B.V.Narasimha Swami examined several devotees and took depositions from them about their relationship with Ramana to ensure authenticity. Above all he had several interviews with Ramana, the most important of which was about his enlightenment. He stayed in a cave adjacent to the asram in order to be present during many of the question and answer sessions which Ramana had with devotees. It was after sustained research extending over two years that he wrote his biography of Ramana, 'Self Realisation', which was published in 1931. Its appeal is undimmed nearly seventy years later. In 1954. Arthur Osborne wrote his biography, 'Ramana Maharshi and the Path of Self Knowledge. His basic data was drawn from the earlier biography. He himself says so. But what makes his book fascinating is his style of writing, his acceptance of Ramana as his guru, and the account of the three years spent in Ramana's physical presence. Many have been drawn to Ramana and are still being drawn by this powerful presentation.

TS.Ananthamurthy has written a very appealing biography in 1972, Life and Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi'. In 1974, Professor K.Swaminathan, wrote a biography cum teachings book. 'Ramana Maharshi'. The biography portion is only fifty-four pages. Therefore, though the book has a special fragrance, written as it is by one soaked in Ramana, its coverage was limited due to space constraints. The same holds good for T.M.P.Mahadevan's 'Ramana Maharshi'. This biography published in 1977 is scholarly but short being only seventy- seven pages. The rest of the book is devoted to the teachings. In 1980, Ramana's birth centenary year, Joan Greenblatt and Mathew Greenblatt wrote their pictorial biography, 'Bhagavan Sri Ramana'. The design and presentation backed by their love and reverence for Ramana have made this book very attractive.

To all these earlier biographers, each great in their own way, I offer my humble salutations.

I also offer my salutations to the vast and growing circle of disciples and devotees of Ramana. They are scattered all over the world.

Sri VS.Ramanan, President, Sri Ramanasramam has been supportive, as always, and permitted use of the material and photographs in Sri Ramanasramam publications.

Dr. Sarada is a treasure which Ramana has gifted to us. She has an intuitive and deep understanding of Ramana's life and teachings. Discussions with her have been of immense value in enriching the book.

Dr. Sarada and Sri T.V. Ramachandran have done the proof-reading with diligence and care.

Sri Muralidhara Hegde has taken special interest and designed the book with artistic excellence.

Sri Pandurangan of Aridra Printers has done the printing ensuring high quality.

Ms. S.L. Suvasini has put in many hours of hard work in feeding the matter into the computer and incorporating the corrections.

Ms. K. Savitri, Sri Siddesh, Sri Jayaraman. Dr. Prathiba and Ms. Lakshmi helped in finishing the computer work and for ordering the references.

To all of them the Centre offers its very special thanks.