Political History of Ancient India, from the Accession of Parikshit to the Extinction of the Gupta Dynasty c9.s4.71
Political History of Ancient India, from the Accession of Parikshit to the Extinction of the Gupta Dynasty c9.s4.71
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c9.s4.71
In the *Mahābhārata*² we find the saying attributed to Janaka ‘Janadeva’ of Mithilā. In the Jaina *Uttar-ādhyayana*, however, the saying is attributed to Namī.³ This fact coupled with the mention of Nemi in juxtaposition with Arishṭa in the *Vishṇu-Purāṇa*⁴ may point to the identification of Namī or Nemi with Mahā-Janaka II whom the *Jātaka* represents as the son of Ariṭṭha. If Mahā-Janaka II be identical with Namī, he cannot be identified with Janaka who is clearly distinguished from Namī in the Vedic texts. One may be tempted to identify the Vedic Janaka with Mahā-Janaka I of the *Jātaka*. But proof is lacking.