Aśvatthāmā’s Stuti of Rudra and Śiva’s Empowerment (सौप्तिकपर्व, अध्याय ७)
दीप्तास्यनयनाश्षात्र नैकपादशिरोभुजा: । रत्नचित्राज्भदधरा: समुद्यतकरास्तथा
dīptāsyanayanāḥ śastrā naika-pāda-śiro-bhujāḥ | ratna-citrāmbara-dharāḥ samudyata-karās tathā ||
তাদের মুখ ও নয়ন দীপ্তিমান, তারা অস্ত্রধারী; কারও বহু পা, বহু মস্তক ও বহু বাহু; রত্নখচিত বস্ত্র পরিহিত, আর হাত উঁচু করে উদ্যত।
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights how adharma-driven violence breeds terror and a sense of demonic disorder: when ethical restraint collapses, the world is experienced as hostile and uncanny, reflecting the moral darkness of the act about to unfold.
Sañjaya describes frightening, supernatural-looking figures—radiant-eyed, weapon-bearing, multi-limbed—appearing in the night. This functions as an ominous atmosphere-setting for the Sauptika episode, where stealthy killing and panic dominate the scene.