Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 5
Janaka’s Quest for Liberation; Pañcaśikha’s Sāṅkhya on Renunciation, Elements, Guṇas, and the Deathless State
जनको जनदेवस्तु मिथिलाया अधीश्वरः । और्ध्वदेहिकधर्माणामासीद्युक्तो विचिंतने ॥ ५ ॥
janako janadevastu mithilāyā adhīśvaraḥ | aurdhvadehikadharmāṇāmāsīdyukto viciṃtane || 5 ||
Janaka—appelé aussi Janadeva, souverain de Mithilā—était profondément absorbé dans la contemplation des devoirs et des rites à accomplir après la mort (funérailles et observances postérieures).
Narada (narrative voice; within the Narada Purana’s Moksha-dharma discourse)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It highlights that even an enlightened and capable ruler like Janaka treats aurdhvadehika-dharma (funeral and śrāddha duties) with seriousness—showing that right performance of dharma supports inner purity and the broader pursuit of moksha.
While the verse focuses on rites, its bhakti implication is that duty is not mere formality: reflecting on and performing dharma can be offered with reverence to the Divine, aligning household and royal life with a devotional, God-centered intention.
It points to practical ritual competence—especially kalpa (procedural rules for rites) and the śrāddha framework—since aurdhvadehika observances depend on correct injunctions, timing, and method as preserved in dharma-śāstra and ritual manuals.