Attaining Self-Realisation - Ramana Maharshi's Instructions

Please start with the following books on Advaita philosophy and all the books are attributed to Shankaracharya. I have listed them in the order which they can be read.

• Sadhana Panchakam

• Bhaja Govindam

• Atmabodha by i) Swami Chinmayananda ii) Swami Nikhilananda

• Tattvabodha by Swami Tejomayananda

• Vivekachudamani by Swami Chinmayananda

• Aparoksha Anubhuti by Swami Chinmayananda

• Upadesha Sahasri by Swami Jagadananda

After this please read rest of the books I have listed in my answer to the question How can I learn Advaita Vedanta?

In case you do not prescribe to Advaita, please do not worry. You can still read the books mentioned above. If one has to succeed in reading, understanding and living by Vedic rules then there is absolutely no scope for hate. Hate is an ugly ornament worn by ignorant, dim witted, fundamentalists who neither understand philosophy nor humanity.

The great Dvaita philosopher Jayatirtha, popularly known as Tikacharya in one of his works conveys exactly the same messages provided by the books mentioned above. The major difference is that Advaita says that “Everything is Brahman” and one with intense, passionate desire can attain Brahman and exist as Brahman. Dvaita believes that their is Supreme God, Lord Vishnu who is distinct, indescribable and possesses vast qualities and has to be continuously worshipped with great devotion by all Jivas (individual beings).

Advaita (Nondualism), Vishistadvaitha (Unique or Qualified Nondualism) and Dvaita (Dualistic Philosophy), for all of them the main source is Prastana Traya which includes Upanishads, Brahma Sutras and Bhagavad Gita.

Hence though they seem to be different but at the crux they advocate the same which is to drop the ego and exist as a loving, compassionate, godly human being. One may be interested in reading my answer to the question How does the Vedanta of Shankaracharya differ from that of Ramanujacharya and Madhvacharya?

Dropping of the one’s selfish ego is what is echoed by great Dvaita devotee and poet Kanakadasa whose famous proclamation is “If ‘I’ goes away, then ‘going’ will happen” which means “Give up ego to get going”. Vedic literature shows us the ways and means to successfully shed our ego and blissfully abide in Silent Awareness.