Author : Kavita Kane
Publisher : Rupa Publications
Genre : Fiction/Mythology
Pages : 320
Blurb ( as on Goodreads )
Urmila, Sita’s sister and the neglected wife of Lakshman, and one of the most overlooked characters in the Ramayana.
As Sita prepares to go into exile, her younger sisters stay back at the doomed palace of Ayodhya, their smiles, hope and joy wiped away in a single stroke. And through the tears and the tragedy one woman of immense strength and conviction stands apart—Urmila, whose husband, Lakshman, has chosen to accompany his brother Ram to the forest rather than stay with his bride. She could have insisted on joining Lakshman, as did Sita with Ram. But she did not. Why did she agree to be left behind in the palace, waiting for her husband for fourteen painfully long years?
My Review
“Marriage did not hold much interest for Urmila but it was a social discipline she would have to conform to. She would rather seek knowledge instead of a suitor.”
I love mythological genre especially when it comes to exploring Ramayana in every possible way. Honestly I purchased this book since I wanted to know Sita’s Sister, Urmila’s side of the Ramayana. It is a wonderfully narrated tale that fills in the gap in the Ramayana that completely ignores these ladies, after their mention at their wedding. This was my first Kavita Kane book and I absolutely loved it.
This book recites the great mythological Ramayana from Urmila’s perspective, who is the most overlooked character. She is being portrayed as the central character here rather than being Sita’s Sister. This book explores the pain and hardships endured by Urmila during the 14 year exile of Ram, Laxman and Sita.
Urmila was a well-learned scholar, out-spoken, head-strong woman who stood elegantly brave even in despair and desolation. She was the bravest among her four sisters and well versed in Upanishads and Vedas.
” I assure you that I shall never come between your loyalty to your brothers and your family.”
Her love for Laxman was so deep and eternal that even after knowing that his first priority is his brother Ram , she married him. After being separated from his beloved sister and husband, Urmila kept her family together , performed her dharma as a wife, daughter, daughter-in-law and above all a sister. The maturity and the understanding she showed for 14 long years was commendable.
She was a dutiful daughter-in-law, a warrior wife, binding spirit for her sisters as well as her family.
I was always fascinated by Urmila’s sacrifice and her part of the story and Kavita Kane absolutely managed to narrate her story in a simple and an amazing way. She captures the inner feelings of a woman perfectly. For me this book is a must read. I really enjoyed it a lot.
My Rating : 🌟🌟🌟✨
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