Ramayana Simplified: Part 7: More about Mithila

Rama and Lakshmana continue their journey along with Maharishi Vishwamitra to Mithila. The young princes were gaining both spiritual and social knowledge from Maharishi Vishwamitra. The Maharishi was also teaching the history and heritage of each of the places.

The History of Mithila

The place Mithilapuri was also known by the name ‘Vidheha’. Janaka was the position name given to the person ruling the kingdom of Mithila. (Note that Janaka is not the name of a person but it's a position name as we have the Prime minister, President, etc.). The name of the Janaka ruling at that time was Seeradhwaja. The great grandfathers of King Dasharatha and king Seeradhwaja (the ruler of Mithilapuri at that time) were brothers.

Maharishi Vishwamitra explains more about the rulers of Suryavamsha (solar dynasty) or the Ishwaku dynasty. Rama and king Janaka belonged to the same dynasty. Ishwaku was one of the famous rulers of Suryavamsha. He had three sons namely, Dhanda, Nimi, and Vikukshi. Janaka was born in the lineage of Nimi, characters like Hareeshchandra, Bhageeratha, etc. were born in the lineage of Vikukshi.

How Mithilapuri was also known as Vidheha

Rama was curious as to why Mithilapuri was also known as Vidheha and Janaka’s dynasty as ‘Vidheha Vamsha’. Maharishi Vishwamitra explained the story:

Once Nimi went to Maharishi Vasishta’s ashram for inviting him to a yaga. Maharishi Vasishta said that he was not ready to come as he had to attend another yaga. Maharishi Vasishta also added that if Nimi can wait, then he can participate in the yaga which Nimi was conducting. Nimi didn’t say anything so Maharishi Vasishta thought that Nimi was ready to wait. After completing the yaga which he had, Maharishi Vasishta went to attend the yaga conducted by Nimi. But Maharishi Vasishta saw that Nimi was conducting his yaga with Gowthama muni. Maharishi Vasishta felt as if Nimi had insulted him. So Maharishi Vasishta cursed him and Nimi lost his body (or deha). The place was named Vidheha after this. Only Nimi’s soul was left. They preserved Nimi’s body in a kind of oil. A baby was created out of this soul and the preserved body and the baby was named ‘Mithi Janaka’. The kingdom which was established by Mithi thus came to be known as ‘Mithilapuri’ and the kings ruling Mithila were known by the position name ‘Janaka’.

Few Insights…

• Stories are very important in bringing up moral values in children. Normally, children are interested in hearing stories from the age of three. Parents must try to utilize this time in telling stories and raising moral awareness in children. We see how Rama is brought up through stories about different places and different people. Rama gets to know what is right and what is wrong (or Dharma and Adharma) through these kinds of stories and through the guidance of highly knowledgeable Maharishis like Vishwamitra, Vasishta, etc.
• What mistake did Nimi commit for getting cursed by Maharishi Vasishta?

As we can see, there was a major communication gap. Maharishi Vasishta said that he can come to Nimi’s yaga after finishing the yaga he already had. Nimi didn’t reply to that. Nimi could have either said that he is ready to wait or he could have said that he is not ready to wait. His silence made Maharishi Vasishta to think that he was ready to wait. When Maharishi Vasishta saw another rishi performing the yaga, it was equivalent to insulting him. In a way it also shows a disrespect towards Maharishi Vasishta. When we give love or respect to another person we get it back, when we give disrespect or show hatred we can expect to get back only disrespect and hatred.