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MAHASIVARATRI 2002 PHOTOS

The following discourse has been translated into English from Bhagavan's Telugu speech as heard on this festival's ashram audiocassette. It is a complete, literal translation made with the objective of preserving Bhagavan's precious original poetic style as much as possible.

DISCOURSE BY Bhagavan SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

SUMMER COURSE  - 2002

19^th May, 2002

Jihvagre Vartate Lakshmi.

Jihvagre Mitra Bandhava.

Jihvagre Bandana Prapti.

Jihvagre Maranam Druvam.

The tongue brings prosperity.

The tongue also earns friends and relatives for us.

The tongue brings bondage.

It is the tongue that can bring sure death.

(Telugu poem)

OUR WORDS ARE THE ROOT CAUSE

Embodiments of Love!

The words of man give wealth and prosperity. The words of man bring bondage. Your words earn friends. Your words bring relatives near. Therefore, it is our words that are the root cause of good and bad.

In every word that we speak, first one should inquire and observe the good and bad, and then only begin to speak. Within every human being there are so many sacred words. Those words bring about convenient situations and give much help to us. Not only do they help, but we will also receive much help in life.

Every human being should inquire and see that the words that come from him do not give pain to others nor give oneself suffering. Through words, life is lost. Through words, life is gained.

The words in the Ramayana are such sweet words. The words are like an anointed fragrance. The words are the essence of nectar. The words are your sweet honeybees. Hence, even in the Ramayana, Rama inquired into the words and used sweet words. Such words should also be limited. They should be pleasing.

Hence, due to words, Rama went to the forest. Due to words, Kaika got ill fame and due to words, Dasaratha gave up his life. All of these are the powerful effects of sounds. Therefore, we should have foresight for every word that we speak.

Importantly, due to parental love, Dasaratha was unable to uphold the words that he gave and he experienced many types of sorrows. Due to his wife giving him help during a war, keeping this help in mind, he gave her boons that should not be given. Hence we should use words very carefully.

Asthiram Jivanam Loke.

Asthiram Yavvanam Dhanam.

Asthiram Daara Putradi.

Satyam Kirti Dwayam Sthiram.

Life in the world is unsteady.

Youth and wealth are unsteady.

Wife and children are unsteady.

Only the two - Truth and reputation - are steady.

(Sanskrit sloka)

The four - Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatsujata (another name for Sanathana) and Sunatkumar (the four child sages) - are living in every human being. They are living in every human being all the time. They help man to escape dangerous situations and protect him when dangers come. They help in all ways. Therefore, these four - Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatkumar and Sanatsujata - are very dear friends to man. They will not have hatred towards man in any situation. They protect man night and day and give suitable help in life.

When going to the forest, Kausalya blessed Rama in this way: “Rama, may Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatkumar and Sanatsujata be with You, beside You, in You and protect You like the lids protect the eye.” Not only that. Finally He entered into the forest and He fought many demons in so many different ways. During every fight, Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatkumar and Sanatsujata were with Him, beside Him and protected Him like the lids of the eye protect the eye.

Kausalya’s Daughter, Shanta

These types of situations take place in everyone’s history also. Dasaratha invited everyone to the Putrakameshti Yagna (a ritual for the grace of begetting sons). You should realize a new point here. In the past, Kausalya gave birth to a daughter. Her name was Shanta. Shanta was as a shadow to Kausalya and gave joy to her in all ways.

She was a girl child, so based on the situations of those days she didn’t have the right to rule the kingdom. Dasaratha gave her in adoption to Roma Rishi. She entered into the ashram of Roma Rishi and he married her to Rshyasrnga.

Finally the Minister, Sumanthra, advised King Dasaratha to call Rshyasrnga to take part in the Putrakameshti Yagna and receive charity. Sumanthra was sent and he invited all the rishis. There was never any type of ashanti (peacelessness), injustice or bad actions happening at all in the kingdom of Roma Rishi. The kingdom was always safe. Rains came on time, crops ripened on time and the people experienced suitable happiness and peace. Roma Rishi heard these types of happy reports.

Sumanthra went to call Rshyasrnga. However, Rshyasrnga said, “It is not possible for me to come alone. I’ll be chief of the priests, but you also have to accept Shanta as being a priest along with me.” They accepted saying, “Without fail we will accept.”

When Rshyasrnga came along with Shanta, as soon as Shanta came, she did namaskaar to her parents, meaning to Dasaratha and Kausalya. Dasaratha also forgot who she was and said, “She is the wife of a rishi. Why did she do namaskaar to us?” She had also become a rishi. Whatever kingdom she entered into, it became a place of plenty. Rains came on time and there was no famine in the kingdom at all.

Therefore, to gently remind them about herself she said, “I am your daughter.” Kausalya was so happy. “I never thought, even in a dream, that I would have such a daughter!” As soon as she was born, Dasaratha gave her in adoption to Roma Rishi. From then until now, it was natural not to pay attention to daughters. The crazy feelings they had in those days were that daughters had no authority to be heads of countries and serve as kings.

Finally, she took part not only in the Putrakamesthi Yagna, but also in the Ashwamedha Yagna (a horse sacrifice ritual to obtain further kingdoms). It was she who had it performed. Finally, if one searches and understands these reasons, it is due to Shanta that peace came to the house of Dasaratha. People felt that she was the wife of a rishi, but no one believed that she was the daughter of Dasaratha. Rama and Lakshmana were not familiar with Shanta at all. It happened like that.

Viswamitra Took Rama And Lakshmana To Siddhasram

Then Viswamitra took Rama and Lakshmana to Siddhasram. He took them to protect the yagna. Both of them went, obeyed Viswamitra’s orders and fulfilled their duties. They had no hunger or thirst at all. They had no sleep at all. They kept their vision on protecting the yagna night and day and attempting to kill the demons.

At last the demons were killed. Rama and Lakshmana had the happiness of, “We fulfilled the order of our father.” They prayed to Viswamitra, “If we are given permission, we will go to Ayodhya.”

When he was taking the children from Dasaratha, Viswamitra gave a promise to him. Dasaratha felt very badly and said, “You are taking them to kill the demons. How will you protect our children?” Viswamitra said, “Dasaratha, they are your own sons. Therefore you love them and feel parental love. However, no danger will happen to them. They will have no suffering at all. As soon as my yagna is complete, I myself will bring them back safely and give them to you.”

So, permission to return to Ayodhya needed to be given. At that time, an army came from Mithila. They brought a message to Viswamitra: “A yagna is about to be conducted in our Mithila. The Bow of Siva will be brought on that day. Please come.” King Janaka invited only Viswamitra. Janaka didn’t know that Rama and Lakshmana had also come to Siddhasram.

However, Viswamitra commanded saying, “Dear son, you can go to Ayodhya from Mithila. A great power that you should see is in the house of King Janaka. The Bow of Siva is something you should see. See it once and then go.”

Rama and Lakshmana loved this Bow of Siva a lot. Hence they said, “Let’s go, Swami. Without fail let us go, see the Bow of Siva, and then we will certainly go to Ayodhya.” So they went. The Bow of Siva was broken and the wedding with Sita was fixed.

However, Rama and Lakshmana did not accept the marriage. “As our father said, we came for the protection of your yagna. But we did not come for marriage. We won't step forward without our father’s order. Hence, we will wait for the command of our father.”

Viswamitra Was Not an Ordinary Person

Viswamitra was not an ordinary person. He was King Kausika (before becoming an ascetic). In the past he was an emperor. Due to him stealing the sacred cow Shabala from Vasishta, a war took place and Viswamitra lost all of his army. Finally, he became an ascetic.

Vasishta had a cow with him. As the King, Viswamitra took the cow forcefully from Vasishta. However, the ascetic Vasishta did not accept it being taken away forcefully. Finally a war took place. King Kausika was defeated and his sons also were lost (died). Then King Kausika became a renunciate (Viswamitra).

Sanaka and Sanandana also helped him from within. Viswamitra was very familiar with Sanaka and Sanandana. At certain situations and times, he used to say the names of Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatkumar and Sanatsujata.

Rama Adhered to Truth

Finally Viswamitra was taking Rama and Lakshmana to the house of King Janaka. He realized that their father was also coming there. Viswamitra said, “Only in this one thing, you can go beyond the command of your father.”

Rama answered, “Preceptor, we will not go beyond even one command of the father. We will not accept anything else except what he says. An important measure of the Ikshvaku family line is to follow the commands of the father. In the Ikshavaku clan one’s promise should not be taken back. There is no use in us living after breaking a promise.”

Rama is one who adhered to Truth. His character is one of Truth. He doesn’t know anything else except Truth.

All is created from Truth.

All will merge again in Truth.

The place without the grandeur of Truth

cannot be seen.

See, this is the pure Truth!

 (Telugu poem)

Truth means: There is no greater Truth than Rama. “This whole Creation has arisen from Truth. This whole Creation is maintained in Truth. Finally, it merges again in Truth. Hence, Truth is the praana (life principle) of the Ikshvaku clan.” Saying that, they came to Mithila - and I told you earlier all that happened in Mithila.

In this way, the marriage was also decided. Dasaratha accepted and Kausalya, Sumitra and Kaika also accepted. Everyone accepted and the marriage went off grandly.

Parasurama Came

However, after the wedding was completed, when they were coming back to Ayodhya, Parasurama came (an Avatar warrior). Making a huge noise he said, “Who is the foolish one who has broken the Bow of Siva?” Parasurama also knew that Rama was God. However, out of 16 kalas (aspects of Divinity), 12 kalas were in Rama. Then there were two kalas in three of his brothers, making a total of 14 kalas. Then two kalas were with Parasurama. Only when the two kalas of Parasurama merged in Rama would it be 16 kalas in total.

Parasurama accepted that he would gift the two kalas to the one who gained victory over his weapon – the axe. In the same way that King Janaka made the promise, “I will give my daughter in marriage to the one who lifts the Bow of Siva,” Parasurama also said, “I will give all my powers to the one who holds and breaks my axe.”

Parasurama stood right in the middle of the path. Rama gained victory with justice and love instead of with fear. Parasurama offered Rama that weapon. Surrendering it to Rama he said, “Rama, now You are one who has the full 16 kalas.”

Keshavaya Namah, Madhavaya Namah,

Narayanaya Namah, Govindaya Namah,

Madhusudanaya Namah, Trivikramaya Namah.

Salutations to the One with beautiful hair,

Salutations to the Lord (husband) of Lakshmi

(the Goddess of Wealth),

Salutations to Vishnu,

Salutations to the Protector of cows,

Salutations to the Slayer of the demon Madhu,

Salutations to Vamana (the fifth Incarnation of Vishnu).

 (Sanskrit sloka)

Saying that, finally in the place of ‘Krishnaya Namah’, Parasurama removed that and added ‘Ramaya Namah.’ Now Sri Rama had fully the 16 kalas. So He reached Ayodhya with the 16 kalas.

The nature of Parasurama is a very great one. It is one of Truth. Wherever the Divine power is, there is complete Truth. It is not possible for anything to be beyond this Truth. Truth is God. Truth is the residence of God. Truth is the house of God. Therefore, Parasurama surrendered to Truth (Rama), who was Divine. After it happened like this, Rama became a great Lord, having the full 16 kalas. This means that He became all-powerful, omniscient and omnipresent.

Unable to Bear The Suffering

At one time much earlier, all the people of Ayodhya came to Dasaratha. They prayed, “Dasaratha! We are suffering a lot. Rishis, yogis, ascetics and kings - all are suffering day and night. A fearful demon is progressing day-by-day. We are unable to bear the sufferings due to Ravana. Therefore, we need to escape the sufferings wrought by Ravana.”

Then Dasaratha said, “Dear ones, go to Brahma and pray to him. Rishis, yogis, ascetics, munis and the people all went to Brahma. Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatkumar and Sanatsujata also went with them. When they went to Brahma he said, “The boon that Ravana asked for is very rigid. He cannot be killed by anyone. Only a human being can do it. Therefore, go to Vishnu (to pray for Him to incarnate as a human being to kill Ravana).”

All of them joined together and went to Vishnu. When Vishnu saw all of them, He became blissful. “Dear ones, what are your sufferings? Tell Me.” They replied, “We are unable to bear the sufferings given by Ravana. Not only one or two sufferings! From getting up in the morning till lying down at night, we only have suffering. From getting up from sleep until going to sleep again, there is only suffering for us.” All the people requested to be released from this suffering.

Then Vishnu said, “Dear ones, I know about all your suffering. So very soon, I will be born to Dasaratha and Kausalya in the town of Ayodhya. Then I will remove all your sufferings.” Feeling that all of these are only stories, numerous people are making fun of the Ramayana in many different ways. As Vishnu had said, finally He upheld His word: He was born as Rama and ultimately killed Ravana.

Lankini heard when Brahma gave the boon to Ravana. When Hanuman went to enter into Lanka, Lankini came as an obstruction. “I am the head of the main gate of Lanka. It is not possible for you to go beyond me. I am greatly powerful.” Saying that, she went forward to fight with Hanuman.

However, Lankini did not know the power and capabilities of Hanuman. With his left hand, he picked up Lankini and threw her aside. Then she remembered the words that Brahma said back then. He had said, “When a monkey comes and hits you, the destruction of Lanka will take place. The sufferings caused by the demons in Lanka will be removed.” Remembering that story, she did a big namaskaar to Hanuman and said, “Dear one, my sins have been removed by your touch.”

Darshanam Papa Nashanam.

Sparshanam Karma Vimochanam.

Sambashanam Sankata Nashanam.

Darshan (beholding the Lord) destroys all sins.

The touch of the Lord frees a person from consequence of all actions.

Conversation with the Lord eliminates all troubles.

(Sanskrit sloka)

“Your darshan, your touch and conversation with you have all taken place. Now Lanka will experience disaster. See here, now I am going.” She did namaskaar and gave up her life. In this way, when the details of the many births are known or understood, it will be possible to recognize the sacred nature of God and Truth.

No one knew that Shanta was the daughter of Kausalya. No one even knew that she was the wife of Rshyasrnga. It was due to her that the Putrakameshti Yagna took place. It was due to her that Ashwamedha Yagna also took place. Therefore, even Rama was born due to her.

Famine wasn’t observed wherever Shanta went in the kingdom. There was plenty of food and there was beauty also. It was blissful and bountiful. No mistakes happened and no suffering took place. Hence, after Shanta and Rshyasrnga left, it happened in this way (that sons were born to Dasaratha).

He Has Divine Power

Kausalya was very sad. Observing Rama she thought, “He is so great. He is God Himself. However, due to Him being born as my son, I don’t feel like that. As long as He’s in a human form, I consider Him as a human being. He has Divine power, but in my sight it doesn’t seem to be Divine power. So until I can see Him as having Divine power, I will have faith that He is only my son.” She was having faith that He was her son in this way. Sumitra then came and conveyed a lot to Kausalya. “Sister, Rama is not ordinary. Lakshmana, Bharata and Satrughna are also not ordinary.”

One small example for this: When Rama went to the forest, Sita was insistent and she also went to the forest. She said that she couldn’t bear separation from her husband even for a moment. She said that both the husband and wife were one, not separate.

Even Bharata took the sandals and went to Ayodhya. Saying that the sandals were the foundation, he worshipped those sandals. (Instead of returning to Ayodhya, Rama presented His sandals to Bharata. Bharata installed the sandals on the throne in Ayodhya, which represented Rama.) Meanwhile Bharata stayed twelve miles from Ayodhya. He kept the sandals there in Ayodhya and was always contemplating on Rama.

Even in the Vedas, many types of secrets are conveyed. Rama was the embodiment of the Vedas and the personification of manthras. Therefore, He was a kind of representation of the Vedas. They called Rama (a representation of) Rig Veda. Lakshmana was one who always repeated the manthras in Yajur Vedas. He was Yajur Veda. Bharata always spent time taking the Name of Rama as a foundation and meditating on the Name of Rama. So Bharata is the Sama Veda.

Then Satrughna: He had power and capability to remove the sufferings and troubles of the four brothers. He was one who destroyed all suffering, so Satrughna was called Atharvana Veda. Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharvana Veda - the four Vedas were born as the four sons and were going about in Ayodhya.

Always Contemplating On Rama

Bharata contemplated on Rama in the village of Nandi. He forgot everything in the meditation of Rama. He even stopped all eating and going about. Here also, Mandavi (Bharata’s wife) was a greatly chaste woman. Thinking that no obstacles should be in the way of the husband and no difficulties should come to the husband, she also contemplated on Rama’s Name and she spent fourteen years in that same village of Nandi.

Mandavi was greatly virtuous. Not only was she obeying the commands of the husband and the commands of the mother-in-law and father-in-law, she even gave an ideal to the entire world. She was in the village of Nandi. She had only one plait of matted hair.  Even all of Bharata’s hair was formed into a single matted plait.

When Rama was entering into Ayodhya (at the completion of the fourteen-year exile), Bharata and Mandavi went to welcome them. When their forms were observed, there was no difference at all between Sita and Mandavi, and Rama and Bharata. Bharata wore his hair in the exact same way as Rama wore His. Due to always contemplating on Rama, the nature of that contemplation and the nature of that Love entered into him. Just carefully observe anywhere - whether in a picture of Rama’s marriage or in any picture where Rama is present - Rama and Bharata were both blue-colored.

Sarvada, Sarva Kaaleshu,

Sarvatra Rama Chintanam.

  Contemplate on Rama always,

at all times and in all places.

(Sanskrit sloka)

Not only Bharata, but Mandavi also was intensely concentrating like that. When Mandavi met Sita, both Sita and Mandavi had the same forms. It means:

Yat Bhavam Tat Bhavati.

As the feeling, so will be the result.

(Sanskrit sloka)

The Vedas state:

Brahmavit Bramaina Bhavati.

The Knower of Brahman becomes Brahman Himself.

(Sanskrit sloka)

Whatever anyone contemplates on, they will take that form. So, due to Mandavi’s contemplation on Sita, Mandavi also took that form. Even Bharata took Rama’s form. Observing in this way, in every single thing - Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, Satrughna - all together were one part. Observing their wives - Sita, Urmila, Mandavi and Sruthakeerthi - all four of them were one part. The four wives had one and the same feeling.

Valmiki extolled it very greatly. Mothers may be different; fathers may be different; places may be different. However, all hearts are One. After learning Telugu, one Greek lady said, “Viswa Kutumba” (the “Universal Family”). The Universe is God's family. All have close intimacy with Him. Therefore, no one was different from Rama. So in this way, Sruthakeerthi also felt the same. All of them were virtuous, ideal women. The nature of these ladies was very great.

Women Have Great Radiance

Individuals, unable to understand, enter into the wrong meaning and they forget the Truth. First and foremost, one must try to understand: In every woman, there are seven powers. Men only have three powers. Women have four more powers. So they have great radiance.

Savitri, who brought her dead husband back to life, gaining victory over the God of Death,

belongs to the sacred land of Bharath, isn’t it?

Chandramati, who extinguished the flames of fire

with her power of Truth,

 was a woman of Bharath, isn’t it?

Sita, who upheld family respect by undergoing the test of fire, was a woman of Bharath, isn’t it?

Damayanti, who burnt a wicked hunter to ashes

with the power of her chastity,

was a woman of Bharath, isn’t it?

It is because of such chaste women of character that Bharath has attained the reputation of being

 the land of plenty, prosperity and rich harvest

 for illustrious women.

It is the teacher of all countries, isn't it?

     (Telugu poem)

Regarding women, the country of Bharath has the position of a teacher to all countries. So, is there any wife (elsewhere in the world) who brought life again to her dead husband? No! They are only in Bharath. From then until now, even if no one understands, even if they don’t come to know, there are such greatly chaste women in Bharath.

Hence, the country of Bharath is a greatly sacred and meritorious land. Such great people have been born in such a place. They conveyed an ideal life to all the people and they also experienced bliss themselves. They were fortunate people who didn’t give pain to others nor experience pain themselves. Therefore, every human being should recognize and conduct themselves according to such events as in the Ramayana.

Hence, yesterday I told you they went to the ashram of the rishis. They arrived at Siddhasram. Today Bharata, Satrughna, Rama and Lakshmana went together from the village of Nandi and arrived in Ayodhya. So tomorrow, let’s narrate the things that happened afterwards.

Bhagavan ended His Divine Discourse by chanting the bhajan, “Pibare Rama Rasam Rasane…”

  SUMMER COURSE GLOSSARY

 May 19^th, 2002

Taken from 

"A Glossary of Sanskrit Words

Gleaned from Sai Literature"

1)     Ashanthi (pg. 41) Peacelessness that is confounding the world

2)     Kala: (pg. 60) A full or complete Avatar has mastery over these 16 kalas: pancha bhuthas, the five basic elements; pancha jnanendriyas, the five internal senses of perception; pancha karmendriyas, the five external organs of actions; omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence

3)     Manthra: (pg. 220) Mystically powerful formulae or sound symbols to be recited for spiritual uplift

4)     Muni: (pg. 239) The ascetic who recognizes God in his heart and adores Him

5)     Namaskaar (pg. 243) Salutation, good wishes, from namamakaara: All that I am and have is due to Your Grace; or ‘na-ma’, ‘not mine’; a form of salutation by folding the palms together and holding them near the heart region. It symbolizes the touching of he Guru’s Feet or surrendering the ego at the Feet of the Lord

6)     Praana: (pg. 275) Praana means ‘vibration’ and it is the very breath of life; life force or vital energy; positive energy

7)     Rishi: (pg. 298) A great saint, fully knowing the omnipresence of God; not one who is a great scholar or a ritualist, but one who is free from evil tendencies; (commonly understood to mean a sage)

8)     Yogi: (pg.423) An ascetic, one who has mastered the senses and the mind; a spiritual aspirant