Janaka of Videha

King Janaka organized a grand swayamvara (marriage ceremony) for his daughter Sita. He set the condition that any suitor must string the divine bow of Shiva, a feat only Rama accomplished, leading to their marriage.

Janaka, as a philosopher-king, engaged in deep spiritual discourse with sage Yajnavalkya. He received teachings on the nature of the Self (Atman) and Brahman, which were later recorded in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad.