Janaka
Janaka, the king of Videha (Mithila) was the father of Sita and also a wise person like a Rishi.
|
|
In ancient India, Janaka was king of Mithila and the father of Sita, the beautiful central character of Ramayana. Janaka was remarkable for his great knowledge, good works and sanctity. Janaka is also known as Siradhwaja(one, who is plough banner). When king Janaka was ploughing the ground and preparing for a sacrifice to have offspring, Sita sprang up from the furrow and thus he got a child.
When Sita grew up, Janaka arranged a Swayambhara, where he proposed a test of strength to string the great bow of Shiva called 'Haradhanu'. He decided that one, who will be able to do it, would be able to have Sita's hand. Lord Rama passed the test and was married to Sita. Janaka had three other daughters namely Mandavi, Urmila and Shrutakirthi who were married to three brothers of Rama, Bharat, Lakshman and Shatrughna respectively.
Janaka was a brave king as well and was versed in all the Shastras and Vedas like a sage or Rishi. Janaka was the dearest student of Yaajnavakya, who was also a wise person. In Bhagavad Gita Srikrishna cites Janaka as an example of Karma Yoga.
King Janaka was also known as 'Rajarshi' as he was a Raja (king ) and Rishi (sage) at the same time. He administered the kingdom of Mithila (Videha) and at the same time he attained the spiritual advanced state of a Rishi. Sage Ashtavakra instructed Janaka about the nature of 'Atman'(self).This instruction together are written in the famous treatise of 'Astavakra Gita'.
|
More ArticlesJanaka (3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recently Updated Articles in Indian Purans
|
|
|
• | Draupadi Draupadi, the daughter of King Drupada who ruled over Panchal, was the wife of all the five Pandavas. Draupadi was given the status of a goddess in south India.
| | • | Kaushalya In the Hindu epic Ramayana, Kaushalya was the first queen of King Dasaratha, King of Ayodhya and the mother of Lord Rama. Kaushalya`s significance stems not only from her esteemed position as a queen mother but also from her impeccable character and unwavering devotion.
| | • | Dhritarashtra Dhritarashtra, a prominent character in the Hindu epic Mahabharata, was the king of the Kuru Kingdom and the father of the Kauravas. Born to Queen Ambika and King Vichitravirya, he faced the challenge of blindness from birth but rose to become a respected ruler of Hastinapura. With the support of his devoted wife Gandhari, he fathered one hundred sons, including the eldest Duryodhana, and one daughter.
| | • | Folktales Of Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh Folktale, The Unwanted Guest, narrates the story of a wise woman, Buddhimati.
| | • | Kathasaritsagara Kathasaritsagara is the collection of fables in India by Somadeva.
| | |
|
|
|
|
Janaka
Copyright Jupiter Infomedia Ltd. All rights reserved including the right to reproduce the contents in whole or in part in any form or medium without the express written permission of Jupiter Infomedia Ltd.