The Purana Index v1.c5.s10.41

v1.c5.s10.41

Janaka (I)—(king of Mithilā) one of the twelve sages who knew the nature of the dharma ordained by Hari. Son of Nimi, born by churning his dead body and hence known Mithila. He was Vaideha, born of a videha. He founded the city of Mithilā. His son was Udāvasu. Father of Sītā.¹ In his sacrifice Yājñavalkya won a prize for learning while Śakalya was humbled for pretended superiority Father-in-law of Rāma.² In the Aśvamedha Yajña of his, Śakalya was ruined on account of his conceit by taking part in a disputation; Janaka wanted to know the best among the learned assembled and set apart 11,000 crores, much gold, villages and servants to be given as present to him; in the disputation each took part but Yājñavalkya ultimately threw out the challenge. Sākalya questioned this and put to him a number of questions which were all answered. Yājñavalkya in his turn put him a single question, a wrong reply to it inviting instantaneous death; Sākalya agreed, and unable to answer his question, was gathered to his ancestors;³ told by the sage Asita what the Earth narrated to him about the ignorance of kings who without subduing themselves, try to subdue others.⁴