Revanta is chief of the Guhyakas, supernatural beings – like the Yakshas – who are believed to live as forest dwellers in the Himalayas.

Once, Sanjna (Saranyu), the daughter of celestial architect Vishvakarma and wife of Surya, unable to take the fervour of the Sun-god, repaired to the forests to engage in devout austerities in the form of a mare.

While in another chapter of the Markandeya Purana, he is son of Chhaya and his brothers are the Saturn-god Shani, Tapati and Savarni Manu.

[7][8] The Markandeya Purana further adds he was assigned the duty as chief of Guhyakas by Surya and to protect mortals "amid the terrors of forests and other lonely places, of great conflagration, of enemies and robbers."

[10] The Markandeya Purana describes Revanta as "holding a sword and bow, clad in an armour, riding on horseback, and carrying arrows and a quiver".

[11] The Kalika Purana describes him carrying a sword in right hand and a whip in his left, seated on a white horse.

[15] Revanta was worshipped as guardian deity of warriors and horses, protector from the dangers of forests and the patron god of hunting.

[17] There is a stone inscription that talks about a temple to Revanta, as the principal deity, in Vikranapur (modern Kotgaph, Madhya Pradesh) built by the Kalachuri king Ratnadeva II.