Story - The Sacred Thread - Bhagawan Ramana Maharshi

During his journey to Arunachala, Venkataraman removed his sacred thread, symbolizing his complete renunciation of all social and religious identifications.

The Self is beyond all identifications, all forms, all names.

During his train journey from Madurai to Tiruvannamalai, Venkataraman removed his sacred thread and tuft of hair, symbols of his Brahmin identity. He threw them away, symbolizing his complete renunciation of all social and religious identifications.

This act was significant because it showed that his renunciation was not just physical, but complete. He was renouncing not just the world, but all identifications with the body, mind, and social roles. He was becoming established in the Self, which is beyond all identifications.

This complete renunciation is characteristic of a true sage. The Self has no caste, no religion, no social identity. It is beyond all such distinctions. By removing these symbols, Venkataraman was declaring his identity with the Self, which is beyond all forms and names.