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What was Ramana Maharshi's childhood like?

Ramana Maharshi, also known as Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi, was a renowned sage and Advaita teacher who lived in the 20th century. He was born on December 30, 1879, in a small village called Tiruchuzhi in Tamil Nadu, India.

Ramana Maharshi's childhood was like any other child's, filled with innocence and playfulness. He was the second of four children and was named Venkataraman by his parents. His father, Sundaram Iyer, was a lawyer and his mother, Alagammal, was a devout Hindu. They were a loving and close-knit family.

Even as a child, Ramana Maharshi showed a deep interest in spirituality and religious practices. He was fascinated by stories of saints and sages and would often spend hours meditating and contemplating on the meaning of life. At the age of six, he had a profound spiritual experience when he suddenly became aware of his own mortality. This experience sparked a deep longing within him to seek the truth and understand the purpose of life.

Despite his interest in spirituality, Ramana Maharshi was a bright and intelligent student. He excelled in academics and was particularly good at languages. He was also fond of sports and enjoyed playing cricket and football with his friends.

When Ramana Maharshi was twelve years old, his father passed away, and this event had a profound impact on him. He began to question the impermanence of life and the concept of death. He also became disinterested in his studies and spent most of his time meditating and contemplating.

At the age of sixteen, Ramana Maharshi had a life-changing experience. One day, while he was sitting in his uncle's house, he suddenly felt an intense fear of death. In that moment, he decided to leave everything behind and seek the truth. He left his home and traveled to the holy mountain of Arunachala, where he spent the rest of his life in deep meditation and self-inquiry.

Ramana Maharshi's childhood may seem ordinary, but it was this ordinary upbringing that laid the foundation for his spiritual journey. His deep longing for the truth and his profound experiences as a child eventually led him to become one of the greatest spiritual teachers of all time. His teachings continue to inspire and guide people on their spiritual path even today.