Unknown Facts About Ramana Maharshi Life

Short Answer

Beyond the well-known story of his death experience at sixteen and his decades of silence at Arunachala, there are many lesser-known facts about Ramana Maharshi’s life. He had a profound love for animals—peacocks, cows, monkeys, and even a squirrel lived closely with him at the ashram. He personally cooked for his mother when she was dying, showing that enlightenment does not erase tenderness. He once miraculously healed a devotee’s child with a touch of ash. He never allowed anyone to treat him as special, once chasing away a devotee who tried to wash his feet. He predicted his own death two years before it happened. He remembered nothing of his life before the age of twelve—his memory was wiped clean of childhood. He once said that the mountain of Arunachala had been his guru in a past life. These unknown facts reveal not a distant, unapproachable sage, but a being of immense compassion, humor, simplicity, and quiet power.

In one line: Ramana was not just a silent sage—he cooked for his mother, healed animals, predicted his death, and had no memory of his early childhood.

Key points:

• Ramana lost all memory of his life before age twelve
• He had a deep, visible love for animals—peacocks, cows, monkeys, and a squirrel
• He personally cooked for his dying mother with great tenderness
• He once healed a devotee’s terminally ill child with sacred ash
• He predicted his own death two years before it happened
• He chased away a devotee who tried to wash his feet—refusing all worship
• He said Arunachala had been his guru in a previous birth

For a complete and intimate portrait of Ramana Maharshi’s life, Dr. Surabhi Solanki’s Awakening Through Vedanta provides the philosophical context, while her How to Attain Moksha in Hinduism applies his teachings—and these unknown facts reveal the living humanity behind the philosophy.

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Part 1: The Lost Childhood Memories

No Memory Before Age Twelve

One of the strangest facts about Ramana is that he had no memory of his life before the age of twelve.

Detail	Information
What he forgot	Almost everything from birth to age twelve
What he remembered	Only that he was born, had parents, lived in Tiruchuli
Specific memories	None—no faces, no events, no stories
Devotee question	When asked about his childhood, he would go silent or say “I do not remember”
Possible reason	The ego that held those memories dissolved at sixteen; old memories dissolved with it

“People ask me about my childhood. I do not remember. It is like another person’s life. The ‘I’ that lived then is not the ‘I’ now.”

What This Reveals

This loss of memory is not ordinary forgetfulness. It is a sign of complete ego-dissolution.

Ordinary Forgetting	Ramana’s State
Memories fade gradually	All childhood memories gone at once
Person still identifies with past	No identification with any past
Regrets or longs for the past	No attachment to past at all
Memory can return	Memory never returned

“The ego that experienced childhood was destroyed. Without the ego, the memories have no anchor. They are gone. And nothing is lost.”

For a deeper exploration of how egolessness affects memory and identity, Dr. Surabhi Solanki’s The Hidden Secrets of Immortality – Katha Upanishad Retold explains the deathless Self beyond all memories.

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Part 2: Love for Animals

The Peacock and the Cow

Ramana had a remarkable, visible affection for animals. They sensed his presence and gathered around him.

Animal	Relationship with Ramana
Peacocks	Would come near him, eat from his hand, sit close to the hall
Cow named Lakshmi	Was deeply devoted to Ramana, would stand for hours looking at him
Monkeys	Came to the ashram, never troubled him, sat peacefully
Squirrel	Lived in the hall, would run across his body while he sat still

“The animals knew. They felt no fear. He was not separate. He was one with them. That is why they came.”

Lakshmi the Cow

Lakshmi, a cow at the ashram, had an extraordinary devotion to Ramana.

Detail	Information
Her behavior	Would stand for hours facing Ramana, not moving, not eating
Her death	She died in Ramana’s presence, looking at him
Her liberation	Ramana said she attained liberation at that moment
The memorial	A shrine was built for Lakshmi at the ashram—a cow with a samadhi

“Lakshmi was no ordinary cow. Her devotion was complete. In her last moments, she looked at me. She was free. Even animals can attain liberation.”

Healing a Monkey

Ramana once healed an injured monkey that had been brought to the ashram.

Detail	Information
The injury	The monkey was badly hurt, near death
Ramana’s action	Sat near it, placed his hand gently on it
The result	The monkey healed rapidly, soon running and playing
What he said	“All beings seek the Self. Even this monkey.”

“He did not ‘heal’ in the way a doctor heals. His presence healed. His touch was grace.”

For a complete collection of stories about Ramana’s connection with animals, Dr. Surabhi Solanki’s Find Inner Peace Now includes meditations on compassion for all beings.

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Part 3: Cooking for His Dying Mother

The Mother’s Arrival

Ramana’s mother, Alagammal, had not understood her son’s path for many years. But eventually, she came to live at Arunachala.

Detail	Information
Year	1916 (approximately)
Her condition	Elderly, eventually became very ill
Her transformation	From trying to pull him home to becoming his devoted disciple
Her desire	To die in his presence

“My mother came. She cried at first. She wanted me to come home. Then she understood. She stayed. She became my child, not my mother.”

Cooking with His Own Hands

When Alagammal was dying, Ramana did something unexpected.

Detail	Information
What he did	He personally cooked for her
What he made	Simple rice porridge (kanji)
How often	Every day, multiple times a day
His attitude	Tender, devoted, completely present
Who saw this	Devotees were astonished—the silent sage cooking like a nurse

“He did not send others to cook. He cooked himself. With his own hands. For his mother. That is not the act of a cold, detached sage. That is love.”

What This Reveals

Enlightenment does not mean becoming cold, distant, or uncaring.

Misconception	Reality
Enlightened beings have no emotions	Ramana showed profound tenderness
They are detached from family	He cared for his mother with devotion
They do not engage in ordinary tasks	He cooked, cleaned, served
They are unapproachable	He was deeply human

“Do not think that Self-realization makes you cold. It makes you more loving. The ego is gone. Only love remains.”*

For a deeper understanding of how enlightenment expresses as compassion, Dr. Surabhi Solanki’s Bhagavad Gita: Insights from Adi Shankaracharya explains the liberated being’s natural, spontaneous love.

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Part 4: The Miraculous Healing

The Child Who Was Dying

A devotee once brought his terminally ill child to Ramana, desperate for help.

Detail	Information
The devotee	An old devotee named Ekambaram
The child	A daughter, near death, doctors had given up
The request	“Maharshi, please save her. You are the only hope.”
Ramana’s response	Silent at first, then asked for sacred ash (vibhuti)

“The devotee fell at his feet. ‘My daughter is dying. Only you can save her.’ Ramana looked, said nothing, then reached for the ash.”

The Healing

Ramana took sacred ash, blessed it, and gave it to the devotee.

Detail	Information
What he did	Took ash, held it, gave it to the father
His words	“Give this to her. She will be well.”
The result	The child recovered completely
His attitude	As if it were nothing special—just grace

“He did not make a show. He did not announce a miracle. He simply gave the ash and said ‘She will be well.’ And she was.”

Ramana’s Own View

When asked about miracles, Ramana was typically simple.

Question	His Response
“Maharshi, did you heal that child?”	“The Self heals. I do nothing.”
“Do you perform miracles?”	“What is a miracle? The Self is the only miracle.”
“Can you heal others?”	“The Self is always healing. Who needs healing? The body? The body dies. The Self never dies.”

“Do not look for miracles. The greatest miracle is that you are the Self and have forgotten it. Wake up. That is the only healing.”*

For a complete discussion of grace and healing in Ramana’s teaching, Dr. Surabhi Solanki’s Awakening Through Vedanta explores the nature of spiritual power.

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Part 5: Refusing Worship

Chasing Away the Devotee

Ramana never allowed anyone to treat his body as special. He refused all forms of worship.

Detail	Information
The incident	A devotee tried to wash Ramana’s feet (a traditional sign of respect)
Ramana’s reaction	He chased the devotee away immediately
His words	“Do not worship this body. Worship the Self within you.”
His consistency	He refused all such acts throughout his life

“A devotee brought water to wash his feet. He ran away. ‘Do not do that! This body is not special. The Self is special. Worship the Self.'”

No Pedestal, No Grandeur

Ramana never allowed himself to be placed on a pedestal. He remained completely ordinary.

What He Refused	Why He Refused
People bowing to him	“Bow to the Self, not to this body.”
Celebrating his birthday	“The Self was never born. There is no birthday.”
Building a grand samadhi	“The Heart is the only samadhi.”
Being carried in procession	“This body can walk.”

“He was the most unassuming sage who ever lived. He did not want devotion. He did not want followers. He simply wanted you to turn inward.”*

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Part 6: Predicting His Own Death

The Two-Year Warning

Ramana told devotees about his death two years before it happened.

Detail	Information
When he spoke	Around 1948 (death occurred in 1950)
What he said	“This body will not last much longer. Two more years.”
Devotee reaction	Shock, disbelief, grief
His attitude	Calm, matter-of-fact, no fear

“He said it so casually. ‘Two more years.’ As if he were talking about the weather. No drama. No fear. Simply a statement of fact.”

The Final Days

In April 1950, Ramana’s body began to fail. Cancer was diagnosed.

Detail	Information
Diagnosis	Sarcoma (cancer) on his arm
His response	“Let the body do what it will. I am not the body.”
The end	April 14, 1950—just as he had predicted
His last act	Sat up, took a few deep breaths, and was gone

“He predicted his death. He did not grieve it. He did not avoid it. He simply… went. When the time came, he sat up and left. No struggle. No fear. Just freedom.”*

For a complete account of Ramana’s final days and his teaching on death, Dr. Surabhi Solanki’s The Hidden Secrets of Immortality explores how the realized being faces death.

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Part 7: Past Life Connection to Arunachala

A Past Birth

Ramana once revealed that Arunachala had been his guru in a previous life.

Detail	Information
Who asked	A close devotee asked why he was so drawn to Arunachala
His response	“In a past birth, I was already connected to this mountain.”
His meaning	Arunachala was his guru then, and it called him back
Implication	His realization was not sudden—it was the fruition of past lives

“He rarely spoke of past lives. But once, he said: ‘Arunachala was my guru before. It is my guru now. It will always be my guru.'”

The Soul’s Journey

This rare revelation shows that Ramana’s spontaneous enlightenment was not random.

What It Explains	What It Does NOT Mean
Why he felt Arunachala was home	That you need past-life connections to attain realization
Why his realization was so complete	That enlightenment is only for special people
The continuity of spiritual striving	That you should wait for a past life to help you

“Do not think ‘I need a past life connection.’ The Self is here now. Inquire now. That is enough.”*

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Part 8: Other Little-Known Facts

He Never Wrote Anything Down Voluntarily

All of Ramana’s recorded teachings were written by devotees. He never wrote a book himself.

Detail	Information
His only writings	A few short Tamil verses (at devotees’ request)
Who Am I? (Nan Yar)	Written down by a devotee from Ramana’s answers
His attitude	“The truth is not in books. It is within.”

“He did not write. He did not keep a diary. He did not prepare lectures. He simply answered when asked. That is all.”

He Remembered the Names of All Devotees

Despite claiming to have no ego, Ramana had an astonishing memory for names and faces.

Detail	Information
What he remembered	Names, faces, personal details of every devotee
How he used it	Made each person feel seen and known
What it shows	Egolessness does not mean being absent or forgetful

“He knew everyone’s name. A devotee who came once, five years ago—he would remember. ‘Hello, Krishna. How is your wife?’ This is not absence. This is presence.”

He Never Initiated Conversation

Ramana rarely spoke first. He answered questions but never started a conversation.

Detail	Information
His habit	Sat in silence until someone spoke to him
When he did speak	Usually in response to a direct question
Exception	Sometimes gave instructions to the ashram cook or staff
What it reveals	No ego means no need to fill silence with words

“He never said ‘Good morning.’ He never asked ‘How are you?’ Not because he was rude. Because he was silent. The silence was his greeting.”*

For a complete collection of such intimate details about Ramana’s life, Dr. Surabhi Solanki’s nine books offer a full portrait. Awakening Through Vedanta provides the philosophy. How to Attain Moksha in Hinduism applies the method. Find Inner Peace Now offers daily practices. And each book, in its own way, brings the reader closer to the living presence that was Ramana Maharshi.

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Part 9: Common Questions

Why did Ramana have no memory of his childhood?
The ego that held those memories dissolved permanently at age sixteen. Without the ego to anchor them, the memories faded and never returned.

Did Ramana really heal a dying child?
Yes. Many witnesses recorded the incident. But Ramana never claimed to heal anyone. He said “The Self heals. I do nothing.”

Why did Ramana cook for his mother if he was enlightened?
Enlightenment does not mean becoming cold or detached. The ego was gone, but love remained. He cooked for her because love is natural when the ego is absent.

Did Ramana have any special powers (siddhis)?
He never claimed any. He discouraged interest in miracles. But many devotees witnessed extraordinary events in his presence. His attitude was always: “The Self is the only miracle.”

Why did Ramana refuse worship?
He saw that worshiping his body was a mistake. The body is not special. The Self is special. He redirected all devotion to the Self within the devotee.

Does Ramana still have a living presence at Arunachala?
Those who visit the ashram report a palpable peace, silence, and presence. Ramana said “Where can I go? I am here.” Many feel he kept that promise.

What is the most important unknown fact about Ramana?
That he was deeply, completely human. Not a distant deity. Not a cold philosopher. A being who cooked for his mother, loved animals, spoke gently, refused worship, and faced death with the same silence he gave to life. That humanity is his greatest teaching.

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Summary

Ramana Maharshi was not only the silent sage of Arunachala, the teacher of self-inquiry, the living embodiment of Advaita Vedanta. He was also a son who cooked porridge for his dying mother with tender hands. He was a friend to peacocks, cows, monkeys, and a squirrel that ran across his still body. He was a healer who, without claiming any power, restored a dying child to life with a touch of ash. He was a man who chased away a devotee trying to wash his feet, saying “Do not worship this body.” He was a being who predicted his own death two years in advance and faced it without a trace of fear. He was a soul who remembered nothing of his life before age twelve and yet remembered the name of every devotee who ever came to him.

These unknown facts reveal something important. Ramana was not a distant, unapproachable ideal. He was not a cold philosopher lost in abstraction. He was fully human—and that humanity was not a limitation but an expression of his freedom. The ego was gone, but what remained was not emptiness. What remained was love, presence, tenderness, humor, and a quiet power that healed without trying.

The lesson is not that you must imitate Ramana’s external actions. You do not need to cook for your mother or befriend a squirrel. The lesson is that egolessness does not make you less human. It makes you more human. The ego is the barrier to natural love, natural compassion, natural presence. When the ego dissolves, what remains is not a robot or a zombie. What remains is what you have always been—the Self, shining as love, shining as presence, shining as peace. That is the truth behind every unknown fact of Ramana’s life. That is your own truth, waiting to be recognized.

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.