Lakshman & Urmilla - An OS- updates on Pgs 4& 5 - Page 3

Lakshmana jumped out of his skin "That was you? Some nerve you have. Why were you spying on us, that too in our room?

"Your room? May I remind you it was my father's palace." retorted Urmilla ingnantly. "And who was spying? In Ayodhya, it may be called spying, but in Miltila, we call it Athithi Satkar" answered Urmilla self righteously.

"Anyway why are you telling me all this now?" asked Lakshmana

Urmilla's voice softened as she looked down, "Lord, I know that service to your brother is the only aim in your life. Isn't it so?"

Lakshmana nodded.

Urmilla placed her hand on his shoulder and looked up into his eyes "Let it continue to remain so. I hereby promise you..."

And thus Urmila sets Lakshman free...

oh wow 2 updates in a go?jst read them...loved last update more.. lovely beginning to their new life..👏

@Varaali-seriously yaar!

Varaali, I liked how your showed Urmila making a promise even before Lakshman asked her. Also I liked that spying part. Urmila to me is one strong character because only a strong person could have survived a separation not only from a husband but also from a beloved sister. Sita had a hard life, but she had Ram by her side and a devoted brother in law for 13+ years. Here I am not talking about Sita's life once she was kidnapped. I am only talking about the first 14 years.

Thank you Misti, Nikki and Shruti and Angie

the whole story is beautifully written. the urmila - lakshman angle is always a mystery.
do you know they usually say that lakshman never spelt for 14yrs and urmila splet for both of them. and there is also a story that when lakshman went to inform urmila that he is leaving with ram, he found her gayly dressing, laughing and enjoying. LK got so angry he shouted at her and left without any regret. after fourteen yrs when he returned he went to see her reluctantly on the prodding of ram. he found her a shadow of her former self, living like a yogini. he was surprised and she explained that she acted gayly before him so that he will hate her and his devotion will be only with his bro and not think of her. he was so shocked by her sacrifice and apolozied to her.
lakshman and urmila are two unsung heros of ramayan. thanks for this beautiful story which gave life to their unknown life.

Thanks for the wonderful story and I will looking forward to read more.

A few months later.

The royal palace at Ayodhya.

Lakshmana's quarters

The rays of the late afternoon sun streamed through the windows into the room where Lakshman was seated on a swing, swinging furiously. He looked out at the sun. Brother Rama had informed him that they would leave in the last prahar of the afternoon, well before sunset.

Anytime now, thought Lakshman. He had already divested himself of all his ornaments and wondered idly whether brother Rama would insist on them wearing clothes of bark. Prince to pauper in no time, thought Lakshmana wryly.

He wondered why brother Rama had not yet returned. Rama had gone to surrender the Royal Seal to Arya Sumant . Since there were apprehensions that some sections of the society may rise in revolt, Rama had also gone to meet the army chiefs to ensure that the security arrangements were in place.

Typical of brother Rama to worry about the kingdom even when it was no longer his, thought Lakshmana.

He could hear, at a distance, the citizens protesting in the front of the main gates of the palace. News of the king's sudden decision to send Rama into exile and crown Bharata instead had sent shockwaves through the city.

Lakshmana had been ready to fight on his brother's behalf and was dismayed when brother Rama brushed aside his offer and instead pointed out gently that their father's command was paramount to him.

Lakshmana then proposed he would accompany his brother into exile but this too was brushed aside by Rama. Deeply pained, Lakshmana stormed and ranted and threatened to put 'the old hag' behind bars.

Rama became alarmed. "You should not refer to Manthara like that, Lakshmana" Brother Rama had reprimanded him

"I was not referring to Manthara" Lakshmana had replied sulkily.

"Then who were calling 'an old hag'?" inquired Rama. Lakshmana did not dare to reply.

Comprehension dawned on Rama's face and his look became one of fury. "Lakshmana" he thundered "Is this any way to talk about Mother Kaikeyi?"

Lakshmana mumbled something about "deserves...nothing ...else'"

"Apologize at once" ordered Rama

"I am sorry, brother'." said Lakshmana meekly.

It was perhaps this incident which may have forced Rama to reconsider his decision. Maybe Rama felt that to leave Lakshmana loose and unhinged in Ayodhya at such a time would be an open invitation to disaster. Lakshmana would never allow Bharata to rule in peace.

Maybe Rama might have thought that it would be safer to let Lakshmana accompany him where it would be easier for him, Rama to keep an eye on Lakshmana.

Whatever be the reason, Rama accepted Lakshmana's proposal to follow him into exile.

Mother Kausalya then had come to him to persuade him to change his mind. It was bad enough for her, she said, to let one son go, how can he also think of leaving them? What would she tell Sumitra? Lakshmana was getting impatient with these sentimental arguments. His place had always been beside his brother, and everyone had been happy with it. Now that his brother was being forced into exile, there was no reason why he should leave his brother's side

The lone sane voice, Lakshmana thought, had come from his mother- Sumitra. On hearing his resolution, she had come to his room - and placing her hand on his head- said, she had expected nothing less. Relieved, he touched her feet in salutation as she hurried out of his room to be back with the king- who was reportedly suffering from a nervous breakdown.

To hell with the king, thought Lakshmana. He was feeling particularly mutinous towards his father right now and didn't bother to keep himself updated about the king's health. But no doubt, brother Rama will want to take their father's blessings before leaving.