Janaka, king of Mithila, was an ideal ruler. He was a much revered friend of
Dasaratha who, when he planned his yaaga for progeny, sent not mere messengers but
ministers to Mithila to invite King Janaka.
Janaka was not only a brave king but was as
well-versed in the Saastras and Vedas as any rishi and was the beloved pupil of
Yaajnavalkya whose exposition of Brahmana to him is the substance of the
Brihadaaranyakopanishad. In the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna cites Janaka as an illustrious
example of the Karma yogin. Janaka was thus worthy to be the father of Seeta who was to be
the wife of Vishnu come down on Earth in human form. |
