Lord Agni

Puloma was the wife of sage Bhrigu and they were staying in a hermitage. She became pregnant. One day Bhrigu went for his morning ablutions in the river leaving his wife in the ashram at the care of Agni. At that time a rakshasa by name Puloman, who had earlier loved Puloma and had been betrothed to her, came to the ashram and saw Puloma and he was besotted by her beauty. Puloma, as a virtuous wife of Brighu and a host, treated him like a guest and offered him refreshments in spite of his lustful glaring at her. But Puloman enamored by her beauty wished to abduct and marry her.

He then saw Agni, the flames of the sacrificial fire burning in a chamber in the hermitage. Puloman then asked Agni to tell him truthfully the status of Puloma whom he had accepted as his spiritual wife. But Agni was reluctant to reveal the truth as he was scared that Bhrigu would curse him if he told the truth. But on Puloman's insistence, Agni told him the truth that Brighu had married Puloma as per Vedic scriptural rites in his presence as she had only been betrothed to him (rakshasa) and not formally married to her. Hearing this Puloman changed his form to a boar and abducted Puloma.

Frightened by this development, Puloma gave birth to her son who fell on the ground. This son was named Chavana also spelt Cyvana meaning the "fallen from the womb". The child was shining very bright like the Sun and looking at the baby Puloman was scorched to death leaving behind Puloma and her son. Puloma, overcome by her plight, cried intensely to the extent that the tears she shed created a river called Vadhusaras which later became the location of the hermitage of her son Chavana when he had become a sage with immense ascetic achievement. Brahma consoled her.

Puloma then came to her ashram and apprised Bhrigu of the events that had happened with her and her son. While Bhrigu was happy to see his son, he was enraged to know from Puloma that it was Agni who had revealed her true identity as Bhrigu's wife to Puloman who was now dead, turned into ashes by their son's brightness. In a fit of rage he cursed Agni saying "Thou shalt eat of all things", meaning to become "omnivorous or “May you be consumer of all things "Sarva Bhahshaka on this Earth". Agni also became furious to hear this curse and told Bhrigu that his curse was not just as he only spoke the truth. Agni told that he was omnipresent and through his mouth both the gods and the ancestors (pitrus) accept the clean oblations of clarified butter offered to him and hence any offering of unclean things to him would be improper.

He also told Bhrigu that he could also curse him but he refrained from doing so as he was a rishi and a Brahmin. With these words Agni went incognito. Brahma then summoned Agni to his presence and recounted Agni's role in the universe and told him that the curse stands modified as his flames would only consume everything offered to him but his physical body would remain pure. Then Agni reappeared in the universe to perform his natural duties.

Lord Indra

Indra though the King of Devas, was not really very wise for most of the time. He was very easily paved way for anger, pride, envy and arrogance. Once he was in heaven, enjoying with other Devas. Indra thought that he is superior to everyone and nobody can overcome his power. As this thought was running in his mind, there entered Brihaspathi, who is the preceptor of all Devas. But Indra was so much in his pride that he did not follow the custom to stand up and greet the teacher. Brihaspathi felt very insulting and hence he immediately returned from there and became invisible. While Agni, cautioned Indra about his behaviour, Indra came to senses and went to apologize to Brihaspathi. However he did not find him.

Simultaneously there were lot of wars happening between Devas and asuras. As Brihaspathi was not there to guide and teach Devas, they started to lose all there wars. Time and again Devas faced defeat and humiliation. Seeing all this, Indra went to Brahma for help and told Brahma what has happened. Brahma disappointed with Indra and behaviour told him that whatever you are facing is due to your own arrogance. Teacher has to be kept in par with god and therefore he deserves all the respect. Brahma told that Indra and other Devas have suffered enough because of asuras. Brahma told Indra to go and visit Vishwarupa, the younger son of Twata; and request Vishwarupa to be their teacher. Vishwarupa also agreed to this and started to guide Devas. Devas started winning too. Despite his victories, Indra did not trusted Vishwarupa fully, as he was asura from his mother’s side and deva from his father’s side. The other Devas tried to talk Indra out of this idea, but Indra remained firm. He could not believe that Vishwarupa was his friend. And one day, Indra cut off Vishwarupa's head.

Agni and Vayu felt horrified and told Indra that he has done a mistake. They said that Twata will avenge death of his son. When Twata heard this, he lit a sacrificial fire and commanded a demon from it, to take revenge from Indra. An awful looking creature called Vritra rose from it. Devas knowing this, attacked Vritra but it turned to be unsuccessful venture every time.

Then Indra went to Narayana seeking help. Narayana told Indra to visit Rishi Dadhichi and ask him to give his body. Then from his bones shall issue a weapon with which Indra would be able to cut off Vritra’s head. Rishi Dadhichi has a body which was strengthened by constant repetition of “Narayana Kavach”. Rishi Dadhichi gave his body and the divine weapon was made named “Vajra”.

In meantime, Vritra has caused havoc on earth. Vritra went to the earth and in one gulp swallowed the waters of one river. The humans were no match for Vritra. They could not even defend themselves, let alone their water. Soon Vritra swallowed all the waters on earth. Without water earth became a wasteland. Humans, birds and animals were parched from thirst. With no means of fighting Vritra, they prayed to Devas. With the Vajra, Indra went on a fight with Vritra.

Vritra gave a mighty roar and hurled his trident at Indra. Indra destroyed it midway with his Vajra and also cut of Vritra’s arm. Now Vritra opened his mouth wide and swallowed both Indra and his elephant and all the Gods thought that it was end of Indra. However Indra tore open Vritra’s stomach and came out with victory. As the Devas stood still watching it, soul of Vritra’s body emerged into Narayana. Narayana later disclosed that Vritra was one his greatest devotee and got a demon body due to a curse. Later Narayana named Vritra as god of draught.

Lord Surya

Sandhya was the wife of Surya. They had a son named Manu. Sandhya could not bear the heat that Surya emitted. Her complexion became dark and she no longer liked her husband. She decided to create a clone called Chhaya and secretly left to go to Vishwakarma, her father’s house. She instructed Chhaya to dutifully act as Surya’s wife. Sandhya then left for her father’s house. Surya didn’t notice the difference. During this time, Chhaya had two sons and two daughters. The daughters’ names were Tapti and Vishti and the sons’ names were Savarni Manu and Shani. When Vishwakarma heard about the birth of these children, he asked for the truth from Sandhya, who told him about the clone. Vishwakarma ordered her to return to Suryaloka.

At Suryaloka, Sandhya got mad at Chhaya and destroyed her. Surya again did not notice the exchange of his wives. Sandhya then gave birth to two children- Yama and Yami. As they grew older Surya assigned them their responsibilities. Yama is the god of death and dharma and Yami becomes the goddess of the river Yamuna. Sandhya poisoned Surya’s mind about Shani’s capabilities so he was not given a job.

Shani became extremely angry and felt insulted. He kicked Sandhya who in return cursed Shani that he will lose the leg he kicked her with. Surya who watches this was unable to understand the curse. He asked Sandhya for the truth. She told him and Shani the entire story of Chhaya. Surya got enraged and immediately installed Shani’s leg back and appointed him the god of the planet Saturn.

Sandhya once again left Suryaloka. Since she couldn’t go to her father’s house she hid in a Himalayan forest in the disguise of a mare. After some time, Surya started to miss his wife. He went to Vishwakarma to know about her whereabouts, who said he does not know. Vishwakarma requested Surya to reduce the glare of his rays. Surya said he cannot, so Vishwakarma with his skill reduced the glare.

Surya, after looking for a long time found Sandhya. He took the form of a male stallion and approached her. Sandhya recognized him and they mated, producing the Ashwini Kumaras. The youngest son Revanta was also born. The Ashwini Kumaras were given the responsibility of healing. They studied a lot about Ayurveda and become the physicians of the gods.

Lord Varuna

Lord Varuna, the God of water has the task of overseeing the clouds and rains. Therefore, he is the king of waters and controls the oceans, seas, rivers, and all other water bodies. Varuna plays an important role in the epic tale of Ramayana.

Faced with the dilemma of how to cross the ocean to Lanka, where his abducted wife Sita is held captive by the demon king Ravana, Rama (an Avatar of Vishnu) performs a penance (tapasya) to Varuna, the Lord of Oceans, fasting and meditating in perfect dhyana for three days and three nights.

Varuna does not respond, and Rama arises on the fourth morning, enraged by the God’s arrogance. With his bow and arrow, he angrily begins attacking the oceans with celestial weapons—burning up the waters and killing its life and creatures. The Vanaras (Monkeys) were dazzled and fearful at witnessing the enraged Rama demolishing the oceans. And his brother, Lakshmana, prays to calm Rama’s mind.

Just as Rama invokes the brahmastra, which is considered as the most powerful weapon capable of destroying all creation, Varuna arises out of the oceans. He bows to Rama, explaining that he himself was at a loss to answer Rama’s question. Begging him not to destroy the oceans with the missile, he suggests that Rama re-direct the weapon at a demonic race that lives in the heart of the ocean. Rama’s arrow destroys the demons, and establishes a purer, liberated environment there.

Varuna promises that he would keep the oceans still for all of Rama’s army to pass, and Nala constructs a bridge (Rama’s Bridge) across to Lanka. Rama justifies his angry assault on the oceans as he followed the correct process of petitioning and worshipping Varuna, but obtaining the result by force for the greater good.