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Janaka

Janaka is a name associated with several legendary rulers in ancient Indian literature, most notably the king of Videha (Mithila) in northern India. The narrative tradition places Janaka of Videha as a wise and virtuous ruler whose kingdom lay in the region known as Mithila.

The most famous Janaka is Janaka of Videha, father of Sita, the heroine of the Ramayana. In

In Hindu literature more broadly, the figure of Janaka is sometimes cited as an archetype of the

The name Janaka is borne by several legendary rulers in the genealogies of Mithila, reflecting its association

the
Ramayana,
Sita
is
found
as
a
baby
in
a
furrow
during
Janaka's
yajna,
and
he
later
presides
over
her
swayamvara,
a
marriage
ceremony
in
which
many
princes
attempt
to
lift
and
string
the
bow
of
Shiva,
a
test
ultimately
won
by
Rama.
Janaka
is
frequently
portrayed
as
a
just
and
learned
ruler
who
valued
dharma,
scholarship,
and
the
welfare
of
his
people.
sage-king,
celebrated
for
spiritual
insight
and
support
of
learning
while
governing
a
realm.
Some
later
texts
present
him
as
an
exemplar
of
wisdom
and
philosophical
inquiry
within
the
duties
of
kingship.
with
the
region’s
royal
and
scholarly
traditions.
The
stories
surrounding
Janaka
have
influenced
various
retellings
in
literature
and
art,
contributing
to
the
cultural
memory
of
Mithila
and
its
mythic
history.