Shloka 4
भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण कहते हैं--भरतश्रेष्ठ! यादवोंसे ऐसा कहकर रुक्मिणीनन्दन प्रद्युम्न एक सुवर्णमय रथपर आरूढ़ हुए, जिसमें बख्तर पहनाये हुए घोड़े जुते थे। उन्होंने अपनी मकरचिह्लित ध्वजाको ऊँचा किया, जो मुह बाये हुए कालके समान प्रतीत होती थी। उनके रथके घोड़े ऐसे चलते थे, मानो आकाशमें उड़े जा रहे हों। ऐसे अश्वोंसे जुते हुए रथके द्वारा महाबली प्रद्युम्नने शत्रुओंपर आक्रमण किया। वे अपने श्रेष्ठ धनुषको बारंबार खींचकर उसकी टंकार फैलाते हुए आगे बढ़े। उन्होंने पीझठपर तरकस और कमरमें तलवार बाँध ली थी। उनमें शौर्य भरा था और उन्होंने गोहके चमड़ेके बने हुए दस्ताने पहन रखे थे || १-- ३।। स विद्युच्छुरितं चापं विहरन् वै तलातू तलम् । मोहयामास दैतेयान् सर्वान् सौभनिवासिन:,वे अपने धनुषको एक हाथसे दूसरे हाथमें ले लिया करते थे। उस समय वह धनुष बिजलीके समान चमक रहा था। उन्होंने उस धनुषके द्वारा सौभ विमानमें रहनेवाले समस्त दैत्योंको मूर्च्छिंत कर दिया
sa vidyucchuritaṃ cāpaṃ viharan vai talātū talam | mohayāmāsa daiteyān sarvān saubhanivāsinaḥ ||
The Blessed Śrī Kṛṣṇa said: “O best of the Bhāratas!” Having spoken thus to the Yādavas, Pradyumna—Rukmiṇī’s son—mounted a golden chariot yoked to armored horses. He raised aloft his banner marked with the Makara, which looked like Kāla with gaping mouth. His chariot-horses moved as though flying through the sky. Drawn by such steeds, the mighty Pradyumna charged the enemy, again and again drawing his excellent bow and spreading the twang as he advanced—quiver on his back, sword at his waist, valor in his heart, and hand-guards of godhā (iguana) hide. Then, shifting the bow deftly from hand to hand, he made it flash like lightning, and by that brilliance and the force of his archery he bewildered and overwhelmed all the Daityas dwelling in the Saubha aerial fortress.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in warfare, victory is not only physical but also psychological: disciplined skill, speed, and presence can shatter an opponent’s confidence and coordination. The verse highlights mastery (kauśala) and composure as decisive forces.
Pradyumna rapidly shifts and brandishes his lightning-bright bow, and by this display and his archery he confounds all the Daityas residing in the Saubha aerial fortress, disrupting their ability to respond effectively.