This translation from Telugu to English is done word-by-word to get the literal meaning. It is NOT an edited version. Checked by Prabhu

DISCOURSE BY SRI SATHYA SAI BABA
Summer Course # 5
19 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 brings 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. Every human being has 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 the head 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 aromatic fragrance. The words are the essence of nectar. The words are your sweet honeybees.Major drinking water crisis looms large over Anantapur Hence even in the Ramayana, Rama inquired into the words and put to use sweet words. Such words should also be limited. They should be pleasing.
Hence, through words Rama went to the forest. Through words Kaika got ill fame and through words Dasaratha gave up his life. All of these are the great sounds, the insight of words. 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 experienced many types of sorrows. Due to his wife giving help to him 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 Yavanam 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 and Sunatkumar, 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 when dangers come. They help in all ways. Therefore, these four Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatkumara, 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 their life.
When going to the forest, Kausalya blessed (Rama) in this way: “Rama, may Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatkumara, and Sanatsujata be with You, beside You, in You and protect You like the lids of 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, Sanatkumara and Sanatsujata, were with Him, beside Him and protected Him like the lids of the eye.

KAUSALYA’S DAUGHTER SHANTA
These types of situations take place in everyone’shistories 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 Shanti (Shanta). Shanti 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 charity to Roma Rishi. Roma Rishi got married and along with him, Shanti enter the Rishi's ashram. (This sentence should read: She entered into the Ashram of Roma Rishi. He got her married to Rshyasrnga.)
Finally the minister Sumanthra advised the king (Dasaratha) to call this Rishi (Rshyasrnga) to take part in the putrakameshti yagna and receive charity. Sumanthra was sent and he invited all the rishis. Any type of ashanti (lack of peace), injustice or bad actions did not happen at all in the country 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 such happy reports.
Sumanthra went to call Roma Rishi (Rshyasrnga). However, Roma Rishi (Rshyasrnga) said, “It is not possible for me to come alone. I’ll be chief of the priests. You also have to accept Shanti (Shanta) being a priest along with me.” They accepted saying, “Without fail we will accept.”
When Roma Rishi (Rshyasrnga) came along with Shanti (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 also 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 gradually remind them about her 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, he (Dasaratha) gave her in charity to Roma Rishi. From then until now, it was natural to not pay attention to daughters. The crazy feelings they had in those days was that daughters had no authority to be heads of countries and serve as kings.
Finally she took part not only in 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 sees these reasons, it is due to Shanta that peace came to the house of Dasaratha. They were only ones who felt that she was the wife of a rishi but no one believed that she was the daughter of Dasaratha.

VISWAMITRA TOOK RAMA AND LAKSHMANA TO SIDDHASRAM
It happened like that. Then Viswamitra took Rama and Lakshmana to Siddhasram. He took them to protect the yagna. However, Rama and Lakshmana were not familiar with Shanta at all. Then 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 Dasaratha. Dasaratha felt very bad and said, “You are taking them to kill the demons. How will you protect our children?”
He (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, the permission 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 prayed to (invited) only Viswamitra. They (Janaka) didn’t know that Rama and Lakshmana had come.
However, according to Viswamitra’s command, he said, “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.”
However, Rama and Lakshmana loved this Bow of Siva a lot. “Lets go, Swami. Without fail let us go, see Bow of Siva, and then we will certainly go to Ayodhya.” They went. The Bow of Siva was broken and the wedding with Sita was fixed.
However, Rama and Lakshmana did not accept. “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 Kausaka (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.
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. King Kausaka became a renunciate.
He had a cow with him. As a king, he took the cow forcefully. However, that king (the ascetic Vasishta) did not accept it being taken away forcefully. Finally it (a war) took place, he was defeated and his sons also were lost (died).
Finally Viswamitra took (Rama and Lakshmana) to the house of King Janaka. He recognized that their father was also coming there. He said, “Only in this one thing go beyond the command of your father.”
“Preceptor, not only 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 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 described before 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. 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), it would be 16 kalas total.
Parasurama accepted that he would gift the two kalas to the one who gained victory over his weapon axe. In the same way as King Janaka made the promise saying, “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 the one who holds and breaks his axe.”
Right in the middle of the path, Rama, instead of with fear, he gained victory with justice and love. He (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’ he removed that and added, ‘Ramaya Namah.’ Now Sri Rama had fully 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 who had the full 16 kalas. This means that He became all-powerful, omniscient and omnipresent.

UNABLE TO BEAR THE SUFFERING
In such a situation, as soon as arriving in Ayodhya, all the people came near to Dasaratha. (This sentence may be changed to, “At one time 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, people, all went to Brahma. Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatkumar and Sanatsujata also went with them. When they went to Brahma (he said), “The boon that he (Ravana) asked for is very rigid. He cannot be killed by anyone. Only a human being will do it. Therefore, go to Vishnu (and 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.” “We are unable to bear the sufferings given by Ravana. Not one or two: 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 of 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 he (Vishnu) said, finally he uphold his word, he was born (as Rama) and killed Ravana.
Then, Lankini heard when Brahma said, “I will come and be born.” (This may be changed to, “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, the 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 word that Brahma said back then. He 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.” Saying that 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, all have taken place. Now it will be attained (experienced) by Lanka. See here, now I am going.” She did namaskaar and she 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 through her that the putrakameshti yagna took place. It was through her that ashwamedha yagna also took place. Therefore, even Rama was born due to her.
Famine wasn’t observed wherever she went in the country. There was plenty of food and it was beautiful also. It was blissful and bountiful, and no mistakes happened and no suffering took place. Hence, after Shanta and Rshyasrnga left it happened in this way (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 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 for her husband even for a moment. She said that both the husband and wife were one but not separate.
Even Bharata took the sandals and went to Ayodhya. Saying that those sandals were the support, he was worshipping the sandals. (Instead of returning to Ayodhya, Rama presented His sandals to Bharata. Bharata installed the sandals on the throne, representing Rama.) Bharata stayed twelve miles from Ayodhya. He kept the sandals and was always contemplating on Rama.
Even in the Vedas many types of secrets are coveyed. 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) Yajur Veda. Lakshmana was one who always repeated the manthras in Yajur Vedas. He was Rig Veda. Bharata always spent time taking the Name of Rama as a foundation and meditated on the Name of Rama. So Bharata is the Sama Veda.
Afterwards, 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, Atharvana Veda: the four Vedas were born as 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 14 years in that same village of Nandi.
Mandavi was greatly virtuous. Not only (obeying) the commands of the husband and not only 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. Even all of Bharata’s hair was formed into a single plait.
When Rama was entering into Ayodhya (at the completion of 14 years), 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 it. Due to always contemplating on Rama, the nature of that contemplation and the nature of love entered into him. Just see anywhere carefully: 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.
 
  Contemplation of Rama always,
at all times and in all places,
(Sanskrit sloka)

Not only Bharata. Mandavi also was intensely concentrated like that. When Mandavi met Sita, both Sita and Mandavi had the same forms. Meaning:

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 them (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 had one mind. The four had one and the same feeling.
Valmiki extolled it very greatly. Mothers may be different, fathers may be different and places may be different, however all hearts are one. After learning Telugu one Greece lady said, “Viswa Kutumba”. The universe is God's family. All have close intimacy with Him. Therefore, no one was different from Rama. So in this way, Sruthakeerthi remains. All of them were so 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. They (women) have four more powers (than men). 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 convey 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 accordingly to such events in the Ramayana. Hence, yesterday, they went to the ashram of the rishis. They arrived at Siddhasram. Today Bharata and Satrughna, Rama and Lakshmana went together from the village of Nandi and arrived in Ayodhya. Then, tomorrow lets narrate the things that happened afterwards.

Bhagavan ended His Divine Discourse by chanting the bhajan, ‘Pibare Rama Rasam Rasane…’