Jambavantha

Jambavantha (also known as Jambavan or Jamvanta) (Sanskrit: (जाम्‍बवान) is a bear in Hinduism and believe to lived from Krita Yuga to Dvapara Yuga. He is also considered King of bears and first son of Brahma, before humans were created. Jambavan was present when the churning of the ocean took place and was supposed to have circled the world seven times.

Jambavantha had killed a lion, who had acquired a gem called Syamantaka from Prasena after killing him. 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-one 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.

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.

External links

* [http://www.valmikiramayan.net/kishkindha/sarga65/kishkindha_65_prose.htm Jambavantha motivating Hanuman for the task of leaping the ocean.] in Valmiki Ramayana - Kishkindha Kanda in Prose Sarga 65 - Accessed Augest 14 2006.

* [http://www.tirumala.org/sapthagiri/032003/diamonds.htm Story of Syamantaka ] from www.tirumala.org - Accessed Augest 14 2006.