[3] Janaka, originally named Sīradhvaja, was born to King Hrasvaroman of Mithila and his wife Keikasi.

In the ensuing war, Janaka emerged victorious by defeating and killing Sudhanvan, after which he appointed his brother Kushadhvaja as the new King of Samkasya.

According to Ramayana, Janaka and Sunayana found Sita while ploughing as a part of a yagna and adopted her.

He established some Shivalingas around the corners of the capital city Janakpur for performing his penance in the ancient Mithila Kingdom.

[14] After Rama returned from the exile and was then crowned the King of Kosala, Janaka became an important figure in his court.

[15] Late Vedic literature such as Shatapatha Brahmana and Brihadaranyaka Upanishad mention a certain King Janaka (c. 8th or 7th century BCE) as a great philosopher-king of Videha, renowned for his patronage of Vedic culture and philosophy and whose court was an intellectual center for Brahmin sages such as Yajnavalkya, Uddalaka Aruni, and Gargi Vachaknavi.

[18][19] Similarly the philosophical dialogues between the king Janaka and the sage Parashara is recorded as Parashar Gita.