The Crisis in Mithila – The Horrors of Famine
Mithila—a land of prosperity and divine fortune for centuries—now lay shrouded in the darkness of famine. The rivers had dried up. The fields lay barren. Hunger had robbed the people of even the glimmers of hope in their eyes.
From the towering ramparts of his palace, King Janaka looked upon his kingdom. His gaze fell upon the farmers—faces etched with exhaustion, backs bent under the weight of despair, and eyes weary with suffering.
Janaka was not merely a king—he was also a sage, a seeker of truth. For years, he had delved deep into meditation and scriptures, but today, realization dawned upon him— Knowledge alone is insufficient; action is essential.
Guidance of Guru Shatananda – The Bond Between Royal Duty and Karma Yoga
King Janaka summoned his preceptor, Guru Shatananda. His voice bore the weight of concern—“O revered Guru, my kingdom is in turmoil. The suffering of my people reaches the depths of my soul. What must I do?”
Shatananda, serene in wisdom, replied, “O King, a kingdom is not safeguarded merely from the throne. When a ruler takes up the plow and tills the land himself, only then does prosperity return.”
The thought struck Janaka as profound and revolutionary. For years, he had been engrossed in political affairs and spiritual pursuits, but now, he understood that he must step onto the very soil his people tread upon.
After a moment of silent contemplation, he resolved— “If my actions can restore hope, then I myself shall take up the plow!”
The Farmers’ Misery – When Even Plows Were Sold Away
King Janaka immediately summoned the farmers and declared, “Give me a plow! I shall till the fields myself!”
But their response weighed heavily upon his heart.
“O King, the famine has left us so helpless that we were forced to sell even our plows. We have nothing left.”
Janaka stood in speechless sorrow. The plows that had tilled the fields for generations—were now gone. The land that had nurtured life for centuries—now lay lifeless and dry.
“A farmer without a plow? It is as if the very soul of the kingdom has perished!”
Deep remorse gripped Janaka. Determined to act, he called upon the blacksmiths and commanded, “Forge a plow for me!”
Shatananda’s Divine Counsel – The Supreme Test of Renunciation
But when the blacksmiths bowed their heads, Janaka faced yet another crushing truth.
They revealed—“O King, there is no iron left in the kingdom.” The famine had not only devoured the food, but had stripped away even the kingdom’s resources. Now, both the farmers had no plows, and the blacksmiths had no iron.
A profound anguish overtook Janaka. He reached out and touched his golden crown, and his remorse deepened.
Then, Guru Shatananda, beholding his pain, spoke in tranquil wisdom, “O King, your crown belongs to your people. If today, it feels like a burden rather than an honor, why not transform it into a plow instead? Your act shall fill the hearts of all with renewed spirit.”
Janaka absorbed his Guru’s words deeply into his soul. He realized—a king’s golden crown is not a symbol of grandeur, but of responsibility. And if today was the ultimate test of royal duty, then renunciation was its answer.
Without hesitation, Janaka cast away his golden crown and all his royal ornaments. The splendor of the palace would now fuel the revival of the fields.
Seeing his act of sacrifice, Queen Sunaina too stepped forward. Without a moment’s delay, she removed her own jewels and placed them before the blacksmiths.
Now, the palace’s precious gems and gold lay in the hands of the blacksmiths. And soon, the farmers, who had once lost their iron plows, now held plows made of gold.
The Golden Plow Touches the Earth – The Divine Manifestation of Sita
King Janaka took hold of the golden plow and drew the first furrow upon the sacred land.
As the plow touched the soil, the entire cosmos trembled. A celestial radiance spread across the universe. And in that very moment, from the womb of the earth, a divine maiden emerged.
King Janaka and Queen Sunaina were overcome with awe. They stood motionless, pondering—who was this celestial child?
Then, Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva, accompanied by all the divine beings, descended upon the scene.
Lord Brahma declared,
“O Janaka, this maiden is none other than your own daughter. Your supreme sacrifice has called forth her divine presence. She is the primordial energy of the universe, the very source of creation itself. And as she has emerged from the furrow drawn by the plow, her name shall be ‘Sita’.”
Janaka and Sunaina, their eyes filled with tears of devotion and love, gazed upon their daughter—Mata Sita. Now, they understood the truth in its entirety.
Mithila’s Eternal Glory – A Legacy of Divine Inspiration
As long as the name ‘Swarnalangal’ is remembered, As long as Janaka’s unwavering devotion and sacrifice remain in memory, This world shall forever be shielded from the corruption of the Kali Yuga.
Mithila shall forever stand as a timeless beacon of sacrifice, righteousness, and duty.
Conclusion – An Everlasting Tradition of Worship
To this day, this sacred event is commemorated through worship. The following verse from the Mithila Mahatmya continues to be recited in reverence, as devotees offer their sacred oblations to Adi Shakti, Devi Sita—
“Utapannasi Mahabhage Swarnalangalapaddatau। Grihanarghyam Maya Dattam Kripaya Mithileshaje।।”
May the divine grace of Lord Rama and Mata Sita forever bless all! Jai Siya Ram! 🙏
Author’s Note – Rooted in my deep interest into sacred scriptures ever since my early childhood, this storyline has been evolving within my mind as an expression of my gratitude to my Origin Mithila and also of my devotion to Bhagwan Sitaram. Through meticulous research, contemplation, and a vision guided by ancient texts, I have shaped this narrative—compiling it with the technical assistance of Copilot to refine and articulate its essence with clarity and depth.
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