The Markandeya Purana says that Khaninetra is the son of King Vivinsha. He was very valiant and gallant. The Gandharvas had asserted that no one could match Khaninetra`s generosity. Khaninetra is distinguished for donating the whole earth after completing ten thousand Yajnas. Khaninetra had given so much wealth as donations to the Brahmins that there was no need for them to take donations for the rest of their lives.
It is said that Khaninetra was childless. Once he went to the jungle to hunt animal for sacrificial purpose during Pitra Yajna. If he executes this sacrificial ceremony then he will be endowed with a son who can carry forth his generations.
Khaninetra saw a deer in the forest. The deer was aware that it would be preyed. Then the deer requested the king that he can kill him and get his flesh. Hearing this Khaninetra was very amazed. He asked the deer as to why it was willing to get sacrificed. The deer replied that it does not have any progeny and thinks its life to be worthless. Thus the deer wants to sacrifice its life.
As this discussion was going on between the Khaninetra and the deer, then suddenly another deer came near them and expressed his desire to get sacrificed. This deer stated that the king should kill him and get the flesh as because this sonless deer would be of no help to him in his sacrifice. Khaninetra was surprised and asked the second deer as to why it was willing to die. The second deer replied that he has numerous sons and daughters and this worries it a lot. Whenever the second deer`s kids go out in search of food, then he becomes worried till they have returned to him safely. Thus he passes the whole night and day in tension. As the second deer spends his life in tension and has no peace so he wants to depart this life.
Khaninetra was very confused; he cannot decide whom to make his prey. He did not know who was superior, the deer with sons or the deer with sons. Lastly after long confrontation Khaninetra decided to get a son by doing a penance just like his predecessors did in the past.
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