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A monkey of extraordinary might. He was the minister of Sugriva [It is difficult to ascertain whether Jambavan was a monkey or a bear. In some of the Indian languages he is described as a monkey. In Malayalam he was thought of as a monkey from ancient period. In Valmiki Ramayana, which is the original work. Jambavan is denoted by the words 'Kapi' (monkey) and Rksa (bear). Jambavan is called Rksapurigava in Valmiki Ramayana Balakanda Sarga 17. From this it is to be assumed that Jambavan was a bear. In the same chapter it occurs that, it was the aim of Brahma to make the gods and the celestial women take birth as monkeys to help Mahavisnu in the incarnation of Sri Rama. So it is not wrong to consider Jambavan either as a bear or as a monkey.] When the troubles and hardships caused by the wickedness of Ravana became unbearable the goddess Earth and the Devas approached Brahma for redress. Brahma took them to the sea of Milk. Mahavisnu heard everything and said that he would incarnate as the son of Dasaratha and would kill Ravana. Brahma was directed to create monkeys to help him on that occasion. Accordingly Brahma created Jambavan and several other monkeys. There are two stories about the birth of Jambavan in the Puranas.

A monkey of extraordinary might. He was the minister of Sugriva [It is difficult to ascertain whether Jambavan was a monkey or a bear. In some of the Indian languages he is described as a monkey. In Malayalam he was thought of as a monkey from ancient period. In Valmiki Ramayana, which is the original work. Jambavan is denoted by the words 'Kapi' (monkey) and Rksa (bear). Jambavan is described as Rksapurigava in Valmiki Ramayana Balakanda Sarga 17. From this it is to be assumed that Jambavan was a bear. In the same chapter it occurs that, it was the aim of Brahma to make the gods and the celestial women take birth as monkeys to help Mahavisnu in the incarnation of Sri Rama. So it is not wrong to consider Jambavan either as a bear or as a monkey.] When the troubles and hardships caused by the wickedness of Ravana became unbearable the goddess Earth and the Devas approached Brahma for redress. Brahma took them to the sea of Milk. Mahavisnu heard everything and said that he would incarnate as the son of Dasaratha and would kill Ravana. Brahma was directed to create monkeys to help him on that occasion. Accordingly Brahma created Jambavan and several other monkeys. There are two stories about the birth of Jambavan in the Puranas.

(1) Brahma sat for a long time thinking about the creation of monkeys. Then he wanted to yawn., for which he opened the mouth and instantly Jambavan came out from inside Brahma through the open mouth. "I have already created Jambavan the noble bear, who jumped out of my mouth when I yawned." (Valmiki Ramayana, Balakanda, Sarga 17, Stanza 6).

(1) Brahma sat for a long time thinking about the creation of monkeys. Then he wanted to yawn., for which he opened the mouth and instantly Jambavan came out from inside Brahma through the open mouth. "I have already created Jambavan the noble bear, who jumped out of my mouth when I yawned." (Valmiki Ramayana, Balakanda, Sarga 17, Stanza 6).<blockquote>पूर्वमेव मया सृष्टो जाम्बवानृक्षपुङ्गव:। जृम्भमाणस्य सहसा मम वक्त्रादजायत।।1.17.6।।</blockquote>(2) One day time of Brahma ended and the night had advanced two yamas (six hours) . The Madhukaitabhas born of the ear-wax of Mahavisnu began to create trouble and commotion in the waters of the great flood. They saw a lotus oil the surface of water. Seeing Brahma in it they challenged him for fight. Hearing their shouting and the challenge Brahma became afraid of the asuras. His middle face began to sweat. The sweat flowed through his cheeks and reached the loins. Jambavan came into being from that sweat. So he got the name Ambujata, (born from the water of sweat) . As he was the first person who entered the country of Jambunada he was called Jambavan. As he was born when there was no universe or time his age or date of birth could not be ascertained. At the time of Sri Rama Jambavan was six Manvantaras (age of a Manu) and for hundred and sixtyfour Caturyugas (a period of four yugas) old. (The present age is the twenty-eighth Caturyuga of the seventh Manu). Jambavan had witnessed all the incarnations from Matsya to Sri Rama. (Kamba Ramayana Purva Kanda).

 

(2) One day time of Brahma ended and the night had advanced two yamas (six hours) . The Madhukaitabhas born of the ear-wax of Mahavisnu began to create trouble and commotion in the waters of the great flood. They saw a lotus oil the surface of water. Seeing Brahma in it they challenged him for fight. Hearing their shouting and the challenge Brahma became afraid of the asuras. His middle face began to sweat. The sweat flowed through his cheeks and reached the loins. Jambavan came into being from that sweat. So he got the name Ambujata, (born from the water of sweat) . As he was the first person who entered the country of Jambunada he was called Jambavan. As he was born when there was no universe or time his age or date of birth could not be ascertained. At the time of Sri Rama Jambavan was six Manvantaras (age of a Manu) and for hundred and sixtyfour Caturyugas (a period of four yugas) old. (The present age is the twenty-eighth Caturyuga of the seventh Manu). Jambavan had witnessed all the incarnations from Matsya to Sri Rama. (Kamba Ramayana Purva Kanda).

During the time of Sri Rama Jambavan was the minister of Sugriva. It is stated in Valmiki Ramayana, Kiskindha Kanda, Sarga 41, that Nila, the son of Agni, Hanuman, Jambavan, Suhotra, Sarari, Saragulma, Gaja, Gavaksa, Gavaya, Susena, Rsabha, Mainda, Dvivida, Vijaya, Gandhamadana, Ulkamukha, Asanga, Angada and others were the ministers of Sugriva. The monkeys who went to the south in search of Sita, reached the sea shore. The question was how to jump over the sea to Lanka. Each of them came forward to show his ability and admitted failure. Finally Jambavan called Hanuman to him and advised him to jump over to Lanka. Hanuman who was not aware of his own powers, refused. Jambavan told him about his birth, self-power, attainment of boons etc. Hanuman became convinced of his powers at the words of Jambavan and jumped over the sea to Lanka. (Ramayana, Kiskindha Kanda). Jambavan walked round Mahavisnu, who incarnated as Vamana to curb the powers of Mahabali. At that time Jambavan was immensely strong. But by the time of the incarnation of Sri Rama his strength had decreased much. Hear what he said to the monkeys who assembled on the sea-shore to go in search of Sita. "My abilities in olden times were not what you see now. In the far old days, I had walked round that Eternal Being Visnu when he measured three steps at the sacrifice of Mahabali. Now, I am very old and have not enough strength" to jump over the sea." (Valmiki Ramayana, Kiskindha kanda, Sarga 65).

During the time of Sri Rama Jambavan was the minister of Sugriva. It is stated in Valmiki Ramayana, Kiskindha Kanda, Sarga 41, that Nila, the son of Agni, Hanuman, Jambavan, Suhotra, Sarari, Saragulma, Gaja, Gavaksa, Gavaya, Susena, Rsabha, Mainda, Dvivida, Vijaya, Gandhamadana, Ulkamukha, Asanga, Angada and others were the ministers of Sugriva. The monkeys who went to the south in search of Sita, reached the sea shore. The question was how to jump over the sea to Lanka. Each of them came forward to show his ability and admitted failure. Finally Jambavan called Hanuman to him and advised him to jump over to Lanka. Hanuman who was not aware of his own powers, refused. Jambavan told him about his birth, self-power, attainment of boons etc. Hanuman became convinced of his powers at the words of Jambavan and jumped over the sea to Lanka. (Ramayana, Kiskindha Kanda). Jambavan walked round Mahavisnu, who incarnated as Vamana to curb the powers of Mahabali. At that time Jambavan was immensely strong. But by the time of the incarnation of Sri Rama his strength had decreased much. Hear what he said to the monkeys who assembled on the sea-shore to go in search of Sita. "My abilities in olden times were not what you see now. In the far old days, I had walked round that Eternal Being Visnu when he measured three steps at the sacrifice of Mahabali. Now, I am very old and have not enough strength" to jump over the sea." (Valmiki Ramayana, Kiskindha kanda, Sarga 65).