Who or What is "Janaka" which is often mentioned in many Hindu songs?

Question

I hear this word a lot in Hindu songs.

Bhavayami Raghuramam mentions Janaka-ja

Rangapura Vihara says "Angaja Janaka Deva Brndavana Saarangendra Varada Ramanta...."

It's also mentioned in Deva Devam Bhaje

All these are by MS Subbulakshmi

Answer 1

In ancient India, Janaka (Sanskrit: जनक, janaka) or Raja Janaka (राजा जनक, rājā janaka) was the king of Mithila Kingdom. He was born in modern-day Janakpur, Nepal; he is mentioned in the Ramayana as the father of Sita and also there is reference to him in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad and Puranas.

Janaka proposed a test of strength in which suitors vying for his daughter's hand in marriage would have to string the great bow of Lord Shiva. Lord Rama passed this test of strength, and Janaka's daughter Sita (also referred to as Janaki) wed Rama and together they resided in Ayodhya.

Janaka was not only a brave king, but was also as well-versed in the shastras and Vedas as any rishi. He was the beloved pupil of Yaajnavalkya, whose exposition of Brahman to the king forms one chapter of the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. In the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna cites Janaka as an illustrious example of the Karma yoga.

King Janaka was also said to be a Rajarshi having spiritually advanced and reached the state of a rishi, though he was a king administrating the kingdom of Mithila. He was also instructed by sage Ashtavakra upon the nature of the self or Atman; this exposition forms the content of the famous treatise Ashtavakra Gita

Answer 2

Name some songs with janaka.

Answer 3

Janak was father of Maa Sita, wife of Shri Rama.

Janak is one of very few till now who were called "Videha"...a person who is enlightened while in physical body

Janaka was disciple of Ashtavakra, the great hindu philosopher...and thus Janak was also highly intellectual

Answer 4

Maharaja janak was the king of Mithila. He was the foster father of Sita who married Rama.