Sri Ramana Maharshi and Sri Aurobindo in Context

Abstract

This chapter provides an introduction to the lives of the Hindu sages Sri Ramana Maharshi and Sri Aurobindo, with significant implications for the understanding of Hinduism, interfaith dialogue, and mystical consciousness. The inquiry focuses on Ramana’s and Aurobindo’s existential functions as rishis, avatars, and gurus in India, taking into account their physical locations and their interactions with world events. It leads to an existential view of Hinduism, evidencing its continuity through the lens of sages. The inquiry also discloses a number of existential dynamics important to interfaith mysticism and interfaith dialogue in general, offering relevant insights into the function of sages as “Mediators” (in Panikkar’s sense). Methodologically, this chapter provides a first example of hermeneutical phenomenology, demonstrating its capacity to deliver valuable mystical-existential perspectives while integrating historical and political research.