The Wandering Nun

Long ago there was a king of Mithilā named Janaka, called Dharmadhvaja, the banner of dharma, the sacred law, who was known for the fruit of renunciation. He had studied the Veda and the books of freedom and his own duties as a king, and he ruled the earth with his senses held in check, and learned men everywhere who heard of his goodness longed to be like him.

At that time a woman named Sulabhā, a mendicant who had taken up the way of yoga, was wandering the earth alone. Wherever she went, she heard the wandering ascetics speak of the king of Mithilā as one who had reached freedom. When she heard that subtle talk, she doubted whether it was true, and she resolved to see Janaka for herself.