From the beginning, Skanda was a deity who guarded monasteries and kitchens. However, due to folk beliefs, he came to be called a deity who runs well and an anti-theft deity. One folk belief is that when he guarded monasteries, a demon stole and ran away with the bones of Siddhartha Gautama. Skanda chased him and took the bones back. Another folk belief is that when he guarded kitchens, he ran around everywhere to gather food for Siddhartha Gautama.