Nimi is a son of Ikshvaku and the ancestor of the kings of Mithila, including Janaka. In the Uttara Kanda Rama tells how Nimi and Vasishtha cursed each other to lose their bodies.
Who was Nimi?
Nimi began a great sacrifice while Vasishtha was away, and the sage cursed him to lose his body. Nimi cursed Vasishtha in return, and both left their bodies.
Vasishtha was reborn, while Nimi chose to dwell in the eyelids of all creatures, which is why the blink of an eye is called nimesha. The sages brought forth a son, Mithi, from Nimi's body, and from him came Mithila and the line of the Janakas.
In the Valmiki Ramayana
Nimi appears in 4 sargas across 2 Kandas.
First appearsBala Kanda · Sarga 71: Janaka's Lineage and Consent
