The document highlights the life and teachings of King Janak of Videha, a pivotal figure in Hindu philosophy and spirituality known for his non-attachment and wisdom. It details his role as a ruler, his deep engagement with sages, and how he exemplified the principles of karma yoga, jnana yoga, and bhakti yoga, reflecting an integrated approach to spirituality. Janak's teachings continue to influence modern spiritual practices and serve as a model for balancing worldly responsibilities with spiritual enlightenment.

1. Dr. Hemraj Koirala
Acting. Director
Kathmandu University- Yoga and Nature Cure Hospital
Panauti-05, Shantivan, Kavre
VIDEHA YOGI
RAJARSHI
JANAK
राजर्षि जनक

2. INTRODUCTION
• Janaka, King of Videha and ruler of Mithila, is a prominent figure
in the Ramayana, known as the father of Sita and Urmila.
• The title "Janaka" was used by all kings of Videha, beginning with
King Mithi, a descendant of Nimi.
• Janaka is celebrated for his non-attachment to material possessions
and his spiritual wisdom.
• He engaged in profound discussions with sages like Ashtavakra and
Sulabha, showcasing his interest in spiritual knowledge.
• Revered as an ideal of detachment, Janaka remains a symbol of
combining worldly duties with spiritual enlightenment.

3. INTRODUCTION
• Janaka, originally named Sīradhvaja, was the son of King
Hrasvaroman of Mithila and Keikasi.
• After becoming King of Mithila, he defeated King Sudhanvan of
Samkasya and appointed his brother Kushadhvaja as its ruler.
• Janaka and his wife Sunayana adopted Sita, found during a yagna,
and later had a daughter, Urmila.
• Sita's svayamvara was won by Rama, and Urmila married
Lakshmana.
• Janaka's rule is remembered for his wisdom, spiritual pursuits, and
connection to the Ramayana.

4. INTRODUCTION
• Janak belonged to the Videha dynasty, ruling over the kingdom of Mithila
(modern-day Bihar and Nepal) having the capital in Janakapurdham.
• The era in which he lived is considered a golden period in South Asian
intellectual and spiritual history.
• This time saw the rise of profound philosophical inquiries and discussions,
preserved in texts like the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad and the Yogavasistha.
• Janak’s court was a hub for scholars, sages, and philosophers, hosting
luminaries such as Yajnavalkya, Gargi, and Maitreyi.
• These interactions fostered a culture of deep spiritual inquiry and debate.
• Janak’s own life, marked by the balance of royal responsibilities and intense
spiritual practices, served as a living example of karma yoga—the yoga of
action.

5. JANAK: NATIONAL HERO OF NEPAL
• King Janak is considered a national hero of Nepal, renowned for his
wisdom, leadership, and dedication to justice.
• He is the father of Sita, the central figure of the Hindu epic
Ramayana, and a symbol of righteousness.
• Janak’s rule in Mithila was marked by prosperity, cultural
advancement, and spiritual insight.
• His dialogues with sages, including the Ashtavakra Gita, reflect his
deep philosophical understanding and commitment to dharma.
• Today, Janak is celebrated not only for his governance but also as a
spiritual and cultural icon in Nepal’s history.

6. JANAK AS A STUDENT OF YOGA
• Despite being a king, Janak approached spiritual growth with humility and
sincerity, seeking guidance from enlightened sages.
• The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad presents the famous dialogues between Janak
and the sage Yajnavalkya, which explore the nature of the self (Atman) and
ultimate reality (Brahman). Janak’s questions in these dialogues reflect his
intense desire to transcend the limitations of worldly existence and attain
liberation (moksha).
• In this Upanishad king Janak appears prominently as a seeker of wisdom who
organizes debates and discussions among sages.
• In one such discourse, Yajnavalkya imparts the doctrine of neti-neti (not this, not
that), guiding Janak toward self-realization by negating all that is impermanent
and identifying with the eternal, unchanging self.
• This teaching not only emphasizes the importance of discernment (viveka) but
also highlights the depth of Janak’s commitment to spiritual knowledge despite

7. JANAK AS A STUDENT OF YOGA
• Chandogya Upanishad also briefly mentions King Janak’s court as a hub of
spiritual learning highlighting the Janak's patronage of sages and his role as a
learned king interested in the deeper truths of existence.
• Ashtavakra Gita that is a dialogue between King Janak and the sage Ashtavakra
depicted the king as a seeker who attains enlightenment through Ashtavakra's
teachings, emphasizing detachment, self-realization, and the illusory nature of
the world.
• The epic Mahabharata mentions King Janak as a great philosopher-king,
particularly in the Shanti Parva (Book of Peace). His governance and spiritual
wisdom are cited as exemplary, especially his ability to balance material
responsibilities with spiritual growth.
• Various Puranic texts, such as the Vishnu Purana and Bhagavata Purana,
occasionally reference King Janak as an ideal ruler and enlightened being.

8. JANAK AS A KARMA YOGI
• Janak is often regarded as a supreme example of karma yoga—the practice of
selfless action performed with detachment and equanimity. His life demonstrates
how one can remain deeply engaged in worldly responsibilities while
maintaining inner renunciation and spiritual focus.
कर्मणैव हि संसिद्धिमास्थिता जनकादय:। लोकसंग्रहमेवापि सम्पश्यन्कर्तुमर्हसि ।। (भा.गी.३।२०)
यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जन: । स यत्प्रमाणं क
ु रुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते ।। (भा.गी.३।२१)
• By performing their prescribed duties, King Janak and others attained perfection.
You should also perform your duties to set an example for the good of the world.
Whatever actions great persons perform, common people follow. Whatever
standards they set, all the world pursues.
• Janak’s example affirms that yoga is not restricted to renunciation or asceticism
but can be practiced in the midst of active life. By dedicating all actions to a
higher purpose and renouncing attachment to outcomes, Janak illustrated how to
achieve liberation while fulfilling one’s worldly duties.

9. JANAK AS A GYANA YOGI
• King Janak is portrayed as one who attained enlightenment through deep
knowledge and inquiry into the nature of existence. His teachings encourage seekers
to understand the illusory nature of the material world and focus on self-awareness.
• King Janak was a disciple of the sage Ashtavakra, from whom he learned the
principles of self-realization and non-dualism that documents profound
philosophical exchanges where Janak seeks and attains the knowledge of the Self
(Atman), exemplifying the core of Jnana Yoga.
• Despite being a king with immense wealth, Janak remained unattached to material
possessions. A famous story illustrates this when Janak, while in deep meditation,
remained unshaken even as his palace caught fire, signifying his detachment from
worldly illusions.
• He is often referred to as "Videha," meaning one beyond body-consciousness. This
title reflects his complete understanding of the illusory nature of the physical world
and his identity as pure consciousness.

10. JANAK AS A BHAKTI YOGI
• According to legend, King Janaka was a great devotee of Lord Shiva.
• He established some Shivalingas around the corners of the capital city
Janakpur for performing his penance in the ancient Mithila Kingdom.
• The four major Shivalingas established by him on the four corners of his
capital city Janakpur were Kalyaneshwar Mahadev Mandir (कल्याणेश्वर
महादेव मंदिर), Jaleshwar Mahadev Mandir (जलेश्वर महादेव मंदिर), Kshireshwar
Nath Mahadev Mandir (क्षीरेश्वर नाथ महादेव मंदिर) and Sapteshwar Nath
Mahadev Mandir (सप्तेश्वर नाथ महादेव मंदिर).
• Similarly he is also credited for building the temples Haleshwar Nath
Mahadev Mandir (हलेश्वर नाथ महादेव मंदिर) at Haleshwar Sthan in Sitamarhi
and Kapileshwar Nath Mahadev Mandir (कपिलेश्वर नाथ महादेव मंदिर) at the
outskirts of Janakpur Dham.

11. NON-DUAL TEACHINGS OF JANAK
• As a realized soul, Janak’s teachings reflect the essence of Advaita Vedanta, the
philosophy of non-dualism.
• The Ashtavakra Gita, a profound dialogue between King Janak and the sage
Ashtavakra, reveals the depth of his spiritual insight.
• In this text, Janak articulates the state of self-realization, emphasizing that
liberation lies in recognizing one’s true nature as pure consciousness, beyond the
body, mind, and ego.
• Janak's teachings highlight the idea of being a detached observer (Sakshi),
recognizing the transient nature of the world while remaining rooted in the eternal,
unchanging self.
• Advaita Vedanta, as practiced by Janak, harmonizes wisdom (Jnana) and duty
(Karma), showing that enlightenment can be achieved through understanding the
non-dual reality while fulfilling worldly responsibilities.

12. VIDEHA RAJA JANAK
• King Janak was such a yogi who had uplifted himself beyond the body.
• The concept of Videha (विदेह) (beyond the body) is a spiritual
realization of detachment from the physical self and material world.
• Despite being a king, Janak attained liberation (moksha) while living,
embodying the state of Jivanmukta (liberated while alive).
• He realized the Self (Atman) as separate from the body, mind, and ego,
transcending worldly attachments.
• This profound state allowed him to perform his duties without bondage
or desire.
• Janak’s life exemplifies how self-realization leads to inner freedom,
even amidst worldly responsibilities.

13. ENLIGHTENED LEADERSHIP
• Janak’s contributions to yoga extend beyond his personal practice and
realization.
• As a king, he embodied the principles of dharma (righteousness) and
guided his subjects toward ethical and spiritual living.
• His governance was informed by the principles of yoga and Vedanta,
emphasizing harmony, justice, and the welfare of all beings.
• One of the most celebrated examples of Janak’s enlightened leadership
is his interaction with the sage Ashtavakra.
• In this encounter, Janak’s open-mindedness and willingness to learn
from a sage who appeared outwardly deformed reflect his recognition
of inner wisdom over external appearances.
• This episode demonstrates the importance of humility and discernment
in the spiritual path.

14. SYNTHESIZER OF RAJA & JNANA YOGA
• Janak’s life represents a harmonious blend of Raja Yoga (the path of
meditation and self-discipline) and Jnana Yoga (the path of knowledge
and wisdom).
• His meditative practices and dialogues with sages reveal his dedication
to self-inquiry and inner transformation.
• At the same time, his royal duties exemplify how one can integrate
spiritual wisdom into daily life.
• Through this synthesis, Janak inspired future generations of yogis and
seekers to embrace an integrated approach to yoga, combining
contemplation, action, and knowledge to achieve self-realization.

15. INFLUENCE OF JANAK TEACHINGS
• Janak’s contributions to yoga and philosophy have had a lasting impact on
south Asian spiritual traditions. His life and teachings have been
referenced in numerous scriptures, commentaries, and stories, serving as a
model for householders and leaders striving for spiritual growth.
• The Bhagavad Gita’s emphasis on karma yoga owes much to Janak’s
example. Similarly, the Ashtavakra Gita remains a cornerstone of Advaita
Vedanta, inspiring countless seekers to pursue the path of self-realization.
• In addition, Janak’s legacy has influenced modern interpretations of yoga
and spirituality. Teachers such as Swami Vivekananda, Ramana Maharshi,
and Sri Aurobindo, Osho Rajanish and many others have drawn upon
Janak’s teachings to illustrate the universality and relevance of yoga in all
walks of life.

16. RELEVANCE OF JANAK’S TEACHINGS
• In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, King Janak’s life and
teachings hold profound relevance.
• His example demonstrates that spiritual growth is not confined to ascetics
or hermits but is accessible to all, regardless of their social or professional
roles.
• Janak’s emphasis on detachment, selfless action, and inner realization
provides practical guidance for navigating the challenges of modern life.
• Moreover, Janak’s philosophy of integrating worldly responsibilities with
spiritual wisdom resonates with contemporary movements that seek to
balance material success with inner fulfillment.
• His life inspires leaders, professionals, and seekers to embody ethical
values and work for the greater good while pursuing personal
transformation

17. LITERATURE OF KING JANAK
• The Parashar Gita: in the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata, is a
dialogue between sage Parashara and King Janaka. Spanning nine
chapters, it highlights Dharma's supremacy over unethical wealth.
Parashara teaches that moksha is attainable through virtue, not material
wealth, echoing ancient sages' wisdom. It's one of 64 Gita texts in Hindu
tradition.
• The Ashtavakra Gita: is a Sanskrit scripture presenting non-dual
Advaita Vedanta through a dialogue between Sage Ashtavakra and King
Janaka. It explores the Self (Atman), the illusory nature of the world,
and liberation (moksha). It emphasizes self-realization over rituals. With
20 chapters, it teaches detachment, unity of existence, and liberation,
inspiring luminaries like Ramakrishna, Vivekananda, Osho and Ramana

18. LITERATURE OF KING JANAK
• The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad: features deep dialogues
between King Janak and sage Yajnavalkya, exploring
themes of self-realization, Atman (the Self), and Brahman
(ultimate reality). These discussions emphasize liberation
through knowledge.
• The Chandogya Upanishad: briefly portrays Janak’s court as
a hub for spiritual learning, reflecting his role as a patron of
sages and a seeker of higher wisdom.

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