development of the Hindu god Skanda-Karttikeya from the fourth century

BCE to the fourth century CE in north India. I argue that during this time period the deity is transformed
from a demonic being associated with childhood diseases to a respected divine ge1eral and son to Siva. I
begin with a discussion of the earliest written material about the deity found in the two Sanskrit Epics
(The A4ahiibhiirata and The Rii/Jl/i)'a~7a) and other texts. These texts establ ish Skallda-Kal1tikeya's
origins
in demonic beings and illustrate his transformation into a martial deity. These texts also demonstrate how
Brahminical redactors assimilated this deity into their own traditions. This proces~; of assimilation takes
an inauspicious and unOlihodox deity and transforms him into an auspicious and orthodox deity.
1 go on to argue that this transformation did not result in the increased popularity of this deity,
but brings about the end of his popular cult in the north ofIndia. Based on ancien t coinage, statuary and
inscriptions I demonstrate that this deity's popularity was related to his earlier ten-ible image and a
propitiatory cult designed to appease him. Once the dangerous aspect of his image was removed, so was
the main source of his popular cult. As opposed to previous scholarship on this dt;:ity, I argue that the
Brahminization of this deity's cult brings about its end.
} also demonstrate, based on this deity's depiction on ancient coinage, statuary and epigraphy,
that there were also political forces at work in this process