Ramana Maharshi was the biggest exponent of path of self realization of his times. From the very beginning Maharshi Ramana indulged in jnana yoga (path of absolute wisdom) to reach God in his lifetime. He was also a great proponent of silence for he knew self enquiry could be conducted only by becoming an introvert of the highest order.
To travel inner journey successfully Maharshi Ramana while lying in shavasna pose of yoga always indulged in self enquiry who am I. This led him to believe that he was primarily different than the body. This instinct grew bigger in him day by day. He finally realized that it was soul atman residing in heart that was the actual master and controller of human body.
Maharshi Ramana started in pursuit of god with humble beginnings. Initially he asked permission of his mother but when it was not granted, he ran away from home about 17 years of age. The quest to find god, realize who am I was so great that Maharshi Ramana was prepared for any sacrifice in life. To find god he finally adopted the path of Neti (not this, not this), path of negation.
Indulging in contemplation (chintan) most of time Maharshi started his indulgence with god. Living on a mountain top in Arunachala Hills, Maharshi most of time remained aloof from happenings all around. He was so immersed in thoughts relating to God and deep contemplation most of time that he had practically no time even for day-to-day routines of life and in that people living nearby helped him. Indulging in chintan most of time Maharshi started control over five senses and mind.
In search of god Maharshi Ramana first overpowered fear of death. Lying in a corpse pose he felt the presence of I within. Having confirmed that eternal self was different from, I of ego, Maharshi started negating all, rejecting all that was not God. He also started preaching those who came for his guidance that one must demolish ego before embarking on spiritual journey. According to Maharshi, our ego was the biggest hurdle on path of pure spirituality.
After reaching stage of self realization Maharshi Ramana did not build a spiritual empire of his own. Instead he always lay on a cot listening to queries of visitors who came in hordes. One by one he started satisfying queries of all those who came to him. As time passed by the queues of people wanting to meet and see him became miles long. Maharshi Ramana was more interested in seeing people who were seekers than mere spectators who just wanted a glimpse of him.
It was in early stages Maharshi Ramana realized that complete surrender to God in his times was possible only through path of jnana yoga, never bhakti yoga or karma yoga alone. To cut darkness of ignorance jnana wisdom is necessitated. Listening to his inner voice all the time Maharshi Ramana started his pursuit of God and succeeded reaching state of self realization.
Maharshi Ramana was a contemporary of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, the only two spiritual stalwarts who succeeded gaining enlightenment, self realization in the last about 150 years amongst 7 billion people existing world over.