Others regard the thunder as the roaring of the elephant of the gods, while sucking sea-water. The thunder is also believed to be the roaring of the god Varuna, the king of the clouds. [140] The boys of the Ratnágiri District believe that thunder is a sign of the wedding ceremonies performed in the heavenly houses of the gods. [141] Some Mahomedans believe that an angel called Mekail has control over the rain. To cause a fall of rain Mekail strikes the clouds with a whip of lightning. The clouds then utter a cry, and this is the cause of thunder. [142] Some people of the Thána District believe that there are big stones in the sky which strike against each other owing to the force of the wind, and produce thunder. The dashing of these stones against each other also generates lightning. [143] In the Kolába District it is believed that thunder is the military band of the king of clouds and lightning is his banner. [144] Lightning is said to be produced by the fighting of celestial elephants; while thunder is heard when they pour out water. [145] Some people think that thunder is the noise of the feet of the elephants (clouds) that give rain; lightning is also said to be generated from their foot fall. [146] The clouds are supposed to be the messengers of gods, lightning being the manifestation of Divine power. The gods are said to confine these messengers from the nakshatra of Ardra to the nakshatra of Hasti, in which latter nakshatra they again begin to roar. [147] Thunder is supposed to take place when the god Indra draws his bow; while lightning is said to be produced when the same god strikes his adamant against a mountain. [148] In the Ratnágiri District it is believed that earthquake occurs whenever the thousand headed Shesha shakes its head. [149] It is said that at one time a demon named Gayásur became very troublesome, and all the gods held him down by standing on his body. Thereupon the demon requested all the gods to remain on his body for ever. Occasionally this Gayásur shakes his body and this causes the earthquake. [150] Some people believe that the earth trembles of its own accord when sins accumulate upon it. [151] Others hold that the earthquake takes place in the hollow parts of the earth. [152] Some people, however, believe that since the earth floats upon water, it naturally quakes at times. [153]