Welcome to this sacred space dedicated to the timeless wisdom of Sri Ramana Maharshi, gently guiding you inward to the ever-present truth of your being.
The path of Jnana Marga, as revealed by Sri Ramana Maharshi, is the direct and effortless way to ultimate truth. It is the inquiry into the very nature of the Self—the pure awareness that exists beyond the body, mind, and thoughts.
Unlike paths that rely on external rituals or intellectual concepts, Jnana Marga calls for direct experience—to turn within and recognize the Self as ever-present, beyond all change.
Many spiritual paths—whether devotion, meditation, or service—aim to purify the mind and prepare it for higher understanding. While these are valuable, Self-enquiry bypasses all intermediaries and leads directly to Self-realization. Instead of seeking transformation through external actions or mental conditioning, it goes straight to the root of identity of the ‘I am’. It does not require elaborate rituals, disciplines, or external effort—only a simple turning of attention inward. By tracing the “I”-thought to its source, all illusions dissolve, revealing that the Self has always been present, untouched by ignorance or limitation.
Vedanta and the Upanishads have long upheld the path of Jnana Marga, guiding seekers toward the realization of the Self. These ancient teachings reveal that the ultimate reality is not something to be attained but is already present as the very essence of one’s being. The inquiry into the Self—the search for the unchanging truth behind all experience—has also been expressed in different ways across spiritual traditions, pointing to the same realization.
When that Self, which is both the high and the low, is realised, the knot of the heart gets untied, all doubts are solved, and all his karma become dissipated.
Muṇḍakopaniṣad (2.2.8)
Religious scriptures from all faiths ultimately guide seekers toward the divine presence within—whether it is described as the Kingdom of God, the Supreme Reality, or the Light of Awareness. Self-enquiry does not contradict any faith; rather, it offers a direct way to experience the truth beyond words and concepts.
The Bible and the Gita are the same.
~ Sri Ramana Maharshi ~
This historic image of Sri Ramana Maharshi was taken when he was 21 and residing in the Virupaksha Cave.
The simplicity of Self-enquiry (Atma Vichara) can seem paradoxically difficult to grasp. The question “Who am I?”, meant to dissolve all false identifications, is often misunderstood as a mere intellectual exercise. The challenge lies not in the teaching itself, but in the deeply ingrained tendency of the mind to seek truth outside, rather than looking inward. Many struggle with the subtlety of this practice, unsure how to approach it or integrate it into daily life.
Modern science seeks to understand the fundamental nature of reality by exploring the external universe, breaking matter down into atoms, subatomic particles, and quantum fields. Yet, despite these discoveries, the essential nature of the observer—the one perceiving all of this—remains a mystery.
Self-enquiry follows a different yet equally precise approach—it turns inward to investigate the source of perception itself. Just as science relies on direct observation and experiment, Self-enquiry does not depend on blind belief or intellectual speculation, but on direct experience. The truth of one’s existence cannot be known secondhand—it must be realized beyond thought, just as seeing light is more powerful than merely believing in its presence.
He is a Knower of the Self to whom the ideas ‘me’ and ‘mine’ have become quite meaningless.
Upadeśasāhasrī of
Śri Śaṅkarācārya (14.29)
All enlightened masters who have walked this earth have spoken the same eternal truth—not as an opinion or belief, but from direct realization of the supreme reality. Their words may have varied across time, culture, and language, yet the essence remains unchanged. Whether expressed as Self, Brahman, God, Tao, or the Absolute, they all pointed beyond concepts to the one unchanging truth that is ever-present. From their deep, direct experience, they revealed that liberation is about recognizing what has always been there, at the very core of our existence.
Sri Ramana Maharshi with his mother, Azhagammal, who spent her final years with him on Arunachala. In her last moments, Maharshi sat beside her in deep stillness, guiding her soul to the Infinite.
True knowledge is not about learning something new—it is about seeing what has always been. In that sense, Self-enquiry is not merely a philosophical concept but a living practice that can be integrated into every moment of life. Unlike methods that require dedicated meditation sessions, Self-enquiry can be practiced anywhere and at any time—whether sitting in stillness or engaged in daily activities.
The key is to remain aware of the “I”, questioning its source rather than being carried away by thoughts. Whether walking, speaking, or working, the practice remains the same: Who is the one experiencing this? This inquiry shifts awareness from identification with thoughts and actions to the ever-present Self, leading to effortless abidance in truth.
This Self cannot be cut, not burnt, nor wetted, nor dried. Changeless, all-pervading, unmoving, immovable, the Self is eternal.
Srimad Bhagavad Gita (2.24)
On this website, the teachings of Jnana Marga are presented in a clear, structured, and illustrative way, revealing the depth of Sri Ramana Maharshi’s wisdom. Carefully designed visual representations help bridge the gap between deep philosophical truths and direct personal experience. Self-enquiry is open to all, allowing anyone, regardless of background, to understand and integrate it into the journey of Self-discovery.
Lakshmi, the cherished cow of Sri Ramana Maharshi, was no ordinary animal. She lived at Sri Ramanasramam, receiving Maharshi’s love and care like a true devotee.
For those who wish to dive deeper, explore the “Who Am I?” page, where you will find the essential questions and answers from Sri Ramana Maharshi’s booklet, offering direct insights into Self-enquiry.
To learn the basics of Self-enquiry, visit the “Self-enquiry” page, where the fundamental principles are presented through pictorial representations, making it easier to step onto the path of Jnana.
Finally, this website is a safe space for seekers of all backgrounds to explore the universal message of Jnana (Self-knowledge), for those who wish to turn inward. It is a continuous work in progress, evolving to bring clarity and depth to those on the path of Jnana Marga.
Visitors are encouraged to return often, explore, reflect, and deepen their understanding. Thank you for visiting—may your journey within be filled with light and realization.
Your own Self-realization is the greatest service you can render the world.
~ Sri Ramana Maharshi ~
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