Janaka: Real or mythical?

[Michael Witzel]

>Is there any *definitive information* as to whether Janaka was
>
>        1) an actual historical figure, or
>        2) a mythical construction?

A historical person, with a lot of sagas and tales attached....

Indeed,  he is found both in early Hindu (Upanisad) texts,
as well as in Buddhist texts (Jaataka no. 539), as Mahaa-Janaka
(cf. Mahaa-Kosala for the King of Kosala!).

Thus, fairly well attested.  I did not check old Jaina texts yet.

Plus, of course, mentioned in later Hindu texts, in more such tales:
Mahabharata, Harivamsa, etc.

Another (?) Janaka, father of Siitaa,  in the Ramayana  and the Puranas.

Which famous historical figure has escaped such accretions?

Even today:  years ago I heard a Hindi film song detailing the life of
Nehru while clearly copying the Buddhacarita: "A prince born on the banks
of the Ganges... etc "
Ever heard of  the Indira-Zatakam, of 1977?  There also is a painting of
her, after the Bengal war,  as Mahisuramardini...  killing "the Pak.
buffalo demon".

So, who is surprised about ancient times, without writing, and with active
bards all around?
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========================================================
Michael Witzel
Department of Sanskrit & Indian Studies, Harvard University
2 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge MA 02138, USA

ph. 1- 617-496 2990 (also messages)
home page:  http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~witzel/mwpage.htm

Elect. Journ. of Vedic Studies:  http://www1.shore.net/~india/ejvs