Nisargadatta Maharaj, also known as Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, was a renowned spiritual teacher and philosopher from India. He was born on April 17, 1897, in a small village called Kandalgaon in the state of Maharashtra. His birth name was Maruti Shivrampant Kambli.

Nisargadatta Maharaj was born into a humble family of farmers. He had a simple and ordinary upbringing, and his family followed the traditional Hindu customs and rituals. From a young age, he showed a keen interest in spirituality and spent most of his time in meditation and contemplation.

At the age of 18, Nisargadatta Maharaj moved to the city of Mumbai to make a living. He started working as a clerk in a small trading firm and later became a successful businessman in the textile industry. Despite his success, he continued to have a deep longing for spiritual knowledge and enlightenment.

In 1933, at the age of 36, Nisargadatta Maharaj met his spiritual guru, Sri Siddharameshwar Maharaj. Under his guidance, Nisargadatta Maharaj underwent a profound spiritual transformation and realized his true nature as the "I am" or the pure consciousness. He renounced his successful business and dedicated the rest of his life to the pursuit of spiritual knowledge and teaching others.

Nisargadatta Maharaj's teachings were based on the concept of Advaita Vedanta, which emphasizes the non-dual nature of reality. He believed that the ultimate truth is beyond words and concepts and can only be experienced through self-inquiry and introspection. He taught that the mind and body are temporary and illusory, and the true self is the eternal and unchanging consciousness.

Nisargadatta Maharaj's teachings gained popularity in the 1970s when his book "I Am That" was published. The book is a compilation of his talks and dialogues with spiritual seekers, and it has been translated into several languages. His teachings continue to inspire and guide people on the path of self-discovery and spiritual awakening.

Nisargadatta Maharaj passed away on September 8, 1981, at the age of 84. He left behind a legacy of wisdom and enlightenment that continues to impact people's lives even today. His teachings remind us that the key to true happiness and fulfillment lies within ourselves, and it is only through self-realization that we can find lasting peace and contentment.