This Hanuman Jayanti, lets bring out our hidden potential

In the Ramayana, the monkey army (Vaanar Sena) under Sugreeva (King of the Vaanar Sena) is entrusted the task of finding Sita

They are told by Sampati, the brother of the bird Jatayu, that Ravana had kidnapped Sita and taken her to Lanka.

So they started deliberating.No one is confident to take the mighty leap to reach Lanka since the distance was about 100 miles, with the imminent danger of falling into the deep ocean below.

* अंगद कहइ जाउँ मैं पारा। जियँ संसय कछु फिरती बारा॥

जामवंत कह तुम्ह सब लायक। पठइअ किमि सबही कर नायक॥1॥

Angad said that he was confident of crossing over the ocean but had his doubts about returning back. Thats when Jambavan told that since Angad is the leader, the risk cannot be taken

Hanuman wasn’t sure of his capability and sat quietly. It was Matang Muni, who had cursed Hanuman, during his childhood , to forget the vast majority of his powers unless reminded by someone

This is when Jambavan the bear and the wise old one revealed to Hanuman secret about his strength.

पवन तनय बल पवन समाना। बुधि‍ बिबेक बिग्यान निधाना॥ कवन सो काज कठिन जग माहीं। जो नहिं होइ तात तुम्ह पाहीं॥

Jambavan gave Hanuman the confidence and made him realise his enormous abilities. He is the son of Vayu (Lord of Wind). He has enormous intelligence, wisdom and knowledge

* कवन सो काज कठिन जग माहीं। जो नहिं होइ तात तुम्ह पाहीं॥

राम काज लगि तव अवतारा। सुनतहिं भयउ पर्बताकारा॥3॥

He reminded him that there was nothing in the world that he could not do. The purpose of his life was to serve Lord Rama. Hearing this, Hanuman’s physical body expands and assumes the size of a mountain

सिंहनाद करि बारहिं बारा। लीलहिं नाघउँ जलनिधि खारा

Hanuman gains confidence from the pep talk and says that it was nothing more than a game for him to cross the ocean.

जामवंत के बचन सुहाए। सुनि हनुमंत हृदय अति भाए॥

तब लगि मोहि परिखेहु तुम्ह भाई। सहि दु:ख कंद मूल फल खाई॥

Hanuman requests Jambavan to patiently wait for him to return, eating fruits etc

And as we know he successfully crossed the ocean with one leap; found Sita and then destroyed Lanka, the abductor’s abode.

Moral of the story

When we realise our inherent powers, through a mentor like Jambavan, we end up finding new avenues to achieve our goals, transforming the ordinary to extraordinary. We can gain confidence to become STAR performers