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The Rise of MahÄsena
The Transformation of Skanda-KÄrttikeya in North India from the Kuá¹£Äá¹a to Gupta Empires
Series: - Brill's Indological Library, Volume: 39
Author:
This book studies the early development of Skanda-KÄrttikeyaâs 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 Skandaâs early âpopularâ cult is found in Graha and MÄtá¹ traditions oriented towards appeasing potentially dangerous spirits. Once propitiated, however, Skanda and his Grahas/ MÄtá¹s could become fierce protectors of their followers. During the Kuá¹£Äá¹a and Gupta empires, this tradition gains the attention of rulers, who transform the deityâs protective cult into one focused on the rulerâs military prowess and right to rule. Once detached from his former popular traditions the deityâs cult begins to falter in the north as it becomes increasingly focused on elite agendas.
Richard D. Mann, Ph.D. (2003) in Religious Studies, McMaster University, is an Assistant Professor of Religion at Carleton University. He has published on developments in Hinduism during the Kuá¹£Äá¹a Empire and on South Asian numismatics.
All those interested in the history of Hinduism, religious change during Kuá¹£Äá¹a and Gupta era South Asia, the intersection of religion and politics, as well as textual and artistic history.