Tribes in Ancient India c51.23

c51.23

Videha, its capital, Mithilā, and its King Janaka are mentioned many times in the *Mahābhārata*. After Yudhiṣṭhira’s accession to the throne of Indraprastha, before the Rājasūya sacrifice, Bhīma defeated the king of the Videha people in the course of his *digvijaya*.¹ Karṇa also conquered Mithilā, the Videha capital, during his *digvijaya*.² The celebrated sacrifice of Janaka is referred to in several places,³ while a conversation between Janaka and Yājñavalkya is related in the *Śāntiparvan* (Chap. 311). There are many references to Janaka's spiritual enlightenment, his talks with Pañca-śikha, with Sulabhā and others, and the teaching imparted by him to the young Śuka.⁴ Kṛṣṇa, together with Bhīmasena and Arjuna, visited Mithilā on his way from Indraprastha to Rājagṛha.⁵ The Videhas are mentioned twice in the list of peoples in the *Bhīṣmaparvan*: once as Videhas along with the Magadhas, and once as Vaidehas along with the Tāmraliptakas.