Most scholars believe that Shashthi

Most scholars believe that Shashthi's roots can be traced to Hindu folk traditions. References to this goddess appear in Hindu scriptures as early as 8th and 9th century BCE, in which she is associated with children as well as the Hindu war-god Skanda. Early references consider her a foster-mother of Skanda, but in later texts she is identified with Skanda's consort, Devasena. In some early texts where Shashthi appears as an attendant of Skanda, she is said to cause diseases in the mother and child, and thus needed to be propitiated on the sixth day after childbirth. However, over time, this malignant goddess became seen as the benevolent saviour and bestower of children.

Most scholars believe that Shashthi's roots can be traced to Hindu folk traditions. References to this goddess appear in Hindu scriptures as early as 8th and 9th century BCE, in which she is associated with children as well as the Hindu war-god Skanda. Early references consider her a foster-mother of Skanda, but in later texts she is identified with Skanda's consort, Devasena. In some early texts where Shashthi appears as an attendant of Skanda, she is said to cause diseases in the mother and child, and thus needed to be propitiated on the sixth day after childbirth. However, over time, this malignant goddess became seen as the benevolent saviour and bestower of children.

Most scholars believe that Shashthi 's roots can be traced to Hindu folk traditions. References to this goddess appear. In Hindu Scriptures as early as 8th and 9th, century BCE in which she is associated with children as well as the Hindu war-god. Skanda. Early references consider her a foster - mother, of Skanda but in later texts she is identified with Skanda ', s consort. Devasena.In some early texts where Shashthi appears as an attendant, of Skanda she is said to cause diseases in the mother and. Child and thus, needed to be propitiated on the sixth day after childbirth. However over time, this malignant, goddess became. Seen as the benevolent Saviour and bestower of children.