The Mahabharata has a story on how umbrellas and slippers came about. Once Jamadagni found Surya’s heat insufferable. He asked Renuka to get his quiver and aimed an arrow at Surya. He fired several at Surya who was unable tod efend himself and started burning Renuka’s feet and head even more. She grew tired, and rested under a tree, but resumed her duty in a short while. When Jamadagni asked her the reason for delay, she said that she had become tired due to the heat. Jamadagni became even more angry and continued firing arrows at the sun god. Surya appeared as a brahmin and told Jamadagni that it was impossible to bring down the sun and that he should desist. Jamadagni replied that he would bring the sun down when it stood still at noon. Surya admitted defeat and gave him slippers and umbrella and that was how they started being used by humans. This gifting of umbrella and slippers continues as a custom as per Mahabharata Anushasanaparva Chapters 95,96.