Upadesha Saram (Ramana Maharshi)
Upadesha Saram (Ramana Maharshi)
upadeza sAraM (ramaNa maharSi)
karturAjJayA prApyate phalam |
karma kiM paraM karma tajjaDam || 1 ||
kRtimahodadhau patanakAraNam |
phalamazAzvataM gatinirodhakam || 2 ||
IzvarArpitaM necchayA kRtam |
cittazodhakaM muktisAdhakam || 3 ||
kAyavAGmanaH kAryamuttamam |
pUjanaM japazcintanaM kramAt || 4 ||
jagata IzadhI yuktasevanam |
aSTamUrtibhRddevapUjanam || 5 ||
uttamastavAduccamandataH |
cittajaM japadhyAnamuttamam || 6 ||
AjyadhArayA srotasA samam |
saralacintanaM viralataH param || 7 ||
bhedabhAvanAt so'hamityasau |
bhAvanA'bhidA pAvanI matA || 8 ||
bhAvazUnyasadbhAvasusthitiH |
bhAvanAbalAdbhaktiruttamA || 9 ||
hRtsthale manaH svasthatA kriyA |
bhaktiyogabodhAzca nizcitam || 10 ||
vAyurodhanAllIyate manaH |
jAlapakSivadrodhasAdhanam || 11 ||
cittavAyavazcitkriyAyutAH |
zAkhayordvayI zaktimUlakA || 12 ||
layavinAzane ubhayarodhane |
layagataM punarbhavati no mRtam || 13 ||
prANabandhanAllInamAnasam |
ekacintanAnnAzametyadaH || 14 ||
naSTamAnasotkRSTayoginaH |
kRtyamasti kiM svasthitiM yataH || 15 ||
dRzyavAritaM cittamAtmanaH |
cittvadarzanaM tattvadarzanam || 16 ||
mAnasaM tu kiM mArgaNe kRte |
naiva mAnasaM mArga ArjavAt || 17 ||
vRttayastvahaM vRttimAzritAH |
vRttayo mano viddhyahaM manaH || 18 ||
ahamayaM kuto bhavati cinvataH |
ayi patatyahaM nijavicAraNam || 19 ||
ahami nAzabhAjyahamahantayA |
sphurati hRtsvayaM paramapUrNasat || 20 ||
idamahaM padA'bhikhyamanvaham |
ahamilInake'pyalayasattayA || 21 ||
vigrahendriyaprANadhItamaH |
nAhamekasattajjaDaM hyasat || 22 ||
sattvabhAsikA citkvavetarA |
sattayA hi ciccittayA hyaham || 23 ||
IzajIvayorveSadhIbhidA |
satsvabhAvato vastu kevalam || 24 ||
veSahAnataH svAtmadarzanam |
IzadarzanaM svAtmarUpataH || 25 ||
AtmasaMsthitiH svAtmadarzanam |
AtmanirdvayAdAtmaniSThatA || 26 ||
jJAnavarjitA'jJAnahInacit |
jJAnamasti kiM jJAtumantaram || 27 ||
kiM svarUpamityAtmadarzane |
avyayA'bhavA''pUrNacitsukham || 28 ||
bandhamuktyatItaM paraM sukham |
vindatIha jIvastu daivikaH || 29 ||
ahamapetakaM nijavibhAnakam |
mahadidantapo ramanavAgiyam || 30 ||
About This Stotram
Upadesha Saram (Ramana Maharshi)
Sanskrit Title: उपदेश सारं (रमण महर्षि)
IAST Transliteration:
Overview
Upadesha Saram is considered a cornerstone of Ramana Maharshi's teachings. It systematically outlines the path to Self-realization, starting from the efficacy of action (karma) and progressing through devotion (bhakti) and meditation (dhyana) to the ultimate path of Self-enquiry (atma-vichara). The stotram highlights that true liberation comes not from external actions or their fruits, but from understanding the true nature of the Self. It emphasizes that all paths ultimately lead to the realization of the One Reality. Its concise yet verses make it accessible for sincere seekers to contemplate and integrate into their spiritual practice.
Details
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Deity | Brahman |
| Author | Ramana Maharshi |
| Type | Stotram |
| Category | Stotram |
| Number of Verses | 30 |
| Origin | Upadesha Saram is a spiritual text composed by Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi. It is not derived from a specific ancient scripture but is a direct outpouring of his self-realization and teachings. It was composed in Tamil verse in 1927 and later translated into Sanskrit by the Maharshi himself. The Sanskrit version, consisting of 30 verses, is the one commonly referred to as 'Upadesha Saram'. It encapsulates the essence of his teachings on the path to liberation, emphasizing self-enquiry and surrender. |
Benefits of Recitation
- Attainment of Self-knowledge
- Purification of the mind
- Liberation from the cycle of birth and death
- Inner peace and tranquility
- Understanding the nature of reality
Best Time to Recite
Anytime, but particularly beneficial during meditation, quiet contemplation, or morning/evening spiritual practice.
Historical Context
Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi (1879-1950) was an Indian sage who experienced a spiritual awakening at the age of 16. He established the Sri Ramanasramam at Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, which became a major pilgrimage center. Upadesha Saram was composed in Tamil in 1927 and later translated into Sanskrit by Ramana Maharshi himself. The Sanskrit version, with its 30 verses, is widely revered for its distilled wisdom on the spiritual path. The stotram reflects the culmination of his direct experience of the Self and his compassionate desire to guide others towards the same realization.
Alternate Names
- Upadesaaram
- Essence of Instruction
Related Stotrams
- Who Am I? (Ramana Maharshi)
- Vichara Sangraham (Ramana Maharshi)
Last Updated: 2025-12-01