Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 55
ततो दृष्ट्वास्य सर्वांगं तालुजिह्वाद्विजानपि । आनीय कुंकुमारक्तं सूत्रं च त्रिगुणीकृतम्
tato dṛṣṭvāsya sarvāṃgaṃ tālujihvādvijānapi | ānīya kuṃkumāraktaṃ sūtraṃ ca triguṇīkṛtam
Ensuite, après avoir examiné tous ses membres—jusqu’au palais, à la langue et aux dents—le sage apporta un fil teint de rouge au kunkuma (safran) et le plia en trois.
Skanda (deduced for Kāśīkhaṇḍa context) narrating to Agastya
Tirtha: Avimukta-Kāśī
Type: kshetra
Scene: Nārada carefully inspects the boy’s body—palate, tongue, and teeth—then produces a saffron-red thread and folds it into three strands, preparing for an auspicious act.
FAQs
Dharma includes careful discernment and proper preparation—outer actions (like the thread) accompany inner auspiciousness.
Kāśī is the overarching sacred geography of the Kāśīkhaṇḍa, though this verse itself describes examination and preparation.
A thread (sūtra) dyed saffron-red and made threefold is prepared, suggesting a ceremonial or protective rite within the narrative.