The âgavataPurâRishis churned the body of Nimi and a son was born. He was called Janaka. As he was born, when his father was bodiless (_videha_) he was also called _Vaideha_. The churning also gave him the name of Mithila (Manth = to churn). He built the town Milhilâ. (Mithilâ is the modern Tirhut).
NIMI Marti | | Janaka Pratipa | | Udâvasu Kritaratha | | Nandivardhana Devamirha | | Suketu Visruta | | Devarâta Mahadhriti | | Brihadratha Kritirâta | | Mahâvirya Mahârôman (large-haired) | | Sudhriti Svarnaroman (gold-haired) | | Dhrishtaketu Hrasvaroman (short-haired) | | Haryasva Sira-Dhvaja | Maru
While ploughing the ground for sacrifice, Sira-Dhvaja got Sita at the end of the plough. Therefore Sira (plough) being his Dhvaja (flag, proclaimer of fame), he was called Sira Dhvaja.
(This Sira-Dhvaja is the renowned Janaka of Râmayana.):
Sira-Dhvaja | Kusa-Dhvaja | Dharma-Dhvaja | --+-+---------------+--- | | Krita-Dhvaja Mita-Dhvaja | | Kesi-Dhvaja Khandikya
Kesi Dhvaja was versed in Âtmâ-vidya, Khandikya was versed in Vedic Karma, Kesi Dhvaja overpowered Khandikya and he fled away.
Kesi-Dhvaja Upa-guru | | Bhanumat Upa-gupta (incarnation of Agni) | | Sata-dyumna Vasvananta | | Suchi Yuyudha | | Sanadvaja Subhashana | | Urja-ketu Sruta | | Purujit Jaya | | Arishta nemi Vijaya | | Srutayu Rita | | Suparsva Sunaka | | Chitraratha Vitahavya | | Kshemadhî Dhriti | | Samaratha Bahulasva | | Satyaratha Kriti | Upa-guru
These kings of Mithila were well versed in Âtmâ-vidya.
Soma (the Moon) was born out of the eyes of Atri. He carried off Târa, the wife of Brihaspati (Jupiter). Brihaspati asked for his wife several times, but Soma would not give her up. Sukra (Venus) was not on good terms with Brihaspati. So he took the side of Soma, with his disciples, the Asuras. Siva with his Bhûtas took the side of Brihaspati. Indra with the Devas also sided with their preceptor. The two parties engaged in fight. After some days of fight, Angiras informed Brahmâ about every thing that transpired. Brahmâ reproached Soma. So he returned Târa to Brihaspati. Brihaspati found that Târa had conceived. "Immediately throw out the seed of another man in my field," cried he. Târa feeling bashful brought forth at the time a lustrous son, Both Brihaspati and Soma desired to have the son, each saying "It is mine not yours." When they quarrelled with each other, the Devas and Rishis asked Târa who was the father of the child. The child reproved his mother for the delay in answering. Brahmâ took Târa aside and learned from her that Soma was the father of the son, Soma then took the child. Brahmâ seeing the deep wisdom of the child named him Budha (Mercury).