Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 5
Nārada’s Protection of Kayādhu and Prahlāda’s Womb-Instructions: Ātma-tattva and the Path of Bhakti
तेषामतिबलोद्योगं निशम्यासुरयूथपा: । वध्यमाना: सुरैर्भीता दुद्रुवु: सर्वतो दिशम् ॥ ४ ॥ कलत्रपुत्रवित्ताप्तान्गृहान्पशुपरिच्छदान् । नावेक्ष्यमाणास्त्वरिता: सर्वे प्राणपरीप्सव: ॥ ५ ॥
teṣām atibalodyogaṁ niśamyāsura-yūthapāḥ vadhyamānāḥ surair bhītā dudruvuḥ sarvato diśam
When the great leaders of the demons, who were being killed one after another, saw the unprecedented exertion of the demigods in fighting, they began to flee, scattering themselves in all directions. Simply to protect their lives, they hastily fled from their homes, wives, children, animals and household paraphernalia. Paying no heed to all these, the demons simply fled.
FAQs
Because they hear of the enemy’s overwhelming strength and, being attacked by the demigods, become fearful and run in all directions.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī, speaking to King Parīkṣit, narrates these events.
Power without righteousness and inner steadiness collapses under pressure; fear drives one to scatter, while dharmic strength brings composure.