Adhyāya 6: Śibira-dvāra-sthita Bhūta-varṇana and Aśvatthāmā’s Śaraṇāgati to Mahādeva
वसानं चर्म वैयाप्र॑ महारुधिरविस्रवम् । कृष्णाजिनोत्तरासड्ूं नागयज्ञोपवीतिनम्
vasānaṁ carma vaiyāghraṁ mahārudhiravisravam | kṛṣṇājinottarāsaṅgaṁ nāgayajñopavītinam ||
قال سَنْجَيا: كان يرتدي جلدَ نمرٍ يسيل منه دمٌ غزير؛ وقد التفّ بجلد ظبيٍ أسود ككساءٍ علوي، واتخذ الأفاعي خيطَه المقدّس (اليَجْنْيَوْبَفِيتا).
संजय उवाच
The verse uses ritual markers (yajñopavīta, animal hides) in a distorted, fearsome form to underscore how violence and adharma can masquerade in sacred symbols; it warns that outward signs of sanctity do not guarantee righteous intent.
In the Sauptika episode’s night setting, a dreadful being is described as standing like a gatekeeper; its blood-dripping tiger-skin, antelope-hide wrap, and serpent sacred thread intensify the sense of an ominous, supernatural barrier encountered amid the impending slaughter.