During the summer holidays of 1947, Ram Surat Kunwar came to Nardara to visit his brothers and, as always, sought the company of Sri Kapadia Baba. In the course of their conversations on various mahatmas and spiritual paths, Kapadia Baba spoke at length about Ramana Maharishi of Tiruvannamalai in South India. He explained the Maharishi’s central teaching—ātma-vichāra, self-enquiry—through the persistent contemplation of the question, “Who am I?” Such earnest enquiry, the Maharishi taught, would lead one directly to the ultimate goal, God.

During this exchange, Kapadia Baba clearly indicated that Ram Surat Kunwar must seek his Guru in South India. He emphasized that without the grace of a Guru, realization of God was impossible.

These words ignited an intense longing in Ram Surat Kunwar to behold Ramana Maharishi at Tiruvannamalai. He already knew that Sri Aurobindo, the freedom fighter turned spiritual master, was residing at Pondicherry, and he cherished a deep desire to meet him as well. Learning that Tiruvannamalai lay close to Pondicherry filled him with quiet joy.

Although Kapadia Baba himself was a realized soul capable of guiding sincere seekers, he consciously directed Ram Surat Kunwar toward South India. He seemed to know that Ram Surat Kunwar’s destiny was linked with Tiruvannamalai, a sacred town that had been a refuge for saints and sages across ages, and that his life would later touch many who were drawn to that holy center.

Thus, in 1947, Ram Surat Kunwar set out on his first journey in search of his Guru, traveling to Tiruvannamalai in the heat of summer. Ram Surat Kunwar tried to meet Sri Aurobindo before coming to Tiruvannamalai. Since Sri Aurobindo was in solitude, Ram Surat Kunwar was unable to meet him. From Pondicherry he travelled to Tiruvannamalai.

As he arrived, the sacred hill Arunachala welcomed him with its warm breeze. At the very first sight of the hill—revered as Lord Shiva Himself—his heart overflowed with love and reverence. From the railway station, he enquired about the way to Sri Ramanasramam, the abode of Ramana Maharishi. Guided there, he was directed to the old darshan hall.

Ramana Maharishi sat quietly in a corner of the modest hall, on a raised platform. The moment Ram Surat Kunwar entered, he felt enveloped by a profound, divine stillness. A few devotees sat before the sage, immersed in the peace radiating from him.

Ram Surat Kunwar took his seat before the Maharishi. The sage gazed upon the young seeker with boundless compassion for a few moments. That silent look shook Ram Surat Kunwar to his depths. Overwhelmed by grace, he slowly closed his eyes and slipped into deep meditation. After a long while, he opened them again to find the Maharishi still gazing at him, a gentle, joyful smile on his face. Thus, without words, the great sage welcomed and blessed the young aspirant.

Ram Surat Kunwar remained at the ashram for several days. Most of his time was spent sitting silently in the presence of Ramana Maharishi. When he was not in the hall, he wandered around Arunachala, visiting caves where sadhus and seekers were engaged in intense penance.

He also visited the grand Arunachaleswarar Temple and sat in deep meditation near the Patala Lingam, where Ramana Maharishi himself had once remained absorbed in samadhi for months. The towering gopurams of the temple radiated majesty, peace, and divine bliss. The powerful spiritual vibration of the place filled him with ecstasy. He felt intuitively that this sacred town was a true home for spiritual aspirants.

In later years, Yogi Ramsuratkumar would often say, “The Arunachaleswara Temple is the real home for people like this beggar.”

The encounter with Ramana Maharishi brought about a profound transformation in Ram Surat Kunwar. He realized deeply the immeasurable value of the living presence of a realized master.

Whenever he found time thereafter, he immersed himself in the teachings of Ramana, which thrilled his soul. The practice of self-enquiry—“Who am I?”—naturally drew him into states of deep inner absorption and silence. Those few days at Tiruvannamalai passed in a continuous flow of divine ecstasy.

Eventually, the time came for him to depart. On the day of his leaving, Ram Surat Kunwar prostrated before Ramana Maharishi and prayed silently: “Swami, pour your grace upon me. Make me your own. Keep me always at your holy feet.”

The Maharishi replied softly in Tamil, “Sari,” and smiled broadly, as if acknowledging and accepting the prayer.

Ram Surat Kunwar was overwhelmed. He had not expected even a single spoken word from the sage—much less one that signified assent. In later years, Yogi Ramsuratkumar would say with childlike joy, “This beggar learned his first Tamil word, Sari, from Ramana Maharishi.” The word meant both “Yes” and “All right.” With a heart full of gratitude and longing, he took leave of the Maharishi.

Before departing, Ram Surat Kunwar bowed to Arunachala and circumambulated the sacred hill, chanting, “Arunachala Siva, Arunachala Siva, Arunachala Siva, Aruna Jata.”

With a heavy yet fulfilled heart, he left Tiruvannamalai and traveled to Pondicherry. There he hoped to have the darshan of Sri Aurobindo, but as the master was then observing complete silence, the meeting was not possible. Ram Surat Kunwar purchased some of Aurobindo’s books and returned to Dahiya, carrying within him the indelible imprint of Arunachala and the silent grace of Ramana Maharishi.