Composing the Hymns

Ramana Maharshi composed beautiful hymns to Arunachala, expressing his love and devotion to the sacred mountain that was both his Guru and his abode.

During the years at Virupaksha Cave and later on the Hill, verses about Arunachala began to be written. These were composed in Tamil and took the form of devotional hymns addressed to the Hill.

Some of these verses were written in response to requests from those who came to see him. Others were composed quietly and written down without announcement. There was no intention to collect or publish them at the time.

Over a period of years, several such compositions came into being. Among them were a group of five hymns centered on Arunachala. These were written at different times and in different metres.

The verses were preserved by those who were present and were copied and circulated later. He did not arrange them into a collection himself, nor did he comment on them after they were written.

Thus, the hymns came into use gradually among those who lived on the Hill and those who visited.