| Janaka | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Portrait of Janaka, c. 1803-1804 CE | |
| Maharaja of Videha | |
| Predecessor | Hrasvaroman |
| Successor | Bhanumaan Janaka |
| Born | Siradhvaja Mithila, Videha |
| Spouse | Sunayana |
| Issue | Sita Urmila |
| House | Videha |
| Dynasty | Suryavamsha |
| Father | Hrasvaroman |
| Mother | Keikasi |
| Religion | Hinduism |
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Janaka (Sanskrit: जनक, IAST: Janaka) is the King of Videha who ruled from Mithila, in the Hindu epic Ramayana. Janaka was married to Sunayana. He is the father of Sita and Urmila in the epic.[1] The term Janaka was also the title adopted by all the kings of Videha, who were the descendants of the King Nimi and his son King Mithi. The King Mithi is considered as the first King of Videha who was titled with the term Janaka.[2]
Janaka is revered as being an ideal example of non-attachment to material possessions. He was intensely interested in spiritual discourse and considered himself free from worldly illusions. His interactions with sages and seekers such as Ashtavakra and Sulabha are recorded in the ancient texts.[3]
- ^ Raychaudhuri 2006, pp. 41–52.
- ^ Jha, Makhan (1997). Anthropology of Ancient Hindu Kingdoms: A Study in Civilizational Prespective. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. ISBN 978-81-7533-034-4.
- ^ "Ramayana | Summary, Characters, & Facts". Encyclopedia Britannica. Archived from the original on 12 April 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2020.