Shloka 4
अर्जुनस्य प्रतिघातः — श्रुताय्वच्युतायुवधः तथा गजसैन्यविदारणम्
Arjuna’s Counterstroke: Slaying of Śrutāyu and Acyutāyu; Breaking the Elephant Corps
व्यालादींश्वातिबलवान् सुप्रतीकान् गजानपि । दंष्टासु गृह्ा विमुखान् शुष्कास्यानकरोद् वशे,अत्यन्त बलवान् भरत सर्प आदि जन्तुओंको और सुप्रतीक जातिके गजराजोंके भी दाँत पकड़ लेते और उनके मुख सुखाकर उन्हें विमुख करके अपने अधीन कर लेते थे
vyālādiṁś cātibalavān supratīkān gajān api | daṁṣṭāsu gṛhya vimukhān śuṣkāsyān akarod vaśe ||
Nārada said: “He was exceedingly powerful. Even serpents and other fierce creatures, and even elephants of the Supratīka breed, he would seize by their tusks; drying their mouths and forcing them to turn away, he brought them completely under his control.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights overwhelming physical might and the capacity to subdue even the most formidable beings; ethically, it underscores how extraordinary power can compel submission, inviting reflection on whether such power is used for protection and dharma or merely domination.
Nārada describes a figure of immense strength who can even seize dangerous creatures and powerful elephants by their tusks, rendering them helpless (dry-mouthed, turned away) and bringing them under his control.