Elements of Hindu Iconography v4.c33.4

v4.c33.4

It might be noticed that all these eight deities held prominent positions in the Vēdic period, long before Viṣṇu and Śiva of the modern Trinity, became supreme in Hindu mythology; and the former are now obliged to be content with the more modest situation of the guardianship of the quarters of the universe. It therefore becomes necessary to trace the history of the degradation, so to speak, of these deities from the exalted positions held by them during the Vēdic times.