Urmila, The Forgotten Heroine
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| U for Urmila Google Images |
She woke up with a start from the vivid dream, her arms aching as she held the silken pillow close to her breasts. Oh how she missed him! She, who had decided not to cry over her husband’s absence, was startled to find her pillow damp with tears. She got up and wiped her face with a small towel that she dampened with the rose water kept in a bowl near her cot. Not long now! He should be back in another six months.
Excited, she got ready for the day, not bothering to take help from the number of hovering maids who were at her beck and call. Being a princess had both its advantages and disadvantages. She preferred the silence in her loneliness and the maids’ chatter drove her crazy at times.
The past thirteen years she had devoted herself to the service of her in-laws. But as the time got closer to his return, she wanted to take time for herself – brush up on her music and dance lessons. Oh she planned to keep him glued to her side for a long time once he got back.
And the day arrived!
He walked into the celebrating capital city along with his brother and his wife. While all the citizens’ eyes were on his brother, he knew that one pair would definitely be on the lookout for him. His dark brown eyes roved the palace balconies where the womenfolk waved out from. A gentle sigh escaped his heaving chest as he caught sight of her. And yes, she was eyeing him from the second floor where their chamber was situated, just as he had known. Was it his imagination or had she grown more beautiful than when he had met her last?
He was here! Finally! Fourteen years was such a long time and she couldn’t wait to be back in his arms where she belonged. So what if he was the Prince of the country? He belonged to her first and foremost. He appeared taller and broader than before. They had heard snippets of news about the royal trio that had been away for so long. But it wasn’t the same as knowing everything firsthand.
“You did what?” she asked, her head on her loving husband’s lap, her face glowing with a satiated smile. He had made thorough love to her, not once, not twice, but thrice in the course of the evening. She still refused to sleep as she was keen to catch up on the past fourteen years. While there had been nothing exciting that had happened in the palace, it was obvious he had a lot to say. “Don’t tell me you weren’t tempted when she threw herself at you?” she pouted, drinking in his handsome features that glowed in the light from the oil lamps.
“Don’t be silly my love. I chopped of her nose,” he laughed as her jaw dropped. He could never cease to wonder her, her darling husband. He was a passionate man, notorious for his temper. Was she glad that she was the sole recipient of his love! Urmila sighed as she settled in more comfortably to listen to Lakshman as he narrated the Ramayana firsthand.
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Ah, the power of love and the agony of separation. Well captured, Sundari :)
ReplyDeleteThat was fast :) Thank you so much Shailaja
DeleteAgree to Shailaja's comment here. Urmila's character has never received the deserved importance in the epic. But yes, she is one woman to applaud too :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by Jyotsna :)
DeleteI am so glad you chose Urmila for U. Such an apt title too. Nicely done. :)
ReplyDelete*Shantala @ ShanayaTales*
Thank you so much Shanaya :D
DeleteOh cool! such romance...amazing to be holding on for so long.
ReplyDeleteThank you Janaki! Very true! But then, in those days, people's lifespans ran into hundreds of years - so 14 years is probably not much. Then again, 14 years of separation for newlyweds must have been terrible
DeleteHaven't I read this story by you before? I like it a lot the second time around too. :D
ReplyDeleteYeah, you have Devika - my guest post on Ina's blog :) Thank you so much. Glad you liked reading it again
DeleteUrmilla has been the unsung heroine of Ramayana. Liked her story today :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, someone was needed to hold the fort back home in Ayodhya. Thank you Shilpa :D
DeleteI'm glad you wrote about Urmila! Loved the piece.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Ruchi :)
DeleteI think your last line brought out one forgotten fact too. He narrated the Ramayana firsthand, you said, highlighting the fact that he was present.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that somebody noticed that :D Thank you Cynthia
Deleteawww those two love birds. I have never read much about her.
ReplyDelete:D Thank you for stopping by Rajlakshmi
Deletepoor Urmila..no one really talks of her..but she's the resilient one...away from her husband, longing for him! You brought out her emotions beautifully!
ReplyDeleteThank you Little Princess :) I am glad you liked it
DeleteUrmila is one character that I pity more. She lived 14 years away from her husband whom she loved so much.
ReplyDeleteExactly! Thank you for stopping by Preethi :)
DeleteI think Urmila's sacrifice was undermined and even though she didn't follow her husband into the forest her sacrifice was greater because she was separated from the love of her life for 14 years.
ReplyDeleteExactly! Thank you for stopping by Prasanna :)
DeleteUrmila is a character that's seldom given any importance in the epic. So glad to read a story on her :) Good one!
ReplyDeleteVery true! Thank you Aathira :)
DeleteUrmilla and Lakshman true examples of selfless love. Love how you bring their love to life. I wonder how Lakshman would have narrated the Ramayana. Urmilla is one of my favourite Ramayana characters. Always a step behind Lakshman, always a step behind Sita. Yet without her sacrifice and understanding, history may have written quite a different story. Lovely post.
ReplyDeleteRamayana from Lakshmana's point of view - makes for a great story idea :D
DeleteThank you Suzy! glad you liked my post