The Rise of Mahasena: The Transformation of Skanda-Karttikeya in North India from the Kusana to Gupta Empires (Brill's Indological Library)

This book studies the early development of Skanda-K rttikeya s Hindu cult from its earliest textual and material sources to the end of the Gupta Empire in the north of India. The text argues that Skanda s early popular cult is found in Graha and M t traditions oriented towards appeasing potentially dangerous spirits. Once propitiated, however, Skanda and his Grahas/ M t s could become fierce protectors of their followers. During the Ku a and Gupta empires, this tradition gains the attention of rulers, who transform the deity s protective cult into one focused on the ruler s military prowess and right to rule. Once detached from his former popular traditions the deity s cult begins to falter in the north as it becomes increasingly focused on elite agendas.