6 Fascinating Facts of Ramayana

Ramayana and mahabharataare the ancient major Sanskrit epics in India. Both the epics have similarity & hence, few are common characters in ramayana and mahabharata. Traditionally it depicts the life of Rama written by Maharishi Valmiki. There are movies, serials based on the Ramayana but still there are some facts that you don’t get to know in these, let me tell you the most amazing and fascinating facts of Ramayana :

Amazing Facts of Ramayana:

#1 –  Laxman is known as Gudakdesh – the one who defeated sleep

An effort to guard Ram and Sita during the exile for 14 years, Laxman did not sleep in their journey of Vanvaas; as he requested Nidra Devi, the Goddess of Sleep who was impressed by Laxman’s dedication so she granted him the boon but in place of Laxman his wife Urmila slept for 14 years completing both her own and Laxman’s share of sleep.

#2 – White Striped Squirrel

While building the Ram-Setu even squirrels were trying to help by bringing the stones in where the monkeys made fun of these small squirrels, but Lord Rama was impressed by squirrels dedication and patted the back of the squirrel where the white stripes appeared as his finger prints; this is how squirrels git white stripes upon their back as a blessing of Ram.

#3 – Laxman was the avatar of Sheshnag

As we all know that Ram was the avatar of Lord Vishnu, and Sheshnag was inseparable from Lord Vishnu hence Sheshnag accompanied as Laxman, the younger brother of Ram and carried out his duties towards Ram undoubtedly and loyally.

#4 – Nandi’s Curse to Ravana

 When Ravana went to Kailash then Nandi, the gatekeeper of Lord Shiva stopped Ravana from meeting Lord Shiva. However Ravana made fun of Nandi’s appearance and this triggered Nandi. He then angrily cursed Ravana’s kingdom, Lanka will be destroyed by monkeys. This curse came true when Hanuman burnt Lanka and then was destroyed by Vanara Sena along with Rama and the rest.

#5 – True Devotee of Lord Shiva – Ravana

Yes, Ravana was a true devotee of Lord Shiva, and once he sacrificed his head to Lord Shiva. However, his head kept re-growing each time after he cut it off. It happened for ten times, after which Lord Shiva gave him all those heads. Also, Ravana composed the shiva tandav stotram in praise for Shiva, and pleading for moksha.

#6 – Reason of Kumbhakaran Sleep

Kumbhakarn was brave, intelligent and unchallenged warrior in the battle, that Indra was jealous and worried about his strength. Along with brothers, Ravana and Vibhishana Kumbhakaran performed a major Yajna and penance to please Lord Brahma. When the time came for asking a boon as a blessing from Brahma, his tongue was tied by Goddess Saraswati (as a request from Indra) Hence, when Kumbhakaran asked for “Indrasaana”  Brahma heard it as “Nidrasaana” (Bed for sleeping) and when he asked for “Nirdevatvam” (destruction of Devas), it was misheard as “Nidravatvam” or sleep. As a result, Kumbhakaran was said to sleep for unusually long periods of time and would be difficult to wake up.