Jambavan Remembers Circling the Cosmic Lord Seven Times
Kishkindha Kanda, Doha 29
Doha 29 · Movement 2 of 2
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Jambavan's memory rises from the age when the Lord bound King Bali. The form of Trivikrama expanded beyond all possibility of description.
Earth and heaven were held within the reach of that vast manifestation. Around it the young Jambavan ran, strength pouring through a body not yet diminished by time.
He completed seven circumambulations while the Lord still held both realms. His memory retains every full circuit. Before the hundred-yojana ocean, the old bear recalls feet that once spanned creation and the youthful power with which he worshiped their immeasurable form.
The old bear facing one ocean remembers when he ran seven times around the Lord who held earth and heaven.
Read the passage from the Manas
बलि बाँधत प्रभु बाढेउ सो तनु बरनि न जाई। उभय धरी महँ दीन्ही सात प्रदच्छिन धाइ।।29।।
When the Lord was binding Bali, His form grew to proportions beyond all description. I ran seven full circles around that form while He held both earth and heaven in His hands.