Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 3
Vṛtrāsura Rebukes Indra; Heroic Combat and the Asura’s Pure Devotional Prayers
विशीर्यमाणां पृतनामासुरीमसुरर्षभ: । कालानुकूलैस्त्रिदशै: काल्यमानामनाथवत् ॥ २ ॥ दृष्ट्वातप्यत सङ्कुद्ध इन्द्रशत्रुरमर्षित: । तान् निवार्यौजसा राजन् निर्भर्त्स्येदमुवाच ह ॥ ३ ॥
viśīryamāṇāṁ pṛtanām āsurīm asurarṣabhaḥ kālānukūlais tridaśaiḥ kālyamānām anāthavat
O King Parīkṣit, seizing a favorable moment granted by time, the demigods attacked the asuras’ army from the rear and drove the soldiers away, scattering them as if the host had no leader. Seeing his troops in such a pitiable state, Vṛtrāsura—the best of the asuras, known as Indraśatru, Indra’s enemy—was stricken with grief and rage. Unable to bear the setback, he halted them by force, rebuked the demigods, and in anger spoke the following words.
FAQs
It describes Vṛtrāsura becoming intensely distressed and angry upon seeing his forces break, then forcibly restraining them and rebuking them to stand and fight.
Because he is presented as Indra’s principal adversary in this conflict; the epithet identifies him by his role in the narrative as Indra’s enemy.
It highlights leadership under pressure—when a group collapses in fear, a leader may need to steady them firmly and restore resolve rather than surrender to panic.