Did Hanuma get the curse of forgetting his powers until someone reminds him? This is not mentioned in Valmiki Ramayana but he keeps quiet until Jambavanta tells him?
Hanuman was silent for many reasons. He knows that he has to jump the ocean whether he can or can he not. Rama gave the signet ring to Hanuman. He cannot pass on the ring to somebody else for he does not have the permission to do so. So he has to accompany the person who is capable of jumping the ocean.
For the same reason, He would have to jump the ocean if no one else can. Because Rama gave him the task of giving the ring to Sita. And now at the southern shore, have we not heard from Sampati that he can see sita on the other shore?. Hanuman had decided to jump and hence he remained silent.
The mild curse on Hanuman is described in the Uttara Kanda of Ramayana. Rama questions Agastya , “It is evident to me that Hanuman is much more capable than Vali and Ravana?
Kimartham Valyaneniva sugriva priya kamyaya tada Vaire samuptanne na dagdo veerudho yada
Why has hanuman not helped sugriva inspite of having great strength and being capable of crushing Vali to death? To this Agastya replied by narrating the story of Hanuman. It is in this chapter it is elucidated that Hanuman realizing his strengths obtained from demigods was troubling sages in the forest. The sages refrained themselves from cursing the young Hanuma, dismissing his mischief as childish and innocent. But Hanuman tested their patience. Atlast, the sages had to put a mild curse on young Hanuman, that he would put his power to use only when asked.
Why did not Sugriva reminded Hanuman of his prowess and invoked him against Vali. Well, Agastya said that Sugriva was not aware of Hanuman’s strength. Well, Sugriva certainly knew that Hanuman was capable else he would not have entrusted the sacred duty of finding vaidehi to Hanuman. One should note that when the southern party arrived and destroyed madhuvana, Sugriva proudly uttered “Jambavan yatra netasyat, angadasya baleswarah, Hanuman yatra adistata, na tasya gatir anyada”. When Hanuman is the leader that task will not go unfinished. Hence, there is an ambiguity whether Sugriva knew about Hanuman or not. Sugriva certainly knows Vali and his alliance with Ravana. If Sugriva wages battle with Hanuman’s help, then the entire Vanara race and Rakshasa race will be wiped out, considering Ravana’s boon of immunity against death in the hands of any being except man. Not to undermine the necromancy and magic spell of Indrajit in times of war. Besides Sugriva is a peaceful fugitive prince, who only desired protection from Vali and not Kingdom of Kishkindhya. The truth is it was Hanuman who protected sugriva by telling him that Rishyamuka is impenetrable to Vali due to sage Matanga’s curse. Hence, many of them in Ramayana including Sugriva, Jambavan and others kept quite until the right time arrived. Death of Vali and Ravana has to occur in the hands of Rama and the world new it. Hence, the curse on Hanuman was not discussed until Rama raised such question in UttaraKanda.
Coming to the time line of events until Hanuman met Sita.
Ravana abducted Sita in the beginning of the spring season. Rama arrived at Pampa at the end of Vasanta ritu(spring) but spent time in searching for Sugriva. When Hanuman met Rama it was almost Grishma Ritu was in its final days. Immediately after meeting Hanuma, on the same day Vali was killed. It was a long day for sugriva. By that time, Vali is cremated and sugriva is coronated it was almost rainy season, Varsha ritu or sravana. This season lasted for four months and that is all we know. After the Rainy season at the end of 15th day the search party commenced. Let us assume that the vanara party arrived at Rikshabila with in the same week of Kartika masa. So When they came out of the cave it was a different season it was hemanta. So they could have exhausted the one month of Kartika. Now they could be in Margashirsha or Pausa. When Hanuman met Sita, she told him that two more months are left(some days of Pausa could still be left out), that is Magha and Phalguna which means that Hanuman met Sita in the month of Pausa. So the vanaras could have spent Kartika, Margasirsha and most of Pausa in the Cavity which equals to almost three months. If you look at the end chapter of Yudhakanda, Rama left to Ayodhya again on Chaitra Sudha panchami. Which is approximately an year after he left Pancavati.
