Jambavan- Hindu CreatureCreature · Beast"King of Bears"

Ancient Origin

Jambavan was born from Brahma at the beginning of creation. The Brahmanda Purana says he was present when Vishnu, as the dwarf Vamana, took three strides across the universe, and Jambavan circumambulated the god's gigantic form as it spanned the three worlds. By the time of the events in the Ramayana, he was already ancient beyond reckoning.

The Shore

When Rama sought allies to rescue Sita from Lanka, Jambavan joined the assembled forces as king of the bears. After Hanuman and the search party reached the southern shore and found the ocean stretching before them, despair set in. No one believed the crossing could be made. Jambavan approached Hanuman and reminded him of powers the young vanara had forgotten. In childhood, Hanuman had been cursed to remain unaware of his abilities until someone spoke them aloud. Jambavan's words awoke what the curse had buried. Hanuman leapt across the ocean to Lanka.

During the war, Jambavan was grievously wounded by Indrajit's Brahmastra. As he lay injured, he asked only one question: whether Hanuman still lived.

The Syamantaka Jewel

Thousands of years later, in the Dvapara Yuga, the Syamantaka jewel passed through the hands of men and beasts until Jambavan found it and gave it to his daughter Jambavati as a plaything. Krishna, falsely accused of stealing the gem, tracked it to Jambavan's cave.

A tremendous fight followed. It lasted twenty-eight days without pause. Jambavan fought with all the strength of his immeasurable age, but gradually he understood that no ordinary being could match him for so long. Recognition dawned. The dark-skinned warrior before him was the same lord who had once taken three strides across the universe. Jambavan surrendered, offered the jewel, and gave his daughter to Krishna in marriage.