Ramana Maharshi found it delightful to go round Mount Arunachala. He had cultivated a garden of flowers, fruits and vegetables in a part of the Ashram. He would not allow even a single article of the Ashram to be wasted. The peels of fruits and vegetables were given as food to cows. All the members of the Ashram were treated as equals. The same food was served to all. The Maharshi also sat for food along with others. He never wished to be shown special regard.

The Maharshi was an embodiment of nonviolence. The way he treated the thieves who broke into the Ashram is an example of it. He would pity the bad men who did evil to others. He often used to say the it was not wise to break the teeth just because it bit the tongue in ignorance His conviction was that the wise should not punish bad people but should correct them by gentle persuasion.

He would not allow even birds and animals to be ill treated in the Ashram. Once while he was tending a dying monkey, it bit his leg, and he was wounded. He did not become angry or unhappy. The great love he bore towards the animals made him forget the pain of the wound.