When Laxman went to exile with his elder brothers Ram and Sita for 14 years, he did not sleep a single day. He used to wake up all night to protect his brother and sister -in -law.
That is why he was called ‘Gudkesh’. Gudkesh means – who conquers sleep.
In the Lanka war, Laxman killed Ravana’s eldest son and very mighty warrior Meghnad. Laxman had separated Meghnad from his arrow from his arrow. Meghnad had a special boon.
According to the stories, Ravana attacked the gods to take over heaven. Meghnad also participated in this war and defeated all the gods including Indra. That is why he was named ‘Indrajit’.
After winning the war, when Meghnad was returning to Lanka, he also took Indra captive with him. Then Brahmadev told him that if he liberates Indra, he will give him a boon.
Brahmadev refused to give immortality to Meghnad, but blessed him that only the person on earth could kill him, who did not sleep for 14 years.
Why could Ram not kill Meghnad?
Once Agastya Rishi had said that even Lord Rama himself cannot kill Meghnad. Only Laxman can kill them.
It comes in the stories that when Agastya Rishi came to Ayodhya, Lanka war was being discussed.
Shri Ram said that he killed great warriors like Ravana and Kumbhakarna, while his younger brother Laxman killed powerful demons like Meghnad and Atikaya.
Agastya Rishi said that Ravana and Kumbhakarna were extremely powerful, there is no doubt, but Meghnad was the greatest warrior and was the only one who killed Laxman.
Ram was surprised to hear this. Rama was pleased to hear so much praise of Lakshmana from Agastya Rishi, but he was curious to know why only Laxman could kill Meghnad.
When Ram asked this question, Agastya Rishi said that Meghnad had a boon that he could kill the person who has not slept for 14 years, has not seen the face of a woman for 14 years, and has not eaten food for 14 years.
Shriram asked surprise – “When Lakshmana lived near our hut, how did he not see Sita’s face? And how can it not come true for 14 years? Also, I myself gave them fruits everyday, then how can they not eat food for 14 years?”
What did Laxman tell?
Agastya Rishi said – “This question should be asked by Laxman himself.”
Laxman told – “I never looked at Sita Mata’s feet, so I could not even recognize her jewelry.”
Laxman also said-“Whenever you gave me fruits and flowers, then you said that you should keep them. You never eat them. So how could I eat without your permission?”
The secret of waking up for 14 years?
Laxman told that the first night of exile, when Rama and Sita fell asleep, they came to the goddess sleep. Laxman prayed to the goddess not to give her a boon not to sleep in the entire exile, so that they could protect their beloved brother and sister -in -law.
Goddess Nidra pleased and said – “If someone sleeps in your place for 14 years, then you can get this boon.”
Then on the prayer of Laxman, the goddess Nidra, his wife and Sita’s sister reached Urmila. Urmila accepted the gold fast for 14 years in place of Laxman and she slept completely for 14 years.
Laxman told Shri Ram that he had learned an additional knowledge from his Guru Vishwamitra, which can survive without food. On the strength of the same discipline, Laxman controlled his hunger.
Hearing this, Lord Shri Ram embraced Laxman.
How many days can a normal person live without sleep?
According to scientific researches, a person can stay without sleep for a maximum of 11 days. However, doing so can cause serious health problems, even death may occur.
Every person has different stamina. The ability to live without sleep depends on age, health, lifestyle and many other factors. Not taking sleep has a serious effect on both body and brain.
How many days can a normal person live without food?
Typically, it is believed that a healthy person can live for about 3 to 8 weeks without food, but this is possible only when sufficient water is available.
Water is the most important element for the body. Death can occur in a few days without water.
When a person does not eat food, the body starts taking energy from the first accumulated fat and glycogen. After that, the body makes energy by breaking the muscles. This process is extremely harmful to the body and can damage many organs.