Matsyapurana 125.17

125.17

teṣāmāpyāyanaṃ dhūmaḥ sarveṣām aviśeṣataḥ
teṣāṃ śreṣṭhaśca parjanyaś catvāraścaiva diggajāḥ //

There are four elephants too, (Diggajâ). There are two divisions of elephants (Hasti), mountains (Parvata), clouds (Megha), and serpents (Bhogî). They originally sprang from the same common stock. Their origin lies in water. The Parjanya clouds and Hasti wax during Hemanta season and pour out showers of snow born of cold, to promote the growth of grain.—18-19.

The clouds Jîmuta beget life. Those clouds remain suspended on the air Abahana. They change shape (i.e. condensed), and on going up a Yojana from there form into rain hence they are called the source of rain. The clouds Puṣkarâbartaka have been born from the wings (of the mountains). These wings are named Puṣkara and hold a huge volume of water hence these clouds are known as Puṣkarâvarta. The valiant Indra cut down the wings of the mountains that used to fly at their will and cause ruin and destruction to the rising generation (of the universe). These clouds assume various forms, give out thundering noise, produce deluge of rains at the end of the kalpa and quench the destructive blaze of fire at the same time. They support the air, are full of immortality and causes the end of the Kalpa. The bursting of the Brahma’s egg out of which came forth the four headed Brahmâ Himself, produced other clouds; they are the outer crust of egg, and, are called Megha (clouds). Without distinction their chief source of nourishment is smoke. The most important of them is Parjanya.—10-17.