What is "janaka"

Janaka (also spelled Janak; Nepali: जनक, Sanskrit: जनक) is the name used to refer to the kings of Videha and is the ancestor of indigenous Maithil people who are now the Madhesis of Nepal and Biharis of India. The Janaka Dynasty ruled the Videha kingdom from their capital, Mithila, in modern days, Janakpur metropolitan of Nepal. A certain King Janaka, who probably reigned during the 7th century BCE, is mentioned in the late Vedic literature as a great philosopher-king. A King Janaka is also mentioned in the Ramayana epic.

His conversation with Ashtavakra is recorded as Ashtavakra Gita, where in he is depicted as one realised and this tested by the sage Ashtavakra. Many spiritual teachers have referred to this writing often translating and deducing its meaning.