The first 80 or so pages are quite hard work but well worth the endeavour as a foundation to further chapters. In 1907, when he was 28, one of his early devotees named him Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi, Divine Eminent Ramana the Great Seer, and the name stuck. This outstanding introduction to Sri Ramana Maharshi has both a comprehensive clarity and a depth as well as a genuine authenticity in a busy field of other books on Advaita and the Self.

Other devotees recorded the talks between Ramana and devotees, a large amount of which have also been published.Those who knew would perceive when such an initiation took place, but it would usually be inconspicuous; it might happen during the chanting of the Vedas or the devotee might feel a sudden impulse to go to Sri Bhagavan before daybreak or at some time when few or none would be present.

David Godman has written extensively on the life and teachings of Ramana Maharshi and other Indian sages.His father died when he was twelve, and he went to live with his uncle in Madurai, where he attended American Mission High School.