Lakshmana 14-Year Vigil

Dadi: "Guddu beta, you know Lakshmana went to the forest with Rama for fourteen years, right?"

Guddu: "Yes! He was so devoted to his brother."

Dadi: "But did you know he stayed AWAKE for all fourteen years?"

Guddu: "WHAT?! That's impossible! Nobody can stay awake that long!"

Dadi: "This is a folk story, beta - not from Valmiki's original Ramayana, but from the people who loved these characters so much they imagined new dimensions to their devotion."

Guddu: "Tell me how!"

Dadi: "On the first night of exile, the Goddess of Sleep - Nidra Devi - came to Lakshmana. She said, "It's my duty to give sleep to all living beings. You must rest.""

Guddu: "Did he argue with a goddess?"

Dadi: "He begged her! "Please overlook my sleep for fourteen years," he said. "I need to stay awake to protect my brother and sister-in-law from dangers in the forest.""

Guddu: "What did she say?"

Dadi: "She said the law of nature required balance - his sleep debt would have to go somewhere. Lakshmana asked her to transfer it to someone who would be willing to bear it."

Guddu: "Who agreed to take his sleep?"

Dadi: "His wife, Urmila. She was waiting in Ayodhya, and when Nidra Devi explained the situation, Urmila didn't hesitate. "Give me his fourteen years of sleep," she said. "Let my husband stay awake for duty.""

Guddu: "She slept for fourteen YEARS?!"

Dadi: "More than sixteen hours every day, beta - night and day - for fourteen years. While her husband faced demons and dangers, she slept so he could stay alert."

Guddu: "That's such a sacrifice!"

Dadi: "Both sacrifices, beta. Lakshmana gave up rest to protect. Urmila gave up waking life to support him. Neither could have done it alone."

Guddu: "How did Lakshmana stay awake all that time?"

Dadi: "Through discipline - physical activities, meditation, sacred hymns, conversation with Rama and Sita. His devotion was his fuel."

Guddu: "Did it help in the war?"

Dadi: "Critically! Do you know Ravana's son Meghnath, also called Indrajit? He was almost invincible. A prophecy said only someone who had defeated sleep for fourteen years could kill him."

Guddu: "And Lakshmana had!"

Dadi: "Because Urmila took his sleep, Lakshmana qualified. He killed Meghnath in a fierce battle - a victory made possible entirely by his wife's sacrifice!"

Guddu: "Urmila is the real hero!"

Dadi: "There's a saying: "Behind every victory of a man there is a woman - wife or mother." Urmila proved this literally."

Guddu: "What happened after fourteen years?"

Dadi: "On the day of Rama's coronation, something strange happened. As the ceremony was about to begin, Lakshmana suddenly started laughing!"

Guddu: "Laughing during a coronation?"

Dadi: "Everyone was confused! But Nidra Devi had appeared to him, reminding him of their agreement. The fourteen years were over - it was time for him to sleep so Urmila could wake."

Guddu: "So he finally slept?"

Dadi: "He dozed off, and across the kingdom, Urmila opened her eyes for the first time in fourteen years - just in time to see Rama crowned king!"

Guddu: "She woke up for the best moment!"

Dadi: "The story teaches us beautiful things, beta. That true devotion doesn't just serve - it enables others to serve. That behind visible heroes are invisible supporters. That love means bearing burdens so others don't have to."

Guddu: "I want to support someone like Urmila someday."

Dadi: "You already do, beta. When you let your parents rest, when you help your sister, when you support your friends - that's Urmila energy. You don't have to sleep fourteen years. Just support when support is needed."

Guddu: "I'll try to be more like her!"

Dadi: "And like Lakshmana - grateful for those who sacrifice for you. Now sleep, beta, and let Nidra Devi be kind to your dreams!"