A Multidisciplinary Research Journal - Devanga Arts College

Introduction:
Sri Ramana Maharishi and James Allen – East West Spiritual Journey
– An Exposition
Dr. B. Ravi Babu
Head & Asociate Professor of English,
Devanaga Arts College (Autonomous)
Aruppukottai – 626 101
The world of literature has made significant and sizable contributions to spirituality. The
Bible which is considered to be a religious book has contributed to the growth and development
of English language and literature. The story of God, Satan and Man was the basis of Milton’s
‘Paradise Lost’ and’ Paradise Regained’. John Bunyan’s ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’ is greatly
influenced by the teachings of the Bible. Similarly the sacred book of the Hindus’ The
Bhagavad Gita’ is a part of the great Indian epic ‘The Mahabharata’. All these books spell out
a philosophy to orient mankind spiritually. Milton, Bunyan and The Mahabharata have
enlightened spiritual moorings. Elite as well as commoners both in the Eastern and Western
parts of the world have the thirst for spiritual and philosophical quest and enlightenment. They
have gained comfort, solace, inspiration and a sense of direction in life guided by visionaries,
missionaries, philosophers and seers. Incidentally, these master, though lived in different parts
of the world bear closer resemblance, have, presented similar thoughts and offered teachings to
mankind. In the East, Sri Ramana Maharishi and in the West, James Allen are two such
personalities. They indicate that the ‘self’ or ‘one’s own thoughts’ are responsible for one’s rise
or fall, happiness or misery. Ramana Maharishi and James Allen are not very popular but their
ideas would help mankind realise, rejoice and rejuvenate.
15 ISSN 0976-8130
Biographical Sketch of Sri Ramana Maharishi: (December 30, 1879 – April 14, 1950)
Venkataraman Iyer, a Hindu Spiritual master (“jnani”) was born in a village Tiruchuli
near Aruppukottai, Madurai in Tamil Nadu. It was the ‘Arudhra Darshanam Day’ – a day in
which Lord Nataraja gave special blessing ‘Dharshan’ to a cow, a day very auspicious to the
Hindus, especially to the devotees of Siva. In the year 1892, Venkataraman’s father, Sundaram
Iyer suddenly fell seriously ill and unexpectedly died at the age of 42. For some hours after his