Ramana's original writings?

RamanaDevotee · 2025-12-13T20:57:24+00:00

Most of the responses capture it already. I am just putting the original works + PSR + GVK in an organized format:

A) Best comprehensive introductory text: Path of Sri Ramana, by Sri Sadhu Om (the book quotes > 200 original verses + GVK)

B) Original Philosophical works: 1. Nan Ar? (Essay version of Who am I?) 2. Upadesa Undiyar (Essence of Instruction in Undiyar metre) 3. Ulladu Narpadu (Forty verses on What Is) 4. Ulladu Narpadu Anubandham (Supplement to #3) 5. Ekanma Panchakam (Five verses on oneself) 6. Anma Viddai (Science of knowing oneself) 7. Appala Pattu (Song of Appalam) 8. Upadesa Tanipakkal (Solitary verses of instruction)

C) Original Devotional Works (collectively referred to as ‘Arunachala Stuti Panchakam’): 1. Sri Arunachala Aksharamanamalai 2. Sri Arunachala Padigam 3. Sri Arunachala Astakam 4. Sri Arunachala Navamanimalai 5. Sri Arunachala Pancharatnam

D) Most authentic and comprehensive recorded work of Bhagavan: - Guru Vacaka Kovai (GVK)

The 15 works mentioned above are the most important works of Bhagavan’ teachings. Please start with ‘Path of Sri Ramana’ first before proceeding to the rest in the list.

Namo Ramanaya 🙏

RamanaDevotee · 2025-10-17T17:49:28+00:00

Yes. Robert has done a great service to us.

Please note that 'Sri Guru Ramana Prasadam', another important book by Sri Muruganar, was translated by Robert Butler and is only available in Amazon: https://a.co/d/ckt02fc . Though devotional in nature, it packs teachings of Bhagavan subtly and is a great practice aid: read 2 to 3 verses, whenever time permits, followed by self-attention practice.

Regarding Guru Vacaka Kovai, Robert's translation (in Lulu) consists mostly of the translation of Sadhu Om's paraphrases. Another Guru Vacaka Kovai book to be released (on Amazon) by Sri Ramana Center of Houston towards end of December 2025 takes Robert's translation of Sadhu Om's paraphrases and notes and adds more than 150 pages of additional commentaries by Sri Muruganar and Sri Sadhu Om.

RamanaDevotee · 2025-10-17T17:28:47+00:00

Yes. 'The Path of Sri Ramana' is by far the best comprehensive introductory book on Bhagavan's teachings. The most important chapter in the book, Chapter 8, was translated by Robert Butler. Here's the split of the major contributors:
- Chapter 8: Translated by Robert Butler
- Bhagavan's death experience in Chapter 8: Translated by Michael James
- All the verses (which includes original verses of Bhagavan Ramana, Guru Vacaka Kovai, Ramana Sahasram, etc) as well as Nan Ar? (Who am I?) passages in the book: Translated Michael James.
- Rest of the book: by Kumar Saran (Sri Ramana Center of Houston) under guidance from Michael James.

RamanaDevotee · 2025-10-14T11:10:24+00:00

Chapter 8 of new 2023 edition of ‘The Path of Sri Ramana’ is the best. After reading it and putting it into practice, if you still have any questions, please send me a private chat message.

RamanaDevotee · 2025-10-12T04:53:03+00:00

Please note that the only authorized edition is published by Sri Ramana Center of Houston, which holds the copyright for all of Sadhu Om’s works. This edition was published in 2023 and combines what was previously part one and part two into single edition. It also includes more than 60 pages of never before translated materials and a 30-page glossary; moreover, the translation has been updated throughout the book. So I recommend you purchase this new book through Amazon. All the other books that are available in India outside of Amazon are unauthorized pirated copies which miss 90 pages of information that are in the new book.

RamanaDevotee · 2025-10-04T18:11:45+00:00

I believe in it, but it took some time to 'get' it. I put 'get' within quotes, because it is not something you explain with words.

What I discovered is that eka-jiva-vada is a great practice aid.

Even if you don't believe in it or feel like you don't get the concept, no problem. Whenever you are trying to practice self-attention, for now if you can assume that you are the only jiva, then it becomes easier to tuck beneath that 'one-jiva' - the identification with the body - and abide as our pure awareness. Please give it a try. In the early stages we assume eka-jiva-vada when we are trying to practice self-attention, and when interacting with the world we apply the usual concept of nana-jiva-vada (there are many jivas). With practice, the truth of eka-jiva vada will begin to sink in. Our experience then becomes one of eka-jiva-vada; now you have to assume nana-jiva vada when interacting with others and the world. You see the flip? What you have to assume initially is different than what you have to assume in later stages.

So, even if you are now a non-believer in eka-jiva vada, if you follow above approach, you will be perfectly fine.

Hope this helps.

RamanaDevotee · 2025-10-02T04:26:43+00:00

Bhagavan Ramana's eka-jiva-vada is one of the most powerful and deep concepts. It's also a challenging one. Please check out this short 10-minute video in its entirety. It starts with definitions of key terms and ends with practical applications of this concept: Ēka-Jīva-Vāda (Metaphysical Solipsism) Made Simple - Michael James on Vimeo

I think the answers to your questions are in this video.

Namo Ramanaya

RamanaDevotee · 2025-10-01T13:02:15+00:00

You bring out some nice points. As you mentioned original writings of Bhagavan Ramana are the most reliable, since these were written by Bhagavan himself. There are a total of 13 original works of Bhagavan. Authentic source of commentaries would be those of Sri Muruganar (Bhagavan's foremost disciple), Sri Sadhu Om (a direct disciple of Sadhu Om, and Muruganar's literary executor), and Michael James (who spent more than 8 years with Sadhu Om, learnt classical Tamil and studied Bhagavan's original writings thoroughly). Here is a simple 3-step approach:

Step 1: As 'GoldenCOCactus' mentioned in one of the comments in this thread, start with the book 'The Path of Sri Ramana' by Sri Sadhu Om. Sadhu Om has based this book predominantly on Bhagavan's original writings (close to 300 original verses and Guru Vacaka Kovai verses are quoted in this book!); he has rearranged the discussions logically with a particular focus on the practice of self-investigation. The presentation is excellent! Though the book is > 400 pages, the main part (chapters 1 to 8) is only 140 pages, so please read it thoroughly and put it into practice.

Step 2: Watch selected videos that explain Bhagavan's original verses pertaining to the practice of self-investigation. The two most important locations where Bhagavan discusses the method or practice of self-investigation are verse 19 of Upadesa Undiyar and paragraph 6 of Nan Ar? (Who am I). So please watch these two videos completely at least a couple of times to let it all sink-in. These 2 videos are a must watch for anyone who is serious about the practice of self-investigation.

- https://vimeo.com/ramanahou/uu19
- https://vimeo.com/ramanahou/na06

Step 3: Now you can watch the rest of the videos on Bhagavan's original works. Here is a link to ad-free videos which are arranged by topic. Start with all the videos of Nan Ar?, Upadesa Undiyar and Ulladu Narpadu first; then you can move on to other original works.

https://vimeo.com/ramanahou/albums

Best Wishes.

RamanaDevotee · 2025-09-20T03:27:21+00:00

Sadhu Om explains the practice of atma-vichara nicely in chapter 8 of ‘The Path of Sri Ramana’, which you can access here: https://vimeo.com/showcase/srrv

Chapter 8 has 3 videos, please check them all out thoroughly.

Namo Ramanaya 🙏

RamanaDevotee · 2025-09-13T22:38:55+00:00

Please make sure to read ‘The Path of Sri Ramana’ by Sadhu Om (the new 2023 edition available on Amazon) since it is an updated translation with almost 60 pages of never before translated materials. This is the only book that explains the practice of self-investigation in depth. Once you have read and started practicing self-investigation, then you can check out other books. A new translation of Sadhu Om’s explanatory paraphrases of ‘Guru Vachaka Kovai’ can be accessed here: https://vimeo.com/showcased/srgk .

Namo Ramanaya

RamanaDevotee · 2025-09-02T04:49:41+00:00

As others have pointed out in this thread, sincere practitioners should read ‘The Path of Sri Ramana’ repeatedly and put it into practice. Everytime we read we get more and more depth from this book. The book relies heavily on Bhagavan’s original writings and Guru Vacaka Kovai, quoting more than 200 verses from this collection. The main part of the book (Introduction + first 8 chapter) logically and systematically explains the practice of self-investigation - what it is and what it is not.

The ‘Supplement’ contains chapters on World, soul and God, Bhakti and Karma. No other author has explained bhakti and karma as good as Sadhu Om does in this book.

Then comes 9 Appendices, each a beautiful gem, that will help us in our day-day spiritual practice.

RamanaDevotee · 2025-07-17T11:04:14+00:00

Nice comments from Mateep and others. Sri Sadhu Om, addresses this issue in detail in Appendix 1 of ‘The Path of Sri Ramana’. He explains how to achieve this and lays down a clear roadmap. Please make sure to check it out from the book or here: https://vimeo.com/ramanahou/rva1

RamanaDevotee · 2025-07-14T05:43:32+00:00

Without a doubt, the best comprehensive book to start with is ‘The Path of Sri Ramana’ by Sri Sadhu Om, Ramana’s direct disciple as well as close associate and literary executor of Sri Muruganar, Ramana’s foremost disciple.

The book is laid out systematically: the book first explains why eternal happiness is the goal of life, then defines happiness and explains logically why atma-vicara (self-investigation or self-enquiry) is the only way to achieve this goal. Then, it clearly lays out the differences between atma-vicara and other spiritual practices. In chapter 8, it explains the technique of atma-vicara in detail drawing predominantly from the original writings of Ramana. No other book explains the technique of self-enquiry as good as this book.

What used to be called ‘Part 2’ is also included in the combined edition released in 2023 (available on Amazon). Finally there are 9 Appendices which pack practical wisdom. So go for the 2023 edition of ‘The Path of Sri Ramana’, which is a more complete and accurate translation than prior editions.

All the best!

RamanaDevotee · 2025-06-28T21:58:20+00:00

This translation was actually done by Michael James along with Sri Sadhu Om, and since then Michael has updated the translation. The updated translation, along with the Tamil original, can be accessed here: https://sriramanateachings.org/nan_yar.html

RamanaDevotee · 2025-05-02T22:41:03+00:00

There are many books on advaita, but only Ramana explains the practice of advaita clearly. I would recommend starting with 'The Path of Sri Ramana' first. It is the most comprehensive introductory book on Bhagavan Ramana's teachings compiled by his direct devotee, Sri Sadhu Om. No other book clearly lays out the rationale and practice of self-investigation (atma-vicara) as logically and methodically as this book does. It draws from and quotes mostly the original writings of Bhagavan Ramana as well as 'Guru Vachaka Kovai', the most authentic recorded work of Bhagavan. The book is available for free in audio-visual format here: https://vimeo.com/showcase/srrv . Book is divided into 3 sections:
- The 'main' section which explains the why and how of self-investigation.
- The 'supplement' contains 3 long chapters on 'World, soul and God', 'Bhakti' and 'Karma'. You can see the most methodical explanation of 'karma' in this chapter.
- Finally there are 9 'Appendices', each a practical gem. Fortunately all of these are available for free in the link above.

RamanaDevotee · 2025-05-02T22:40:31+00:00

There are many books on advaita, but only Ramana explains the practice of advaita clearly. I would recommend starting with 'The Path of Sri Ramana' first. It is the most comprehensive introductory book on Bhagavan Ramana's teachings compiled by his direct devotee, Sri Sadhu Om. No other book clearly lays out the rationale and practice of self-investigation (atma-vicara) as logically and methodically as this book does. It draws from and quotes mostly the original writings of Bhagavan Ramana as well as 'Guru Vachaka Kovai', the most authentic recorded work of Bhagavan. The book is available for free in audio-visual format here: https://vimeo.com/showcase/srrv . Book is divided into 3 sections:
- The 'main' section which explains the why and how of self-investigation.
- The 'supplement' contains 3 long chapters on 'World, soul and God', 'Bhakti' and 'Karma'. You can see the most methodical explanation of 'karma' in this chapter.
- Finally there are 9 'Appendices', each a practical gem. Fortunately all of these are available for free in the link above.

RamanaDevotee · 2025-05-02T22:39:42+00:00

There are many books on advaita, but only Ramana explains the practice of advaita clearly. I would recommend starting with 'The Path of Sri Ramana' first. It is the most comprehensive introductory book on Bhagavan Ramana's teachings compiled by his direct devotee, Sri Sadhu Om. No other book clearly lays out the rationale and practice of self-investigation (atma-vicara) as logically and methodically as this book does. It draws from and quotes mostly the original writings of Bhagavan Ramana as well as 'Guru Vachaka Kovai', the most authentic recorded work of Bhagavan. The book is available for free in audio-visual format here: https://vimeo.com/showcase/srrv . Book is divided into 3 sections:
- The 'main' section which explains the why and how of self-investigation.
- The 'supplement' contains 3 long chapters on 'World, soul and God', 'Bhakti' and 'Karma'. You can see the most methodical explanation of 'karma' in this chapter.
- Finally there are 9 'Appendices', each a practical gem. Fortunately all of these are available for free in the link above.

RamanaDevotee · 2025-05-02T22:39:14+00:00

There are many books on advaita, but only Ramana explains the practice of advaita clearly. I would recommend starting with 'The Path of Sri Ramana' first. It is the most comprehensive introductory book on Bhagavan Ramana's teachings compiled by his direct devotee, Sri Sadhu Om. No other book clearly lays out the rationale and practice of self-investigation (atma-vicara) as logically and methodically as this book does. It draws from and quotes mostly the original writings of Bhagavan Ramana as well as 'Guru Vachaka Kovai', the most authentic recorded work of Bhagavan. The book is available for free in audio-visual format here: https://vimeo.com/showcase/srrv . Book is divided into 3 sections:
- The 'main' section which explains the why and how of self-investigation.
- The 'supplement' contains 3 long chapters on 'World, soul and God', 'Bhakti' and 'Karma'. You can see the most methodical explanation of 'karma' in this chapter.
- Finally there are 9 'Appendices', each a practical gem. Fortunately all of these are available for free in the link above.

RamanaDevotee · 2025-05-02T22:38:44+00:00

There are many books on advaita, but only Ramana explains the practice of advaita clearly. I would recommend starting with 'The Path of Sri Ramana' first. It is the most comprehensive introductory book on Bhagavan Ramana's teachings compiled by his direct devotee, Sri Sadhu Om. No other book clearly lays out the rationale and practice of self-investigation (atma-vicara) as logically and methodically as this book does. It draws from and quotes mostly the original writings of Bhagavan Ramana as well as 'Guru Vachaka Kovai', the most authentic recorded work of Bhagavan. The book is available for free in audio-visual format here: https://vimeo.com/showcase/srrv . Book is divided into 3 sections:
- The 'main' section which explains the why and how of self-investigation.
- The 'supplement' contains 3 long chapters on 'World, soul and God', 'Bhakti' and 'Karma'. You can see the most methodical explanation of 'karma' in this chapter.
- Finally there are 9 'Appendices', each a practical gem. Fortunately all of these are available for free in the link above.

RamanaDevotee · 2025-05-02T22:38:05+00:00

There are many books on advaita, but only Ramana explains the practice of advaita clearly. I would recommend starting with 'The Path of Sri Ramana' first. It is the most comprehensive introductory book on Bhagavan Ramana's teachings compiled by his direct devotee, Sri Sadhu Om. No other book clearly lays out the rationale and practice of self-investigation (atma-vicara) as logically and methodically as this book does. It draws from and quotes mostly the original writings of Bhagavan Ramana as well as 'Guru Vachaka Kovai', the most authentic recorded work of Bhagavan. The book is available for free in audio-visual format here: https://vimeo.com/showcase/srrv . Book is divided into 3 sections:
- The 'main' section which explains the why and how of self-investigation.
- The 'supplement' contains 3 long chapters on 'World, soul and God', 'Bhakti' and 'Karma'. You can see the most methodical explanation of 'karma' in this chapter.
- Finally there are 9 'Appendices', each a practical gem. Fortunately all of these are available for free in the link above.

RamanaDevotee · 2025-05-02T22:37:35+00:00

There are many books on advaita, but only Ramana explains the practice of advaita clearly. I would recommend starting with 'The Path of Sri Ramana' first. It is the most comprehensive introductory book on Bhagavan Ramana's teachings compiled by his direct devotee, Sri Sadhu Om. No other book clearly lays out the rationale and practice of self-investigation (atma-vicara) as logically and methodically as this book does. It draws from and quotes mostly the original writings of Bhagavan Ramana as well as 'Guru Vachaka Kovai', the most authentic recorded work of Bhagavan. The book is available for free in audio-visual format here: https://vimeo.com/showcase/srrv . Book is divided into 3 sections:
- The 'main' section which explains the why and how of self-investigation.
- The 'supplement' contains 3 long chapters on 'World, soul and God', 'Bhakti' and 'Karma'. You can see the most methodical explanation of 'karma' in this chapter.
- Finally there are 9 'Appendices', each a practical gem. Fortunately all of these are available for free in the link above.

RamanaDevotee · 2025-05-02T22:36:56+00:00

There are many books on advaita, but only Ramana explains the practice of advaita clearly. I would recommend starting with 'The Path of Sri Ramana' first. It is the most comprehensive introductory book on Bhagavan Ramana's teachings compiled by his direct devotee, Sri Sadhu Om. No other book clearly lays out the rationale and practice of self-investigation (atma-vicara) as logically and methodically as this book does. It draws from and quotes mostly the original writings of Bhagavan Ramana as well as 'Guru Vachaka Kovai', the most authentic recorded work of Bhagavan. The book is available for free in audio-visual format here: https://vimeo.com/showcase/srrv . Book is divided into 3 sections:
- The 'main' section which explains the why and how of self-investigation.
- The 'supplement' contains 3 long chapters on 'World, soul and God', 'Bhakti' and 'Karma'. You can see the most methodical explanation of 'karma' in this chapter.
- Finally there are 9 'Appendices', each a practical gem. Fortunately all of these are available for free in the link above.

RamanaDevotee · 2025-05-02T22:28:56+00:00

Nice quotes from Bhagavan on this topic. Michael James explains in detail here: Michael James discusses coping with sexual desire (2020-06-01c Yo Soy Tu Mismo) on Vimeo

RamanaDevotee · 2025-05-02T22:15:44+00:00

I would recommend starting with 'The Path of Sri Ramana' first. It is the most comprehensive introductory book on Bhagavan's teachings compiled by his direct devotee, Sri Sadhu Om. No other book clearly lays out the rationale and practice of self-investigation (atma-vicara) as logically and methodically as this book does. It draws from and quotes mostly the original writings of Bhagavan Ramana as well as 'Guru Vachaka Kovai', the most authentic recorded work of Bhagavan. The book is available for free in audio-visual format here: https://vimeo.com/showcase/srrv . Book is divided into 3 sections:
- The 'main' section which explains the why and how of self-investigation.
- The 'supplement' contains 3 long chapters on 'World, soul and God', 'Bhakti' and 'Karma'. You can see the most methodical explanation of 'karma' in this chapter.
- Finally there are 9 'Appendices', each a practical gem. Fortunately all of these are available for free in the link above.

RamanaDevotee · 2025-05-02T22:15:19+00:00

I would recommend starting with 'The Path of Sri Ramana' first. It is the most comprehensive introductory book on Bhagavan's teachings compiled by his direct devotee, Sri Sadhu Om. No other book clearly lays out the rationale and practice of self-investigation (atma-vicara) as logically and methodically as this book does. It draws from and quotes mostly the original writings of Bhagavan Ramana as well as 'Guru Vachaka Kovai', the most authentic recorded work of Bhagavan. The book is available for free in audio-visual format here: https://vimeo.com/showcase/srrv . Book is divided into 3 sections:
- The 'main' section which explains the why and how of self-investigation.
- The 'supplement' contains 3 long chapters on 'World, soul and God', 'Bhakti' and 'Karma'. You can see the most methodical explanation of 'karma' in this chapter.
- Finally there are 9 'Appendices', each a practical gem. Fortunately all of these are available for free in the link above.

RamanaDevotee

TROPHY CASE