Lord Indra was affected by 'Bhramahathi Dhosham 'when he killed demon Viruthiran. He left the abode of the Devas and hid inside a lotus in lake Manasarovar. The throne of the Devas was thus left vacant. King Naghushan who had performed hundred Ashwamedha yagas attained the right to occupy the throne. All the angels and rishis welcomed him to the throne and made him the lord. Though there were plenty of Apsaras - women to satisfy his lust, King Naghushan's eyes were set on Indrani, wife of Lord Indra. When Indrani came to know about his covetous desire she felt dismayed. She sought Goddess Devi's blessings and by her grace found Lord Indra. When she informed him about Naghushan's evil intentions, Indra pacified her and told her how to delude Naghushan.

According to their plan, Indrani approached Naghushan and told him that she is prepared to fulfill his desire but before that he should come to her house in a palanquin carried by sages. Thus saying she went back home. Naghushan turned delirious with joy when he heard this from her. He made the necessary arrangements and climbed on to the palanquin. One of the sages carrying the palanquin was Agasthya. Impelled by his desire for Indrani, Naghushan drove them saying 'Sarpa, sarpa.' (go fast, go fast). The sages started running. But Naghushan was not satisfied. He berated them and beat sage Agasthya with a whip. The sage was embittered and cursed King Nagushan saying, ''Sarpo Bhava'' (may you turn into a python). Naghushan turned so, and fell down in a forest on earth. (Devi Bhagavatham - 8th Sargam). In Mahabharatha, this story is told in a different manner. According to this version, Sage Brighu who was hiding in Sage Agasthya's lock of hair cursed Naghushan to turn into a serpent. (Anusasana parvam -100th Sargam)

Once Demon Vruthirasuran was torturing the angels with the help of Kala Keyas. Enraged, Indra fought Vruthirasuran and killed him. The Kala Keyas got frightened and hid under the ocean. But during the night they came out and started killing and eating the Brahmins. They decimated the ashrams of the sages which made the Devas furious. They surrendered to Lord Vishnu and asked him to save them. Lord Vishnu consoled them and told them that there was only one option. If the ocean is drained of its water, they can apprehend the Kala Keyas. There is only one person who is capable of accomplishing such a feat and that person is Sage Agasthya, he informed them. The Devas approached Agasthya and explained their plight and Lord Vishnu's plan to kill the Kala Keyas.The sage happily agreed to help them. Sorrounded by the rishis and devas he came near the shore. He cupped his right hand palm, filled it with the water from the ocean and drank it. When the entire ocean got drained thus, the Kala Keyas were killed. It was filled again when Bhagirathan brought the Ganga from heaven to earth. (Mahabharath - Vanaparvam - Chapter 101 to 105)

(to be continued)