Story of Nimi

 Srimad Bhagavatham - Story of King Nimi 

 

Who is King Nimi? Why did Sage Vasishta curse the King, and how did he react? Why did the Soul of King Nimi refuse to get back to its body ? Who is Janaka?

Once, King Nimi, son of Ikswaku, commenced a yagna and invited Sage Vasishta to be the chief priest.

Sage Vasistha was already invited by Indra to conduct his yagna. The Sage told the King to wait until he completed the present task and went to heaven. The king remained silent. 

King Nimi thought further delay may not allow him to perform the yagna due to the limited life span of human life. Hence, he began the yagna with the help of other priests.

Sage Vasishta returned back and perceiving the indecorum on the part of his disciple, King Nimi, the Sage cursed “Let the body of Nimi, who regards himself learned, fall”.

King Nimi counter cursed Sage Vasishta “ Let your body too fall for not knowing what is right, on account of greed”.

King Nimi, who was well versed in spiritual pursuit, gave up his life. Sage Vasishta was reborn with the help of Mitra Varuna through Urvasi.

Preserving the body of King Nimi in oil, the foremost of sages conducted the sacrifice on behalf of King Nimi as yagna shouldn't be stalled. 

Gods were very much pleased and assembled at the yagna. The sages said “ O Gods, If you are pleased, let this body of King Nimi come back to life.” They agreed to bring back life to King Nimi.

However, the Soul of Nimi declined to enter the mortal body again. The soul said “ Let me not get imprisoned in the mortal body again as it brings in suffering, grief, and fear. Death threatens the soul everywhere, just like a fish that gets threatened even in water. 

The Gods blessed the Soul of Nimi “May you reside at will in the eyes of pious souls”. In this way, King Nimi took up his abode in all jivas in the form of opening and closing of eyes.  

The Sages, left with no option, decided to churn the body of King Nimi to get a progeny as the country without a king would lead to unrest. 

On churning, a son was born to King Nimi. By virtue of his extraordinary birth, the prince was called Janaka. Born in the lineage of King Nimi (who remained without a body), the prince was named Vaideha (son of Videha / bodyless). Sprung from the process of churning, the prince was also called Mithila, who later on built the great city of Mithila.

Janaka became a generic name of descendants of King Nimi. When Siradhwaja, descendant of Janaka, was ploughing the earth to begin a sacrifice, Goddess Sitadevi made her appearance.   

All the kings of Mithila were proficient in Self- knowledge. They were rid of pairs of opposites (Joy and Sorrow) even in their households.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana