Raja Janak was king of Mithila (Videha) and the father of Sita, the key characteristics of the Hindu
epic Ramayana. Janak’s name was Seeradhwaja. He was regarded as an enlightened soul and ruled his
kingdom with wisdom and courage.
Raja Janak was childless when once he found a baby in a furrow when he was ploughing a field as part
of a Yajna. Because of this Sita was described as the daughter of the earth goddess Bhumi. Sita was
raised by Janak and his wife Sunaina.
Janak was a very religious and spiritual man and was usually surrounded by sages. He was also known as ‘Rajarshi‘ as he was a king and Rishi (sage) at the same time.
Raja Janak’s guru name was Ashtavakra. King Janak and Ashtavakra's conversation is documented in Ashtavakra Gita, wherein he is depicted as one realised and this is tested by the sage. At the time of his death, Raja Janak remembered the Lord, his soul was liberated and descended to heaven on a heavenly chariot.
