Nidra Devi | Goddess of Sleep

A strange pact leaves Lakshmana’s wife in a marathon slumber

Valmiki’s canvas is filled with hundreds of characters, all of them pitch in at a defined pace to take the story of Rama forward, finally pushing him to that moment of achievement. The sacrifice of Sita and Rama’s siblings has been the subject of endless debates. Amidst all this glorification, one woman’s selflessness goes almost unnoticed by the epic author—that of Urmila, Lakshmana's wife.

In the tale akin to the Ramayana, when Urmila, the dutiful wife of Lakshmana, prepares to join Rama in his exile, she is halted by Lakshmana himself. "I must attend to Rama and Sita. You'll be a distraction. Moreover, by staying behind, you can attend to the needs of the elders," he explains, and she reluctantly obeys. Unusual visitor A 14-year separation is rather harsh on a young bride, but Urmila’s sacrifice doesn’t end there. Standing guard over his brother and Sita, Lakshmana has an unusual visitor — Nidra, the goddess of sleep. “You are defying me by not sleeping,” she says. “Leave me alone, I have a duty to perform,” responds Lakshmana. Impressed by his act of filial devotion, the goddess agrees, but the laws of nature demand that someone bear the burden of Lakshman’s share of sleep.

Without a pause, Lakshmana says, “Maybe my wife Urmila can stand in for me. I'll be ready after 14 years.” Is that a reflection of perfect understanding between the couple or a typical take-her-for-granted attitude? Today’s woman will tick the latter, surely. So, Nidra, the goddess of sleep, approaches Urmila, and the young woman willingly complies, enabling her husband to fulfil his duty — not a nice state to be in — by any stretch of the imagination. According to the tale, she sleeps uninterruptedly for 14 years, foregoing the proximity of her husband, conjugal rights, and the ordinary life of a human being.

It turns out that Indrajit can only be killed by a man who has not slept for 14 years. This comes in handy on the battlefield in the fight against Ravana.

Strange Laugh Legend has it that, at the end of 14 years, on the day of coronation, in the middle of the royal court, Lakshmana started to laugh, startling everyone.

People wondered who he was laughing at.

Was he laughing at Ayodhya, the victim of palace politics who had to bow before a pair of footwear for 14 years? Or was he laughing at Kaikeyi, for all her plans had failed? Sita thought it was directed at her. Had she not crossed the boundary set by his brother-in-law, all further travails would have been avoided. Was he laughing at Ram for ending up with a wife of soiled reputation? Or Sugriva, who became king after he got his brother killed? Or Vibhishan, who sided with his brother’s enemy?

But Lakshmana was laughing at the unfolding tragedy: he could see Nidra approaching him. His beloved brother was finally being crowned, and the goddess of sleep was already at his shoulder, right on schedule, holding him to his promise.

The conch shells rang. The priests chanted. His beautiful, lotus-shaped eyes began to grow heavy, succumbing to sleep. Of all moments, he couldn't witness the most magical one, the very moment he had sacrificed everything to protect.