Ramana Maharshi's Biography-Departure To Arunachala

This part of Ramana Maharshi's biography deals with His leaving home for Arunachala.

Venkataraman's changed mode of life and indifference to studies drew forth critical remarks from his uncle and elder brother. Six weeks passed this way. The crisis came on 29 August 1886. Venkataraman was to copy out three times an exercise in English grammar for having failed to learn it. He had finished copying it twice and was about to do the third time when the utter futility of the whole thing struck him so deeply that he set aside his books and sat with his eyes closed in meditation. This incensed his elder brother, who remarked caustically, 'Why all this to such a one?' meaning obviously that one who wished to live the life of a sadhu had no use for home and its comforts. Venkataraman perceived the truth of the remark and rose to his feet then and there to embark on a life of renunciation. To him that meant Arunachala, the holy hill at Thiruvannamalai.

He told his brother that he had to go back to school to attend some special class. His brother asked him to take five rupees from the box downstairs and pay his college fees on the way. Venkataraman took the money and found out from an atlas the nearest station to Thiruvannamalai (Arunachala) Estimating that three rupees would be enough for the journey he took only so much and left a note to his brother along with the remaining two rupees. His letter ran: I have left out in quest of my Father in accordance with His command. It is on a virtuous enterprise that this has embarked; therefore let none grieve over this act and let no money be spent on this. Your college fees have not been paid. Two rupees are enclosed herewith.

The letter itself is an indication of his transformation from the devotional joy of duality to the eternal bliss of Oneness. The letter begins with 'I"and 'my Father', but in the second sentence the writer is referred to as 'this'. Finally the letter ends With a mere dash in place of signature, since there was no ego left in the writer.

To be continued

About the author

Swami Yuktatmananda

Swami Yuktatmananda of Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya, Coimbatore, is a monk of the Ramakrishna Order. This article is an excerpt from His 'The Holy Beacon of Arunachala,' which is a narration of Ramana Maharshi's biography. In this article he describes about the events that led to Ramana's departure to Arunachala.