Shloka 4
Sañjaya’s Knowledge of Keśava and the Discipline of Indriya-nigraha (संजयस्य केशवज्ञानम्—इन्द्रियनिग्रह-उपदेशः)
कौरवोंपर उसका प्रभाव प्रकट नहीं है। पाण्डवोंको वह अत्यन्त प्रिय है। वह सबके सार-असारभूत बलको जाननेमें समर्थ और तेज:पुंजसे प्रकाशित होनेवाला है ।। नरकं शम्बरं चैव कंसं चैद्यं च माधव: । जितवान् घोरसंकाशान् क्रीडन्निव महाबल:,महाबली भगवान् श्रीकृष्णने अत्यन्त भयंकरप्रतीत होनेवाले नरकासुर, शम्बरसुर, कंस तथा शिशुपालको भी खेल-ही-खेलमें जीत लिया
narakaṁ śambaraṁ caiva kaṁsaṁ caidyaṁ ca mādhavaḥ | jitavān ghorasaṅkāśān krīḍann iva mahābalaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Mādhava (Śrī Kṛṣṇa), though supremely mighty, overcame as if in sport those foes who appeared terrifying—Naraka, Śambara, Kaṁsa, and Caidya (Śiśupāla). The statement underscores that true power, guided by righteousness, is not mere violence but mastery that subdues destructive forces without being inwardly shaken by them.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights Kṛṣṇa’s effortless supremacy over terrifying forces, implying that power aligned with dharma is steady, controlled, and used to restrain adharma rather than to indulge in cruelty or ego.
Sañjaya praises Kṛṣṇa by recalling his past victories over major enemies—Narakāsura, Śambara, Kaṁsa, and Śiśupāla—presenting him as a decisive protector whose strength makes even dreadful opponents seem easy to overcome.