Ramana Maharshi, also known as the Sage of Arunachala, was a renowned Advaita teacher who gained a large following during his lifetime. He had numerous disciples and followers, both in India and abroad, who were drawn to his teachings and his spiritual presence.

Ramana Maharshi's first disciple was a young man named Sivaprakasam Pillai, who met him in 1896 and became his devoted follower. Pillai was deeply influenced by Ramana's teachings and eventually became a renowned scholar and writer on Advaita philosophy.

Over the years, Ramana Maharshi's teachings began to gain popularity, and people from all walks of life started coming to him for guidance and spiritual enlightenment. Many of these individuals became his disciples and devoted followers.

One of Ramana Maharshi's most famous disciples was Kavyakantha Ganapati Muni, a renowned Sanskrit scholar and poet. Muni was deeply inspired by Ramana's teachings and spent several years living at his ashram, studying under him and spreading his teachings to others.

Another prominent disciple of Ramana Maharshi was Muruganar, a Tamil poet and scholar who became one of his closest devotees. Muruganar was deeply influenced by Ramana's teachings and wrote many poems and songs in praise of his guru.

Ramana Maharshi's teachings also attracted many Western followers, who were drawn to his simple yet profound message of self-inquiry and the path to self-realization. One of his most well-known Western disciples was Paul Brunton, a British journalist and philosopher who wrote extensively about his experiences with Ramana Maharshi.

Apart from his disciples and followers, Ramana Maharshi also had a large number of devotees who were not formally initiated into his teachings but were deeply inspired by his presence and message. Many of these devotees would come to his ashram to meditate and seek his guidance.

In conclusion, Ramana Maharshi had a significant number of disciples and followers who were deeply influenced by his teachings and spiritual presence. His simple yet powerful message of self-inquiry continues to inspire people from all over the world, making him one of the most revered and beloved spiritual teachers of our time.