Jambavanta as depicted in
Yakshagana (a dance drama)
Jambavan (
Sanskrit:
जाम्बवान,
Kannada : ಜಾಂಬುವಂತ,
Malay: Jambuwana,
Burmese: Zabaman,
Tamil: Campavan,
Thai: Chomphuphan) also known as Jamvanta, Jambavantha, Jambavat, or Jambuvan the King of the Bears, is a
sloth bear in Indian epic tradition (though he is also described as a
gorilla in other scriptures), immortal to all but his father
Vishnu.
[1] In the
Valmiki Ramayana however, he is described as being a
Vanara or monkey. Several times he is mentioned as Kapishreshtha (Foremost among the monkeys) and other epithets generally given to the Vanaras. He is known as Riksharaj (King of the Rikshas). Rikshas are described as something like Vanaras but in later versions of Ramayana Rikshas are described as bears. He was created by Brahma, to assist
Rama in his struggle against
Ravana.
[1] Jambavan was present at the
churning of the ocean, and is supposed to have circled
Vamana seven times when he was acquiring the three worlds from
Mahabali. He was the King of the Himalayas who had incarnated as a bear in order to serve Rama. He had received a boon from Lord Rama that he would have a long life, be handsome and would have the strength of ten million lions.
In the epic
Ramayana, Jambavantha helped Rama find his wife
Sita and fight her abductor,Ravana. Later, it is he who makes
Hanuman realize his immense capabilities and encourages him to fly across the ocean to search for Sita in Lanka.
In the
Mahabharata, Jambavantha had killed a lion, who had acquired a gem called
Syamantaka from Prasena after killing him. According to a Hindu legend, this gem was later renamed as the
Koh-i-Noor diamond of the present day.
[2] Krishna was suspected of killing Prasena for the jewel, so he tracked Prasena's steps until he learned that he had been killed by a lion who had been killed by a bear. Krishna tracked Jambavantha to his cave and a fight ensued. After twenty-eight days, realizing who Krishna was, Jambavantha submitted. He gave Krishna the gem and also presented him his daughter
Jambavati, who became one of Krishna's wives.
[edit] Role in Ramayana
Jambavantha was considered very experienced and intelligent. He had a good knowledge of running a kingdom. Sugriva’s advisers included Jambavantha, Nala, Neela,
Hanuman and a few others. Sugriva was residing on mount Rishyamukha with these advisers. Jambavantha advised Sugriva to send Hanuman to identify
Rama and
Lakshmana, to find out who they were and what their purpose was.
He was very powerful when he was young. He said this while he was encouraging Hanuman to cross the 100 Yojana Sea and go to Lanka in search of
Sita. He was so powerful that he circled 7 times to God when God grew so huge to measure all three loka i.e. heaven, earth, and patal (below earth) in two simple steps. Jambavantha circled (parikrama) seven times to God in a brief time. So he could have easily jumped 100 Yojana Sea had he been young.
Once during a duel with
Ravana, Jambavan was quick and ferocious. He gave Ravana mighty punches with his hands and finally kicked him on his chest, knocking Ravana unconscious and making him fall flat in his chariot. As a result, the charioteer withdrew Ravana from the battle. Earlier, Ravana had dueled Hanuman, who is considered to be the incarnation of Lord
Shiva, and
Sugriva, known to be the son of Surya.
[edit] The city of Jamvanta
- Jamthun (जामथुन) - Jamthun village in Ratlam tahsil in Ratlam district in Madhya Pradesh, located in northwest of Ratlam city, has traces of ancient habitation. It is known as the city of Jamvanta (जाम्वन्त) or Jamvanta Nagari. Ancient bricks have been found in excavations. There is a water tank of very ancient style. There is a need for further excavation.[3]
[edit] Others
Jambavan mentions two incidents in his life in the Ramayana. Once at the foot of Mount Mahendra, where Hanuman is about to take a leap and mentions that he could have jumped over the ocean to Lanka except that he got injured when he was beating the drum for Vishnu during the Vamana Avatara when the great god measured the three worlds. Vamana's shoulder struck Jambavan and he was injured which limited his mobility. And once during the Samudra-Manthan,he was present at the time of the event. He got to know about the all-curing plant Vishalyakarni from the gods there and he later used this information to order Hanumana to help an injured and unconscious Laxmana in the great battle with the Lanka emperor,Ravana.
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