Brahma Promises a Husband for Devasena
Indra, troubled by Devasena's description of the invincible husband she desires, witnesses a celestial conjunction of the sun, moon, and Agni that suggests a possible solution. He takes her to Brahma, who promises that an embryo of great strength will be born — one who will serve as Indra's general and become Devasena's husband.
Indra saw the sun rise on Udaya mountain. He saw the moon enter the sun — it was the new moon, a terrible instant. He saw the gods and the asuras fighting on Mount Udaya. The dawn was tinged with red clouds. Varuna's abode was red.
He saw Agni enter the sun, bearing oblations offered with mantras by Bhrigu, Angiras, and the others. He saw the twenty-four parvas surrounding the sun. It was a terrible instant. The moon, traversing the path of dharma, was united with the sun.
On seeing this conjunction — the union of the sun and the moon, the presence of Agni — Indra began to think.
*This great conjunction is terrible and is united with energy. This conjunction of Agni, the sun, and the moon is extraordinary. If the moon begets a son now, he may be the husband of the goddess. Agni has all the qualities too, and Agni is also a god. If he begets a son, he may be the husband of the goddess too.*
Having thought in this way, Indra took Devasena with him and went to Brahma's world. Worshipping the grandfather, he said: "Please grant a brave husband for this goddess."
Brahma replied: "O destroyer of danavas! It will be done as you have thought. There will be an embryo with great strength and valour. O Shatakratu! Together with you, he will be your army's general. That valorous one will be the husband of this goddess."
Hearing these words, the lord of the gods bowed in obeisance. Together with the maiden, he went to the abode of the devarshis — the divine sages. With Vasishtha at the forefront, those chief among the foremost of the brahmanas were extremely great in their vows. With Indra leading them, the gods went to the sacrifice, thirsting for a share of the soma that had been obtained through austerities.
They performed the sacrifice in accordance with the prescribed rites. They offered oblations to all the gods into the well-kindled fire. The Adbhuta fire — the bearer of oblations — was summoned from the sun's circle. According to the prescribed rules, the lord Agni emerged. He restrained his speech and entered the sacrificial fire, into which oblations had been offered with mantras. Various oblations had been rendered by the rishis, and Agni accepted these. Having accepted them, he carried them to the residents of heaven. Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 510