In his hymn, Jambavan states-
Bhukti mukti pradam nāma vihāya Hanuman tava
Samsaranti janā mūḍāh kim vichitra mataḥ param.
Meaning- O Hanuman! Foolish, ignorant people in this world have forgotten even your divine name, which blesses a person both with worldly enjoyments (bhukti) and liberation (mukti). What could be weirder than this?
Jambavan feels sorry that the people of this world are unable to fathom the importance behind Hanuman’s name. Considering Hanuman as an ordinary Vanara, they have erased his name completely from memory. He therefore expresses anguish at this foolishness exhibited by the people.
Venerable Jambavan is considered to be very wise. He was born in the Kṛta Yuga (the first of the four eons) and his life, spans across all the 4 Yugas. Hanuman, born in the Treta Yuga (the second of the 4 eons), is far younger in age to Jambavan. It is said that during the Krta Yuga (the first eon), when Jambavan was playing the percussion and circumambulating Lord Trivikrama (Vamana, one among the 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu), a mountain peak pierced his knee. From then on, he has been slightly limping. That he was blessed with the chance to circumambulate the universal form of the Lord itself is proof of his greatness!
Jambavan had the darshan of Lord Vamana in the Krta Yuga, Lord Rama in the Treta Yuga and Lord Sri Krishna in the Dwapara Yuga. It is said that he will see Lord Kalki during that incarnation which will take place during this Kali Yuga. Through this too, we can understand his greatness.
Great people always give great, valuable information. Here Jambavan preaches to us the greatness that exists in the name ‘Hanuman’. This is very sacred and pure name, which bestows the person with both worldly enjoyments (bhukti) as well as liberation (mukti).
The mantra ‘Om Namo Hanumate Namaha’ showers both materialistic enjoyments as well as liberation. This is the experience of many of our Datta devotees. Even at the time of greatest difficulties, all they recite is ‘Om Namo Hanumate Namaha’. That’s all. They greet each other with the words – ‘Jaya Guru Datta, Sri Guru Datta’ and thereafter it is ‘Om Namo Hanumate Namaha’.
Both in Kishkinda Kanda (the section that deals with the Vanaras empire) and Yuddha Kanda (section that deals with the Rama- Ravana war) of Ramayana, Jambavanta extols the greatness of Hanuman. In the Kishkinda Kanda, the Vanaras who were on the look out for Mother Sita, reached the shores of the Indian Ocean. Here Sampati, the huge eagle, through his long distance vision, confirmed the presence of Mother Sita in Lanka. The next obstacle faced by the Vanaras was crossing the ocean and reaching out to Her. Each Vanara began to assess his individual capacity in this matter.
A Vanara named Gaja stated that he could fly for a distance of only 10 yojanas, Gavaksha claimed to reach 20 yojanas, Gavaya affirmed that he could fly for 30 yojanas, Gandhamaadana said he would fly up to 40 yojanas, Mainda confirmed that he could fly for 60 yojanas, Dividha could fly for 70 yojanas and Sushena boldly said that he could fly for 80 yojanas. (A yojana is about 8 miles).
Crown prince Angada proudly said, “I am better than you all. I can confidently fly for a distance of 100 yojanas. I will undoubtedly reach Lanka safe and sound. But with this all my powers will come to an end. I will not be able to fly back and return”.
The enthusiasm and excitement totally drained out from all the Vanaras and they turned pale.
