Kriti Janaka

Kriti Janaka (Sanskrit: कृति जनक) was a king of Videha Kingdom located in the Indian subcontinent. He was a descendant of Janaka dynasty in Mithila. He was contemporary to the kings Ajatshatru of Kashi Kingdom and Janamejaya of Hastinapur. The revered Vedic Rishi Yajnavalkya became famous from his court. According to some scholars, Kriti Janaka was the eighteenth king of Mithila after the King Siradhwaja Janaka of Ramayana.

Apart from the son of King Bahulāśva, there were more two or three Janakas having same name Kriti in the lineage of Janaka. Some scholars mark them as Kriti I, Kriti II and Kriti III. But due to the lack of sufficient literary resources, it is difficult to distinguish them simultaneously. There are some disputes among scholars for the exact identifications of them. Memorial Statue of Yajnavalkya at the premises of Uchchaith Bhagwati Mandir near Benipatti town.

The King Kriti Janaka patronized Vedic philosophy and scholarship at his court. The assembly of his court was a prominent hub for Sanskrit and Vedic learning in Mithila.