Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 1
Vṛtrāsura Rebukes Indra; Heroic Combat and the Asura’s Pure Devotional Prayers
श्रीशुक उवाच त एवं शंसतो धर्मं वच: पत्युरचेतस: । नैवागृह्णन्त सम्भ्रान्ता: पलायनपरा नृप ॥ १ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca ta evaṁ śaṁsato dharmaṁ vacaḥ patyur acetasaḥ naivāgṛhṇanta sambhrāntāḥ palāyana-parā nṛpa
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī berkata: Wahai Raja, Vṛtrāsura, panglima para asura, menasihati para bawahannya tentang prinsip dharma; namun para komandan asura yang pengecut, berniat lari dari medan perang, begitu dilanda takut sehingga tidak mampu menerima kata-katanya.
FAQs
This verse shows that when the mind is overwhelmed by fear and confusion, even correct instruction on dharma may not be received; inner steadiness is needed to grasp spiritual guidance.
Śukadeva is narrating the episode to King Parīkṣit, emphasizing that the lesson—how people react under danger and how dharma can be forgotten—has practical relevance for a ruler and for all listeners.
When panic arises, first regain composure (pause, pray, remember Bhagavān, seek clarity); only then can wise counsel be understood and acted upon instead of reacting impulsively.