LEGENDS OF PRINCE LAKSHMAN - Page 2

TALE-6

Lakshman's superhuman control over his senses. Such a person is known as jati. This facet of Lakshman's personality was revealed after Ravan abducted Sita. While Ravan was flying to Lanka, Sita dropped her gold ornaments to leave a trail. When Bhagwan Shri Ram and Lakshman came across an earring, a bangle and an anklet, Ram questioned Lakshman whether he could recognize any of them as belonging to Sitaji. Lakshman replied:

"Naham janami kundale naham janami kankane,
Noopure chaiva janami nitayam padabhivandanat."

"I do not know the earring nor the bangle. But I recognize the anklet for I bowed at Sitaji's feet everyday." (Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kand 6-22)
Such incredible control of the senses (indriya saiyam) stunned Shri Ram. Incredible because the three of them, Ram, Sita and Lakshman had roamed the forests in exile for fourteen years and yet the latter only had the darshan of Sitaji's feet. Hence Lakshman is one of the foremost jatis in the Hindu Sanatan Dharma.

Jati, with two synonyms, Yati and Brahmachari, comprise two types: the married, like Lakshman and Shri Krishna, and the Bal Brahmacharis.

Married Jatis
To those unfamiliar with the Hindu Dharma, the concept of brahmacharya for the married may sound paradoxical. However, the Hindu scriptures assert that a married man who controls his senses and remains loyal to his wife is deemed a brahmachari -

ek nari sada brahmachari.

The devout poet Tulsidas, author of the Ramacharitmanas, has extolled this moral principle in verse:

"Pardhan patthar janiye parstri mat saman,
Itnese Hari na mile to Tulsidas jaman."

"Regard wealth other than your own as stone and a woman other than your wife as a mother. If then you do not attain God, Tulsidas will become your surety (to attain God)."
This lofty tradition has been upheld sincerely over the ages in India both by Maharajas and the citizens.

7) Lakshman Temple - Hemkund,Uttarakhand

The Lakshman Temple is situated on the banks of Hemkund Lake near the famous Gurudwara Hemkund Sahib. It is believed that this temple has been constructed on the site where Lord Ram's younger brother, Lakshman, performed penance. The Lakshman Temple in Lokpal is located on the bank of the Hemkund Lake in Uttarakhand and the temple is also known by the name of Lokpal Temple among Hindus. It is believed that Lakshman, meditated in this region after the battle with Ravan's son Meghnad to regain his power.

This temple is located at an elevation of 4329 metres and is surrounded by seven snow clad mountain peaks whose water drips into this lake. The river Lakshman Ganga is believed to originate from here. Lakshman Ganga or Bhyundar Ganga is a Minor River that flows through the Bhuyandar Valley, from Hemkund Lake. It merges with Pushpawati River in Ghangaria. It then forms a tributary to Alaknanda in Gobindghat.

8) Lakshman Temple -Tapovan, Nashik

Tapovan is a province which was blessed by the touch of Lord Rama's feet during His exile. It was later used by the monks and sages for their spiritual advancement and welfare of the public in general. Tapovan literally means jungle for meditation and penance.

Laxman meditated here for 12 years to kill the son of Ravana, Meghnad, which is how the place got its name, Tapovan. This is also the place where he is said to have cut the nose of Ravana's sister Suparnakha and threw it on the other side of the River Godavari. Thus the city got its name Nashik, meaning nose.

9) Lakshman Temple-Sitabari, Rajasthan

This holy Temple is situated on Shivpuri-Gwalior National Highway - 76 at a distance of 45 Km from Baran City in Kelwara town, District Baran, Rajasthan.

It is said lakshmanji left sitaji when Ramji banished her.In the premise there is lakshman temple and a kund named after him. As the legend goes, Sita, the wife of Lord Ram, was left by Lakshman here to serve the period of her banishment. He also shot an arrow from where a stream of clear water sprouted for Sita. The stream still exists and is called 'Lakshman Babhuka'. It is believed that clean and fresh waters of these sacred 'kunds' (tanks) have curative powers. The devotees take a holy dip in them to purify their body and soul before paying homages to the deities.

Also, it is believed that Mata Sita had lived at this place in the Ashram of Maharishi Valmiki after being left-out by Lord Rama. It is also known as the birth place of her two sons named Luv and Kush. The hut of Mata Sita known as 'Sita-Kuti' is situated in the forest area near the Temple.

The place has several Kunds (the holy tanks) known as Valmiki Kund, Sita Kund, Laxman Kund, Surya Kund, Bharat Kund and Luv-Kush Kund. The water of these Kunds is believed to possess curative properties. The Laxman Kund is the biggest one having an idol of Laxman near it. One of its gates is known as 'Laxman Darwaza' where an idol of Lord Hanuman Ji is installed. A wooden platform known as 'Laxman-Ka-Takhat' is also placed here

10) Lakshman Tirtham at Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu

Lakshmana Tirtham has been constructed in memory of Lord Lakshman, brother of Lord Rama. In order to offer sacred prayers to lord Lakshmana, temple has been constructed in Rameshwaram itself which indicates that Lord Lakshman had been given a valuable place in the dynasty of Lord Rama. Several wonderful sculptures of Lord Lakshmana have been carved out from marble and the temple has the statues of lord Rama and Goddess Sita too, as they are never supposed to be separated as they stayed united all their lives. This shows the trustworthiness of Lakshman towards his family and especially his elder brother Rama and Goddess Sita.

11) Lakshman Temple - Moozhikulam, Kerala

Moozhikulam Sri Lakshmana Perumal Temple which is believed to be 5000 yrs old is like an Oasis in a desert, satiating the spiritual hunger of devotees. The Main Idol of Worship is Lord Lakshmana. It was known from ancient letters that the rule for Temple Administration was made here.

Main entrance to the Sanctum Sanctorum of 'Moozhikulam Temple', a shrine dedicated to Lord Lakshmana, second brother of Lord Rama. In front of the entrance is the 'Balikallu' - artistically carved big sacrificial stone ('Bali' = Sacrifice and 'Kallu' = Stone). This ageless temple near Angamaly, in Ernakulam District completes the holy quartet of 'Nalambalam' (four temples) in Kerala.

(Entrance with Sacrificial Stone)

The imposing 'Chuttumbalam' (building surrounding the Sanctum Sanctorum) of Lord Lakshmana Temple at Moozhikulam. The wooden panels that cover the walls are place-holders for temple lamps, providing stunning illumination on festive occasions. Situated in Kerala's Ernakulam District, this is one of the oldest shrines in the State.

(Moozhikulam Temple - a partial view)

A view of the 'Moozhikulam Temple' in Kerala's Ernakulam district. The top of circular-roofed Sanctum Sanctorum (or, 'Sreekovil') can also be seen. It is believed that worshiping of Lord Lakshmana wards off fear and bite of serpent.

Corridor to 'Sanctum Sanctorum'...

Wooden-framed corridor leading to the Sanctum Sanctorum of Lord Lakshmana at Moozhikulam, Kerala. This grand-old temple is one among the four temples (Nalambalam) to be visited in the month of 'Karkkidakam' - the last month of Malayalam Era. It is regarded that worship at all four temples on the same day is highly beneficial.

Temple wood-crafts

Brilliant wood-crafts depicting mythical animals (Attendants of Gods), at the roof of 'Moozhikulam Temple' - a very ancient temple of Lord Lakshmana (brother of Lord Rama) located near Angamaly, that forms Kerala's celebrated 'Nalambalam' (four temples) group.

Credit: complied from google searches and help from arti

Source :http://hariharji.blogspot.com/2011_03_20_archive.html

Lakshman Stuti

Shri Lakshman

lakshmanaanant bhagvant bhoodhar, bhujag-

raaj, bhuvnesh, bhoobhaarhaaree |

pralay-paavak-mahaajvaalmaalaa-vaman,

shaman-santaap leelaavtaaree ||1||

jayati daashrathi, samar-samrath, sumitraa-

suvan, shatrusoodan, raam-bharat-bandho |

chaaru-champak-varan, vasan-bhooshan-dharan,

divyatar, bhavya, laavanya-sindho ||2||

jayati gaadhey-gautam-janak-sukh-janak,

vishva-kantak-kutil-koti-hanta |

vachan-chay-chaaturee-parshudhar-garbahar,

sarvadaa raambhadraanugantaa ||3||

jayati seetesh-sevaasaras, vishyaras-

niras, nirupaadhi dhurdharmdhaaree |

vipulbalmool shaardoolvikram jalad-

naad-mardan, mahaaveer bharee ||4||

jayati sangraam-saagar-bhayankar-taran,

raamhit-karann barbaahu-setoo |

urmila-ravan, kalyaann-mangal-bhavan,

daastulsee-dosh-davan-hetoo ||5||

neilu lovely info on lakshman temples loved all the details u gave brilliant job 👏

TALE - 8

(www.agasthyarashram.com)

Mother Urmila and Sri Lakshmana

Mother Seetha is well known to us that she is Divine Lakhshmi's incarnation married to Avatar Purusha Sri Ramachandra Moorthy. Let us recollect the names of the other sisters of Mother Seetha who were married to Lakshmana, Bharatha and Satruguna.

When the Milk Ocean (Ksheera Saagar) was churned by the Asuras and Devas many divinely things like Kaamadhenu, Karpakaviruksha, Mother Lakshmi, Aalakala and Amrith came out. Mother Lakshmi had in her hands two flowers and a conch. These were born along with Mother LAKSHMI during Thretha Yuga as SEETHA, URMILA, MANDAVI and SRUTHAKEERTHY as Rajarishi King Janaka's daughters. Lakshmana married Urmila, Bharatha married Mandavi and Satrugna got married to Sruthakeerthy.

Most of us know about Sri.Ram and Seetha's part in Ramayanam but how many of us know about Urmila? In fact Seetha has learned a lot from Urmila regarding conduct of married women and the other virathams (fasting) one should adopt to protect their husbands and family. These learning's from her sister Urmila helped Seetha during her days at Srilanka to tide over her difficulties. Nevertheless to forget Urmila had a greater amount of separation from her husband compared to Seetha.

We have read that Sri Rama completed his Rama Avatar by going into the river Sarayu along with his brothers Bharatha and Satrugna. This was of course after Mother Seetha went into earth, handing over Kucha and Lava to Rama and Sri Rama named them the rulers. How many of us are aware of what happened to Lakshamana? Sri.Vaathyar has answers for this from Irudigal Ramayana. Let's get some answers.

Urmila the great soul could foresee things due to her pathivritha virtue and penance and other regular charities, poojas and japas. One day Urmila by her divine powers conveyed Lakshmana that he is going to be cursed by his own brother, SriRam and he should be prepared to face this situation. This she said even before Rama went to forest for 14 years. But years rolled by and Sri.Rama killed Ravana and was back to the kingdom Ayodhya and the Pattaabhishekam or Rama was made the king of Ayodhya. Until now the curse that Urmila cautioned Lakshmana never happened.

Once Rama wanted to be left alone for a while and requested Lakshmana to guard his room and not to allow anyone to see him at any cost. None other than the great sage Dhurvasa came at that time to see Sri Rama. This sage is very famous for his anger and curses as we all know. But he is also the soul who was instrumental in the birth of pancha Pandavas as he granted a boon to Kunty Devi. She was given the boon by this sage pleased by her guru seva during her younger years. By uttering the chants taught by Dhurvasa she gave birth to Karna through Surya Dev. This sage has seen Thretha Yuga when Rama ruled and Dwapara Yuga during Mahabharata.

Once during his visit to Pancha Paandava in the forest he was accompanied by his disciples or the sishya. He is also famous for his count of disciples; they were about 10 thousands of them now with him. On the way they had to cross a small river. One of the disciples told that "Guru your dhothy should not get wet while crossing this river" and so saying wanted to serve his Guru. Pleased by his Bhakthi Sage Durvasa immediately blessed this disciple to become a Ghandarva. One of the other disciples made a small fan, made out of palm leaves and started to fan the Guru. When Durvasa saw that the fan was made out of Palm leaves he said "these leaves are created for writing the script over it and you have misused it", so saying he cursed him to become a white Pig. Such is the anger level of Durvasa Maharishi.

Lakshmana who was aware of Sage Durvasa prostrated before him. He humbly told Durvasa that Rama wanted to be alone now and none is allowed to meet him at the time. Dhurvasa immediately got angry and said he would curse Lakshmana if he stopped him from meeting Sri.Raama. Lakshmana then allowed him to meet Sri Rama. Well after the meeting Rama asked Lakshmana why he allowed Durvasa which was against his instructions to him. To this Lakshmana replied if he had stopped Durvasa the sage would have cursed him and allowing him would endup getting cursed by his brother. He preferred getting cursed by his brother better. He requested Rama to curse him and Rama cursed him to become a tree. Urmila worshipped this tree and applied Kumkum and sandal paste on this tree and poured milk through a hole in the tree.

So the truth is that Lakshmana had lots of patience and was not a short-tempered person as we believe. It's only after this Rama felt sorry and goes into the Sarayu with others and disappears.

LAKSHMAN KAVACHAM

(SHARED BY ARTI)

Lakshmana Kavacham

Translated by P.R.Ramachander

(Lakshmana the younger brother of Lord Rama is considered as incarnation of Adhi Sesha. There is a temple dedicated o him in Moozhikulam Kerala. There is also a temple for him in Khajuraho, Orissa . This rare prayer addressed to him is taken from a Malayalam book, "49 Kavachangal" published by Vidhyarambham press..)

Agasthya Uvacha:-

Soumithrim raghu nayakasya charana dwandwekshanam, shyamalam

Bhibrantham swakarena rama sirasi chathram vichithrambaram.

Bhibrantham Raghunayakasya sumahath kodhanda banasane,

Tham Vande kamalekshanam janakaja vakhye sada thathparam.

Sage Agasthya told:-

My salutations to the lotus eyed one,

Who is the son of queen Sumithra,

Who always sees the pair of feet,

Of the Lord of the Raghu clan and is black,

Who with his own hands holds ,

The umbrella over Rama's head and wears pretty cloths,

Who carries the great Kodanda bow ,

Of the leader of Raghu clan in his hand,

And who is always interested in ,

The words of Rama who is like his father.

Asya Sri Lakshmana Kavacha manthrasya , agasthya rishi, anushtup chanda, Sri Lakshmana devatha, sesha ithi bheejam , Sumithra nandana ithi Shakthi, Ramanuja ithi keelakam, Rama dasa ithyasthram, , Raghu vamsatha ithi kavacham Soumithrir ithi mantra, Sri Lakshmana preethyartham , sakala mano abhilashitha sidhyartham jape viniyoga.

For the arm our of Lakshmana, the sage is Agasthya, the meter is anushtup, The god addressed is Lakshmana, The seed is Adhi Sesha, the power is the son of Sumithra , the nail is the brother of Rama, the arrow is the servant of Rama , The one who belongs to Raghu's clan is the armour , the chant is son of Sumithra and this is being chanted to please Lakshmana as well as to attain all the desires of the mind.

Adha Kara Nyasa:-

Now the rituals with hand:-

Om Lakshmanaya Angushtabhyam nama

Om Seshaya Tharjaneebhyam nama

Om Sumithra nandanaya madhyamabhyam nama

Om Ramanujaya anamikabhyam nama

Om Rama dasaya kanishtikabhyam nama

Om Raghu vamsajaya kara thala kara prushtabhyam nama

Om salutations to Lakshmana touch with the thumb

Om Salutations to Adhi Sesha , touch with the second finger

Om salutations to son of Sumithra touch with the middle finger

Om salutations to brother of Rama touch with the fourth finger

Om Salutations to the servant of Rama touch with the little finger

Om salutations to the one of Raghu clan touch with the front and back of the hand.

Adha anga Nyasa

Now rituals with organs

Om Lakshmanaya Hrudayaya nama

Om SEshaya sirase swaha

Om Sumithra nandanaya shikhayai voushat

Om Ramanujaya kavachaya hoom,

Om Rama dasaya nethraya voushat

Om Raghu vamsaya Ashthraya phat

Om Soumithraye ithi dig bandha

Ithi Hrudhyadhi Shadanga Nyasa

Om salutations to Lakshmna with touching of the heart

Om Salutation to Sesha with touching of head,

Om salutations to son of Sumithra touching the hair,

Om brother of Rama thinking of the armour

Om salutations to servant of Rama, touching the eye

Om salutations to the member of Raghu clan , meditate on the arrow

Om Son of Sumithra and tie all the directions

Thus complete the ritual of the six organs.

Adha dhyanam

Now meditation

1.Rama prushta sthitham , ramyam , rathna kundala dharinam,

Neelothpala dala shyamam, rathna kankana manditham.

Meditate on him who is in the back side of Rama,

Who is pretty , wears gem studded ear globes,

Who is black like the blue lotus and wears gem studded bangles.

2.Ramasya masthake divyam , bhibratham chatham uthamam,

Vara peethambara daram , mukatenathi shobhitham

He who holds the great Umbrella over the divine head of Rama,

Who wears the blessed yellow silk and shines with his crown.

3.Thuneeram karmukam chapi bhibratham cha smithananam,

Rathna mala dharam divyam pushpa mala virajitham.

Carrying the bow and arrow case, having a smiling face ,

Wearing a gem studded necklace and also wearing a holy flower garland.

4.Evam dhyathwa Lakshmanam cha Ragahava anyastha lochanam,

Kavacham japaneeyam hi thatho Bhakthyathra manavai

After meditating on Lakshmana like this and seeing Rama in the other eye,

Later the devotes would chant this armour .

5.Lakshmana pathu may poorvam , dakshine Raghavanuja,

Pratheechyam pathu Soumithri, pathu udeechyam Raghuthama

Let Lakshmana protect my east , Let brother of Rama protect my south,

Let son of Sumithra protect my west and the good son of Raghu clan protect my north .

6.Adha pathu Maha veera , schordhwam pathu nrupathmaja,

Madhye pathu Rama dasa, sarvadha Sathya palaka

Let my beginning be protected by the great hero,

My top by the son of the king , middle by the servant of Rama,

And all my form by the protector of truth.

7.Smithanana sira pathu, Phalam cha thu Urmiladhava,

Brovor madhye dhanur dhari, sumithranandhano akshini.

Let the smiling faced one protect my head,

Let my forehead be protected by the husband of Urmila,

Let he who is armed with a bow protect the place in between my eyes,

And let the son of Sumithra protect my eyes.

8.Kaple Rama manthri cha sarvadha pathu vai mama,

Karna moole sada pathu Kabanda bhuja khandana.

Let the minister of Rama always protect my skull,

Let the tip of my ears be protected by he who cut off the hands of Kabandha.

9.Nasagram may sada pathu Sumithrananda vardhana,

Ramanyasthe Kshana pathu sada may athra mukham bhuvi.

Let he who increases the happiness of Sumithra protect the tip of my nose,

Let my mouth be protected by he who protects Rama always.

10.Sita vakya kara pathu may vanim sada thrahi,

Soumya roopa pathu jihwam, anatha pathu dwijaan.

Let he who obeys the word of Sita always protect my voice,

Let the calm looking one protect my toungue ,

And let the God Anantha protect the Brahmins.

11.Chibukam pathu rakshogna, kandam pathwa suradhana,

Skandhou pathu jitharathir , bhujou pankaja lochana

Let the killer of Rakshasa protect my chin,

Let the killer of Asuras protect my neck,

Let he who has won over the night protect my shoulders,

Let the lotus eyed one protect my arms.

12.Karou kankana dhari cha nakhaan rathna nakhovathu,

Kukshim pathu vinidhro may Vaksha pathu Jithendriya

Let my hands be protected by one who wears bracelet,

Let my nails be protected by one who has pearl like nails,

Let the sleepless one protect my abdomen,

And let the one who has won over his senses protect my breast

13.Parsve Raghava prushtastha, prushtadesam mano rama,

Nabhim Gambheera nabhisthu, katim charukma mekhala.

Let my sides be protected by he who is behind Rama,

Let my back be protected by the one entertains the mind,

Let my navel be protected by one who has a great navel,

Let my hip be protected by one who has a pretty girdle.

14.Guhyam pathu saharasrasya, pathu lingam haripriya,

Ooru pathu Vishnu thulya, Sumukho aavathu jahnuni

Let my private parts be protected by the thousand tongued one,

Let the friend of Vishnu protect my penis,

Let my thigh be protected by one equal to Vishnu,

And let the pleasant one protect my knee.

15.Nagendra pathu may jange , gulphou noopuravaan mama,

Pada vanga thatho avyath, pathwangini sulochana.

Let the king of serpents protect my thigh,

Let my ankle be protected by he who wears anklets,

Let my feet be protected by father of Vanga,

And let the good eyed one protect my smart limbs

16.Chithra Kethu pitha pathu mama padanguli sada,

Romani may sada pathu ravi vamsa samudhbhava.

Let the father of Chithra Kethu always protect my fingers of legs,

Let my hair be protected by one who was born in clan of Sun.

17.Dasaratha sutha pathu nisayaam mama sadaram,

Bhoogoladhari maam pathu divase divase sadaa

Let the son of Dasaratha protect me at night with care,

Let the one who lifts the earth protect me during day time

18.Sarva kaleshu maam indra jit hantha aavathu sarvada,

Evam soumithri kavacham Sutheeshna kaditham yo.

Let at all times I may be protected by the killer of Indra jit.

This is the armour of Lakshmana as told by Sutheeshna.

19.Idham pratha samuthaya ye padanthyathra manava,

They dhanya manavaa loke theshaam cha saphalo bhava.

If this can be read by man as soon as he rises up in the morning,

That blessed man would achieve positive results.

20.Soumithre kavachasyasya padaan nischayena hi,

Puthrarthi labhathe puthran , dhanarthi dhanam aapnuyath,

It is definitely true that if this armour of Lakshmana is read,

He who wants to get a son will get a son,

And one who is interested in wealth will get wealth.

21.Pathnee kamo labeth pathnim , go dhanarthyi thu godhanam,

Dhanyarthi prapnuyath dhanyam , rajyarthi Rajyamapnuyath.

He who wishes for a wife will get a wife,

He who wishes for wealth of cows with get cow wealth,

He who is interested in grains would get grains.

And he who wants a kingdom will get a kingdom.

22.Paditham Rama kavacham , Soumithri kavacham vinaa,

Gruthena heenam naivedhyam , thena datham na samsaya

Reading of armour of Rama without reading this armour of Lakshmana,

Is without doubt like offering food offering to God without ghee.

23.Kevalam rama kavacham paditham manavair yadhi,

Thath padenaa thu santhushto ne bhaved Raghu nandana,

Those people who read only the armour of Lord Rama,

Should know that Rama will not become happy by this.

24.Atha prayathnatha chedam Soumithri kavacham narai,

Padaneyam sarva dhaiva sarva vanchitha dayakam.

This reading of Armour of Lakshmana would give a man,

All that he wishes and would please all gods.

Ithi Srimad Ananda Ramayane Sutheeshnaa agasthya samvadhe ,

Sri Lakshmna Kavacham sampoornam.

Thus ends the armour of Lakshmana which occurs in the

Conversation between Agasthya and Sutheeshna which occurs in Ananda Ramayana.

Tale 9 - Lakshman and Urmila (Incarnation of Shesh Naag and Goddess Varuni)

Originally posted by arti.

"Shesha had a wife, Goddess Varuni (she is goddess of sky and intoxicating drinks ).She was daughter of Varuna and churned out during samundra manthan. She is sister of lakshmi as lakshmi too came out of samundra manthan .Then Ananta claimed her...it is said that once Varuni and Shesha were enjoying each other's company and then a sage Dandachi came with a imp msg of God but Varuni and shesha completely ignored him.Sage was so furious at them that he cursed them that they shall bear pangs of separation.Will be forced to observe celibacy despite being wife and husband. Lord Shesha and Varuni asked for forgiveness. Shesha said," they are nagas... serpent are by nature like this plz forgive." But sage curse couldnt be reversed . When sage went to Vishnu ji, he said..." dont worry this is for the good of the mother earth...soon after this lord shesha will do penance and will gain my aquaintance and then he and varuni will be born as my brother and sister in law and with the help of this curse meghnanad will be killed"...so in the next birth lord shesha and varuni took birth as lakshman and urmila..

Tale 10 : Urmila goes to Sleep
source :http://devdutt.com/articles/ramayana/lakshmans-wife-goes-to-sleep.html

Soon after his birth, Lakshman kept crying until he was placed next to Ram. Since that day he was always beside Ram, accompanying him to protect Vishwamitra's yagna and following him into exile in the forest. Such was his devotion that he refused to take his wife along with him to the forest. He even refused to sleep for 14 years so that he could serve his brother day and night.

Lakshman's wife, Urmila, wanted to follow her husband to the forest as Sita had followed Ram but Lakshman begged her to stay back saying, "I will be busy taking care of Ram and Sita and will have not time for you. Help me by staying back so that I do not have to feel guilty or anxious about your wellbeing." So Urmila stayed back, reluctantly, wondering how she could help her husband help Ram.

On the first night in the forest, Lakshman kept watch while Ram and Sita went to sleep. That is when Nidra, the goddess of sleep, approached him. He begged the goddess to leave him alone for fourteen years so that he could guard his brother and sister-in-law night and day. The goddess, impressed by his act of filial devotion, agreed. But the law of nature demanded that someone bear the burden of Lakshman's share of sleep. "Go to my wife, Urmila, and inform her of the situation," said Lakshman. Nidra went to Urmila. Urmila bowed her head and replied, "Give me my husband's share of sleep for fourteen years so that he can stay awake all that time without any fatigue." So it came to pass that Urmila slept for fourteen years night and day while her husband stayed awake in the service of Ram and Sita.

This had an impact in the war against Ravana. Ravana's mighty son, Meghnadh, was invincible. Only a man who had not slept for 14 years could defeat him. Thus Lakshman was able to kill him, all thanks to Urmila.

The story of Urmila comes from folk Ramayanas or Ram-kathas and is not part of Valmiki's Sanskrit narrative or Tulsi's Avadhi narrative. But the way the story is presented, especially in the Ram Kathas of South India, is even more interesting. It reminds us how vast and imaginative and provocative the tradition of Ramayana is in India, and how we are often deprived of this variety in our quest for uniformity.

After Ram defeats Ravan, rescues Sita and returns to Ayodhya, the day of Ram's coronation dawns. As the hymns were being chanted and the crown is brought before Ram, Lakshman started to laugh, startling everyone.

Everyone wondered why was Lakshman laughing: who was he mocking? Every person in the court ' Ram and Sita included ' was consumed by doubts and guilt, for each was embarrassed of some misdeed in their life. Each one remembered an event in their life, which they were not particularly proud of, and felt Lakshman was laughing at them.

Finally someone asked Lakshman why he was laughing and he replied, "I have waited for this moment for the past 14 years and just when I am about to witness Ram being crowned king, the goddess of sleep, Nidra, reminds me of our agreement 14 years ago, and demands that I submit to her this very moment, and go to sleep and let Urmila awaken. I find the irony of the situation hilarious." So Lakshman dozed and Urmila woke up to see Ram crowned king, and everyone heaved a sigh of relief.