| Values for Life: If a person is motivated and inspired even an impossible task can be made possible. |
From the words of Sampati all the vanars could make out that Sita was in Lanka. They felt half success now. The uncertainty was over. Now the question was how to cross the ocean and who will cross it. Angad glanced over all the mighty vanars and invoked them: “Each one of you is as powerful as Indra the king of the gods. There is nothing that you cannot accomplish in this whole universe. Think well and tell me who could cross this ocean and who could help us cross over this crisis.”
Inspired by Angad, one vanar came forward and said that he can cross ten yajanas. Another came forward and claimed twenty. And the claim went up to ninety yajanas, but the ocean was spread out to a hundred. At last Angad their leader and prince of Kishkindha said:“I can jump and cross the entire hundred. But my doubt is that whether I would be able to jump back with equal vigour.”
Hearing this, the monkeys unanimously said: “Prince, you are our leader and our prince. We won’t let you do that. Someone else among us should do it.”
Then there was silence. No one spoke a word for some time.
Jambavan, the eldest of the race had been closely observing Hanuman, who was sitting away in isolation, not participating in the debate. Jambavan slowly walked up to Hanuman and with such tender and caressing affection asked:
“Son, why are you keeping yourself aloof? Why don’t you participate in the discussion? What are you thinking about? Sri Ram has got heavy faith in you that is why he gave his ring to you with his name engraved on it. Sri Ram feels that you are the only person capable of meeting Sita Mata and communicate the message to her that He (Sri Ram) would soon come and free you from the clutches of Ravan.”
Hanuman didn’t utter a word in reply and still sat contemplating. Jambavan told him again:“I could have easily completed this task alone, had I been in my youth. I am very weak and old now. During my halcyon days, I had circumambulated twenty-one times around this world at a stretch. Now it is your turn. Tell me, why don’t you speak out.”
Hanuman still maintained silence. Jambavan again inspired him: “And you know who you are? What your might is? When you were born, being very hungry looked around. You saw in the east horizon the rising sun as a ripe fruit. At one leap, you almost reached the sun that stood millions of yajanas away, opening your mouth to swallow it. Indra, sensing trouble, hurled his weapon Vajra and flung it against you. It hit your chin and you fell dead. Lord Vayu, your father, unable to bear his grief, took you away and hid himself in the nether world. Without Vayu (wind), no living being could breath and all started falling dead. All the Lords and gods came rushing to God Vayu and with their supplicant hands apologised unanimously. They requested Vayudeva to come to earth. He accepted their entreaty with certain conditions: – That you should be resurrected to life instantly. You should hereinafter have no death. You should be Chiranjivi. No weapon should inflict you. No hero can defeat you in strength and valour. All these apart, you are the most trusted devotee of Sri Ram.”
Hearing each word of motivation and inspiration of Jambavan, Hanuman realised his own strength and self and started swelling into a cosmic figure. All the vanars looked at his cosmic figure breathlessly. With folded hands, Hanuman closed his eyes and stood awhile remembering the holy feet of Sri Ram. He took his mace and hurled it and placed it on his shoulder. Then he made a lion roar: Jai Sri Ram and jumped over the ocean.
KK Shanmukhan ( To be concluded )
