Once when Sage Agastya had gone to Ayodhya, there broke out the incident of war with Lord Shri Ram in Lanka. In such a situation, Lord Rama told him how he killed warriors like Ravana and Kumbhakarna and Anuj Lakshman killed the most mighty demons like Indrajit and Atikaya in the battlefield. After this, Sage Agastya says that undoubtedly Ravana and Kumbhakarna were powerful and brave, but the greatest warrior was Indrajit, who fought with Indra in space, and captured Indra and brought him to Lanka. After that Brahma ji asked Indra as a donation. Only Lakshman could kill such a brave man.
Lord Ram was very happy to hear Lakshman’s praise, but he wondered what was it that only Lakshman could kill Meghnad? Lord Ram asked this question to Agastya Muni, then Agastya Muni replied, Only the one who had not slept for 14 years, who had not seen the face of any woman for 14 years, and who had not eaten anything for 14 years could kill Lord Meghnad.
Hearing all this, Lord Shri Ram said that I lived in a hut with Sita and Lakshman lived in the hut next to me. In such a situation, Lakshman may not have even seen Sita’s face and may not have slept for 14 years. How is this possible? Sage Agastya understood the whole thing that Lord Ram was deliberately asking this question. Actually, Lord Rama wanted that people should know about Lakshman’s penance and bravery, and that it should also be discussed in every house of Ayodhya.
Vibhishan has also confirmed what Sage Agastya said. After Meghnad was killed, Vibhishan had told Lord Shri Ram, killing Ravana’s son Indrajit was very difficult even for the gods themselves. Meghnad could be killed only by ascetics and yogis like Lakshman.
Agastya Muni told Shri Ram that why not ask Lakshman about this matter. Then when Lakshman came, Shri Ram said, Lakshman, whatever is asked of you, you will tell the truth. Lord Shri Ram said, all three of us (Ram, Sita, Lakshman) lived together in the forest, yet you did not see Sita’s face? Even after being given fruits, how could one remain non-vegetarian? And you did not sleep for 14 years, how is this? Then Lakshman told – Brother, when we reached Sugriva on Rishyamook mountain while searching for our sister-in-law. Then he showed us some jewelery of sister-in-law Sita and asked us to identify it. Then you remember, I was only able to recognize the foot ornaments, because I never saw them on the feet.
This is how Laxman controlled his sleep.
Regarding not sleeping for fourteen years, Laxman replied that when you and sister-in-law Sita were sleeping in the hut, I used to stand outside with arrows on my bow to keep watch throughout the night. Once Nidra Devi tried to guard my eyes, but I hit Nidra Devi with my arrows. After that Nidra gave up, and said that she would not touch me for 14 years, but Nidra Devi said that when Ram is coronated in Ayodhya, then I will guard you. Lakshman says to his Lord Shri Ram, you must remember when your coronation was taking place, the umbrella had fallen from my hand.
Laxman did not eat anything for 14 years
When I used to bring fruits and flowers, you used to cut them into three parts, give one part to me and say, Lakshman, keep this fruit. Lord, you never asked me to eat fruits, so how could I eat fruits without your permission? I kept them safely. Even today, all the fruits would be kept in baskets in that hut, then Shri Ram ordered Lakshman to bring the basket of fruits. Lakshman brought a basket of fruits and kept it in the court. When the fruits were counted, 7 days worth of fruits were missing. Then Lord Ram said, did you take diet for 7 days?
Laxman told the secret of those 7 days
He also told the secret of not having fruits for 7 days. Lakshman said that on the day father passed away, we remained fasting. After that, on the day Ravana abducted Mother Sita, we were fasting. Then we remained unconscious after being tied in the cobra of Indrajit, and on the day when Indrajit cut off the head of the elusive Sita, we remained fast during those days. Apart from this, the day Indrajit discriminated against me and the day you killed Ravana.
Lord, we remained fasting during these 7 days.
Lakshman says that I had taken additional knowledge from Guru Vishwamitra. With this a person can survive even without consuming food. I controlled my hunger with the same knowledge. And succeeded in killing Indrajit. On hearing this, Lord Shri Ram became emotional and hugged Lakshman.