Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi
A Sanskrit term that was often used, both by Sri Ramana and by other more ancient sages such as Sri Adi Sankara, to describe this empirical practice of self-investigation or self-attentiveness is atma-vichara, which is often loosely translated in English as ’self-enquiry’ or ’self-inquiry’. However, rather than ‘enquiry’, the word vichara [...]
The Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi
The philosophy of Sri Ramana derives solely from his experience of true, absolute and non-dual self-knowledge, an experience that transcends all thought, both rational and irrational. However, since we imagine the existence of duality, multiplicity and relativity, we seem to lack the non-dual and absolute knowledge of our own essential [...]
Teachings of Ramana Bhagavan
Happiness lies deep within us, in the very core of our being. Happiness does not exist in any external object, but only in us, who are the consciousness that experiences happiness. Though we seem to derive happiness from external objects or experiences, the happiness that we thus enjoy in fact arises from [...]
IV: `WHO AM I?’ — ENQUIRY
For all thoughts the source is the `I-thought’. The mind will merge only by Self-enquiry `Who am I?’ The thought `Who am I?l?’ will destroy all other thoughts and finally kill itself also. If other thoughts arise, without trying to complete them, one must enquire to whom did this thought [...]
Sri Ramana Maharshi’s Life
In the very early hours of December 30th, 1879, in the village of Tiruchuzhi in Tamil Nadu, a baby boy was born to Azhagammal and Sundaram Iyer.
Tiruchuzhi is home to the Bhoominathar temple, and on the eve of the baby’s birth, the Andra darshan celebration was taking place. During this celebration, [...]
Invocation from the Katha Upanishad; also from parts 2 and 3 of the Taittiriya Upanishad. This is popular Shanti Mantra (peace invocation) that is recited in all temples.
Saha navavatu saha nau bhunaktu
Saha viryam karavavahai
May He protect us together.
May He own us together.
May He make unto us vigour and virility.
Commentary
God, Guru and disciple: God is Compassion [...]
Uttisthata jagrata prapya varan nibodhata
Ksurasya dhara nisita duratyaya
Durgam pathas tat kavayo vadanti
(Katha Upanishad 1.3.14)
Arise! Awake! Realise and achieve the Highest with the help of the [...]
The Upanishads are the concluding portions of the Vedas and the basis for the Vedanta philosophy, “a system in which human speculation seems to have reached its very acme,” according to Max Muller. The Upanisads have dominated Indian philosophy, religion, and life for nearly three thousand years.
The ideal of man’s ultimate beatitude, the perfection of [...]
One day a young boy came to the ashrama of Sage Gautama and said: “Holy Sire, I want to get the sacred knowledge by serving you. Please accept me as your student.”
The sage asked: “Child, What is your gotra?” (Gotra is one’s family name).
The boy replied: “Sire, I asked it of my mother. She said: [...]
Uddalaka was a great rishi. He had a son by name Svetaketu.
After giving him the sacred thread at the proper age, the rishi called him one day and said, “Svetaketu, proceed to the house of a guru and living there as a student, learn the Vedas well; for, there is none in our family who [...]