# Janaka Mahārāja > [!summary] > *Janaka Mahārāja was the saintly King of Mithilā and one of the twelve mahājanas (great authorities on devotional service). Although completely self-realized and liberated, he continued to perform his royal duties to set an example for others — demonstrating that true spiritual perfection does not require abandoning one's prescribed duties. He is famous as the father of Sītā Devī, who appeared from the earth while he was plowing the field, and later became the wife of Lord Rāmacandra after the Lord broke the mighty bow of Lord Śiva at Janaka's svayamvara ceremony.* ![[images/all-catalogs/0025_SB-9_2_3.jpg]] ## Perfection Through Action Lord Krsna cites King Janaka as the prime example of one who attained the perfectional stage while continuing to perform his prescribed duties. Even though he was fully self-realized, he worked for the welfare of the people. ![[bg/3/20]] ## One of the Twelve Mahājanas Yamaraja names Janaka Mahārāja among the twelve great authorities who know the real religious principle — bhāgavata-dharma, surrender unto the Supreme Lord and love for Him. These twelve authorities understand this confidential transcendental knowledge. ![[sb/6/3/20-21]] ## Father of Sītā Devī While King Janaka was plowing the field for performing sacrifices, the goddess Sītā appeared from the earth at the front of his plow. She would later become the eternal consort of Lord Rāmacandra. ![[sb/9/13/18#translation]] ## The Bow Sacrifice The bow sacrifice of King Janaka became famous throughout the world. In this svayamvara assembly, warriors gathered for the hand of Princess Sītā. Lord Rāmacandra broke the invincible bow of Lord Śiva and won Sītā as His bride — the meeting of the Supreme Lord with His eternal consort, facilitated by His devotee Janaka. ## The Liberated Soul's Example Although Janaka had no personal obligation to perform Vedic duties since he was a self-realized soul, he continued all his royal and religious functions just to set examples for the people in general. His life demonstrates that one situated in transcendental consciousness still acts for the welfare of others, teaching by example how to live and how to act. This is the way of the mahājanas — they know the confidential religious principles yet continue to engage in prescribed duties. ## From the Scriptures **Bhagavad-gita:** - [[bg/3/20|Bg. 3.20]] — Janaka attained perfection through prescribed duties - [[bg/4/15|Bg. 4.15]] — All liberated souls in ancient times acted in divine consciousness **Srimad-Bhagavatam:** - [[sb/6/3/20-21|SB 6.3.20-21]] — Named among the twelve mahājanas - [[sb/9/13/18|SB 9.13.18]] — Sītā appeared from his plow - [[sb/1/12/19|SB 1.12.19]] — The bow sacrifice mentioned **Sri Caitanya-caritamrta:** - [[cc/madhya/9/201|Madhya 9.201]] — Janaka mentioned - [[cc/madhya/17/185|Madhya 17.185]] — Reference to Janaka's kingdom ## Related Articles - [[wiki/articles/lord-ramacandra|Lord Rāmacandra]] — Who married his daughter Sītā - [[wiki/articles/the-twelve-mahajanas|The twelve Mahajanas]] — The supreme authorities - [[wiki/articles/the-science-of-karma|The science of karma]] — Action in divine consciousness - [[wiki/articles/great-kings-and-maharajas|Great kings and maharajas]] — Notable Vedic monarchs - [[wiki/articles/the-varnasrama-system|The varnashrama system]] — Social organization ## From the Index - [[index/entries/janaka-king|Janaka, King]] — Index entry (7 references) - [[index/meta/kings|Kings]] — Saintly monarchs