Changes

=== Birth ===

=== Birth ===

In Valmiki Ramayana, Jambavan is described as Rksapungava (ऋक्षपुङ्गव: । foremost of bears) who was created from Brahma.<blockquote>पूर्वमेव मया सृष्टो जाम्बवानृक्षपुङ्गव:। जृम्भमाणस्य सहसा मम वक्त्रादजायत।।1.17.6।। (Valm. Rama. 1.17.6)<ref>Valmiki Ramayana (Balakanda [https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=1&language=dv&field_sarga_value=17 Sarga 17])</ref></blockquote>Brahma says - earlier Jambavan, the Rkshapungava, the foremost among bears arose from my face at the instance of my yawning.<ref name=":1" />  

In Valmiki Ramayana, Jambavan is described as Rksapungava (ऋक्षपुङ्गव: । foremost of bears) who was created from Brahma.<blockquote>पूर्वमेव मया सृष्टो जाम्बवानृक्षपुङ्गव:। जृम्भमाणस्य सहसा मम वक्त्रादजायत।। (Valm. Rama. 1.17.6)<ref>Valmiki Ramayana (Balakanda [https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=1&language=dv&field_sarga_value=17 Sarga 17])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>pūrvameva mayā sr̥ṣṭo jāmbavānr̥kṣapuṅgava:। jr̥mbhamāṇasya sahasā mama vaktrādajāyata।।</blockquote>Brahma says - earlier Jambavan, the Rkshapungava, the foremost among bears arose from my face at the instance of my yawning.<ref name=":1" />  

=== Family ===

=== Family ===

Sri Krsna married Jambavati the daughter of Jambavan described in the Samantopakhyana of many texts (Puranas, Mahabharata).

Sri Krsna married Jambavati the daughter of Jambavan described in the Samantopakhyana of many texts (Puranas, Mahabharata).

Grandchildren of Jambavan : Shri Krishna and Jambavati's children include Bhadra, Bhadragupta, Bhadravinda and Saptabahu were the sons and Sambhodani and Bhadravati were the daughters. (Vayupurana 2.34.241)<ref name=":0">Vayu Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A9%E0%A5%AA Uttarartha Adhyaya 34])</ref><blockquote>भद्रश्च भद्रगुप्तश्च भद्रविन्द्रस्तथैव च। सप्तबाहुश्च विख्यातः कन्या भद्रावती तथा।</blockquote><blockquote>सम्बोधनी च विख्याता ज्ञेया जाम्बवतीसुताः ।। ३४.२४१ ।।<ref>Tagare, G. V. (1960) ''Vayu Purana, Volume 2.'' Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass Pvt. Ltd. ([https://archive.org/details/VayuPuranaG.V.TagarePart2/page/n305 Page 756])</ref></blockquote>

Grandchildren of Jambavan : Shri Krishna and Jambavati's children include Bhadra, Bhadragupta, Bhadravinda and Saptabahu were the sons and Sambhodani and Bhadravati were the daughters. <ref>Tagare, G. V. (1960) ''Vayu Purana, Volume 2.'' Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass Pvt. Ltd. ([https://archive.org/details/VayuPuranaG.V.TagarePart2/page/n305 Page 756])</ref><blockquote>भद्रश्च भद्रगुप्तश्च भद्रविन्द्रस्तथैव च। सप्तबाहुश्च विख्यातः कन्या भद्रावती तथा। सम्बोधनी च विख्याता ज्ञेया जाम्बवतीसुताः ।। ३४.२४१ ।। (Vayu. Pura. 2.34.241)<ref name=":0">Vayu Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A9%E0%A5%AA Uttarartha Adhyaya 34])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>bhadraśca bhadraguptaśca bhadravindrastathaiva ca। saptabāhuśca vikhyātaḥ kanyā bhadrāvatī tathā। sambodhanī ca vikhyātā jñeyā jāmbavatīsutāḥ ।। 34.241 ।। (Vayu. Pura 2.34.241)</blockquote>

== In Vamana Avatara ==

== In Vamana Avatara ==

Bhagavata Purana mentions Jambavan as follows<blockquote>जाम्बवान् ऋक्षराजस्तु भेरीशब्दैर्मनोजवः । विजयं दिक्षु सर्वासु महोत्सवमघोषयत् ॥ ८ ॥ (Bhaga. Pura. 8.21.8)<ref>Bhagavata Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4_%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A7_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%AE/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%A7 Skanda 8 Adhyaya 21])</ref></blockquote>Jambavan, the rksharaja, (moving) with the speed of the mind, proclaimed with beating of drums in all directions, the victory of Mahavishnu (over Bali Chakravarty) and the great festive occasion.<ref>Tagare, Ganesh. Vasudeo. ''[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.150116/page/n233 The Bhagavata Purana, Part 3.]'' Delhi : Motilal Banasidass Pvt. Ltd. </ref><ref name=":1" />

Bhagavata Purana mentions Jambavan as follows<blockquote>जाम्बवान् ऋक्षराजस्तु भेरीशब्दैर्मनोजवः । विजयं दिक्षु सर्वासु महोत्सवमघोषयत् ॥ ८ ॥ (Bhaga. Pura. 8.21.8)<ref>Bhagavata Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4_%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A7_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%AE/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%A7 Skanda 8 Adhyaya 21])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>jāmbavān r̥kṣarājastu bherīśabdairmanojavaḥ । vijayaṁ dikṣu sarvāsu mahotsavamaghoṣayat ॥ 8 ॥ (Bhaga. Pura. 8.21.8)</blockquote>Jambavan, the rksharaja, (moving) with the speed of the mind, proclaimed with beating of drums in all directions, the victory of Mahavishnu (over Bali Chakravarty) and the great festive occasion.<ref>Tagare, Ganesh. Vasudeo. ''[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.150116/page/n233 The Bhagavata Purana, Part 3.]'' Delhi : Motilal Banasidass Pvt. Ltd. </ref><ref name=":1" />

In the assembly of monkeys searching for Sita in the southern direction each monkey was discussing their individual capacity to leap across the sea. When asked about his ability Jambavan replied that he went around Mahavisnu, who took the avatar of Trivikrama 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. Thus in Valmiki Ramayana he quotes his abilities thus,

In the assembly of monkeys searching for Sita in the southern direction each monkey was discussing their individual capacity to leap across the sea. When asked about his ability Jambavan replied that he went around Mahavisnu, who took the avatar of Trivikrama 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. Thus in Valmiki Ramayana he quotes his abilities thus,

"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).<blockquote>मया महाबलेश्चैव यज्ञे विष्णुस्सनातनः। प्रदक्षिणीकृतः पूर्वं क्रममाणस्त्रिविक्रमम्।।4.65.15।। (Vakm. Rama. 4.65.15)</blockquote><blockquote>स इदानीमहं वृद्धः प्लवने मन्दविक्रमः। यौवने च तदाऽसीन्मे बलमप्रतिमं परैः।।4.65.16।। (Vakm. Rama. 4.65.16)<ref>Valmiki Ramayana ([https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=4&language=dv&field_sarga_value=65 Kishkinda Kanda Sarga 65])</ref></blockquote>

"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).<blockquote>मया महाबलेश्चैव यज्ञे विष्णुस्सनातनः। प्रदक्षिणीकृतः पूर्वं क्रममाणस्त्रिविक्रमम्।।4.65.15।। (Vakm. Rama. 4.65.15)</blockquote><blockquote>mayā mahābaleścaiva yajñe viṣṇussanātanaḥ। pradakṣiṇīkr̥taḥ pūrvaṁ kramamāṇastrivikramam।।4.65.15।।</blockquote><blockquote>स इदानीमहं वृद्धः प्लवने मन्दविक्रमः। यौवने च तदाऽसीन्मे बलमप्रतिमं परैः।।4.65.16।। (Vakm. Rama. 4.65.16)<ref>Valmiki Ramayana ([https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=4&language=dv&field_sarga_value=65 Kishkinda Kanda Sarga 65])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>sa idānīmahaṁ vr̥ddhaḥ plavane mandavikramaḥ। yauvane ca tadā'sīnme balamapratimaṁ paraiḥ।।4.65.16।।</blockquote>From this sloka it may be noted that Jambavan existed way before Shri Rama took avataram on the earth.  

 

From this sloka it may be noted that Jambavan existed way before Shri Rama took avataram on the earth.  

== Jambavan in Ramayana ==

== Jambavan in Ramayana ==

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 Vaikuntha, where Mahavisnu heard everything and said that he would incarnate as the son of Dasaratha and would kill Ravana. As Mahavishnu took the avatara of Shri Ramachandra, Brahma directed chiefs of Apasara and Gandharvas to create an army of monkeys to help Shri Rama on that occasion. Accordingly Brahma created Jambavan (earlier than Rama's incarnation) and several other monkeys. Distinguished rshis, siddhas, vidyadharas, uragas, charanas procreated heroic sons in the form of monkeys who became forest-dwellers.  

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 Vaikuntha, where Mahavisnu heard everything and said that he would incarnate as the son of Dasaratha and would kill Ravana. As Mahavishnu took the avatara of Shri Ramachandra, Brahma directed chiefs of Apasara and Gandharvas to create an army of monkeys to help Shri Rama on that occasion. Accordingly Brahma created Jambavan (earlier than Rama's incarnation) and several other monkeys. Distinguished rshis, siddhas, vidyadharas, uragas, charanas procreated heroic sons in the form of monkeys who became forest-dwellers.  

During the time of Shri 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. <blockquote>नील मग्निसुतं चैव हनुमन्तं च वानरम्। पितामहसुतं चैव जाम्बवन्तं महाबलम्।।4.41.2।। (Valm. Rama. 4.41.2)<ref>Valmiki Ramayana ([https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=4&language=dv&field_sarga_value=41 Kishkinda Kanda Sarga 41])</ref></blockquote>Hanuman, Nila, Angada and Jambavan were the formidable troop of monkeys sent by Sugriva in the southern direction in search of Sita. On reaching the southern seas, the question was how to jump over the sea to Lanka. They were previously informed by Sampati that Sita was in the Asoka vana as a captive of Ravanasura. Each of them came forward to show his ability and admitted failure. Finally Jambavan called Hanuman and advised him to jump over to Lanka.

During the time of Shri 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. <blockquote>नील मग्निसुतं चैव हनुमन्तं च वानरम्। पितामहसुतं चैव जाम्बवन्तं महाबलम्।।4.41.2।। (Valm. Rama. 4.41.2)<ref>Valmiki Ramayana ([https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=4&language=dv&field_sarga_value=41 Kishkinda Kanda Sarga 41])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>nīla magnisutaṁ caiva hanumantaṁ ca vānaram। pitāmahasutaṁ caiva jāmbavantaṁ mahābalam।।4.41.2।।</blockquote>Hanuman, Nila, Angada and Jambavan were the formidable troop of monkeys sent by Sugriva in the southern direction in search of Sita. On reaching the southern seas, the question was how to jump over the sea to Lanka. They were previously informed by Sampati that Sita was in the Asoka vana as a captive of Ravanasura. Each of them came forward to show his ability and admitted failure. Finally Jambavan called Hanuman and advised him to jump over to Lanka.

=== Motivating Hanuman ===

=== Motivating Hanuman ===

So to clear himself of the false  charges Shri Krsna went in search of the jewel to the forest, and found the body of Prasena and his horse. Seeing the footprints he found that a lion had killed them. A few steps away he found the body of the lion and that a bear's prints. Following the footprints Shri Krishna arrives at the mountain cave of Jambavan. Inside the cave a small boy was being consoled saying "Don't cry, here is Syamantaka mani". Understanding that bear killed and took the jewel from the lion, Shri Krishna fights with Jambavan for 21 days (another version is 27 days), and defeats him. In the duel that ensued between Jambavan and Krsna the former was defeated. He recognised Krsna to be the Lord, and presented Syamantaka and also his daughter JambavatI to Krsna and JambavatI thus became Krsna's wife. (Page 425, Puranic Encyclopedia)<ref name=":1" />. Accepting defeat Jambavan offers the Syamantaka mani along with his daughter Jambavati in marriage to Shri Krishna. Upon return with his retinue to Dwaraka, Shri Krishna returned the mani to Satrajit and clears false accusations on him. Satrajit offers his daughter Satyabhama to Shri Krisna on knowing the true events. (Bhagavata, Skandha 10).

So to clear himself of the false  charges Shri Krsna went in search of the jewel to the forest, and found the body of Prasena and his horse. Seeing the footprints he found that a lion had killed them. A few steps away he found the body of the lion and that a bear's prints. Following the footprints Shri Krishna arrives at the mountain cave of Jambavan. Inside the cave a small boy was being consoled saying "Don't cry, here is Syamantaka mani". Understanding that bear killed and took the jewel from the lion, Shri Krishna fights with Jambavan for 21 days (another version is 27 days), and defeats him. In the duel that ensued between Jambavan and Krsna the former was defeated. He recognised Krsna to be the Lord, and presented Syamantaka and also his daughter JambavatI to Krsna and JambavatI thus became Krsna's wife. (Page 425, Puranic Encyclopedia)<ref name=":1" />. Accepting defeat Jambavan offers the Syamantaka mani along with his daughter Jambavati in marriage to Shri Krishna. Upon return with his retinue to Dwaraka, Shri Krishna returned the mani to Satrajit and clears false accusations on him. Satrajit offers his daughter Satyabhama to Shri Krisna on knowing the true events. (Bhagavata, Skandha 10).

From the story of Prasena it may be seen that Jambavan left Kiskindha and lived in the cave of Rkshavan with his sons and other relations.<blockquote>ऋक्षवन्तं गिरिवरं विन्ध्यं च गिरिमुत्तम्। अन्वेषयन् परिश्रान्तः स ददर्श महामनाः॥ १६.३१ ॥ (Brah. Pura. 16.31)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>

From the story of Prasena it may be seen that Jambavan left Kiskindha and lived in the cave of Rkshavan with his sons and other relations.<blockquote>ऋक्षवन्तं गिरिवरं विन्ध्यं च गिरिमुत्तम्। अन्वेषयन् परिश्रान्तः स ददर्श महामनाः॥ १६.३१ ॥ (Brah. Pura. 16.31)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote><blockquote>r̥kṣavantaṁ girivaraṁ vindhyaṁ ca girimuttam। anveṣayan pariśrāntaḥ sa dadarśa mahāmanāḥ॥ 16.31 ॥ (Brah. Pura. 16.31)</blockquote>

=== End of Yadava Race ===

=== End of Yadava Race ===