Jambavan (जाम्बवान्)

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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 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).

पूर्वमेव मया सृष्टो जाम्बवानृक्षपुङ्गव:। जृम्भमाणस्य सहसा मम वक्त्रादजायत।।1.17.6।।

(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).

The long-living Jambavan who had witnessed nine out of the ten incarnations of Mahavisnu is seen in connection with the precious stone Syamantaka, in the incarnation of Krsna. The Sun-god gave this jewel Syamantaka to King Satrajit. His younger brother Prasena wore it and went to the forest for hunting. A lion killed him and took the jewel in his mouth and was going along the forest when Jambavan killed it and took the jewel. It was rumoured that Sri Krsna had killed Prasena and taken the jewel. So Sri Krsna went in search of the jewel to the forest, defeated Jambavan and took the jewel, and returned it to Satrajit. Sri Krsna married Jambavati the daughter of Jambavan. (Bhagavata, Skandha 10).

At the time of the incarnation of Vamana, Jambavan was very strong and valiant. When Vamana brought under control the three worlds by measuring three steps Jambavan travelled throughout the three worlds carrying the news everywhere. Within three moments Jambavan travelled eighteen times through the three worlds. In this travel of lightning-speed the end of the nail of his toe touched the highest peak of Mahameru, who considered it as an insult and said "You are arrogant of your speed and youth. Hereafter your body will not reach where your mind reaches and you shall be ever old." Because of this curse Jambavan became old and unable to carry out what he wished. (Kamba Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda).

JAMBAVATI. Daughter of the famous Jambavan. Sri Krsna went in search of the famous precious stone Syamantaka which was lost when Prasena wore it and went to the forest for hunting. Krsna found it in the cave of Jambavan, who fought with him and was defeated. Finally he gave his daughter Jambavati to Sri Krsna as wife, and the jewel Syamantaka as dowry.  (Page 341-342, Puranic Encyclopedia - Vettam Maṇi)

Once due to a curse of sage Trnabindu Hanuman lost his great strength and vitality. But, he would regain the lost power when one reminded him of it. During the- search for Sita Hanuman felt it difficult to jump across the southern sea to Lanka due to the above curse. But, when Jambavan described to him about his noble origin and powers Hanuman regained his lost power and vitality, and successfully jumped across the sea to Lanka. (Page 308, Puranic Encyclopedia - Vettam Maṇi)

During the triumphal tour of Sahadeva in the South he fought against Kiskindha, and after seven days' fighting the monkeys saw Sahadeva off with a present of costly gems. "Sahadeva fought against the monkey chiefs like Mainda, Dvivida etc. for seven days, but neither of them got exhausted, and the monkey chiefs, with affection and gratitude asked Sahadeva to depart with gems." (Sabha Parva, Chapter 31). During this period nothing was heard of Sugriva,Hanuman and Jambavan in Kiskindha. Might be Sugriva was no more. Hanuman, after the death of Sri Rama, lived in Gandhamadana in Kimpurusavarsa. (Bharata and Bhagavata, 10th Skandha) . From the story of Prasena it may be seen that Jambavan left Kiskindha and lived in another cave with his sons and other relations. (Page 413-414, Puranic Encyclopedia - Vettam Maṇi)

Prasena, brother of the Yadava King Satrajit, went ahunting wearing on him the gem called Syamantaka presented to the latter by the Sungod. Jambavan saw a lion carrying off the gem after killing Prasena. He killed the lion, recovered the gem from it and gave it to his children to play with. A rumour was spread that it was Krsna who had killed and stolen the gem. Krsna searched for the gem in the forest and found it out in the cave of Jambavan. 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 - Vettam Maṇi)

Marjara, son of Jambavan. It is said in Brahmapurana that the marjaras (cats) have their origin from this son of Jambavan. (Page 488, Puranic Encyclopedia - Vettam Maṇi)

In South India, at the southern tip of the Sahya ranges, a mountain reputed for medicinal herbs., may still be seen. This mountain is known by the name "Marutvamala". A legend- connected with the origin of this mountain, is given in Uttara Ramayana as follows:- “It was the time of the battle between Rama & Ravana. Ravana's younger brother Vibhisana, joined the side of Rama and fought against Ravana. The enraged Ravana shot his arrow at Vibhisana. In his endeavour to save Vibhisana, Laksmana fell down unconscious. Rama and his followers discussed how Laksmana could be revived. Jambavan observed that there was a herb called "Dronam" in one of the peaks of the Himalayas and if it was brought at once, Laksmana  could be restored to his senses. Hanuman flew; to the Himalayas immediately. But although he combed the forests there, he was not able to find the herb: Dronam. So he tore away and lifted a whole peak which was full of all kinds of medicinal herbs and returned to Lanka. Jambavan took the needed herbs from it and deposited the peak at the southern end of India. This is the present Marutvamala. (Mala means mountain). (Page 491, Puranic Encyclopedia - Vettam Maṇi)

MRTASANJIVANI. This is a medicinal herb to give life to those who are dead. When in the Rama-Ravana battle Laksmana and others fell dead, Sri Rama wanted Mrtasanjivani to be brought to revive them back to life. Jambavan the oldest among the monkey-warriors then instructed Hanuman to get it from the mountain Mahameru.  (Page 505, Puranic Encyclopedia - Vettam Maṇi)

Once Prasena went hunting with that gem round his neck and he was attacked and killed by a lion. The lion while carrying the Syamantaka was killed by Jambavan and the latter carried the gem to his den and gave it to his children to play with. When Prasena did not return from his hunting and was found later lying dead without the gem the news spread that the stone might have been stolen by Krsna after killing Prasena. The slander reached the ears of Krsna also and he went to the forest in search of the Syamantaka. He found the cave of Jambavan and on peeping in found the children of Jambavan playing with the gem. Jambavan attacked Krsna and after a grim battle which lasted for several days Jambavan was defeated. When he knew that it was Krsna who had defeated him he gave him along with the Syamantaka his daughter Jambavati also Krsna brought the gem and the girl to Dvaraka and gave back the gem to Satrajit. (Chapter 38, Harivamsa; Chapter-13, Part 8, Padma Purana).  (Page 603, Puranic Encyclopedia - Vettam Maṇi)

Bali and Sugriva fought again, and this time Rama from his concealment behind a tree shot an arrow at the chest of Bali. The arrow felled him. Rama and Laksmana then came into the open and Bali spoke disparagingly to Rama about shooting the arrow from concealment. Rama answered him saying that if he had seen him (Rama) face to face he would have become his devotee and he had to shoot Bali from his hiding place as it was not proper to kill one's devotees. At last, after handing over charge of his wife and son Angada, to Sugriva, Bali breathed his last. Sri Rama decided to crown Sugriva as King and install Angada as crown prince and returned to Rsyamukacala for rest after entrusting, under the supervision of Laksmana, Hanuman and Jambavan with the duty of making preparations for the coronation. Though Sugriva invited Sri Rama to Kiskindha when preparations for coronation were over, the latter declined the invitation gracefully and deputed Laksmana to represent him at the ceremony. Laksmana installed Sugriva as the Maharaja, Angada as crown prince, Ruma as queen and Tara as queen-mother. Also, Hanuman was appointed as Sugriva's minister. Those things over, Laksmana returned to Rama at Rsyamukacala. The next four months were rainy period. Even after that Sugriva did not make necessary arrangements to search for Slta. At Rama's instance Laksmana went to Kiskindha to enquire about the reason for the delay. The monkeys were alarmed by the grave appearance of Laksmana and Tara came out and apologised to him. Arrangements were soon finalised for the quest of Slta. Armies of many lakhs of monkeys were deputed to the eight regions to search for Slta. Susena was appointed chief of the army for the west, Satabali for the north, Vinata for the east and Angada for the south. As the south was the chief place for the search, monkeys like Hanuman,Jambavan, Vivida, Nala, Nila, Kumuda, each of them an expert in various ways, were appointed chiefs of different matters. Every chief and his assistant was given suitable instructions by Laksmana and Sugriva, and accordingly the army of monkeys began its march under the leadership of Hanuman.

Angada, Hanuman, Jambavan and others during their search came to an extensive forest. They were dead tired with hunger and thirst. The leader of the party looked about for something to eat and drink when he saw small birds flying up from a distant pit. From drops of water falling from the wings of the birds it was inferred that the pit contained water. When Hanuman and others entered the pit (cave) and walked a great distance they came to a spacious garden. They were astonished to find a solitary beauty there, and she related to them her autobiography as follows: “I am the faithful maid of Rambha. The powerful asura called Caturasya wanted me to procure Rambha for him and he got this garden city built by Mayacarya, the architect of the Daityas, for me as reward for my service to him in the matter of Rambha. Various kinds of gems light this place and creepers and trees supply food materials. Catuarsya, I and Rambha alone were living here. But, Indra came to know of it, came here, killed Caturasya and took away Rambha with him. He cursed me to lead a solitary life here as punishment for having helped Caturasya. I prayed for redemption from the curse and Indra told me, that after thousands of years a company of monkeys would come here in search of Sita and that after entertaining them with food I must see Rama and then return to Svarga. I have thus been awaiting your arrival and now I am leaving the place, which will vanish as soon as I quit it. All of you, please stand there with eyes closed and I shall send you back to the place where you were before coming here. Accordingly the monkeys stood there with eyes closed and when they opened their eyes there was neither the garden city nor Svayamprabha there but they were standing in the old plain. Svayamprabha appeared before Rama, praised him and then went to Svarga. (Page 635, Puranic Encyclopedia - Vettam Maṇi)

Rama and others, who had assembled on the sea-shore decided to build a bund to Lanka. The first thing Rama did, for the successful conclusion of the expedition, was to install a Sivalinga at Ramesvara. Then he prayed to Varunadeva for a passage across the sea. But, Varuna did not present himself and Sri Rama, angry with him, shot the agneya (fiery) arrow into the heart of the sea when Varuna appeared, saluted him and advised him to build a bund across the sea. As a reward for Varuna Sri Rama, as requested by the former, killed with one arrow all the Raksasas, who lived in Gandhara island on the north-western shore of the ocean. Varuna returned to his abode. The construction of the bund was begun under the leadership of Sugriva with Nala as chief planner and Nila as his co-planner. Jambavan and Hanuman functioned as supervisors and other monkeys as workers. Mountains, hills, rocks etc. were brought from various quarters and the construction of the bund was begun. Meanwhile, Ravana sent a great magician called Marutta disguised as King Janaka to Sita to convert her to the side of Ravana. But, the attempt failed. Ravana then sent his two expert spies, Suka and Sarana disguised as monkeys to Rama's camp. Jambavan and Hanuman captured and brought them before Sugriva. Weepingly they both sought refuge in Rama, who set them free. They returned to Lanka and reported matters to Ravana, who felt a desire to have a look at Rama for which purpose he, with his attendants, climbed to the top of the northern tower. Rama, who knew about it by his spies climbed the heights of Subela mountain whence he stared at Ravana. Their eyes met in anger seeing which Sugriva by one leap reached Ravana and kicked off to Rama the crown from the central head of Ravana. After performing something like a destructive dance on Ravana's head Sugriva by another leap returned to Rama. (Page 637, Puranic Encyclopedia - Vettam Maṇi)

With Sri Rama's blessings Laksmana began fighting again. Indrajit shot Narayanastra which attracted by the 'seven-letter-Mantra' (Namo Narayanaya) of Laksmana circled him thrice and entered his quiver. The Raksasa minister called Mahodara converted his elephant into Airavata and himself changed into Devendra and encountered Laksmana. Saying that he had no quarrel with Indra and would not fight him Laksmana put down his bow, and Indrajit, exploiting the situation shot Brahmastra against Laksmana under cover of the clouds. Laksmana, Sugriva and others fainted. Then Sri Rama was in the army-camp, worshipping weapons to render them more powerful. Rama returned to the battle-ground to find Laksmana and others in life-less condition and crying like a mere ignorant fellow he lay by the side of Laksmana. Vibhisana, who returned with food prayed for the grace of Devas. Indra appeared, gave to Vibhisana Ganga water in a golden vessel and asked it to be given to Hanuman and Jambavan, who, though unconscious were not dead. Vibhisana did so and both Hanuman and Jambavan regained consciousness. Jambavan told Hanuman that if mrtasanjivini (herbal medicine which will put life back into the dead) were brought from the distant Himalayas before dawn the next day all the dead ones like Laksmana and Sugriva could be brought back to life. Accordingly Hanuman started for the Himalayas. Meanwhile Indrajit had told Ravana about his victory, and as suggested by the latter Raksasa women took Sita to the battlefield in the Puspaka Vimana, showed her Rama, Laksmana and others lying there in a life-less condition and told her that all of them were dead. Sita wept aloud, but Trijata consoled her by saying that the Puspaka Vimana would not carry widows and therefore Rama was not dead. Hanuman returned before dawn the next day. As he could not distinguish mrtasanjivini he had brought with him a mountain peak where the four medicinal plants, Salyaharani, Visalyakarani, Sandhanakarani and Mrtasanjivini grew. Jambavan distinguished mrtasanjivini from the others and carried the four herbs into the battlefield. Contact with the air, which carried the smell of mrtasanjivini brought the dead back to life. Visalyakarani removed all the arrows from their bodies and Sandhanakarani healed the wounds. (Page 638, Puranic Encyclopedia - Vettam Maṇi)

Soon after Sri Rama entered Lanka, Ravana sent Suka and Sarana to Sri Rama's camp. After taking a distant view of the surroundings, they entered the camp of Sri Rama in the form of monkeys. Taking care not to come within the observation of Vibhisana, they went about the military camps, gathering secret information. Just then they were met by Jambavan and Hanuman. After closely observing them for a considerable time, they understood that they were enemy spies. The monkey-heroes promptly seized them and produced them before Sugriva. (Page 758, Puranic Encyclopedia - Vettam Maṇi)

Once Hanuman caught hold of a lion and elephant in fight and tied them each to a post on the two sides of the asrama of Trnabindu. When the sage stepped out from the hermitage, he was for a moment frightened by the sight of two mighty animals on the sides of his aSrama and knew by his divine powers that the perpetrator of that deed was Hanuman and so he cursed him saying that he would lose all his divine powers forthwith. Hanuman begged for relief and the sage said that he would regain his powers at the time of his going in search of Slta when another member of his species would remind him of his lost divine powers. Hanuman remained oblivious of his powers till the time when the monkeys were trying to leap to Lanka from the Mahendra mountain on the shores of Bharata. Jambavan, a mighty monkey chief called Hanuman to his side and made him understand the great powers latent in him. From that moment onwards Hanuman regained his lost powers and became his old self. (Page 796, Puranic Encyclopedia - Vettam Maṇi)

Monkeys are given a prominent place in the Puranas. Considering them as born in the family of Hanuman, an ardent devotee of Sri Rama, some worship monkeys. It is mentioned in Valmiki Ramayana that the monkeys got a prominent place first among the gods and spirits. It is stated in Valmiki Ramayana, Kiskindha Kanda, Sarga 33, that the leaders of the monkeys were Bali, Sugriva, Angada, Mainda, Gavaya, Dvivida, Gavaksa, Gaja, Sarabha, Suryaksa, Hanuman, Vidyunmali, Virabahu, Subahu, Nala, Kumuda, Jambavan, Tara, Supatala, Sunetra, Nila and Dadhivaktra. The social life of the monkeys, is described as follows in the Valmiki Ramayana, Kiskindha Kanda, Sarga 33. "Mahendra mountain, the Himalayas, the Vindhya mountain, the peaks of Kailasa and Sveta mountain, Mandara mountain etc. are the places mostly inhabited by monkeys. On the mountains shining like the rising sun, on the east of the western ocean also monkeys live. The Monkeys which inhabit black soil are blue in colour. Monkeys which live in red arsenic caves are yellow in colour. Those which live in Maha Meru and Dhumra (smoky) mountain have the colour of the rising sun and are drunkards." (Page 825, Puranic Encyclopedia - Vettam Maṇi)

Patalaravana knew from what he saw that any attempt to carry away Rama from the surface of the ground was impossible and so he returned to Patala. From there they made a tunnel up to the base of the seat of Hanuman and from there to where Rama lay. Then they carried Rama and Laksmana to Patala before anybody could find it out by making them smell a sammohanadivyausadha (divine medicine causing unconsciousness). They brought them to a temple of Mahakali with the intention of offering them in a sacrifice to the deity the next day morning. They made all preparations for the same. Hanuman used to inspect the camp often and yet when after midnight he looked at the place where Rama and Laksmana were sleeping he could not find them. He immediately woke up all and made a search and they then found the big hole of a tunnel near the place where Rama and Laksmana were sleeping. All the leaders including Sugriva and Vibhisana assembled there and then Vibhisana told them what had happened. He then took Sugriva, Hanuman, Jambavan and Angada and a big army to Patala and went straight to the Mahakali temple. There Patalaravana had already started the ceremonies for the sacrifice. Vibhisana then asked Hanuman to go and get the beetle-shaped diamond of Patalaravana from a secret place in his bed chamber. Hanuman took it and kept it in his mouth and attacked Patalaravana who came running to slay him. Patala-Ravana faced Hanuman in a very indifferent manner and a fight ensued. After sometime Hanuman lost patience and cracked the diamond within his mouth and the moment it cracked Patala-Ravana fell down dead. ( Yuddha Kanda, Kamba Ramayana).