JAMBAVATI 342 JAMBtFDVlPA

Eternal Being Visnu when he measured three steps at 38, that Sri Krsna killed an Asura named Jambha. the sacrifice of . Now, I am very old and Mention is made in , Sabha Parva, refused have not enough strength" to jump over the sea." Chapter 98, Stanza 49 that the teacher Sukra It occurs (Valmlki , Kiskindha kanda, Sarga 65) . to help a Jambha whom Indra killed later. 4) and the incarnation of Sri Kr,ma. The long- in Mahabharata, Vana Parva, Chapter 102, Stanza living Jambavan who had witnessed nine out of the 24, that Mahfivisnu had killed an asura called Jambha. ten incarnations of Mahiivisnu is seen in connection It is stated in Mahabharata, Vana Parva, Chapter 285, with the precious stone , in the incarnation Stanza 2, that a group of Jambhasuras, who had ofKrsna. The Sun-god gave this jewel Syamantaka to undergone training under Rfivana, once attacked King . His younger brother Prasena wore it . Another Jambhusura had been killed by and went to the forest for hunting. A lion killed him Arjuna, as stated in Mahabharata, Udyoga Parva, and took the jewel in his mouth and was going along Chapter 49. All these Danavas (Asuras) were sons of the forest when Jambavan killed it and took the jewel. KaSyapa born of his wife Danu. It was rumoured that Sri Krsna had killed Prasena JAMBHAKA. A Ksatriya King. This King was killed and taken the jewel. So Sri Krsna went in search of in battle by Sri Krsna. He had a son who, later the jewel to the forest, defeated Jambavan and took the became King but was killed 'by Sahadeva in his and returned it to Sri of jewel, Satrajit. Krsna married conquest the countries. ( M.B. Sabha Parva, Chapter the daughter of Jambavan. (Bhagavata, 31, Stanza 7). Skandha 10). JAMBTj. A tree which stands on the southern side of 5) Jambavan became old for ever. At the time of the the mount Mahameru. This tree bears fruits and incarnation of , Jambavan was very strong flowers throughout the year irrespective of the seasons. and valiant. When Vamana brought under control the This tree is watered by the Siddhacaranas. The three worlds by measuring three steps Jambavan branches of this tree reach the realm of heaven. The travelled throughout the three worlds carrying the news place in which this tree stands is known as Jambu- everywhere. Within three moments Jambavan dvlpa. The ripe fruits as big as elephants fall down and travelled eighteen times through the three worlds. In are broken. The juice oozing from them flows as a big this travel of lightning-speed the end of the nail of his stream. This is called the river Jambu. It flows through toe touched the highest peak of Mahameru, who the southern part of the country known as llavrtta. considered it as an insult and said "You are arrogant The goddess who lives on the bank of this big river is of your speed and youth. Hereafter your body will known as Jambvadinl. She is very fond of Jambu fruit. not reach where your mind reaches and you shall be This goddess who loves everything in the world, is ever old." Because of this curse the hermits and Jambavan became old worshipped by the gods, nagas (snakes) , world and unable to carry out what he wished. (Kamba sages, Raksasas (giants) and every body in the her she Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda) . with devotion. Even by the mere thinking of JAMBAVATI. Daughter of the famous Jambavan. Sri could be pleased. She destroys the sins and increases Krsna went in search of the famous precious stone the purity of people. She cures all the diseases and Syamantaka which was lost when Prasena wore it and gives people, health, wealth, long life, prosperity and went to the forest for hunting. Krsna found it in the happiness. cave of Jambavan, who fought with him and was The juice of the Jambu fruit when mixed with soil and defeated. Finally he gave his daughter Jambavati to acted upon by water, air and sun's rays, turns into a Sri Krsna as wife, and the jewel Syamantaka as dowry. kind of gold called Jambunada. The devas, Vidya- Sri Krsna came to his capital Dvaraka with his wife dharas etc. use this gold to make ornaments for their Jambavati. When sons were born to the other wives women. This gold is superior to other kinds of gold. ofKrsna she became sad and requested her husband (Devi Bhagavata, Skandha 8) . that sons may be born to her also. On hearing this JAMBUDVIPA. One of the Puranically famous request Krsna went to the mountain where the Saptadvlpas (seven continents). These seven continents hermit Upamanyu was engaged in penance. With that are embankments separating the seven seas. Jambu- hermit who was an ardent devotee of Siva, as his dvipa, Krauncadvlpa, Sakadvipa and Puskaradvlpa are teacher, Krsna began a penance before Siva, in included in the seven islands. accordance with his lakh ( Upamanyu's) advice. The Jambudvlpa has an area of one of yojanas. The penance, holding yogadanda and Kapala (devotee's island is round like a lotus flower. There are eight staff and skull) lasted for a month. In the second long mountain ranges which divide the island into month penance was performed standing on one 'eg and nine countries, which look like nine petals of the lotus drinking only water. In the third month he did flower. Each of these nine countries has an area of nine penance standing on toes only and using air as food. thousand yojanas. The two countries of the north and After six months Paramasiva appeared and blessed south extremities are bowshaped. Four of the remain- him that his wives would have ten sons each. Accor- ing seven are longer than the rest. The central country dingly Jambavati gave birth to her first son who was is square. This country is known as llavrtta, at the named . (Devi Bhagavata, Skandha 4). centre of which there is the mountain Sumeru with JAMBHA. A Daitya (Asura). He was the chief among a height of one lakh of yojanas. This is called those who snatched away Amrta from the hands of Svarnaparvata (The mountain of gold) . The top of Dhanvantari. (Agni Purana, Chapter 3). this mountain is a great flat place with an area of In the Puranas several Asuras (demons) bear- thirtythousand yojanas. This great plain is ten thousand ing the name Jambha are mentioned. It is stated in yojanas above the ground level. On the northern part Mahabharata, Sabha Parva, Daksinatyapatha, Chapter of llavrtta lie the three mountain ranges of Nilagiri,