Gurbani Word Of The Day: Janak

ਜਨਕ (janak)
Meaning: noun: King Janak, father of Sita, the wife of Lord Ram.

Quote:
ਜਨਕ ਜਨਕ ਬੈਠੇ ਸਿੰਘਾਸਨਿ   ਨਉ ਮੁਨੀ ਧੂਰਿ ਲੈ ਲਾਵੈਗੋ॥
janak janak baiṭhe siňghaasan   nau munee dhoor lai laavaigo
King Janak sat upon that regal throne, upon which many of his predecessors had sat, and applied the dust of the nine sages to his forehead
Guru Ram Das Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 1309

Message: True King is one who conquers the ego within

The name of a philosopher-king, Janak was the title used by the kings of Videha or Mithila, a region now divided between the present day Indian state of Bihar and a small part of Nepal.

King Janak was a model of self-realisation, morality and detachment.

His court consisted of many scholars and sages of his time.

Through his pure and righteous conduct, he is said to have attained high spiritual knowledge.

The verse above describes that, even though he was spiritually wise and enlightened, he showed respect and bowed before the wise men of his court. He was humble even though he belonged to a noted lineage of kings.

In the history of mankind, rare are such examples of wisdom and humility.

We should learn from him to be respectful and humble when in the company of others. As humble disciples of the Guru, we need to show love and affection for people within as well as outside places of worship.

ਭਗਤੁ ਵਡਾ ਰਾਜਾ ਜਨਕੁ ਹੈ   ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਮਾਇਆ ਵਿਚਿ ਉਦਾਸੀ॥
King Janak is a great devotee who amidst Maya remained indifferent to it through Guru-orientation. -Bhai Gurdas, 5/10

To read more about Janak, click here.

Etymology: From Sanskrit janak, name used to refer to the kings of Videha or Mithila, a region now divided between the present day  Indian state of  Bihar  and a small part of . See more

 

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