KUMBHKARNA

Kumbhakarna brother of Ravan is famous for two things

1. His extreme hunger

2. His long naps that went on for months together.

But why did Kumbhakarna sleep so much?

He wasn’t born that way. He was as large as a mountain and ate everything in sight (including unhappy sages who were unfortunate enough to come in his path) to sustain his appetite, but his sleep was the result of a slip of the tongue.

The story of Kumbhakarans sleep

Once Kumbhakarna undertook a penance to please Lord Brahma.

Brahma, as you may know, was famous for handing out boons without discretion to anyone who happened to please him.

Kumbhakarn was unshakable in his penance and the Gods wondered what he would want at the end of it.

He was the brother of Ravan, a powerful king whose evil ways had already caused enough grief to the Gods and holy men and in the three worlds.

If Kumbhakarna managed to obtain more powers than he already had, what would the world come to?

The combination of the brothers would be deadly!

At the end of the long penance, Brahma appeared before Kumbhakarna and offered him a boon. Kumbhakarna knew exactly what he wanted.

The seat  of Lord Indra, the king of the devas!Kumbhakarna opened his mouth to ask for ‘Indrasan’ (seat of Indra) but he asked for ‘Nindrasan’ (bed for sleep) instead!

Some say that it was Goddess Saraswati who tied his tongue and made him misspeak, fearing that if Kumbhakarna became the king of the devas, there would be trouble in heaven.

 When the words tumbled out of his mouth, Kumbhakarna realised that he had asked for long sleep instead of the seat of Indra.

But it was too late to change things. Brahma had already granted him the boon! Kumbhakarn pleaded with Brahma, saying nobody in their right mind would ask for eternal sleep and that he had made a mistake.

It is also said that Kumbhakaran intended to ask for Nirdevatvam (annihilation of the devas) and instead asked for Nidravatvam (sleep). His request was instantly granted.

Some versions say that Ravana even pleaded with Brahma to undo the boon. But Brahma could not go back on a boon once granted.

That is why elders say think before you speak. Words uttered in haste can sometimes get you into trouble as it happened for Kumbhakaran!

THANKS -Sadhana QUORA