Urmila stood at the edge of the palace courtyard. The air was filled with confusion and dread. She could hear her father-in-law, older than ever, calling out to her sister and brothers-in-law. He resembled the depressed atmosphere in the city of Ayodhya and that of the royal palace that day. She witnessed her beloved husband turning away from her.
The first time Urmila had seen Lakshman retreat from her was in Mithila. It so happened that her father, King Janaka, had organized a puja. Her sister had gone to the orchard to pluck some flowers for the puja. That's when her eyes met Ram's eyes. Sita had hurried back to the palace with a furious blush that day. Urmila and her sisters, Mandavi and Shrutikeerthi, had teased her playfully.
"Come on, girls. Don't tell me you never fancied anyone!" Sita said with a furious blush.
Urmila had laughed the loudest, "Fancy someone? As the princess of Mithila, I can't afford to slack off on my duelling, sister!"
"Who is telling you to slack off?" Shrutikeerthi asked, looking up.
"You can still like someone, you know?" Mandavi added.
"Have you?" Urmila scoffed.
Mandavi shrugged, "Not yet."
"What makes you think I will?" Urmila retorted. "Come, sister. Let's get you ready for the evening puja. Who knows — you might see him again?"
Sita blushed furiously again as the sisters laughed.
In the evening, Sita was dressed in an elegant red saree. Urmila had worn a graceful green saree. Urmila giggled from behind Sita as the latter's eyes met the eyes of that handsome prince yet again. As she giggled, her own eyes fell on the prince's brother. Her eyes widened, her heartbeat quickened, and her cheeks flushed. The earth beneath her feet seemed to tremble. Then, he suddenly looked up, and their eyes met. Urmila did not know how long they stared, but suddenly she found Sita pulling her, "Come, Urmila. We'll be late for the Aarathi!"
While Urmila had earlier planned on teasing her sister — not that Sita wasn't aware — Urmila couldn't bring herself to shift her focus away from the prince's brother. She heard Ram call him, "Lakshman."
As Ram met her glance, he smiled and turned to Lakshman with a knowing look.
Lakshman, however, shook his head. Both Sita and Urmila were standing in a position where they could hear the brothers.
"Lakshman, looks like someone's caught your fancy too." Ram smiled gracefully.
Lakshman only ever had his eyes on the ground. He looked up three or four times, and to avoid directly looking into Sita's eyes, he averted his gaze. Each time, his gaze fell on Princess Urmila, who had, just like him, looked up.
Later that evening, Mandavi and Shrutikeerthi were flexing their bows.
"Father says I can go hunting alone!" Shrutikeerthi declared.
"Yeah, like you and your future husband would bring terror to the hearts of enemies," Mandavi laughed with a roll of her eyes, unknowingly prophesizing the future.
"Sister!! Mandavi is teasing me again!!" Shrutikeerthi puffed up her face.
"Mandavi, don't be so hard on her." Sita gently chided her.
"Great!! I guess Shruti wins then!" Mandavi raised her hands.
"What were you even competing about?" Sita asked.
"Mandavi says I can't go hunting alone!" Shrutikeerthi puffed her cheeks again.
"Hey!! It's the truth! You need one of your sisters always!" Mandavi laughed.
"Enough, Mandavi. You both should go to your private chambers for the night. It's getting late," Sita said with a yawn.
"Hmm! Where is Urmila, anyway?" Mandavi asked. Shrutikeerthi looked around.
"She has retired to her private chambers," Sita said. "She seemed rather disoriented after the puja."
Mandavi and Shrutikeerthi obtained Sita's blessings and dispersed.
Urmila wasn't sure if she had slept. She could hear Mandavi's heavy and focused footsteps pass by her door, followed by Shrutikeerthi's eager footsteps. She also heard her older sister close the door after them. But how could she sleep if she herself couldn’t? Especially after seeing Prince Ram and Prince Lakshman?
For in Urmila's mind, Prince Lakshman rode a white horse and dashed across the countryside. He rode with such agility that he surpassed seasoned warriors.
Just as suddenly, the pleasant weather turned stormy, and a dragon appeared out of nowhere. Unfazed, Prince Lakshman didn't even stop. He took out his sword and charged at the dragon.
"Oh no! The dragon...!" Urmila moaned in fear.
Lakshman, however, did not strike at the dragon but at a hidden man who had been provoking and hurting the creature with a large spear. The man fell at Lakshman's feet, apologizing and sobbing profusely. Then Lakshman suddenly turned to Urmila. "Open the door, Urmila!"
He suddenly sounded like her older sister, Sita. "It's dawn already. Shrutikeerthi insists we go to the riverside!!"
Urmila jumped up from her bed, eager to join her sisters. But only two out of the four were actually involved in hunting. Urmila found herself staring at random distances as if the figure of Prince Lakshman had just passed by on his white horse. She even caught her sister, Sita, asking a flower if it had seen Ram pass by. The flower shook her head.
Urmila later found out that the flower wasn't lying — Prince Ram and Prince Lakshman had spent the day serving Sage Vishwamitra.
"See! I told you!!" Shrutikeerthi raised her hand in victory!! "I can hunt alone!!"
"You win!" Mandavi said. "And as promised, I will give you my favourite goblet for a week!"
Mandavi possessed a golden goblet that she treasured. Parting with it, even temporarily, brought her great discomfort. But Shrutikeerthi had won the bet.
"And what's with you two?" Mandavi turned to Urmila.
"Yeah, Mandavi and I were the only ones actually hunting!" Shrutikeerthi added.
Sita shrugged, "Just exhausted."
"I'm surprised you didn't hunt today," Mandavi stared at Urmila, who shrugged.
"Not in the mood. When can we meet Sage Vishwamitra?"
Sita stared at her in disbelief.
"What? Rather be direct than beat around the bush!" Urmila shrugged.
"So be it!" Sita nodded.
Mandavi and Shrutikeerthi exchanged a look and promised to return after meeting with King Janaka to inform him of their return from the hunt and their visit to Sage Vishwamitra.
The sage was thrilled to see the princesses.
"I would have come myself had you sent for me," he said jovially.
"How can we ask a respected elder like you to visit us, respected sage?" Sita said. "It is we who ought to seek your counsel."
Sage Vishwamitra blessed the princesses. "Why don't you take seats in my humble abode? I'll be back in a jiffy."
"Where is he?" Urmila muttered.
"Shh!" Sita said, craning her neck. Just then, they caught sight of Prince Lakshman exiting an inner room, followed by his brother.
Prince Ram smiled warmly at the princesses and greeted them with grace and respect. Urmila, however, found herself staring at Prince Lakshman, who was awkwardly trying to avert his gaze while still managing to steal glances at her.
"Greetings, respected prince," Sita said, bowing to Prince Ram. "We apologize for arriving unannounced."
Ram chuckled softly. "There is no need for apologies, Princess Sita. We are honoured by your visit."
Lakshman, though silent, nodded in agreement. But Urmila, who could already picture his white horse, asked in a playful tone, "And what about you, Prince Lakshman? Are you also honoured by our visit, or do you find it bothersome?"
Lakshman's eyes widened at the direct question, and for a moment, he fumbled for words. "N-no, Princess Urmila. It is... it is an honour, truly," he stammered, his face turning a slight shade of red.
"Please—please have a seat," Prince Ram said softly, his eyes only for her sister, who reciprocated the gesture.
Sage Vishwamitra arrived just then. "I am so glad to see you four here. As it is, I was about to tell Ram and Lakshman about the importance of courage in the face of uncertainty and adversity."
Everyone sat around the sage, with the two princes on either side of him, pressing his feet.
"Ram, go easy on my foot," the sage said suddenly, making Ram realize he'd pressed the sage's foot a little too hard. Lakshman saw, perhaps for the first time, his brother go red in the face and avoid their eyes.
"And so, the young nobleman navigated through the treacherous jungles... He moved further and further. You have to move. Lakshman, you've been holding my foot in one position for quite a while," the sage said, making Prince Lakshman jump and resume pressing his foot. When Lakshman looked at the sage, he thought he saw a knowing look in the sage's eyes.
Lakshman tried putting all his focus into his work. But he couldn't help but sneak glances at Princess Urmila. Her face shone like the brightest moon amidst the stars in the night sky.
The sage looked around, a few moments later. "It looks like you're all distracted. If you have any worries, feel free to share."
"Water!" Princess Shrutikeerthi said suddenly.
"Shush!" Princess Mandavi chided her, who, in return, winked at her.
"It's quite all right!" The sage laughed. "There is a well in the backyard. Have your fill. Meanwhile, I'd like to return to my Parayana."
As the four princesses returned from the well, they caught sight of the two princes. The sage was in the room by then.
"So, Lakshman?" Ram asked playfully.
"What?" Lakshman said. "Brother?"
"I see that your movements have been rather stationary of late. Any particular reasons?" Ram asked, a glint shining in his eyes.
"Not that I know of," Lakshman said, looking bewildered.
"Well... I sense the arrival of new roles and duties for you," Ram said.
Lakshman shook his head. "No, Brother. My first and foremost duty is to you! I have to serve my brother! That is all that matters!"
This sounded like shattering glass to Urmila. The very earth on which she stood seemed to crumble. Her sister turned to her in shock, but she stared ahead, her eyes growing misty. Mandavi's eyes narrowed, and Shrutikeerthi's jaw dropped in shock. Taking a step back without facing anyone, Urmila blindly ran wherever she could—out into the open, far away from the guards.
Sita turned toward Ram, looking upset. Mandavi was fuming as she glared at Lakshman. But Ram put his hand on Lakshman's shoulder.
"Lakshman, do you truly love her?" Ram's voice hadn't changed in tone or volume.
Lakshman did not meet his eyes. Rather, he looked down and swallowed hard. But Ram understood.
"Go and talk to her. I appreciate your duty towards your brother, but I never asked you not to have your own interests." He said with the same calm demeanour.
"Do you...?" Lakshman made to ask.
"I admit that I love... Princess Sita," Ram said, a graceful smile on his lips.
Lakshman looked away and ended up looking at Urmila's sisters. Sita looked indignant. But Mandavi was fuming, her face red.
"Ah, the perfect partner for Bharath!" Lakshman mused inwardly, images of Prince Bharath flashing in his mind.
"Look at him! Smirking!" Mandavi was now outraged. "Allow me to have a word with him!"
Sita, however, stopped her. Her calm voice was a contrast to Mandavi's storm of fury. "Control yourself, Mandavi. Don't force anyone."
"He hurt Urmila!" Mandavi gritted her teeth.
"And he will talk to her," Ram answered before anyone else could. He turned to Lakshman, who gulped and nodded.
"Where should I...?" Lakshman asked.
Mandavi continued to glare, but Shrutikeerthi stood on the balls of her feet. "There, there!" she said enthusiastically.
Lakshman smiled, musing internally, "She is perfect for my twin, Shatrughna!"
"Why does he smile at everything?" Mandavi was still outraged.
"I'm surprised you still ask this, Mandavi. Haven't you seen his brother?" Sita asked calmly. Mandavi glared away from everyone, out into the open.
Lakshman got his cue. With a nod of thanks, he set off in the direction Mandavi had glared at.
By now, Urmila had reached a clearing. It was hidden away from the rest of the world by a canopy of trees. It was her favourite spot since childhood, a deeply personal space meant for nobody to enter. She stood on the grass, leaning against a tree. The grove resembled her heart, and she'd never let anyone intrude. This was where she had the most private of conversations—with herself.
She had shocked herself at the intensity of emotions she displayed.
Who was this prince and his brother? Why did their words matter so much to her? Especially the prince's brother and his words?
Although her heart was heavy, her warrior instincts caught the sound of feet approaching. Grabbing the hilt of her pocket knife, she made to turn around and face the fool who had dared intrude on her privacy. But her feet gave way, and she knew she'd fall on the cold, hard ground and be an easy target for the intruder. Her mind raced with possibilities that included her death. She felt ashamed at the idea that a princess of Mithila could be killed because she slipped and gave the attacker an easy go at her.
A pair of arms caught her instead. She stared at the prince's brother, who had evidently come after her.
"How—how dare you come here? This is not meant for anyone!" Urmila was furious. Lakshman's presence in the grove mirrored the turmoil in her heart.
"I am sorry, I just wanted to see if you were... okay," Lakshman finished, setting her on her feet. He was panting just as she was.
Urmila narrowed her eyes, trying to hide her tears. "Why do you care?"
Lakshman shrugged. "I myself do not know why. Honestly, I felt... sorry."
"Sorry? But why should you feel sorry? You do not care!" Urmila bellowed.
Lakshman shook his head. "You're mistaken. I care about my mother and father; about my stepmothers. I care about my dear brothers."
"That shows that I mean nothing to you?" Urmila shook her head and looked away.
Lakshman stared in shock. "W-What?"
"Oh, right! Context, right? So be it! The sages of this land have prophesied that the four princesses of Mithila will marry into the same family of princes! So, if my eldest sister marries your brother, it means Shrutikeerthi, Mandavi, and I will marry into your family!" Urmila explained, not caring for her streaming eyes.
Lakshman's eyes widened. "But... what's this got to do with us?"
"We've only just met, but only in this lifetime! I can't explain it either, but... I love you, Prince Lakshman! But you clearly care for nothing but your brother!" Urmila wept.
"How did you know of my feelings for you?" Lakshman was bewildered. "Urmila, I love you too! But my duty is to my brother, Urmila. I have devoted my life to him." He raised his hand and wiped away her tears.
Urmila's voice trembled, “And what about other aspects of your life? Will you neglect everything else because of this duty? What about... us?”
Lakshman held her shoulders. "Urmila, I promise I will never leave you. My primary devotion is to my brother, but that doesn't mean I would neglect you!"
Urmila stared at him. "How do I know you'll be there with me? You, who have started showing up in my dreams! The one who has... come here!"
Lakshman held her hand and looked tenderly at it. "I am going nowhere, Urmila. Nowhere from your path... Nowhere from your arms!"
"Is... is that your word, O Prince of Ayodhya?" Urmila trembled.
"Nobody from the clan of the Suryavamshis has ever retreated from their word!" Lakshman declared, brushing her hair off her forehead.
Those same words thundered in her ears now. The same way he had walked that day, he was walking away again—this time, for an exile of 14 years in the forest, to serve his brother and sister-in-law.
Who knew what would happen over the next 14 years? Would he return in good health? Would he come back to her alive? Or would he never return...? The thoughts were too unbearable. But horrible thoughts don't ask your permission — they just intrude. What if he found another...?
Barely a few minutes earlier, Lakshman had told her, "The exile is for my brother and sister-in-law. I must be there to serve them. I shall stand by their side, day and night, to safeguard them."
"How will you do that?" Urmila demanded. Lakshman was taken aback by the question.
"Let me serve you!" Urmila stood her ground.
"In the forest? Your duties lie here, Urmila!" Lakshman said.
"You can still serve me by staying in the palace and looking after our loved ones! Father is already unwell, and your presence in Ayodhya is paramount in these trying times!" Lakshman assured her.
Urmila's eyes were streaming. There were a few minutes of silence as she processed his words.
"You said you would stand guard by my sister and brother-in-law. Surely, you'll require your rest while standing guard?" Urmila asked cautiously.
Lakshman looked down and, in a low voice, said, "I wish I didn’t have to rest."
Urmila took a deep breath. "What if—what if I could help? I'll take your sleep."
Lakshman's eyes widened, and he held a nearby pillar for support.
When Urmila looked up at him with determination, she saw Lakshman's expression mirror hers. No words were spoken, as silent tears were shed.
Lakshman moved forward and looked deeply into her eyes. His hands moved to her shoulders as he whispered softly, "Urmila, I promise to come back to you safely! Take care!"
Her lips trembled, and Lakshman made to leave. However, something stopped him midway.
He met Urmila's eyes and said, "Thank you."
The dam finally burst. Sinking her head into Lakshman's chest, Urmila permitted her true emotions to flow freely. Lakshman's arms enveloped her tightly, as though afraid to let go. Urmila's muffled sobs filled their chamber.
As he slowly retreated, the warmth his hands had given her by rubbing her back was replaced with an eternal chill. She could no longer feel his heartbeat against her cheek. His footsteps echoed away from her, as though carrying with them the essence of her favorite grove in Mithila.
It wasn't long before Nidra Devi, the Goddess of Sleep, blessed Urmila with a boon—to take over Lakshman's sleep on his behalf for the duration of the exile, while he stood steadfast by Ram and Sita’s side as their prime protector.
__________________________ Hope you enjoyed reading.
The images used in these articles are for representative purposes only and belong to their respective owners.
Comments