The story of Jambavan and the Vamana Avatar of Vishnu is a fascinating tale from Hindu mythology, highlighting the feats of divine intervention and the exploits of great heroes.
During the time when the Vanaras (monkey army) were planning
the expedition to find Sita, who had been abducted by Ravana, a discussion
ensued on how to cross the vast ocean. Jambavan, the wise and ancient king of
the bears, began narrating a story from his youth to inspire the Vanaras.
The Reign of King Bali
Bali, also known as Mahabali, was a powerful and righteous
king. He was the grandson of Prahlada, a devoted follower of Vishnu. Bali
performed a grand sacrifice known as the Ashwamedha Yajna, which elevated his
status and power, making him the sovereign ruler of the three worlds – the
heavens, the earth, and the netherworld.
The Vamana Avatar
To curb Bali's growing power and pride, Vishnu incarnated as
Vamana, a dwarf Brahmin. During Bali’s yajna, Vamana approached the king and
asked for a simple gift – three paces of land. Despite warnings from his guru
Shukracharya, Bali, known for his generosity, agreed to Vamana’s humble
request.
The Cosmic Form of Vamana
As soon as Bali granted the boon, Vamana transformed into a
gigantic form, Trivikrama, with a stature that spanned the universe. With his
first step, Vamana covered the entire earth, with his second step he spanned
the heavens, and there was no place left for the third step.
The Feat of Jambavan and Jatayu
It was during this monumental event that Jambavan and
Jatayu, the mighty bird, demonstrated their extraordinary prowess. In their
youthful vigor, they circled around Vamana’s immense foot thrice, a testament
to their incredible speed and strength. The foot of Vamana, in his cosmic form,
was as vast as the universe, yet Jambavan and Jatayu managed to orbit it
thrice.
Jambavan narrated this story to inspire the Vanaras,
reminding them of their latent strength and the divine support they had in
their mission. His tale served as a reminder of the boundless possibilities
when one is determined and has faith in the divine.
After covering the earth and the heavens with two steps, Vamana asked Bali where he should place his third step. Bali, realizing Vamana’s divine nature and his own defeat, humbly offered his own head. Vamana placed his foot on Bali’s head, pushing him down to the netherworld (Patala). However, pleased with Bali’s devotion and righteousness, Vishnu granted him the boon of being the ruler of Patala and allowed him to visit his subjects once a year, a festival celebrated as Onam in Kerala.
Jambavan’s story not only highlights his incredible strength and speed but also his long-standing presence throughout various ages, witnessing the divine play of Lord Vishnu in different forms. This ancient bear king, who played a significant role in both the Ramayana and Mahabharata, remains a symbol of wisdom, strength, and devotion.
Through this narration, Jambavan, now in his old age, instilled confidence and
courage in the Vanaras, urging them to tap into their inner potential and
accomplish the seemingly impossible task of crossing the ocean to Lanka.
This story is found in the Bengali Krittibasi Ramayana.