Gyaan Ka Saagar: Recent Episodes
Pandit Bhisham "Jito" Misir
Welcome to Gyaan Ka Saagar (an Ocean of Knowledge), as we take you on a spiritual and religious journey in the understanding of Hindu Scriptures in modern society as shared by Pandit Bhisham "Jito" Misir. We are committed to Provide Faith Based Devotional Services.
In this katha, Hanuman confronts and fights the demons approaching him. In the same manner, we need to confront our problems (demons) of life.
Sita Maa knowing that she is separate from the body, wants to leave her body due to her being kidnapped by Ravana. Unfortunately we may want to give up our life when faced with great problems and difficulties. However, we must understand that this is NOT what God’s wants us to do. Don’t Give Up!
We will also speak on cremation vs. burial and give logical proof that the soul exists with all of us.
In the episode, Vivishana instructs Hanumanji how and where he can find Sita Maa. In the same manner, we all need proper guidance in finding God. There are various ways of achieving this goal such as the practice of Karma yoga, Bhakti yoga and Gyaana yoga. Failure to tread the path leading to God will result in us becoming lost in this world.
In this episode Vivishana relates to Hanumanji that he feels like the tongue between the teeth. Have you ever feel trapped or are there people in your life that are always on the attack? How can we become free and acquire the Lords blessings?
Hanuman goes into Lanka and sees various mandirs where the demons worship. However, he does not see Sita Maa who is a representation of God. Are these structures true mandirs that are devoid of God:? What is a mandir and what makes a mandir?
The type of people we associate with will determine the type of mentality we will acquire in life. This mentality will determine what we allow to enter our minds and what we will shun. In this video podcast, Hanuman encounters Lankini who eventually allows him to enter the kingdom of Lanka.
We need to realize there are times when we must make ourselves small by having humility. Humility will help us to move beyond a problem or situation we are confronted with. In this katha, Hanuman teaches us about having humility and how to just be yourself.
Remember that we are already filled with humility, joy, bliss and happiness. If we allow ourselves to just be, then these qualities will prevail.
Utilize your knowledge, wisdom and strength to deal with your problems and issues you encounter in life. We must speak appropriately to those who are obstacles and problem makers. Think of reasonable ways to address and deal with these problem people. Stand tall in faith and righteousness and always remain humble when dealing and confronting your problems. Always pray to God to give you strength.
Do not allow anything to become an obstacle on your path that can prevent you from accomplishing your purpose in life. We may become tired along our journey, however, we must continue forward until the task is completed. The path we have to tread might by filled with problems and difficulties that may hinder our progress. We must climb over, go around or go through these problems and do not give up. Rest is you must, but do not quit.
Life is a test that we all need to pass with flying colors. The tools needed to pass these tests are strength and intelligence. We must learn to always utilize our strength to endure the problems of life and our intelligence to know how to deal with them along our journey in life.
When we remain at the base of the mountain we cannot see what is around us. We are unable to assess our surroundings because of all the obstacles (such as the trees, rocks, etc…) that prevents us from seeing clearly. Learn to climb the mountain and in so doing, you will be able to see clearly all around you.
When we have climbed the mountain and are able to stand on the top is when we no longer become associated with that which is below (the obstacles and problems of life). We are then able to become one with God and therefore become King of the Mountain.
For all beings, the human birth is the most difficult to attain. We all need to be reminded of this special gift the Lord has bestowed upon us and use it wisely to serve Him. There are three things that are extremely rare in this world. One is this human birth, the second is the longing to attain liberation and the third is being under the protective care and guidance of the Guru.
What is the difference between a stone, a rock, a tree and this human body? What is the purpose of our birth? Why are we here in this world today? Let us search and find the answers.
The birth of Hanuman was not only a blessings to his parents but also to the entire world. In this video podcast I will discuss what is a blessing, what it consists of, and how to bless someone.
I will also explain what I believe to be "The Hidden Message in the name Hanuman."
We must be able to conduct and present ourselves in a godly manner. I have always said that the clothing does not make the man, however. It does help to define the man. Always present yourself in a respectable, godly way. Remember, you never get a second chance to make a good first impression.
Having respect for the opposite gender is also extremely important. Men and women, boys and girls must know how they interact with one another. Their conduct should be beyond reproach not degrading the godly characteristics of one another.
We often feel that problems are always chasing us. When this be the case, stand up and confront your problems and overcome them. If for some reason you do not have enough power to overcome your problems then get up and run away from them. But where should we go?
In this video podcast, we are told of one place where we should go when we do not have the ability to overcome our problems.
It is essential for us to understand we have come from the Lord and have entered this world by following a certain path. In order to know and understand this path, meditation (tapasya) is important. Once we are able to understand the path taken, we can then back track and go back home to the Lord.
In the process of acquiring this divine knowledge there will be many evil forces that will try to prevent us from attaining the desired goal. If this be the case, then stand firm and do not deviate from the goal at hand. If for some reason you cannot overpower these evil forces then arise and seek help from the proper individual(s).
Brothers and sisters must be able to live happily together. When the parents are not present, the only relationship left is that of the brother and sister. Learn to help you brother and sister throughout your life. Be the role model for your younger brother and sister as they are looking up to you and want to follow in your path.
In the episode Sampati reflects on his younger brother Jayatu and reminisces on their childhood days. He reflects on how they played together, ate together and fly to high heights together.
All of us have the power of choice. We have the ability to make decisions for ourselves and not have others make decisions for us. We therefore have the ability to be our own individual self and we do not have to be like others whose character traits are negative and against the laws of righteousness (dharma).
In this episode, the Vaanars meet with Sampati who is the brother of Jatayu. The Vaanars thought that Sampati (who is a vulture) would feast upon them and they were fearful of their encounter with him. One of the Vaanars named Angada speaks out to Sampati and basically tells him that he does not have to be the same as other vultures that kill for food and cause pain and sufferings to others. Angada make a reference to Jatayu who was a devotee of the Lord in the hopes that Sampati will be a devotee of the Lord.
Too often we find individuals who are selfish and only think of themselves. We must learn to think of others and give others the opportunity to excel. By following this path, the Lord will entrust us with greater tasks to accomplish in His name.
In this episode, Hanuman allows all the vaanars to go ahead of him to acquire the Lord’s blessings. He was then entrusted with a great task by the Lord as a result of his actions.
We must not forget our duty in serving the Lord. We must serve Him powerfully with faith, determination, devotion etc... Do not be subdued by this false world of Maaya (illusion). Learn to see that which is truly there (God). Serve Him with the best of your ability and without any hesitation.
In Kiskindha Kandha of the Ramayan, the Lord Shri Raam asked Sugriva about the welfare of each one of the vaanars. There were not one, two or three of the vaanars but there were a countless number of vanaars present. The Lord remembers each and every single one of his devotees.
God knows who you are and has not forgotten about you. You are in His thoughts, and He is there for you. The Divine Lord is there waiting for you with open arms ready to shower upon you His blessings. In order for us to acquire the blessings of God, we need to first control the mind. We must maintain a mind that is at peace so we can be able to focus clearly on God.
In this episode we are reminded to remember God and keep the promise we made to Him. When we came into this world we promised God that we would serve Him. However, do to Maaya we have forgotten God and the promise we made.
In the Ramayana, Sugriva has forgotten the Lord and the promise he made. Hanuman speaks and reminds him of the Lord Shri Raam and the promise that was made. We must learn to keep our word.
Have you ever lost anything? Has someone who you love been taken away by unrighteousness?
In the Ramayana, Sita Maa crosses the line of protection and has been carried away by the demon Ravana. The Lord Shri Raam teaches us that God has the ability to restore what has been lost. He will send individuals into your life to help and assist you in regaining that which has been lost. If you have been placed in the life of someone who can benefit from your help in regaining a lost loved one, then do not hesitate to help. God will work miracles through you.
Do not ever forget to serve the Lord as He has bestowed upon you the special gifts and talents you have. God has brought us into this world to serve Him. However, most individuals forget about their purpose in this world as they are distracted by materialism. Remember to serve the Lord and you will be found.
The body is made up of 5 elements called the pancha tatvas. These elements are earth, air, space, fire and water. When a person dies, it is the body that is no longer functioning and the soul cannot therefore utilize the body. As a result, the soul removes itself from the body. The body is then returned to each of the 5 elements.
When the soul is removed from the body, it becomes detached from the body and then proceeds to become one with the Lord. If the soul has not performed enough righteous action to reach and become one with God, then the soul will become reborn and have another body to continue this process until Godhead is achieved.
In the Ramayana, Baali, at the moment of his death, realizes that he has made many mistakes in his life. In this episode we will analyze three key components that will enable us to decipher if we are making the right decisions and performing correct actions in life.
One would incur great sin by the very sight of those who are not distressed to see the distress of a friend. A man should regard his own mountain-like troubles as of no more account than a mere grain of sand, while the troubles of a friend should appear to him like Mount Sumeru, though really they may be as trifling as a grain of sand. Those fools who are not of such a temperament presume in vain to make friends with anybody.
A friend should restrain his companion from the evil path and lead him on the path of virtue; he should proclaim the latter’s good points and screen his faults, should give and take things without any scruple and serve his friend’s interest to the best of his ability and finding him in distress love him a hundred times more than ever.
Evil will enter into our lives when the light of divinity is diminished. It is when the godly light of consciousness begins to fade that evil is waiting to enter into our lives.
We must be able and be prepared to destroy and eradicate these negative evil forces (hatred, anger, lust, materialistic desires and so on). One of the tools used to destroy evil is Shaanti which means peace.
Why do you live at your current place of residence? This is the question Shri Raam asked Sugriva in the Ramayana. Sugriva replied that he chose his place of residence in order to stay away from evil. The moment we allow evil to enter our homes, we can easily be taken off the path of righteousness. This evil can have an effect of our mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, children and all of our loved ones.
A family must always try to resolve any and all issues preventing peace and happiness. Issues arise when the sense of reasoning is lost among other things. Reasoning becomes lost when the mind is disturbed by penetrating negative thoughts.
Many individuals may not realize the good things they may have in their life and how fortunate they are. Having good things in our life does not mean we need an abundance of materialistic wealth and so on. We all need to come to the realization that God is the one good thing we all have in our life.
You may be a poor individual materially who has an abundance of spiritual wealth through the blessings of God. Unfortunately there are individuals with a vast amount of material wealth who fail to have God with them.
Our lives may be filled with ups and downs, however, rest assured that God will be there for us. Make God the one good thing in your life. Keep your faith strong.
Many of us are trying our best to tread the path of righteousness. While on this path (which will lead to Godhead) we must be careful and mindful of individuals who will try to corrupt our minds and remove us off this godly path.
A person who is a champion of dharma (righteousness) is deserving of attaining true wealth. Once this wealth is acquired, the lord teaches us that we must make this wealth grow by investing it. We need to take that which is valuable to us and place it in the appropriate place for it to grow.
Parents invest in their childrens growth by placing them iin the right environment such as school, church and by surrounding them with positive individuals.
What is your true wealth?
Has God manifested into your home? Unfortunately, many individuals prevent the Lord from manifesting into their homes and their lives. This occurs when we build brick walls preventing God from entering. Let us break the walls and remove the bricks so the Lord can enter into our lives.
Too often we believe that the man has the last word or that he has the only voice in a relationship. In the video podcast, we are told from scriptural authority that both husband and wife have an equal voice in all matters.
We all desire to leave unhappiness and get to a place in our life where we can be happy. In order to achieve this, we have to know where this happiness. Once this is achieved we must make a straight line from where we currently are (in a state of unhappiness) to where happiness is. For those who may get lost on their journey to happiness, a GPS may be needed. The GPS is called God's Positional Service.
Many individuals get lost on the journey to God realization because they are overtaken by the temptations of the world. God will test us in many ways knowing that we have the ability to overcome the tests and temptations we are confronted with.
King Manu and Queen Shatrupa renounced all materialistic things to attain spirituality. They would only eat vegetables, fruits and items grown in the soil. This is an example for us to eat certain types of food. The food we eat has a direct impact on who we are. Remember, you are what you eat.
It has been noted in various scriptures that we can attain a sense of calmness, peace and serenity by the things we do, say, and in this case eat. Having attained this state, the mind becomes ready to truly focus and meditate on the Lord. Attaining this state of mind, the devotee will only desire for the Lords blessings which is what we all desire.
We must learn to see others for who they are. Learn to see those who are godly in your life and keep associating with them. Also learn to see those who are evil and shun away from them as they only bring a sense of negativity.
It is when we acquire godly characteristics that people will like who we are. How do you get someone to like you? Perform good things, have a positive personality, develop and have respect for others, dress appropriately and respectfully, and learn to make people feel special.
It time for us all to take a look an analyze ourselves. What type of qualities do we possess? Is there anything that needs to change? Is so, then let us begin to correct the negative aspects of our life. We are all Gods children and therefore we all have godly qualities. Let us not suppress them, instead, let us utilize them and shine as the sun, moon and stars.
As we accomplish and achieve things of life, we become happy and proud of ourselves for our undertakings. The mind is reflected towards the self for our accomplishments. We need to refocus our mind towards God and acknowledge that it is He who has enabled us to achieve what we have.
Smaadhi is when you meditate on the Divine Lord. Meditation to God should be done at the appropriate place and time. In this video podcast we will discuss what makes a particular location appropriate for meditation. We will also relate the two types of samaadhi namely savikalpa and nirvikalpa samaadhi.
Can you imagine someone prevents you from encountering God? Why does this happen and what should we do about it? In this video podcast we will discuss what happened when two gate keepers of the Lord prevented his devotees (Sanaka, Sanandan, Sanatana and Sanakkumar) from meeting with Him.
The question is asked by Parvati Maa: "Can you please tell me the glories of the Lord Shri Raam?"
In this video podcast, Parvati Maa has prepared herself to listen to God's glories. The question is; "Are we prepared to listen to the glories of God?" How many individuals truly want to know about God? As mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, and children alike, we need to ask the questions necessary for us to understand God's glories and how it applies to our life. In order for us to understand God's glories, we must ask the appropriate individuals for spiritual guidance (your Guruji). Parvati Maa asked Bhagaavan Shivaji to explain the glories of (God) Shri Raam so she can ascertain the fundamental teachings of the Divine Lord.
In this video podcast, Arjuna is confused as to which manner he should pray. Should he pray to God who is formless or to God who has a form? Many times we are unsure of the correct process of how things should be done and why. The Lord answers this question in chapter 12 of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. We will also explain why devotees utilize a murti (icon/image/statue) during worship.
Have you ever wondered what is the meaning behind the customs and traditions of a Hindu wedding? In this video podcast we will discuss the meaning of various parts of the wedding process as performed by Hindus around the world.
How many of us have truly heard, listen and understand the words of God? How many of us a prepared and equipped to see the lord in His true form? In the Bhagavad Gita, the Lord reveals His universal form to Arjuna but he fails to see it. It is only when the Lord explained what is needed to see Him that Arjuna was able to do so.
How will you or how have you prepared for your wedding? What are the important items that should be focused on? In the episode, we will related the different types of weddings according to Hindu tradition and the necessary preparations.
Who is in control of your life, your thoughts and your actions? Many times we perform righteous actions while at other times we commit sins. Does the soul commit sins or is it totally sinless? In this podcast we will discuss what or who should be the controlling factor of the body and explain what is meant by paap aatma (the sinful soul).
What are the consequences of disturbing the meditation of someone who is praying to God? In this video podcast we will discuss the importance of staying focused when in meditation to the Lord and the consequences of being disruptive. Devotees of the Supreme Being must learn the art of staying focused while praying and be conscious not to be disruptive.
We must come to an understanding that God already has everything since He is the Supreme Lord and Master of this world. There is nothing that He needs or require. If this be the case, then why do we make offerings unto Him? In this episode, we will discuss the meaning behind the offerings made unto God and how it applies to our daily lives.
Too often we approach God and try to persuade Him to grant us our desires. We cannot bargain with the Lord as He is supreme. Instead, we should simply approach the Lord and pray for Him to shower us with His blessing into our lives as He sees fit.
We must also be careful of the individuals who approach us in life and try to persuade us to perform negative actions. Be very conscious not to allow anyone to remove you off the path of righteousness.
God has chosen you to make a difference in this world. There is so much evil in this world that the Divine Lord sends His angels (His children) to overpower the darkness that obstructs the path of His devotees. There are many individuals who are faced with such great problems and do not know how to overcome these issues. Faithful prayers with love and devotion for the Lord is a must. As God hears these prayers, He sends His hand chosen disciples to bring about happiness, hope, faith, devotion, etc... into the lives of all in need. God has placed you in a community and society where you can make a difference in the lives of others. You must always remember that God has chosen you.
Anyone who enters your life and intentionally tries to take away your happiness is considered a demonic person (a raakshas). Do not allow anyone to take away your happiness. In this podcast, we will discuss the topic of happiness and how not to lose it.
Loyalty: You must have confidence in your spouse. Trust: You must be able to have trust for each other. Happiness: You need and deserve to be happy. Longevity: The marriage to be everlasting. Family Life: You must be able to live having a good family life. Respect: Husband and wife must have respect for each other.
Many individuals will approach us in our life and ask us why we are doing the things that we do. They want to know if we will be able to accomplish our desired task(s). In this episode, we will discuss why people may ask a question and if you have what it takes to accomplish your goals.
How do you know when God is speaking to you? Most of us can easily recognize the voice of someone on the other end of a phone call yet we fail to recognize the voice of God. In this video podcast we will discuss the voice of God and how to know when He is speaking to you.
What happens if a righteous person commits a sin? A devotee of the divine Lord will always try to attain God realization. However, sometimes the righteous person (devotee) may commit a sin along his journey. Will this devotee attain Godhead? In this video podcast we will listen to the words of Shri Krishna as the Lord himself answers this question.
In acquiring advice, it is extremely important to fully understand the advice given. Too often we seek advice and not fully understand the advice given. We must learn to question the things we do not understand with the given advice. It is in this manner that we will be able to carry out the advice as this will bring about the desired positive results. Remember, that the advice should not cause any harm to anyone, it should be in accordance to the scripture(s), and it should yield positivity in your life as well as in the lives of others.
This lecture also looks at how we deal with the advice we receive and the feelings and struggles it brings forth in following them. Advice is only as good as our ability to utilize the information given appropriately.
We must assess the qualities of the person with whom we plan to spend the rest of our life. Is the person a respectful person and can he/she be trusted? Does the person truly love you? Does he/she have God in his or her life?
Marriage is a sacred institution that is sometimes taken for granted. The secret to a successful marriage is hidden within the pages of many scriptures. In order to have a successful marriage it is very important we select the right partner. How do you know you are selecting the right person? There are certain qualities that must be present in the individual with whom you will spend the rest of your life.
In this episode we will discuss the qualities to look for in a spouse and what should be done in order to acquire these qualities.
What are the qualities you would like to be remembered for? How can you change negative qualities into positive one? Listen as we will touch on these issues.
How would you be described?
Would you like to be described based on your family lineage or family characteristics?
Would you like to be described based on your personal characteristics you have created for yourself?
Would you like to be described as a person who turns negativity into positivity? How can you create good characteristics?
The following video podcast will help to assist you in your journey to attaining positive characteristics.
The Lord relates on how he manifestes himself into this world in bodily form. We will also discuss the process of time and our duty in life.
The Lord Spoke: Arjuna, whenever righteousness is on the decline and unrighteousness is in the ascendant, then I body Myself forth.
For the protection of the virtuous, for the extirpation of evil-doers, and for establishing Dharma (righteousness) on a firm footing, I am born from age to age.
The four orders of society (viz., the Brahmana, the Ksatriya, the Vaisya, and the Sudra) were created by Me, classifying them according to the Gunas predominant in each and apportioning corresponding duties to them; though the originator of his creation, know Me, the Immortal Lord, to be a non-doer.
What sacrifice must we offer to Lord? What obligations do we have in serving the Supreme Lord?
In this podcast we will listen to the words of Sati Maa as She relates to us about speaking ill of others.
In this episode we will discuss the importance of acquiring consent from your spouse and it's impact in marriage.
In this discourse we will be able to differentiate between customary and ritualisitc practices and have an understanding of the soul.
As we grow in life, it is vital for us to reflect on the actions that we have performed and the outcome of these actions. If the action performed yields a positive result then we must realize that we can continue performing such actions. If the action performed, however, yields a negative result then we must realize that we should discontinue performing such actions. The process of realizing these results is considered the process of experience. Therefore, experience is the process by which a person is able to acknowledge and realize the outcome of actions after it is performed.
A true devotee of God will always try to realize the outcome of actions before it is performed. If the devotee foresees that the action will bring about distress and sorrow, then the devotee will not perform these actions. However, if the devotee foresees that the action will bring about happiness and bliss, then the devotee will perform these actions. This is called the process of maturity. We become mature individuals when we can realize the results of actions before they are performed and make a conscious effort to perform actions that will yield a positive result.
In this Video Podcast we will discuss how Arjuna was able to assess the army he must overcome in his process of self-upliftment.
In this Video Podcast we will discuss the reasons why a person may speak a lie and the things we can to to help them speak the truth.
In this Video Podcast we will begin to relate the teachings of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. We will discuss the teachings of the first three verses of chapter one.
In order for us to be happy as we move forward in life, we must have some common understanding of our duty, family values and the importance of the Lord in our life. Once we are able to understand these teachings and act accordingly, happiness and prosperity will always be present.
When we speak of happiness we speak also of success. Our success is not determined by our finances, our property and not even by how many cars we may own. We are successful when we can utilize the gifts that God has given unto us to serve Him. We are a success when we can utilize the abilities that God has given us to bring happiness into the lives of others. We are a success when we can change our negative attitudes and behaviors and become true devotees of the Lord.
In this podcast we will discuss how the lost child (Kausilya) was found. As a result, a new chapter of her life begins in which she will become the mother of the Lord Shri Raam.
When we have a certain situation and I and we want to achieve a certain goal, the way we approach that situation is extremely important. When you have a problem, what do you do to resolve it? If you want to accomplish something, how do you go about doing so? Is there a particular formula that we should all follow in achieving our goals and confronting the problems that we will have to confront in life? In this episode we will learn about approaching the situations of life.
We will also deal with appearances and pretending to be someone or something that we are not. Unfortunately, many individuals feel that in order to accomplish a certain goal, they have to put on a false disguise. What we must remember is that the Lord always wants us to be our self. Sati Maa disguises herself as she approaches Shri Raam to test him.
Why do we believe in God? Should we believe in the Lord? The answer of course is YES!
We must all come to the realization that everything we have is due to the blessings of the Lord. Without Him, we would not have anything in this world. The laws of God must be the same for all of his children and as a result His laws has been written in different languages for all His devotees. By us believing in God, we make ourselves better individuals by following His teachings as outlined in the various scriptures (regardless of the religion we choose to follow).
There are many different methods of learning. We must learn of these different methods and adapt the methodology that works best for us and for our children. This applies to both material and spiritual education. God had bless us with the means of acquiring knowledge which has been referred to as a gem of life. Do not throw away this valuable gift.
Learn secrets on how to manifest God into your life. We will focus on Mother Lakshmi who is the Hindu Goddess of Light, Wealth and Prosperity.
Mother Lakshmi is worshiped during the occasion of Divaali and is honored by lighting Diya's (clay lamps) which symbolizes the coming of light and the removal of darkness. We must remember that God is the light and we need to manifest this light into our daily life.
What is your true value in life? Just as a painter paints a painting which will have a monetary value, we are reminded that we too have a certain vaule in life.
Dasaratha (the father of Shri Raam and King of Ayodhya) was a champion of Dharma. He retained his true value as a devotee of the Lord and was not tainted by the materialism of this world. He always focused himself on the performance of Dharma (righteousness).
Who are you walking with in life? Are you able to elevate yourself and remain on the path to Godhead? In this podcast, Sati Maa continues her walk with Bhagavan Shivaji as she is trying to understand the greatness of Lord Rama. We must all choose our friends wisely as we take our walk in life. Our friends should be able to keep us on the path of divinity as we should be able to do the same for them.
In this podcast we are reminded of the ability to over come all the hurdles of life through the medium of prayers which consists of bringing the hands together. Mandodari (the wife of the demonic being named Raavan) was able to save the life of her husband through the medium on prayers.
In this podcast Pandit Bhisham "Jito" Misir explains the necessity of Acquiring a Vision of God. In the Ramayana, Shivaji is yearning to have a vision of Lord Rama and he take the necessary steps to achieve his goal. Having a vision of the Lord will manifest a state of bliss and joy into our lives as we will learn.
The way we think and the process of thought can have great impacts on our life either in a negative or positive manner. This discourse will relate the necessity of posivite thought in our life with a focus on the thoughts that entered the mind of Sati Maa as she sees the state of happiness and joy of Shivaji after he acquired a vision of Lord Rama.