Ramana Maharshi Quotes & Sayings

You must achieve liberation during your life time.
Even if you fail to do it during your lifetime, you must think of god at least at the time of death, since one becomes what he thinks of
at the time of death. But unless all your life you have been thinking of God, unless you have accustomed yourself to dhyana of 'God
always during life, it would not at all be possible for you think of God at the time of death. — Ramana Maharshi

If it is asked whether the wise man derives any benefit from the discharge of domestic duties, it may be answered that, as he has already attained the state of complete satisfaction which is the sum total of all benefits and the highest good of all, he does not stand to gain anything more by discharging family duties. — Ramana Maharshi

Enlightened enquiry alone leads to liberation. Supernatural powers are all illusory appearances created by the power of maya (mayashakti). Self-realization which is permanent is the only true accomplishment (siddhi). Accomplishments which appear and disappear, being the effect of maya, cannot be real. They are accomplished with the object of enjoying fame, pleasures, etc. They come unsought to some persons through their karma. Know that union with Brahman is the real aim of all accomplishments. This is also the state of liberation (aikya mukti) known as union (sayujya). — Ramana Maharshi

The Self alone exists. When you try to trace the ego, which is the basis of the perception of the world and everything else, you find the ego does not exist at all and neither does all this creation that you see. — Ramana Maharshi

If you are vigilant and make a stern effort to reject every thought when it rises, you will soon find that you are going deeper and deeper into your own inner self, where there is no need for your effort to reject the thoughts. — Ramana Maharshi

It is within our competence to think and become bound, or to cease thinking and thus be free. — Ramana Maharshi

Beyond the belief that something can be lost, there is nothing to lose. — Ramana Maharshi

When one remains without thinking one understands another by means of the universal language of Silence. — Ramana Maharshi

To the extent we behave with humility, to that extent good will result. — Ramana Maharshi

The fact is that the mind is only a bundle of thoughts. The mind is fattened by new thoughts rising up. Therefore it is foolish to attempt to kill the mind by means of the mind. The only way of doing it is to find its source and hold on to it. The mind will then fade away of its own accord. — Ramana Maharshi

The means that make one qualified for enquiry are meditation, yoga, etc. One should gain proficiency in these through graded practice and thus secure a stream of mental modes that is natural and helpful. — Ramana Maharshi

True Silence is really endless speech. — Ramana Maharshi

You know that you know nothing. Find out that knowledge. — Ramana Maharshi

Reality is simply the loss of ego. Destroy the ego by seeking its identity. Because the ego is no entity it will automatically vanish and reality will shine forth by itself. — Ramana Maharshi

Is it the world that says I am real, or is it you? — Ramana Maharshi

Jnana is given neither from outside nor from another person. It can be realised by each and everyone in his own Heart. The jnana Guru of everyone is only the Supreme Self that is always revealing its own truth in every Heart through the being-conciousness 'I am, I am.' The granting of true knowledge by him is initiation into jnana. The grace of the Guru is only that Self-awareness that is one's own true nature. It is the inner conciousness by which he is unceasingly revealing his existence. This divine upadesa is always going on naturally in everyone. — Ramana Maharshi

That is the ego which rises and sinks periodically. But you exist always. That which lies beyond the ego is consciousness - the Self. — Ramana Maharshi

Let what comes come, let what goes go. — Ramana Maharshi

Lady with fair countenance! Understand that one who is not able to realise the Truth in his Heart by this knowledge of spiritual wisdom known as Kala Jnana, can never attain it even by studying countless crores ofsastras (scriptures) spread out like the sky. — Ramana Maharshi

42. The colour of milk is one, the colours of the cows many, So is the nature of knowledge, observe the wise ones. Beings of various marks and attributes, Are like the cows, their realisation is the same; This is an example we should know. — Ramana Maharshi

Wanting to reform the world without discovering one's true self is like trying to cover the world with leather to avoid the pain of walking on stones and thorns. It is much simpler to wear shoes. — Ramana Maharshi

There is neither Past nor Future. There is only the Present. — Ramana Maharshi

Every living being longs always to be happy, untainted by sorrow; and everyone has the greatest love for himself, which is solely due to the fact that happiness is his real nature. Hence, in order to realize that inherent and untainted happiness, which indeed he daily experiences when the mind is subdued in deep sleep, it is essential that he should know himself. For obtaining such knowledge the inquiry 'Who am I?' in quest of the Self is the best means. — Ramana Maharshi

I see only what you see, but I notice what I see. — Ramana Maharshi

The state of self-realization, as we call it, is not attaining something new or reaching some goal which is far away, but simply being that which you always are and which you always have been. — Ramana Maharshi

The best way to meditate is through meditation itself. — Ramana Maharshi

You are the Supreme Being, and yet thinking yourself to be separate from it, you strive to become united with it. What is stranger than this? — Ramana Maharshi

There is nothing so simple as being the Self. It requires no effort, no aid. One has to leave off the wrong identity and be in his (her) eternal, natural, inherent state. — Ramana Maharshi

Time and space always change, but there is something which is eternal and changeless. For example, the world and time, past or future, nothing exists for us in sleep. But we exist. Let us try to find out that which is changeless and which always exists. — Ramana Maharshi

If you approach the ocean with a cup, you can only take away a cupful; if you approach it with a bucket you can take away a bucketful. — Ramana Maharshi

The Self is the heart, self-luminous. Illumination arises from the heart and reaches the brain, which is the seat of the mind. The world is seen with the mind; so you see the world by the reflected light of the Self. — Ramana Maharshi

When the mind is left without anything to cling to, it becomes still. — Ramana Maharshi

To perform one's duty is the greatest service to God. — Ramana Maharshi

The activity affected by causes like fainting, sleep, excessive joy, grief, possession by spirits, fear etc goes to the heart, its own place. — Ramana Maharshi

Grace is always present. You imagine it is something somewhere high in the sky, far away, and has to descend. It is really inside you, in your Heart, and the moment you effect subsidence or merger of the mind into its Source, grace rushes forth, sprouting as from a spring within you — Ramana Maharshi

In truth, you are spirit. The body has been projected by the mind, which itself originates from Spirit. — Ramana Maharshi

When the pot is carried, the space within the pot, Though conceived of as carried, Is it not the pot only that is carried? The Self too, like Space, remains motionless. 53. When the pot breaks, the space in the pot Merges one with the great Space. When the inert body passes away, the Self, seemingly in the body, Becomes immediately one with the Supreme Self. — Ramana Maharshi

The Real is ever-present, like the screen on which the cinematographic pictures move. While the picture appears on it, the screen remains invisible. Stop the picture, and the screen will become clear. All thoughts and events are merely pictures moving on the screen of Pure Consciousness, which alone is real. — Ramana Maharshi

It will come all right in the end. There is the steady impulse of your determination that sets you on your feet again after every downfall and breakdown. Gradually the obstacles are all overcome and your current becomes stronger. Everything comes right in the end. Steady determination is what is required. — Ramana Maharshi

Silence is never-ending speech. Vocal speech obstructs the other speech of silence. In silence one is in intimate contact with the surroundings. Language is only a medium for communicating one's thoughts to another. Silence is ever speaking. — Ramana Maharshi

Realisation is not acquisition of anything new nor is it a new faculty. It is only removal of all camouflage — Ramana Maharshi

Let what comes come.
Let what goes go.
Find out what remains. — Ramana Maharshi

The source of the ego is God. — Ramana Maharshi

Take no notice of the ego and its activities, but see only the light behind. — Ramana Maharshi

Non-action is unceasing activity. The sage is characterized by eternal and intense activity. His stillness is like the apparent stillness of a fast rotating gyroscope. — Ramana Maharshi

The Self is here and now, it is the only Reality. There is nothing else. — Ramana Maharshi

Calmness is the criterion of spiritual progress. Plunge the purified mind into the Heart. Then the work is over. — Ramana Maharshi

The solution to your problem is to see who has it. — Ramana Maharshi

Correcting oneself is correcting the whole world. The Sun is simply bright. It does not correct anyone. Because it shines, the whole world is full of light. Transforming yourself is a means of giving light to the whole world. — Ramana Maharshi

Unless one is happy, one cannot bestow happiness on others. — Ramana Maharshi

All are seeing God always. But they do not know it. — Ramana Maharshi

57. Omniscience and bliss, and mature wisdom, Remaining independent, limitless strength - Attaining all these, he shines ever, the Self without afflictions. With an immaculate body, he, as the Self, merges in Siva. 58. Japa of the name, worship, bathing in holy waters, ritual sacrifices, None of these or others are needed. The fruits of dharma and adharma, Water oblations to forefathers, None of these are for him. 59. No injunctions for observance, no fasts, Nothing required by way of getting into or out of (any action), No vows of celibacy for him, know this. 60. Not having any recourse to falling into the fire or water, Or falling from the mountain top, Enjoy the feast of the Knowledge of Siva, eternal and pure. Rid of the rules applying to all creation, move about as you please. 61. I tell you this is the Truth, the Truth, the Truth, thrice over. There is nothing greater than this, Nothing greater is there to be known, Nothing at all, nowhere ever. — Ramana Maharshi

Food affects the mind. For the practice of any kind of yoga, vegetarianism is absolutely necessary since it makes the mind more pure and harmonious. — Ramana Maharshi

We are always peace. To get rid of the idea that we are not peace is all that is required. — Ramana Maharshi

The "I" thought is said to be the sum total of all thoughts. The source of the "I" thought has to be inquired into. — Ramana Maharshi

Discover your undying Self and be immortal and happy. — Ramana Maharshi

The self cannot be found in books. You have to find it for yourself, within yourself. — Ramana Maharshi

There is no doubt whatsoever that the universe is the merest illusion. — Ramana Maharshi

Peace is for the purification of one's mind. Power is for the growth of the community. Having established the community with power, one should then establish supreme peace. — Ramana Maharshi

When the mind, one-pointed and fully focused, knows the supreme silence in the Heart, this is true learning. — Ramana Maharshi

Suffering is the way for Realization of God. — Ramana Maharshi

Thoughts come and go. Feelings come and go. Find out what it is that remains. — Ramana Maharshi

The man who has the sense of the body being himself cannot possibly worship God as formless; whatever worship he makes will be worship in form alone, not otherwise. — Ramana Maharshi

Love is verily the heart of all religions. — Ramana Maharshi

When one makes the mind stick to one thought, the mind becomes rock-steady and the energy is conserved. — Ramana Maharshi

Consciousness is indeed always with us. Everyone knows 'I am!' No one can deny his own being. — Ramana Maharshi

Grace is within you. Grace is your self. Grace is not something to be acquired from others. If it is external, it is useless. All that is necessary is to know its existence is in you. You are never out of its operation. — Ramana Maharshi

The State of liberated Being can be reached only by "dying"; but (this) dying does not consist in destruction of the body; one should understand that true death is the extinction of the ideas "I" and "mine." — Ramana Maharshi

Even as one and the same person is called by different names according to the different functions he performs, so also one and the same mind is called by the different names: mind, intellect, memory, and egoity, on account of the difference in the modes - and not because of any real difference. — Ramana Maharshi

Concentration of the mind is in a way common to both Knowledge and Yoga. Yoga aims at union of the individual with the universal, the Reality. This Reality cannot be new. It must exist even now, and it does exist. — Ramana Maharshi

That alone is Real which exists by itself, which reveals itself by itself and which is eternal and unchanging. — Ramana Maharshi

You need not aspire for or get any new state. Get rid of your present thoughts, that is all. — Ramana Maharshi

Doubts never end. If one doubt is removed, another takes its place. It is like removing the leaves of a tree one by one. Even if all the leaves are clipped off, new ones grow. The tree itself must be uprooted. — Ramana Maharshi

Such happiness is relative and is better called pleasure or satisfaction. — Ramana Maharshi

God has no resolve; no karma attaches itself to Him. — Ramana Maharshi

See who is in the subject. The investigation leads you to pure consciousness beyond the subject. — Ramana Maharshi

Society is the body; individuals are its members, its limbs. Just as the various limbs help and co-operate with one another and thus are happy, so each must unite with others in being helpful to all in thought, speech and action ... One may see to the good of one's own group, i.e., the group that is immediate to him, and then proceed to others. — Ramana Maharshi

The more you prune a plant, the more it grows. So too the more you seek to annihilate the ego, the more it will increase. You should seek the root of the ego and destroy it. — Ramana Maharshi

Your own Self-Realization is the greatest service you can render the world. — Ramana Maharshi

If you go the way of your thoughts you will be carried away by them and you will find yourself in an endless maze. — Ramana Maharshi

You can only stop the flow of thoughts by refusing to have any interest in it. — Ramana Maharshi

What message is needed when heart speaks to heart? — Ramana Maharshi

Suffering turns men towards their creator. — Ramana Maharshi

To know one's Self is to be blissful always. — Ramana Maharshi

Misery does not exist in reality but only in mere imagination. — Ramana Maharshi

Mind is but a poor reflection of the radiant Heart. — Ramana Maharshi

If the mind falls asleep, awaken it. Then if it starts wandering, make it quiet. If you reach the state where there is neither sleep nor movement of mind, stay still in that, the natural (real) state. — Ramana Maharshi

The end of all wisdom is love, love, love. — Ramana Maharshi

The master is within; meditation is meant to remove the ignorant idea that he is only outside. If he is a stranger whom you await, he is bound to disappear also. What is the use of a transient being like that? But so long as you think you are separate or that you are the body, an external master is also necessary and he will appear to have a body. When the wrong identification of oneself with the body ceases, the master will be found to be none other than the Self. — Ramana Maharshi

Know that the eradication of the identification with the body is charity, spiritual austerity and ritual sacrifice; it is virtue, divine union and devotion; it is heaven, wealth, peace and truth; it is grace; it is the state of divine silence; it is the deathless death; it is jnana, renunciation, final liberation and bliss. — Ramana Maharshi

Concentration is not thinking of one thing. On the contrary, it is excluding all thoughts, since all thoughts obstruct the sense of one's true being. All efforts are to be directed simply to removing the veil of ignorance. Concentrating the mind solely on the Self will lead to happiness or bliss. Drawing in the thoughts, restraining them and preventing them from straying outwards is called detachment (vairagya). Fixing them in the Self is spiritual practice (sadhana). Concentrating on the heart is the same as concentrating on the Self. Heart is another name for Self. — Ramana Maharshi

Place your burden at the feet of the Lord of the universe who is ever victorious and accomplishes everything. Remain all the time steadfast in the heart, in the Transcendental Absolute. God knows the past, present and future. He will determine the future for you and accomplish the work. What is to be done will be done at the proper time. Don't worry. Abide in the heart and surrender your acts to the Divine. — Ramana Maharshi

If one's mind has peace, the whole world will appear peaceful. — Ramana Maharshi

Silence is also conversation. — Ramana Maharshi

If you observe awareness steadily, this awareness itself becomes the Guru that will reveal the Truth. — Ramana Maharshi

Peace is the inner nature of humankind. If you find it within yourself, you will then find it everywhere. — Ramana Maharshi

That which comes and goes, rises and sets, is born and dies is the ego. That which always abides, never changes, and is devoid of qualities is the Self. — Ramana Maharshi

The degree of freedom from unwanted thoughts and the degree of concentration on a single thought are the measures to gauge spiritual progress. — Ramana Maharshi

Happiness is not to be sought in solitude or in busy centers. It is in the Self. — Ramana Maharshi

Remain still, with the conviction that the Self shines as everything yet nothing, within, without, and everywhere. — Ramana Maharshi