As Jambavantha approached, Hanuman emerged from his deep meditation, his mighty form casting a reassuring presence among the anxious simian warriors who awaited his decision.
“O Hanuman!” Jambavantha exclaimed, his voice resonating with both reverence and urgency. “In strength and brilliance, you rival both our noble King Sugreeva and the valiant Rama himself. Among the celestial bird clans, none surpass the great Garutmantha, son of Vinata and Kasyapa. His unparalleled might I have witnessed—he who fearlessly plucks colossal serpents from the depths of the ocean and the earth, wielding them in play as if they were but mere twigs. The power of his wings is beyond measure, yet your sinews and prowess match his in every way. O Hanuman, you are no less than he!
Your valor and virtue stand unmatched in any warrior of any race. Why then do you hesitate? The noblest of celestial maidens, the gentle and illustrious Anjana, was your mother—once the divine Punjikastala, transformed to dwell among the simian race. Born of the noble Kunjara dynasty, she shone with a beauty that rivaled the most resplendent of celestial beings, draped in white silk and adorned with garlands of many hues.
Amidst the mountains, where she frolicked with birds and deer, resembling a rain-laden cloud in her grace, the great Vayu, moved by fate’s design, approached her—not in lust, but with divine intent. When she questioned who disturbed her sanctity, Vayu reassured her, saying, ‘Fear not, O daughter of Brahma’s creation! No harm shall come to you, for my presence is ordained by the gods. From our union, a warrior shall rise—one whose strength shall shake the heavens and subdue the rising forces of darkness.’
Thus, Hanuman, you were born in a secluded cave, your destiny woven into the fabric of the cosmos. Vayu himself declared, ‘O Anjana, your son shall inherit my strength, my swiftness in flight, and my mastery over the skies and seas. Even in infancy, he mistook the Sun for a ripe fruit and soared towards it, unafraid of its blazing radiance. Seeing this audacious act, Indra, in his might, struck you down with his Vajra, breaking your jaw and earning you the name Hanuman.
Yet Vayu, stricken with sorrow, withdrew his presence, causing the world to suffocate in stillness. The great sages, gods, and celestial beings pleaded for his mercy, and to appease him, Brahma granted you the boon of invulnerability—no weapon may harm you. Indra, too, repented and bestowed upon your immortality. You were thus endowed with the virtues of Indra, the strength of Vayu, and the grace of your divine mother.’
Now, Hanuman, none among us can match your might! I, Jambavantha, who once circled the earth twenty-one times in my prime and gathered herbs for the great ocean churning, declare that even at my peak, my strength was but a shadow of yours. The simian race awaits your decision with bated breath—why do you hesitate when destiny calls? O swiftest among beings, reveal your power as Vishnu did when he measured the three worlds in three strides!”
At these words, a mighty resolve awakened within Hanuman. The simian warriors erupted in joyous cries as he began to expand his form to an immense size. Towering before them, his radiance shone like the rising sun, a halo of golden brilliance encircling him.
As he struck the earth with his mighty tail, a tremor ran through the land. His roar echoed through the valleys, reminiscent of a lion shaking its mane in a mountain cave. When he opened his mouth, he blazed like the very fire of Agni, unyielding and fierce.
“The swiftness of Vayu is mine, yet I am steadier!” Hanuman proclaimed. “I can circle this mountain countless times in an instant. The ocean shall tremble at my touch! I shall match the speed of Garutmantha and trace the very path of the Sun from dawn to dusk. No force can impede my flight! The mountains shall shatter beneath my strides, and the seas shall rise in my wake. The sky shall bear witness to my journey, as flowers, trees, and vines are swept along in my passage.
O my brethren! Watch as I rise to the heavens! Like Vishnu, who traversed the cosmos in but two steps, I shall cross this vast ocean with ease. Fear not, for I shall find Sita and bring her tidings of hope!”
The simian warriors stood in awe, overwhelmed by his boundless might. Jambavantha, his heart swelling with certainty, declared, “O valiant one! Our fear has vanished, our sorrow dispelled! By the sages’ grace and the gods’ blessings, you shall conquer this trial! We shall remain here, awaiting your triumphant return, for the fate of the vanara race rests in your hands.”
With unwavering focus, Hanuman ascended to the peak of Mount Mahendra. As he tested his strength, the very mountain trembled, its flora and fauna scattering in terror. Stones cascaded in all directions, celestial beings and spirits fled in alarm, and serpents slithered away, their hoods raised like fluttering banners.
Then, with a mind resolute and a heart ablaze with purpose, Hanuman prepared to take flight. A great moment had arrived—the storm upon the demon world was about to be unleashed. The universe itself seemed to hold its breath, awaiting the unfolding of Hanuman’s fateful mission.
