Urmila-the lost character in Ramayana

Urmila - Laxmana's wife, remember. She is like the unsung hero. It is ironic that she is lost in the epic. If you read or see her story carefully you will see that she displays greater strength and patience than any other woman in the epic. 

She was the reincarnation of goddess Naga Laxmi and Sita's younger sister. When Laxmana decides to join his elder brother and sister in law to exile, Urmila is left alone for fourteen years. She also wishes to join them but for the greater good Laxmana asks her to stay back. Laxmana asks her to take care of his parent, his house, and to which she agrees and stays back. 

Urmila was newly married then and of course she must have dreamed of staying with her husband and serving him. When Kausalya Ram's mother wanted to join Rama for exile, Rama made her understand that her first duty was to be with her husband and serve him, as he was broken down due to Ram's decision to going for exile.

The same logic applies to Urmila, she is nowhere considered or discussed in Ramayana. As a result, she seems to be a silent sufferer but still seems to be strong who manages to live alone without her husband for fourteen long years.

Here Laxmana always stood guarding his elder brother Ram, Especially when he slept at night.  In exile when Laxmana has to guard his brother he asks the goddess of sleep Nidra Devi to not bless him as he has a duty to perform. In that case Nidra Devi suggests that she will have to go to someone instead of him, hence Laxmana sends her to Urmila. The goddess of sleep Nidra Devi visits Urmila Instead of him so that he can do his duty. Here it is believed that Urmila slept all fourteen years

Now the question is if  Urmila slept for fourteen years what about her duty towards her in-laws and her house? Which she promised her husband Laxmana to take care of in his absence?

Urmila was given a special power by Sita when she left for exile. She was empowered to be at three places at one time, hence she could sleep and perform her duties as well.

It is believed, having no sleep during exile days helped  Laxmana killed Meghnaad, Ravana's son. 

Here Urmila lost all fourteen years of her life sleeping, one instantly feel sorry for her. We feel bad for her life without her husband for fourteen long years. Still, it does not make her weak.

She took some decisions for the betterment that doesn't make her weak or invisible in the story. We see idols of Rama Sita And Laxmana in many temples, alas! Urmila's sacrifice has no place, but let us not forget there is always a woman behind Man's success.