Shloka 1.36.8
बालकाण्ड सर्ग ३६ — गङ्गा-प्रभवप्रश्नः, शिवतेजोधारणं, कार्त्तिकेय-जन्म, उमाशापः
ततो देवास्समुद्विग्ना: पितामहपुरोगमा:।यदिहोत्पद्यते भूतं कस्तत्प्रतिसहिष्यते।।।।
tato devāḥ samudvignāḥ pitāmahapurogamāḥ | yad ihotpadyate bhūtaṃ kas tat pratisahiṣyate ||
Then the gods, with Pitāmaha (Brahmā) at their head, grew greatly alarmed: “If an offspring is born here and now, who could possibly endure such overwhelming power?”
"Then the devatas led by Brahma were exceedingly alarmed. 'Who will be able to bear the power of the offspring if it is born here and now', they reflected.
Dharma here is the protection of cosmic balance: even divine power must be borne only where it can be responsibly sustained, so the gods act cautiously to prevent harm.
The gods, led by Brahmā, foresee the dangerous consequences of a powerful birth occurring immediately and become anxious about who could withstand it.
Prudence and responsibility in governance: the gods anticipate consequences and seek a solution aligned with world-welfare rather than allowing uncontrolled power.