14 SLEEPLESS YEARS

If you have ever been interested in Indian Mythological stories, then I am quite sure, you must have heard about one of the greatest epic, Ramayana. A television series was also made on this epic which was re-telecasted in India during this pandemic which went on to break the viewership records in the world with 77 million viewers on an episode dated 16th April 2020. Shattering big viewership names such as Game of Thrones and Big Bang Theory. Quite intriguing, isn't it?

But today, I am here to tell you a story that is not commonly known but when you learn about it, it sure is an eye-opener. Out of many big gods in the epic, there is one name Lakshamana, who is the younger stepbrother to Rama, the protagonist of this epic. To speak of the family tree, Dashratha was the King of Ayodhya and had 3 wives, namely, Kaushalya, Kaikeyi, and Sumitra. Rama was the son of Kaushalya, Lakshamana and Shatrughan were the sons of Sumitra, and Bharatha was the son of Kaikeyi.

Story of 14 years of Exile

Once a fierce battle happened between, Dashratha and Sambasura (a mutual enemy of Dashratha and Indra, God of Lightning in Indian Mythology). During the battle, Dashratha's chariot broke and got stuck in the mud. Sensing this as great, Sambasura shot an arrow that pierced Dashratha's armor plate and his chest. Kaikeyi, who was Dashrath's charioteer in that battle, quickly jumped down and fixed the broken chariot wheel and drove Dashratha away from the battlefield because of which Dashratha's life was saved. Dashratha got impressed with her wife's critical on spot thinking and granted her 2 boons, because of which she can ask anything to Dashratha which he can't reject.

When the princes became old enough to rule the kingdom, Rama was selected to be the new king as he was the eldest among all brothers. But Manthara, the maid of Kaikeyi, did not like that decision and she went to Kaikeyi and made her remember, 2 boons by Dashratha to Kaikeyi. Kaikeyi went to Dashratha and said I want to use my 2 boons. Dashratha asked what are they? To which Kaikeyi replied, first Bharatha should be made new king of Ayodhya and second Rama should be sent to exile for 14 years.

Dashratha begged her to take at least the second boon back because Rama was dearest to him but Kaikeyi was adamant on both the boons. Then, as per the saying in their clan, "Raghu kul reet sada chali aayi, pran jaye par vachan na jaye" which translates to in their Raghu clan, a promise should never be broker even if that promise demands your life. A new announcement was made in the kingdom stating Bharath will be the new king and Rama will be sent to exile for 14 years. The whole kingdom cried to that news because Rama was dearest to everyone in the kingdom.

Rama simply accepted this judgment without any objections because a promise by his father was like a promise to him and he can't let his father die because of his promise. When Rama was dressing as a sage for the exile, his wife Sita came and said I shall also join you as you are my husband who is everything to me and I will be with you wherever you go and to which Rama also agreed.

Lakshmana was waiting outside of their room waiting for them to come outside. When Rama and Sita came out of their room, dressed as sage and ready to go to exile, Lakshamana requested with all his heart to Rama that he also wants to join them as he wants to be there any time they need anything and he can't leave their elder brother and his wife stranded in the forest for 14 years. Rama didn't agree to that but after a great discussion with Lakshamana and permission from Sumitra, Rama allowed Lakshmana to join them.

Then Rama along with Sita and Lakshamana went for exile and the whole kingdom followed them for a while. Dashrath tried to stop Rama but he knew he wouldn't stop. Dashrath could not bear the pain of being away from his dearest son, he died within few days.

Lakshmana's 14 sleepless years

On the first night of the exile, Goddess Nindra (Goddess of Sleep) came to Lakshamana to answer nature's call and go to sleep, but Lakshmana didn't agree to that and said he wants to protect his brother and his wife for 14 years and can't risk losing sight from them just to have some rest. But Goddess Nindra could not allow that as it mandatory for everyone to have sleep. Lakshmana came up with a proposal, that he can't afford to sleep now but he will sleep after 14 years and he asked Goddess Nindra to go to his wife, Urmila, and tell her the whole story as to why Lakshmana can't sleep for 14 years and she has to fill in for him for that time. Goddess agreed to that and went to Urmila and told her everything, to which Urmila happily agreed, and then Urmila slept for 14 years filling her and Lakshamana's nature call of sleep while Lakshamana never slept for 14 years.

But after the end of 14 years, Goddess Nindra played her part at the most crucial moment. After the end of 14 years, when Rama along with Sita and Lakshamana returned to Ayodhya, Ram was made the king again. But as 14 years have been completed, Goddess Nindra came to Lakshamana at the time of Coronation of Rama and made him remember about his promise. Lakshamana laughed at that moment because he was waiting for the coronation of Rama for 14 years but he has to fulfill his promise too. So Lakshmana took that as an order from Goddess Nindra and slept at the time of the coronation of Rama.