Ramayan Stories: Lakshmana gave up sleeping for 14 years and his wife Urmila accompanied him by sleeping for 14 years in his place. Lakshmana killed Meghnad, which only he could do. Because Meghnad had a boon... Read more

Ramayan Stories: If any example is given of the love and sacrifice of the younger brother, then the name of Laxman is always taken. It is also said that if the elder brother is like Lord Rama, then the younger brother should be like Laxman. There is no other example of Laxman's love for his brother in the three worlds. There are many stories to tell about Laxman's love for his elder brother Shri Ram. According to mythology, it is believed that when Ram was in exile for 14 years, Laxman never slept during that time to protect his elder brother and sister-in-law. That is why he was also called 'Guda Kesh'. Guda Kesh means the one who is the master of sleep. Due to this specialty of his, Laxman was successful in killing Ravana's elder son and a very brave warrior and very powerful Meghnad in the Lanka war. Laxman had separated Meghnad's head from the body with his arrow.

Brahma Ji gave a boon to Meghnad

According to mythology, Ravan attacked the gods to capture heaven. Meghnad also participated in this war. Meghnad defeated all the gods including Indra. After which he started being called Indrajit. After winning the war, when Meghnad started going to Lanka, he took Indra with him. Brahma Ji told Meghnad that if he frees Indra, he will give him a boon. Brahma Ji rejected Meghnad's boon of immortality, but blessed him that only the person on earth who has not slept for 14 years can kill him. 

Lakshman accompanied Ram in his exile.

When King Dasharath ordered Shri Ram to go on a 14-year exile, Lakshman also decided to go to the forest with his elder brother. Lakshman's wife Urmila said that she would also go with him. So he explained to his wife that he wanted to serve Ram and Sita in the forest. If Urmila also goes with him, it would hamper his work because he would have to take care of her too. Urmila accepted Lakshman's words with a heavy heart and did not go with him.

Goddess Nidra Gave Boon On the first night of exile when Lord Rama and Sita were sleeping, Goddess Nidra came to Lakshman. Lakshman prayed to Goddess Nidra to give him such a boon that he would not feel sleepy during the entire exile so that he could protect his beloved brother and sister-in-law. Pleased, Goddess Nidra said that if someone sleeps in your place for 14 years, then you can get this boon. After this, on Lakshman's request, Goddess Nidra went to Lakshman's wife and Sita's sister Urmila. Devoted to her husband, Urmila accepted to sleep during the entire exile in place of Lakshman and she kept sleeping for 14 years.

Rishi Agastya reveals the secret

According to the stories, once Rishi Agastya came to Ayodhya, he started discussing the Lanka war with Ram. Then Shri Ram told how he had killed great warriors like Ravana and Kumbhakarna. While younger brother Laxman also killed powerful demons like Meghnad and Atikay. Rishi Agastya said that there is no doubt that Ravana and Kumbhakarna were very powerful, but the greatest warrior was Meghnad. But Laxman killed him. He was the only person who could kill him. Rishi Agastya also said that even Lord Shri Ram himself could not kill Meghnad. Only Laxman could kill him.

Ram was surprised by the sage's words.

Ram was very happy to hear Rishi Agastya praising Laxman's bravery, but he was also surprised that what was the reason that only Laxman could kill Meghnad. Ram expressed his curiosity to Rishi Agastya. Then Rishi Agastya told that Meghnad had got a boon that only he could kill someone who had not slept for 14 years, had not seen the face of a woman for 14 years and who had not eaten for 14 years. Shri Ram said, how is it possible that Laxman did not see Sita's face, while I and Sita lived in the hut next to him. How is it possible that he did not sleep for 14 years? Then for 14 years I used to regularly give fruits and flowers to Laxman for food. 

What did Lakshman reply to Ram?

When Shri Ram expressed his curiosity, Sage Agastya said why not ask this to Lakshman himself. When Lakshman was asked about this, he said that I never looked above Sita ji's feet, that is why I could not recognize her ornaments after forcefully kidnapping her. Lakshman said that when you used to give fruits and flowers, you used to say that Lakshman keep the fruits, you never asked me to eat. Then how could I eat without your permission.  Lakshman told Shri Ram that I had learnt an additional knowledge from Guru Vishwamitra. Through this, any person can live for years without eating food. Lakshman said that I controlled my hunger with the same knowledge. Regarding not sleeping for 14 years, Lakshman said that you and Mother Sita used to sleep in a hut. I used to stand outside with an arrow on the bow to protect. He told how he had asked for a boon from Nidra Devi and his wife Urmila helped him in fulfilling it. Hearing this, Lord Shri Ram became emotional.

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