“Self-enquiry [atma-vichara] is the one infallible means, the only direct one, to realise the
unconditioned, absolute being that you really are.” – Ramana Maharshi (Godman, p. 51)
Provide a critical evaluation of Maharshi’s reasons for making this claim.
Assignment Clarified
(1) Your response must answer three questions: (i) What is atma-vichara? (ii) Why does
Maharshi say that it’s the only infallible and direct means to realize the Self? (iii) What is
your evaluation of the reasons Maharshi presents in support of this claim? That is, are the
reasons strong or weak in your view? Why?
(2) Paper Title: Maharshi on Self Realization
(3) Intro/Thesis Statement: Paper should have a brief (two or three sentence) introductory
statement that contains a clear thesis statement. The thesis statement is your response to
the assignment prompt. For example, “In this paper I will argue that Maharshi does not
provide a compelling reason to suppose that atma-vichara is the only infallible and direct
means to realize the Self.” Or, “In this paper I will argue that Maharshi presents good
reasons for the claim that atma-vichara is the only infallible and direct means to realize
the Self.”
(4) Body of Paper: Be sure that you use the body of the paper to provide clear support for
your thesis statement, and make sure each paragraph has a single main point. The body of
the paper should address the three questions above. Depending on how you develop your
paper, you could answer (i) and (ii) in a single paragraph, and use two paragraphs to
address (iii). Or maybe you wish to devote one paragraph to (i) and one to (ii), and one
or two to (iii). Just make sure that your paper is well organized.
(5) Your paper must be between 550 and 600 words (not to exceed 700 words), and you
must include a word count at the end of your paper. Your paper must be typed. Use a
standard font such as Times Roman.
(6) Your paper must provide some quotes from the text, preferably from Maharshi, not
Godman. There’s no need for a separate “works cited” page. Use parenthetical citations
for all quotes as follows: (Godman, p. 36).
(7) Do not use any sources in addition to course handouts and the course text Be As You
Are.
Failure to comply with any of the above guidelines will result in a diminished grade. For
example, papers missing a word count will be marked down 1/2 letter grade.
Email me or the course TA as soon as possible if you have any questions about this
assignment. Contact emails are located on course syllabus.
