Character
Janaka: FAQ & Sources
जनकKing of Mithila (Videha); father of Sita; philosopher-king. Also called Seeradhwaja, Videha, Rajarshi, Maithila.
Janaka, king of Mithila and father of Sita, found her as a baby in a furrow while ploughing. A rajarshi famed for wisdom and Upanishadic dialogues, he gave Sita in marriage to Rama when Rama broke the bow of Shiva, joining Mithila to Ayodhya. He is the ideal of the liberated king.
RoleKing of Mithila (Videha); father of Sita; philosopher-king
AllegianceMithila (the Videha kingdom)
Frequently asked questions
Who was Janaka?
Janaka was the king of Mithila, the father of Sita, and a rajarshi famed for his wisdom and self-knowledge.
How did Janaka find Sita?
While ploughing a field for a sacrifice, his plough uncovered a baby girl in the furrow; he adopted her and named her Sita.
Why is Sita called Janaki?
Because she was the daughter of Janaka; she is also called Maithili after his city, Mithila.
How did Janaka choose Sita's husband?
He vowed to give her to whoever could string the great bow of Shiva, and Rama won her by breaking it.
Why is Janaka famous in philosophy?
He is the model of the liberated king who rules without attachment, praised in the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita.
Sources
- Valmiki Ramayana, Bala Kanda (finding of Sita, the bow, the wedding)
- Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (dialogues with Yajnavalkya)
- Bhagavad Gita 3.20
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