NIDRAVATHWAM – India

Kumbakarna and Lakshmana, brothers each to the two protagonists of the Ramayana, are connected by boons that dramatically alter their cycles of sleep and wakefulness.

Kumbakarna along with his brothers, Ravana and Vibhishana performed a major yajna and penance for Lord Brahma. When the time came for asking a boon from Brahma, his tongue was tied by goddess Saraswati (acting on Indra’s request). So instead of asking Nirdevatvam (annihilation of the Devas) he asked for Nidravatvam (sleep) and his request was granted.

Laxmana on the other hand was allowed to give up his sleep completely and bequeath it to his wife,Urmila, for the fourteen years of his exile. In the course of time both boons seem to acquire the dimensions of a curse, as they each have an uncomfortable outcome.