Friday 28 November 2014

Lakshmana’s sleep



As per notions, beliefs and stories prevalent about Lakshmana, he did not sleep for 14 years, serving Sri Rama.  It is also prevalent that Indrajit had a boon that a person, who will not sleep for 14 years, can only slay him. 
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According to Srimad Valmiki Ramayana neither Indrajit received such a boon nor did Lakshmana serve Sri Rama without sleeping.  
The following narrations in Slokas 1 to 3 of Sarga 56 of Ayodhya Kanda did confirm that Lakshmana slept during his stay in forest.
अथ रात्र्याम् व्यतीतायाम् अवसुप्तम् अनन्तरम् |
प्रबोधयाम् आस शनैः लक्ष्मणम् रघु नन्दनः ||

"Then, Sri Rama gently woke up Lakshmana, who was sleeping without break, even when the night was passing away."
सौमित्रे शृणु वन्यानाम् वल्गु व्याहरताम् स्वनम् |
सम्प्रतिष्ठामहे कालः प्रस्थानस्य परम् तप ||
 
"Oh, Lakshmana! Hear the sound of wild animals, resounding beautifully. It is time for our journey. Let us start."
स सुप्तः समये भ्रात्रा लक्ष्मणः प्रतिबोधितः |
जहौ निद्राम् च तन्द्रीम् च प्रसक्तम् च पथि श्रमम् ||
 
"Lakshmana, who was sleeping, being woken up by his brother at the right moment, had relinquished sleep, sloth and strain, which resulted on the way."
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There is a difference between being alert while in forest and not sleeping.  

Lakshmana was alert during his stay in forests.

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