Shloka 1.13.21
हयमेध-यज्ञोपक्रमः — Commencement of the Aśvamedha Preparations
मिथिलाधिपतिं शूरं जनकं सत्यविक्रमम्।निष्ठितं सर्वशास्त्रेषु तथा वेदेषु निष्ठितम्।।1.13.20।।तमानय महाभागं स्वयमेव सुसत्कृतम्।पूर्वसम्बन्धिनं ज्ञात्वा तत: पूर्वं ब्रवीमि ते।।1.13.21।।
mithilādhipatiṃ śūraṃ janakaṃ satyavikramam |
niṣṭhitaṃ sarvaśāstreṣu tathā vedeṣu niṣṭhitam || 1.13.20 ||
Invite Janaka, the heroic lord of Mithilā, whose valor is grounded in truth—well established in all śāstras and likewise proficient in the Vedas.
You may personally go and bring with due honour king Janaka who is the distinguished king of Mithila, a warrior whose truth is his strength proficient in all scriptures and the Vedas. Since he is an old ally, I am telling you in advance.
Dharma here is the ideal of truth-based kingship: Janaka is praised as “satyavikrama,” implying that real power is disciplined by satya (truth) and guided by śāstra and Veda.
As Daśaratha’s sacrificial preparations proceed, Vasiṣṭha instructs that eminent allied kings be invited—beginning with Janaka of Mithilā.
Janaka’s virtue is learned righteousness: mastery of sacred knowledge (Veda/śāstra) joined to truthful valor.