King Janaka – History as a Mahajana in Diary form!
(1) Janakas is a common name that denotes the rulers of Videha kingdom that is located in the region of Mithila.
(2) Janaka is a king of Janakas, ie, Mithila. Father of Sita devi. Sita devi is called as JANAKI after the name of the King Janaka.
(3) There are different versions about when he ruled or existed. As per the popular belief, Ramayana happened in the Treta Yuga. So, King janaka should have ruled Mithila region atleast 8,69,000 years ago. (more than 5000 years in kaliyuga and 8,64,000 years in Dvapar yuga and even before that in Treta Yuga.
(SWAYAMBHUVA MANU – HISTORY AS A MAHAJANA – DIARY! READ HERE!)
(4) However, there are some researchers who date Janaka’s existencce as just in the 8th or 7th century BCE. As it seems not acceptable, we should go with the statements of Ramayana.
(5) Why Janaka is very much revered among the kings? Because, Generally, the kings are materialistic in nature dominated by Rajo Guna. Whereas, King Janaka was very spiritual, materially detached and free from illusion.
(6) He ruled without violating the dharma. He got advices from many sages like Ashtavakra, Subhala, etc
(7) LOCATION OF VIDEHA (or) MITHILA:
Between East of Gandaki River, West of Mahananda River, North of Ganga river and South of Himalayas.
(8) There is a city in Nepal called Janakpur that was named after the king Janaka.
(9) Videha was first ruled by the king NIMI. Then, it was ruled by MITHI from whom the name MITHILA might have come. Then, King Janaka-1 ruled it. After this King janaka-1, the fourth successor was the king Devraat. The 15th successor of this king Devraat, was Hroshhoroma who was Janaka’s father. Then came Janaka, the father of Sita devi.
(History of Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami, Author of Sri Caitanya Caritamruta! READ HERE!)
(10) King Janaka is called RAJARISHI that means a “King cum Rishi”. He governed the Mithila as a Karma Yogi without attachment to the results. At the same time, he focused on the Self-realization and God-realzation.
There is a beautiful story about this.
NARADA TESTING THE KING JANAKA – STORY
Sage Narada wanted to know how the King Janaka was able to be a king as well as a rishi.
He visited the court of Janaka and asked how he was able to be a king as well as a rishi.
King Janaka said:
‘Here is a bowl filled with water. All you need to do is just walk around the palace with this bowl in your hands and be back here. You should not spill even a single drop of water nor use your divine powers during the task.’
(GAURA KISHORE DAS BABAJI – LIFE HISTORY IN DIARY FORM! READ HERE!)
Sage Narada picked up the bowl and started his walk.
It took only a few steps for him to realize how daunting the task was. The water was filled to the brim, making it difficult for him to balance the bowl and walk at the same time.
After a long while, he managed to finish the task and came back to the king, exasperated and sweating profusely.
‘O king, I have completed the task without spilling a single drop. Now please answer my questions’ demanded Narada angrily, wiping the sweat off his brow.
The King resumed. ‘Please recollect everything you have noticed or experienced during your walk.’
(Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura – Diary of 40 Life Events! READ HERE!)
Sage Narada replied: ‘I do not recollect noticing or experiencing anybody or anything. I never did take my eyes off this wretched bowl’ said Narada. ‘How could I notice or experience anything else?’
‘Similarly, though I constantly live under opulence, wealth and grandeur as a king, I have learned to renounce and detach myself from them just like a sage would, from all things worldly. However, I still perform my kingly duties as a karma yogi, because I consider those duties to be my karma yoga, my dharma, and my path to self-realization. Thus I am both a sage and a king at the same time.’
The king continued…’It is through the five senses that a human body craves for and experiences the mundane, material and sensual. I have liberated my body from these 5 senses and channeled it to focus only on atma-tattva (or) realization of the soul. This is what made me a Videha. I now believe I have answered all your questions.’
Sage Narada was astounded.
This is the Greatness of Rajarishi Janaka, the King.
(Prahlad Maharaja – History as One of the 12 Mahajanas! READ HERE!)