Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.1269

c7.1269

2) Janaka dynasty. Daṇḍa, Vukuṣi and Nimi were the three prominent sons of Ikṣvāku. The dynasty of Vukuṣi earned reputation as the cradle of such powerful Kings as Vukuṣi, Kratha, Māndhatā, Hariścandra, Sagara and Bhagīratha. Śrī Rāma also was born in Vukuṣi’s dynasty. It was Nimi, the younger brother of Vukuṣi who founded the Videha dynasty. There is a story about that dynasty getting the name, Videha. Nimi decided to conduct a yajña and requested Vasiṣṭha to act as high priest at the yajña. Vasiṣṭha, who then was busy with the affairs of another yajña asked Nimi to postpone his proposed yajña to a later date. To this Nimi made no answer, and Vasiṣṭha went away under the impression that his suggestion had been accepted by Nimi. Accordingly, as soon as he got free from other preoccupations Vasiṣṭha went to Nimi to conduct his yajña. But, Nimi had already performed the Yajña with Gautama as high priest. Enraged at this Vasiṣṭha cursed Nimi that he should lose his body and become Videha (without body). As the result of the curse Nimi fell down dead. As Nimi had no sons living the Ṛṣis churned out of his body a child. As the child was got by mathana (churning) he was named Mithi Janaka. After that all kings in Mithi’s dynasty began using the common name Janaka.