To reach state of self realization I first analyzed everything relating to the spiritual world. I came to know that, initially came Lord Krishna, an avatar of his era (God manifest in human form). I was totally mesmerized, floored by life of Lord Krishna and his sermon of Bhagavad Gita.
My further indulgence in spirituality led me to Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Maharshi Ramana, the two spiritual stalwarts in the last about 150 years who succeeded reaching state of self realization. Even though these self realized souls did not exist in person but for me they all the time existed in the vast paraphernalia of literature available in open market.
In my spiritual pursuit of life I was never handicapped for a guru, spiritual master.
I indulged in teachings of Ramana Maharshi rather seriously almost duplicating his path in the process.
I could easily indulge in teachings contained in Bhagavad Gita when about nine years of age. Remaining 100% truthful I could easily hear promptings of Lord Krishna coming from within my heart. Allegorically Lord Krishna is soul atman, the spirit existing in heart.
All my life I could connect to Lord Krishna on one-to-one basis. Truthfully speaking Lord Krishna has been my best friend all throughout in the spiritual journey of life.
Apart from Bhagavad Gita I also indulged in Upanishads (independent spiritual treatises). I indulged in Shruti jnana (universal means of communication) from a very young age perhaps six years. I can distinctly remember conversing with Lord Krishna when six years of age.
Most important of all was my indulgence in books of Napoleon Hill primarily “Law of Success”. The potency of this book can never be expressed in words, it is phenomenal.
Even before trudging on spiritual journey I thoroughly enjoyed reading law of success not once but hundreds of times. I always kept three copies with me, one by my bedside, one on office desk and one in my travelling bag. It is Napoleon Hill who successfully tutored me into practice of celibacy, forming a definite goal in life at an early age.
Apart from whatever I have stated about, to reach state of self realization one does not need any other reading material.