Papaji, also known as H.W.L. Poonja, regarded Ramana Maharshi as his true and final guru, the one in whose presence his long spiritual search came to rest. Their relationship was that of a devoted disciple and a realized master, centered not on elaborate doctrine but on direct pointing to the Self. Papaji first met Ramana at Sri Ramanasramam in Tiruvannamalai, coming as a fervent Krishna devotee seeking a way to sustain visions of God. Rather than encouraging the pursuit of such experiences, Ramana redirected his attention to the source of the perceiver, turning him toward the inquiry into the “I”-sense and the question “Who am I?”.

Through Ramana’s characteristic emphasis on self-enquiry and silent presence, Papaji reported a decisive awakening to his true nature as pure awareness or consciousness. He understood this recognition as final and attributed it entirely to Ramana’s guidance, seeing in him not merely a teacher but the satguru who revealed the Self. From that point onward, Papaji remained deeply devoted to Ramana, keeping his image close, speaking of him with reverence, and acknowledging him as the source of his understanding of Advaita. Even as Papaji later taught independently and attracted many seekers, his approach—emphasizing immediate recognition of the Self rather than gradual practice—was presented as an extension of what he had received from Ramana Maharshi.