Biography of King Janaka – राजा जनकको विस्तृत जीवनी

Biography of King Janaka – राजा जनकको विस्तृत जीवनी 

King Janaka, also revered as Videha Janaka or Mithila Naresh, was a legendary monarch who ruled the ancient kingdom of Mithila, now part of present-day southern Nepal and northern Bihar, India. Known in Hindu scriptures for his profound knowledge of the Vedas, spiritual depth, and righteous governance, he is considered the epitome of the ‘philosopher-king’. He is also celebrated as the father of Goddess Sita, who later became the consort of Lord Rama in the epic Ramayana. His life symbolizes the ideal union of governance and spirituality.

राजा जनक, जसलाई विदेह जनक वा मिथिलाका राजा भनेर पनि चिनिन्छ, नेपालको दक्षिणी क्षेत्र र भारतको उत्तर बिहारमा फैलिएको प्राचीन मिथिला राज्यका एक प्रसिद्ध राजा थिए। वैदिक ज्ञान, आध्यात्मिक गहिराइ, र धर्म आधारित शासन प्रणालीका लागि उहाँलाई हिन्दू ग्रन्थहरूमा अत्यन्त सम्मानका साथ स्मरण गरिन्छ। उहाँ देवी सीताको पिता र रामायणमा उल्लिखित एक महान् दार्शनिक राजा हुनुहुन्थ्यो। उहाँको जीवनले शासन र साधनको आदर्श समन्वय प्रस्तुत गर्दछ।

Early Life and Background

Although the exact historical records of Janaka’s birth are not available, he is traditionally believed to have been born in the royal family of Mithila. His father, King Hroshhoroma Janaka, was known for his own piety and devotion to dharma. Janaka’s upbringing was not only royal but intellectually and spiritually enriched. From an early age, he was exposed to Vedic education, discussions with sages, and lessons in statecraft. These experiences molded him into a wise, composed, and philosophical ruler.

यद्यपि राजा जनकको जन्मको यथार्थ ऐतिहासिक अभिलेख उपलब्ध छैन, उहाँ मिथिला राजपरिवारमा जन्मिनुभएको विश्वास गरिन्छ। उहाँका पिता राजा ह्रश्रोरोम जनक धर्मप्रति आस्थावान् र न्यायप्रिय थिए। जनकको बाल्यकाल राजकीय वैभवसँगै वैदिक शिक्षा, ऋषिहरूसँगको संवाद, र राज्य सञ्चालनका पाठहरूसँग जोडिएको थियो। यी अनुभवहरूले उहाँलाई एक ज्ञानी, संयमी र दार्शनिक राजा बनायो।

Personal Life (Biography of King Janaka – राजा जनकको विस्तृत जीवनी)

Janaka was married to Queen Sunaina, a noblewoman known for her wisdom and piety. The royal couple did not have children for a long time. One day, while plowing a field as part of a religious yajna, Janaka discovered a baby girl in the furrow. Taking this as a divine sign, they adopted the child and named her Sita. Janaka’s devotion to Sita was not only fatherly but deeply spiritual. He raised her with love, education, and dharma. Personally, Janaka lived a disciplined life with daily spiritual practice, consultation with sages, and renunciation despite wealth and luxury.

राजा जनकको विवाह ज्ञानी र धर्मपरायणा रानी सुनैनासँग भएको थियो। लामो समयसम्म सन्तान नपाएपछि एक दिन धार्मिक यज्ञको क्रममा हल जोत्दै गर्दा उहाँले माटोबाट जन्मिएकी बालिका भेट्टाउनु भयो। त्यस बालिकालाई दैवी संकेत मानेर उनले सीता नाम राखी दत्तक लिएका थिए। सीता प्रति जनकको माया पितासुलभ मात्र होइन, आध्यात्मिक पनि थियो। उहाँले सीतालाई धर्म, शिक्षा र संस्कारले भरिपूर्ण जीवन प्रदान गर्नुभयो। व्यक्तिगत रूपमा, जनक एक अनुशासित, साधनशील र वैराग्ययुक्त जीवन बाँच्नुहुन्थ्यो।

Career or Major Life Work

Janaka’s reign is remembered as a golden era of peace, prosperity, and philosophical inquiry. He opened his court to great sages such as Yajnavalkya, Uddalaka, and Gargi, and engaged in profound discussions on metaphysics, Brahman, and the nature of self. His discourses are recorded in texts like the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. Janaka’s most famous dialogue with Yajnavalkya explores the meaning of liberation and is studied to this day by scholars and seekers. Despite being a ruler, he never let material attachments dominate his life and ruled with unwavering detachment and wisdom.

राजा जनकको शासनकाल शान्ति, समृद्धि र दार्शनिक अनुसन्धानको स्वर्ण युगका रूपमा स्मरण गरिन्छ। उहाँले आफ्ना दरबार ऋषि याज्ञवल्क्य, उद्दालक, गर्गीजस्ता महान् मुनिहरूका लागि खुला राख्नुभयो र ब्रह्म, आत्मा र मुक्ति सम्बन्धी गहन संवादमा संलग्न हुनु भयो। ब्रिहदारण्यक उपनिषद् लगायतका ग्रन्थहरूमा उहाँका संवादहरू उल्लेख गरिएका छन्। याज्ञवल्क्यसँगको उहाँको संवाद आजसम्म पनि विद्वानहरू र साधकहरूले अध्ययन गर्ने विषय हो। राज्य सञ्चालनमा रहँदा पनि उहाँमा वैराग्य र ज्ञानको अद्भुत समन्वय देखिन्छ।

Legacy and Impact

Janaka’s name is immortalized in Vedic and epic literature. He is mentioned not only in the Ramayana but also in the Mahabharata and various Upanishads as an ideal ruler and enlightened soul. His kingdom, Mithila, became a beacon of Vedic culture and spiritual learning. Janaka’s example inspired future leaders in South Asia and even modern thinkers like Mahatma Gandhi admired his detachment and selfless service. In Nepal and India, he is revered as a symbol of spiritual kingship and dharma-rajya (righteous rule). His court set a precedent for integrating wisdom with leadership.

राजा जनकको नाम वैदिक र महाकाव्य ग्रन्थहरूमा अमर छ। उहाँलाई रामायण मात्र होइन, महाभारत र विभिन्न उपनिषदहरूमा पनि आदर्श राजा र ज्ञान सम्पन्न आत्माको रूपमा चित्रण गरिएको छ। उहाँको राज्य मिथिला वैदिक संस्कृति र आध्यात्मिक शिक्षाको केन्द्रका रूपमा ख्यातिप्राप्त बन्यो। जनकको जीवनशैलीले दक्षिण एसियाका भावी शासकहरूलाई मात्र होइन, आधुनिक युगका महात्मा गान्धीजस्ता विचारकहरूलाई पनि प्रेरणा प्रदान गर्यो। नेपाल र भारतमा उहाँलाई धर्मराज्य र आध्यात्मिक नेतृत्वको प्रतीक मानिन्छ।

Controversies or Challenges

Though no major controversy is linked with Janaka, he did face philosophical criticism from skeptics who doubted how a king involved in worldly affairs could be spiritually enlightened. However, Janaka responded through action—demonstrating that spiritual realization is possible even amidst worldly responsibilities. His life became a case study for balancing karma and jnana, duty and renunciation.

यद्यपि राजा जनकसँग कुनै ठूला विवादहरू जोडिएका छैनन्, कतिपय दर्शनिकहरूबीच शंका थियो कि संसारिक जिम्मेवारीमा लागेका राजा कसरी आत्मज्ञानी हुन सक्छन्। तर जनकले व्यवहारमार्फत यसको उत्तर दिनुभयो—जसले देखायो कि संसारमा रही पनि मोक्षको प्राप्ति सम्भव छ। उहाँको जीवन कर्म र ज्ञान, कर्तव्य र वैराग्यको समन्वयको उदाहरण बन्यो।

Death – Biography of King Janaka | राजा जनकको विस्तृत जीवनी

Due to the mythical nature of his story, the date and manner of Janaka’s death are unknown. However, it is widely believed that Janaka attained moksha—liberation from the cycle of birth and death—through deep realization of the self. His passing is regarded not as death, but as a transcendence into a higher spiritual plane.

पौराणिक परम्परामा आधारित जनकको जीवन कथाका कारण उहाँको मृत्युको मिति वा तरिका उल्लेख गरिएको छैन। तर यो विश्वास गरिन्छ कि राजा जनकले आत्मज्ञानमार्फत मोक्ष प्राप्त गर्नुभयो। त्यसैले उहाँको निधनलाई साधारण मृत्यु नभई आध्यात्मिक उत्कर्षको रूपमा लिइन्छ।

Conclusion

King Janaka is remembered not just as a monarch but as an enlightened being whose thoughts continue to shape spiritual discourse to this day. His life exemplifies the possibility of integrating spirituality with social duty and stands as a timeless guide for leaders and seekers alike.

राजा जनकलाई केवल शासकको रूपमा होइन, एक आत्मज्ञानी व्यक्तित्वको रूपमा स्मरण गरिन्छ। उहाँका विचारहरू आजसम्म पनि आध्यात्मिक चिन्तनमा प्रभावशाली छन्। उहाँको जीवनले सामाजिक उत्तरदायित्वसँगै आध्यात्मिक साधन सम्भव छ भन्ने सन्देश दिन्छ र शासक र साधक दुवैका लागि मार्गदर्शकको रूपमा रहन्छ।