33. Who Will Cross Ocean (Devotional)

      As explained in Searching For Sita, Jatayu's brother Sampati informed vanaras that Sita might be at Lanka. Vanaras were planning how to cross the ocean to reach from India to Lanka. First they asked Jambavantha whether he can fly over the ocean to reach Lanka and search for Sita. Jambavantha considered to be one of the Vanaras but actually he was a king of bears. He was king of Himalayas in previous life born to serve Rama in this life as a bear. During Vamanavatar, when Vamana took huge form to cover all the three worlds, Jambavantha circled around him eighteen times in six moments. That was the speed of Jambavantha. Vanaras reminded Jambavantha about this incident and asked him whether he can cross the ocean.

      Jambavantha told them that when he was coming back down after performing pradhakshina to Vamana, he scratched Meru, golden mountain with his toe-nails accidentally. Meru got upset that even saptarishis also float over him with out stepping on where as Jambavantha being a bear stepped on him. He cursed Jambavantha that he will become old, thinking that he did this mistake as he was proud that he was young. So being old, Jambavantha couldnt take the risk. After hearing to Jambavantha, Vanaras looked at Angada who is capable to cross the ocean. As explained in Mandodari's Advice, Ravana and Vali were friends. Ravana offered Vali to send his son Angada to Lanka to study with his son Meghanath. As Vali agreed, Angada was studying with Meghanath for some time. Being mischievous, he was teasing Meghanath a lot. Their guru got angry on Angada and cursed him that if Angada ever comes to Lanka again, he will be killed by Lankini, who was a demoness guarding Lanka. So Angada told vanaras that he can cross the ocean but not sure whether he can come back or not due to this curse. (Later when Hanuman killed Lankini, Angada was able to enter Lanka during battle with out any effect of this curse).

      Vanaras thought a lot and Jambavantha suggested Hanuman to cross the ocean. Hanuman couldn't believe his words and was shocked. He asked Jambavantha that how he can perform such an act where as great and strong people like Jambavantha, Angada can not do. Then Jambavantha explained him about the boons he got from gods and how he forgot about his own strength due to a mild curse (Refer Birth of Hanuman). As Jambavantha reminded him, Hanuman remembered everything and knew his own strength. He increased his size using one of his boon and step on a big mountain near by. Hanuman chanted "Jai Sri Ram" and took a big leap to fly over the ocean to reach Lanka.