Avīkṣita (Avikshita)was the son of the pious king Karandhama, born in the lineage of Nābhāga (Nabhaga), son of Vaivasvata Manu. He was equal to Indra in valour, respectful of yajña(s) (yajna), and religious. He became a samraṭ (samrat; emperor), by virtue of his own qualities. He performed one hundred Aśvamedha yajña(s), and Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage)Aṅgirā (Angira) presided over his yajña. The famous king Marutta was his son.
According to Mārkaṇḍeyapurāṇa (Markandeyapurana), his father was king Karandhama or Valāśva (Valaswa), and mother was Vīrā (Vira). At the moment of his birth, Karandhama asked the astrologers about the lagna and nakṣatra (nakshatra; astral arrangements) of the moment. The astrologers said, the prince was born in a favourable moment, in a favourable lagna, under favourable stars. Vṛhaspati (Vrihaspati), Śukra(Sukra) and Candra (Chandra)were observing the newborn; but Ravi (the Sun), Maṅgala (Mars) and Śani (Sani; Saturn)were not doing avekṣaṇa (avekshana; looking at) upon him. The king, in happiness told the astrologers — since they had repeatedly used the term ‘avaikṣata’, the son would be named Avīkṣita. Avekṣana denotes ‘observation’. Since several stars were keeping watch on this child, he would be Avīkṣita.
Avīkṣita became well-versed in Veda and Vedāṅga(s), and he took lessons of weaponry from Kaṇvaputra(son of Kanwa). He was a man of unmatchable appearance, qualities, prowess and energy.
Once at the svayamvara of Sudatī (Sudati) Vaiśālinī (Vaisalini), daughter of Viśāla (Visala), king of Videha, the princess refused him at first. Avīkṣita took her by defeating all other princes present there.The defeated kings then attacked him together, and when they could not conquer him in valour, they captured him by unfair means and took him to the assembly of king Viśāla.
Hearing the news of Avīkṣita’s imprisonment, his father Karandhama declared war against those kings. After three days of war, when the opponent kings were almost on the verge of losing, king Viśāla himself came and showed due respect to Karandhama, saying that he was willing to free Avīkṣita and get his daughter married to him. But Avīkṣita said that he would not marry a girl, in front of whom he was forced to accept defeat. But the princess, by this time, was moved by his valour and patience, and she was no longer wiling to accept anybody else as her husband.
Since Avīkṣita did not change his resolution, the heartbroken princess went away to the forest, and started tapasyā, without taking any food.
In course of time, Vīrā (Vira), mother of Avīkṣita started performing a vrata called Kimicchaka. She told her son that she wished to give away half of the royal treasury as dāna’. Now the ministers told king Karandhama, if the prince would not marry, he would not get a son, and this would be detrimental to the continuation of his lineage. The king heard that, the prince has promised that during the vrata of her mother, he will grant anything to anybody, if one asks for it. The king went to his son and asked for a grandson. Avīkṣita agreed to get married.
One day, while on hunting, Avīkṣita heard the cries of a lady. She was wailing that being the wife of Avīkṣita, she was being carried away by a demon. Avīkṣita attacked the demon and slew him. When the gods praised him, he wished that he would be able to fulfil his father’s demand. The gods said, the lady he had just rescued, would be the mother of his son. Avīkṣita said, the daughter of king Viśāla was performing tapasyā for him, and it would not be fair to marry any other girl. The gods assured him that this lady was the daughter of Viśāla, and from her he would blessed with a son who would perform thousands of yajña(s), who would rule over seven islands. Then the prince married her and they gave birth to a son called Marutta. Seeing the face of his grandson, king Karandhama was too pleased. He wished to renounce his kingdom and went off to forest, but Avīkṣit was not willing to become the king. So his son Marutta ascended the throne.
According to the legend found in Mārkaṇḍeyapurāṇa (Markandeyapurana), King Hemadharma’s daughter Varā (Vara), Sudeva’s daughter Gaurī (Gauri), Vali’s daughter Subhadrā (Subhadra), and Nibhā (Nibha), daughter of Vīrabhadra (Virabhadra), Līlāvatī (Lilavati), daughter of Vīra (Vira), Mānyavatī (Manyavati), daughter of Bhīma (Bhima) and Kumudvatī (Kumudvati), daughter of Dambha — were also referred to as the wives of Avīkṣit. But from the legend of Avīkṣita’s marriage with Vaiśālinī (Vaisalini), it appears that these other marriages took place afterwards.