In Hindu epic Ramayana, Urmila was the daughter of King Janaka of Mithila and the younger sister of Sita. She was the wife of Lakshmana, the younger brother of Lord Rama. They had two sons, Angad and Dharmaketu.
When Lakshmana was leaving for Vanvas she asked him to take her with him. But Lakshmana refused, with the reason that she had to take care of her in-laws. In many dramas of Ramayana it has been shown that she obeyed her husband's order by taking care of her in-laws. She was supposed to be very beautiful. She remained a faithful wife for 14 years. It is said that Lakshmana asked her not to shed tears when he left to the forest. She sees her husband go by, she witnesses the death of her father-in-law and despite that she does not shed a tear. Most poems describe the anguish felt by Ram and Sita, but not many extol the many virtues of Urmila. From the story of Ramayana it is believed that Urmila's misery was even worse than Sita being away from her husband for 14 years. Though not much text is available about her role in Ramayana. She is also referred to as Urmila Devi.
Another version of the legend states that Urmila asked to be given all of Lakshmana’s sleep for the fourteen years of exile, so that he could remain awake and ever attentive to Rama and Sita’s needs. The tale goes on to say that the devoted wife remained asleep throughout the fourteen years, waking up only when Lakshmana returned to Ayodhya.
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