When on the first night in exile Lakshman did not sleep, it is believed that Nidra Devi, the goddess of sleep, came before him and asked him for the reason he did not want to sleep. He said that he has the responsibility of safeguarding his brother and his wife and so he did want to sleep. Nidra Devi, however, explained that it was important for every man on Earth to sleep and take rest in order for the body to function well. But as it is said, Lakshman was very determined about his goals. He was determined not to sleep and perform his responsibility.
Pleased by his devotion towards Lord Ram and Goddess Sita, She told him that, if somebody in his place could agree to sleep for the time he was in exile, she would allow him not to sleep and give him the powers for the same.
Therefore, Lakshman presented the name of his wife as the person who could agree to do so. He knew she would be happy to hear that for it was a chance she would not feel his absence and whenever she would open her eyes, she will get to see him there. Hearing this, Nidra Devi blessed Lakshman and gave him the powers required. As Nidra Devi went and explained the whole matter to Urmila, she happily agreed. Thus, it is said that Urmila kept sleeping for the entire period Lakshman was in exile.
King Shantanu
Once, king Shantanu of Hastinapur met a woman named Ganga, on the banks of the river Ganga. He wanted to marry her and she agreed to do, on the condition that he would never ask her any questions.
Soon, Ganga gave birth to a child but drowned him in the river. Shantunu was shocked. One by one, she drowned six more children. Finally, when she was going to drown her eighth child, Shantanu asked her why she was doing so.
She said that she was the goddess Ganga under a curse to be born as a human. The children were vasus (demi-gods) and she was freeing them of the curse. But since Shantanu had stopped her, the eighth child would have to live the life of a human. Saying so, Ganga left.
The eighth child grew up to be the great warrior, Bhishma.
Ma Vaishno Devi In Human Form
Shridhar was a very devout devotee of Ma Vaishno Devi. Once Ma took the form of a girl. The girl asked him to organise a big feast for the devotees of Vaishno Devi Shridhar agreed and went out to invite people. He also invited Bhairav Nath, a sage, who asked him how he would make the arrangements.
On the day of the feast three hundred and sixty people were invited and ate in his small hut. Bhairav Nath was surprised by the divine powers of the little girl and he followed her to the Trikuta hills. For nine months he kept searching for her everywhere but couldn't find her.
Then, one day he saw the girl proucing water from a stone by shooting it swiftly with an arrow. On seeing Bhairav she entered a cave. Bhairav Nath quickly followed her into the cave. With a trident she opened a path on the other end of the cave and left the cave. But Bhairav adamantly continued to follow her.
Finally, she took her real form and cut off Bhairav Nath's head. Due to his powers, his head died but body remained alive. He begged the goddess for forgiveness. She not only forgave him but also gave him a boon that the devotees who would come to worship her in her holy cave would visit his temple thereafter.
Later a temple was built at the place where Bhairav's head fell.
