In that assembly of noble monkeys, Mainda spoke up with confidence to his companions, saying, “I am able to leap sixty yojanas.” At once, the mighty Dvivida added his voice, declaring, “Without doubt, I can go seventy yojanas.” Then Suṣeṇa, renowned for his valor and virtue, proclaimed, “With my strength, I promise to reach eighty yojanas.” As each monkey declared his prowess, all eyes turned to the eldest among them, Jāmbavān. Having listened to them all, Jāmbavān addressed the gathering with the wisdom of age: “In days long past, we too possessed great speed and strength, but now we have reached the limits of our years. Even so, this task before us—decreed by our monkey king and Rāma himself—cannot be neglected.” He continued, “Hear now what remains of my speed: I can leap ninety yojanas, without doubt. Yet, let it be known, this is not the full measure of my former power. In the sacrifice of Vairocana, I once circumambulated the eternal, all-powerful Viṣṇu as he took his three mighty strides. In my youth, my strength was incomparable and supreme. Now, old age has slowed my vigor; I can only go so far. But with just this, the success of our mission cannot be achieved.” Moved by the gravity of the moment, Angada, after consulting with wise Jāmbavān, spoke earnestly: “I myself am able to leap the great distance of a hundred yojanas. Yet, whether I have the strength to return, I cannot say for certain.” To this, Jāmbavān, skilled in counsel, replied, “O best of the monkey and bear heroes, your strength is well known. You could go and return even a hundred thousand yojanas. But this is not the proper order of things. A master should never be sent as a messenger. All these gathered here are to be sent by you, O Angada. You are as a spouse to us, established in the role of master, the guide and root of our army. As the root of a purpose must be protected, so must you be safeguarded. When the root is secure, all virtues and the fruits of action are attained. Thus, you are the chief cause for the accomplishment of this task—steadfast, wise, and courageous. You are both our elder and the son of our elder; relying on you, we are capable of fulfilling our purpose.” Hearing these words, Angada, son of Vāli, responded, “If I do not go, nor any other foremost monkey, then we are left with no choice but to undertake a fast unto death. For without carrying out the command of our wise lord, the king of monkeys, I see no way for us to preserve our lives, even if we journey there. Whether pleased or angered, the king is supreme; disregarding his command brings destruction. Thus, for this task, there is no other way. You alone, who understand what must be done, should decide our course.” Addressed thus by Angada, Jāmbavān, the heroic elder, spoke again: “For this task, O hero, nothing should be neglected. I will now urge the one who can accomplish it.” With these words, Jāmbavān, the foremost among monkeys, sought out Hanuman, who sat apart in a secluded spot, and began to encourage him—the best of the monkey warriors. Here begins the sixty-sixth chapter in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Kiṣkindhā Kāṇḍa. Jāmbavān, perceiving the vast monkey army—hundreds of thousands strong—disheartened and silent, approached Hanuman and spoke: “O hero, best among those who know all the sciences in the world of monkeys, why do you, Hanuman, remain silent, sitting apart in seclusion? You are equal to Sugrīva in might, and in brilliance and strength, you are also the equal of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. “The mighty Garuḍa, son of Ariṣṭanemi, is famed as the strongest among all birds. I have seen that powerful bird at the ocean’s edge, lifting serpents with ease. The strength in his wings is matched by the power in your arms, O strong-armed one; your courage and speed are in no way less than his. “O foremost of monkeys, your strength, intellect, brilliance, and spirit surpass all beings—why do you not step forward? Among the Apsarases, Puñjikathalā is renowned as the best; she, known as Añjanā, is the wife of Kesari, the monkey. She was famed throughout the three worlds for her incomparable beauty, but by a curse, she became a monkey, though able to assume any form at will. She was the daughter of the great-souled monkey king Kuñjara, and, taking on a human form, she shone with beauty and youth.” Thus, with words both wise and encouraging, Jāmbavān sought to awaken Hanuman’s awareness of his own strength and purpose, inspiring him to rise for the great task before them.