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Jambavan (Samskrit : जाम्बवान्) or Jambavanta is well known as the wise old minister (a noble bear) of Sugriva, the Vanara Raja who lived on the Kishkinda mountain of Bharatavarsha. He is also known for his fight with Shri Krishna for Syamantakamani (a precious ornament gifted by Surya) described in Bhagavata Purana. Thus his role in Ramayana and Bhagavata Purana is well discussed. There are different versions that Jambavan was described as a monkey and a bear. [[File:Jambavan and Krishna Fighting.png|thumb|450x450px|'''Jambavan fighting with Shrikrishna in a cave.''']]In some of the Ramayana versions in Indian languages he is described as a monkey. In some versions he was described as a monkey existing from an ancient period even prior to incarnation of Shri Rama. Jambavan is said to have witnessed nine out of the ten incarnations of Mahavisnu, thus he is known for his longevity.<ref name=":1">Mani, Vettam. (1975). ''[https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft Puranic encyclopaedia : A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature.]'' Delhi:Motilal Banasidass. (Page 613 and 614)</ref>   
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Jambavan (Samskrit : जाम्बवान्) or Jambavanta is well known as the wise old minister (a noble bear) of Sugriva, the Vanara Raja who lived on the Kishkinda mountain of Bharatavarsha. He is also known for his fight with Shri Krishna for Syamantakamani (a precious ornament gifted by Surya) described in Bhagavata Purana. Thus his role in Ramayana and Bhagavata Purana is well discussed. There are different versions that Jambavan was described as a monkey and a bear. [[File:Jambavan and Krishna Fighting.png|thumb|450x450px|'''Jambavan fighting with Shrikrishna in a cave.''']]In some of the Ramayana versions in Indian languages he is described as a monkey. In some versions he was described as a monkey existing from an ancient period even prior to incarnation of Shri Rama. Jambavan is said to have witnessed nine out of the ten incarnations of Mahavishnu, thus he is known for his longevity.<ref name=":1">Mani, Vettam. (1975). ''[https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft Puranic encyclopaedia : A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature.]'' Delhi:Motilal Banasidass. (Page 613 and 614)</ref>   
    
== Birth and Family ==
 
== Birth and Family ==
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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).
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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>
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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>
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== Jambavan in Ramayana ==
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== In Vamana Avatara ==
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.
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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.
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=== 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>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" />
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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.  
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== Jambavan in Ramayana ==
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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.
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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.
    
=== Motivating Hanuman ===
 
=== Motivating Hanuman ===
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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>
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=== End of Yadava Race ===
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Samba is the son of Jambavati through Shri Krishna and is famous for bringing about the end of Yadava race. The sages Visvamitra, Kanva and Narada came to Dvaraka once. Some Yadavas brought Samba dressed as a pregnant woman before the sages and asked them derisively what child, whether male or female, would Samba give birth to. Angry at this insult, the sages said that the 'pregnant woman' would deliver an iron rod, which would become instrumental for the destruction of the Yadava dynasty. (Page 428 of Puranic Encyclopedia)<ref name=":1" />
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== References ==
 
== References ==
 
[[Category:Ramayana]]
 
[[Category:Ramayana]]
 
[[Category:Mahabharata]]
 
[[Category:Mahabharata]]
 
<references />
 
<references />

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