Rajarishi in Hinduism is a term used to refer to a sage king. The concept is also used to refer to a king among saints. The most famous Rajarishi in Hindu scriptures is King Janaka. A Rajarishi rules the kingdom as a visionary, with the values of a saint.
Vishwamitra, the famous saint of Treta Yuga, was a Rajarishi. Raja Janaka is a term constantly associated with Rajarishi.
It is also believed that a king who had attained the status of Rajarishi was given the name Janaka. Janak means father. The king becomes a fatherly figure to all his subjects.
The characteristics of a Rajarishi are:
- Rajarishi should be an advocate of Truth, Dharma and Peace.
- He should assure justice and equality to his subjects. Atmosphere of freedom to pursue their vocations should be created.
- He should collect correct taxes for running the affairs of the kingdom.
- He should employ ministers with good knowledge, principle and discipline.
- He should encourage freedom of religion.
- He should respect pitrs, devatas, preceptors, aged and take care of those that need help.
- He should be an expert in warfare, use of weapons, economics and political science.
- He should be surrounded by courtiers who are knowledgeable and wedded to the welfare of the kingdom and its subjects.
- A Rajarishi should have control over sleep.
- He should be quick in taking decisions.
- All payments should be made on the fixed date.
- He should keep an eye on eighteen functionaries of his enemies and fifteen functionaries of his own kingdom through secret agents.