Antecedents: Vishnu – Brahma – Marichi – Kashyapa – Vivasvan – Vaivasvatamanu – Ikshvaku – Nimi –Midhi – Udavasu – Nandivardhana- Suketu – Devarata – Brihadratha – Mahavira – Sudhriti – Dhrishtaketu – Hariyashwa – Maru – Pratindhaka – Keerthiratha – Devameedha – Vibudha – Mahidhraka – Keerthirata – Maharoma – Swarnaroma – Hrasvaroma – Seeradhwaja (Janaka)
Ikshvaku had 3 prominent sons – Danda, Vikukshi, Nimi. Vikukshi’s line was famous for kings such as Kradha, Maandaata, Trishanku, Harishchandra, Sagara, Bhageeratha and even Rama. Nimi set up the kingdom of Videha. He once decided to conduct a long yajna. He collected all the materials required and called sages like Bhrigu, Angiras, Vamadeva, Pulastya, Pulaha, Richika. In the end, he also called Vasishta. Since Vasishta had to attend another yajna conducted by Indra, he declined but said he could do it after Indra’s yajna. Nimi conducted the yajna with Shatananda, the son of Gautama. By the time Vasishta completed Indra’s yajna and returned after 500 years, Nimi’s yajna was over. Vasishta was not pleased with this and cursed that Nimi’s body and soul be separated. (videha) Nimi died and since he died without an heir, the sages created a child from his body. He was named Midhijanaka. From then on, all the kings in the dynasty were named Janaka. The name of Sita’s father was actually Seeradhwaja. The city built by Midhi was known as Mithila as per Devibhagavata Shashtaskanda.
Seeradhwaja had a brother named Kushdhwaja. During Seeradhwaja’s rule, Sudhanva, king of Samkashya, attached Mithila. But he was killed and Seeradhwaja named Kushadhwaja king of Kashi. Urmila, who was married by Lakshmana later, was the daughter of Kushadhwaja. Kushadhwaja had 3 daughters- Urmila, Mandavi (married to Bharata) and Shrutakeerthi (married to Shatrughna) as per Ramayana Balakanda Sarga 71.
Seeradhwaja was childless when once he found a baby in a furrow. He wanted to raise her as his own and at that instant, a divine voice asked him to do exactly that. This was Sita as per Ramayana Ayodhyakanda Sarga 118. See Jamadagni for how Janaka got the Shaivachapa. See Ashtavakra for the story of Janaka and Kahotaka.
Janaka once separated his body from his soul using yoga. Yama’s henchmen came to take his soul to heaven. The king got on to the chariot with their help and on their way they passed Kalapuri and saw the torture happening at various kinds of hell there. The wind that touched Janaka also passed by those suffering there and they had some respite. As he passed by, they wailed and appealed to him not to go. He felt that if they could be helped by his presence, he would stay there and consider it his heaven. Yama arrived there to mete out more punishment and seeing Janaka, asked him why he was still there. Janaka replied that he was trying to alleviate some suffering and if Yama let them go, he would proceed to heaven. Yama then started pointing out the sins committed by various people there and their terms in hell and the afterlife. He said that they were destined to suffer and Janaka should carry on. Janaka asked Yama for a way to release them and Yama said that if Janaka gave away one single portion of his good deeds, he would let them go. Once Janaka had chanted Rama’s name in the morning and he gave away that to release the people. Janaka then asked Yama the reason for his own presence if Yama kept only sinners in hell. Yama replied that though Janaka had done many good deeds, he had committed a sin too. He had stopped a cow from eating grass and he had passed through hell for that. Janaka continued on his journey as per Padmapurana Chapters 30,31.
After Ravana captured Sita and she was living in the Ashoka grove, he sent a rakshasa named Marutta in the form of Janaka to influence her. But Sita did not relent as per Kambaramayana Sundarakanda.
During the time of the Mahabharata, Bhima defeated the Janaka who ruled Mithila as per Mahabharata Sabhaparva Chapter 30 verse 13. Janaka was a pious soul as per Vanaparva Chapter 207 verse 37. He gave up the kingdom and became a sanyasi in old age as per Shantiparva Chapter 18 verse 4. Ashmaka once advised Janaka (Ashmopakhyana) Once a king named Pratarddana fought Janaka. Janaka’s army stood flummoxed but he showed them sights of heaven and hell and motivated them as per Shantiparva Chapter 99 verse 4. Once the king Kshemadarshi fought Janaka. When Janaka was about to lose, the sage Kalakavrikshiya advised him to give his daughter to Kshemadarshi and make peace. Janala dod so as per Mahabharata Shantiparva Chapter 106 verse 21. Once the sage Mandavya asked Janaka many questions on mirages that he answered as per Mahabharata Shantiparva Chapter 296. On another occasion, he had a discussion with the sage Parashara on prosperity as per Mahabharata Shantiparva Chapter 296. A king in the same dynasty Karalajanaka was advised by Vasishta as per Mahabharata Shantiparva Chapter s 302- 308. Another king named named Vasuman in this dynasty was also advised by sages as per Mahabharata Shantiparva Chapter 309. He was the son of Devarata and also asked Yajnavalkya many questions as per Mahabharata Shantiparva Chapter 310-318. Janadeva, a king in this dynasty asked the sage Panchashikha ways to prevent ageing as per Mahabharata Shantiparva Chapter 319.
Once when the Janaka Dharmadhwaja ruled Mithila, a learned woman named Sulabha heard about his wisdom and decided to test him. She transformed herself into a beautiful woman and approached Janaka who offered her a seat. She took it and transferred her soul into Janaka’s body. A debate began and after she was convinced of his wisdom, she left the palace as per Mahabharata Shantiparva Chapter 320.
Once Shuka, son of Vyasa, was not satisfied with his Bhagavata practices and was sent by his father to Janaka to clarify his doubts. Janaka was able to clarify even those that Vyasa himself couldn’t as per Devibhagavata Prathamaskanda. Janaka was a vegetarian as per Mahabharata Anushasanaparva Chapter Chapter 115 verse 65. Once Dharma took the form of a brahmin and advised Janaka as per Mahabharata Ashwamedhaparva Chapter 32.
Vyasa has also used Aindryadyumni, Daivarati, Dharmadhwaja, Karala, Karalamanaka, Maithila, Mithiladhipa, Mithiladhipati, Mithileshwara, Vaideha for Janaka.