karmaththAl petREnO janakaraip pOlE
King Janaka is father of Sita in the great Indian epic Ramayan. Despite being the ruler of kingdom Videha, he was a great karma yogi. He carried on the rules of the sastras with detachment, controlled senses and without expecting anything in return. He performed all his duties as per the sastras... as a service to the Lord.
When Sriman Narayan wished to test the equanimity of King Janaka, he disguised himself as a Brahmin and did a mistake that would present him in the court of King Janaka. When he was presented before King Janaka, instead of punishing the brahmin, he exiled him from his country! “Which is the boundary of your country?”- The Brahmin asked the king. Janaka understood the implication of the question and remained silent. He told the Brahmin that it is open for him to remain in his country or not. God complemented King Janaka for his detachment and controlled senses.
One time his Guru Yagyavalka wanted to show the greatness of King Janaka to his other disciples. The Guru desired to reveal the spiritual accomplishment and the detachment of Janaka to the world! As per the wish of Guru Yagyavalka, King Janaka’s capital city, Mithila was in flames and people screamed and ran to save themselves and their belongings! Even the disciples ran to save their lives! Seeing his capital in terrible flames, Janaka remained calm and unruffled! There was no anxiety or any shade of suffering on his face!
He said, “My wealth is eternal! There is nothing for me to desire! Nothing in me is burnt or destroyed as Mithila burns!”
Amazed and pleased at the equanimity and spirituality of Janaka, Lord Vishnu brought back Mithila to its original glory! The flames disappeared instantly! The Lord presented himself before Janaka, blessed and directed him to tread on the righteous path and be truthful always!
In Bhagavad Gita, when Sri Krishna explains the karma yoga, He says "karmaNyaivahi samsiddhim AsthitA janakAtaya:" - saying that Rajarishis such as Janaka attained siddhi through karma yoga.
Thirukkolur Ammal is asking "Am I capable of being steady in karma yoga like Janaka?"
