Ramana Maharishi (1879–1950)

Tamil (southern Indian) sage. Following an early experience in which he believed he was dying, he gained a deep insight into the nature of the self and of the spirit which transcends the body. At the age of 17 he went to the Hindu sacred hill of Arunachala and settled down to meditate. An ashram (community devoted to social service) formed around him and his teaching became known throughout the world.

Westerners as well as Indians came to hear him, and his saintly presence gave rise to many stories about his ability to appear in more than one place at the same time. He taught that all spiritual doubts are resolved when the true nature of the self is realized and that this may be discovered in two ways: by asking the question ‘Who am I?’ and continually probing deeper; or by giving up the self in loving service for the world.