 

Ramana Maharshi breathed his last at two o'clock in the night of

April 24, 1950.

 

Ramana Maharshi did not write many books. Everything that he wrote

was only for his devotees and at their request. He wrote both verse

and prose. All his poems were composed in some context, at Somebody's

request. They are all compiled under the caption 'Forty Verses'. This

is his best work. He has also written a work called 'Upadesha Sara'.

He translated Shankaracharya's 'Viveka Choodamani' into Tamil. He

wrote much in Tamil. He could write in Samskrita, Telugu and

Malayalam languages, too.

 

Paul Brunton, a devotee, once asked "Is it possible to give up self-

interest even when one is engaged in the affairs of the world?"

 

Ramana replied: 'Work and knowledge are not opposed to each other."

 

A man may be engaged in his work, in his profession. He should give

up the thought of 'myself, my happiness and my glory', realizing that

there is no happiness in them. He should not feel, 'I am weak'. There

is strength in every one. Every one can find peace and happiness.

 

Thus Ramana Maharshi showed the path of redemption even to the common

man.

 

----------------------

 

In the days of the yore, they used to repay the debt they owed to

their gurus by giving Guru Dakshinas. But nowadays, esply those of us

who have Gurus like Ramana Maharshi who have discarded their mortal

remains, can repay our debt only by abiding and following their

teachings. Living our lives according to what they've said, and

bringing those teachings into practice is how we can repay our debt.

 

I pray that He grants all his devotees the strength to bring his

teachings into practice.

 

Aum Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya !

 

Hari Aum _/\_