Prowess of Vanaras
When Vanaras heard Angadha with great enthusiasm were telling their capabilities. Gaja said ‘I can cross 10 yojhanas’. Kalaksha said ‘20 Yojhanas’. Kavaya said ‘30 Yojhanas’. Sarabha ‘40 Yojhanas’. Gandhamadha said ‘without doubt 50 Yojhanas’. Mainda said ‘60 Yojhanas’. Dwividha said ‘70 Yojhanas’. Sushena ‘80 Yojhanas’. Then the old Jhambavan applying respects to all said ‘Earlier I had some Energy;but now I have become old. However the task entrusted to us by Rama and Sugreeva is excellently Praiseworthy . In order to accomplish it we all without deceit to the extent possible help in achieving same. Due to passage of time my Energy and Strength have been reduced. So now I can cross 90 Yojanas there is no doubt on that score; but you need not think that I had only this much Valour always. In Emperor Mahabhali’s Yaga God Tiruvikrama measured the entire Universe with his 3 foot. Then I had done Pradhakshinam (Going around in clockwise direction) of God.It is Equal to going around the Galaxy once. Now I am aged. During my youth there was none equal to me. But with the energy I have now, I do not think I can accomplish the task.
Then the great intelligent Angadha felicitated Jambavan and said ‘I can cross this 100 Yojanas with disdain. But I do not know if I can return or not’. Jhambavaan said “ Hey greatest amongst Vanaras ! We know the power you have is amazing.There is no Limit, your prowess has no limits of 100, 1000, 10,000 Yojanas.You can go to the palce you think and return. It is not justified to ask you to undertake a task when you have been assigned to carry out the task through us. We are all protectors;but you are like the Wife who has to be guarded. Until our Prana (Breath), Intellect, Strength exists we should guard you. In house hold matters wife should order Husband. She has all the authority for the same. The General of the Army is like the wife. He Is the Destiny. You are Pivotal for this Task. We have to guard the Pivot of our task very carefully say the Constituional experts. When the Roots are fully grown then the Virtues of fruits, flowers will be easily attainable. You are reason to achieve this task with your intelligence and Valourous task; You are our Younger King; You are the son of King; with your support we can accomplish the task “ thus Jhambavaan told Anghada.
Angadha replied “if I also don’t go and other Vanaras also do not go then once again we have to do Prabhovesa and cast aside our Lives. There is no other way. If we return to King without fulfilling his task, we will not survive. He is the Lord who can reward us and Punish us as well. If we cross his command and go there he will definetly execute us. Even if we go to Lanka and if we can’t come come back what is the use? You are a great intelleigent person; with age and knowledge and know the truth in all matters as it is, you are the greatest amongst all of us. So you only have to somehow find a way to cross the ocean and achieve our task” prayed Angadha.
Then Jambavaan “Hey Prince! There will not be any shortcoming to this task. I will find out the person who will accomplish this task and see how I enthuse him” saying thus he decided to charge Anjaneya who was sitting comfortably alone. (Slokas 34)
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