Shloka 4
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 ||
वह व्याघ्रचर्म धारण किए था, जिससे बहुत रक्त बह रहा था; ऊपर से कृष्णमृगचर्म ओढ़े था और सर्पों को यज्ञोपवीत की भाँति धारण किए था।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
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.