Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 16
Kṛṣṇa Defeats Bāṇāsura and Receives Śiva’s Prayers
The Śoṇitapura Battle and the Jvara Episode
कुम्भाण्डकूपकर्णश्च पेततुर्मुषलार्दितौ । दुद्रुवुस्तदनीकानि हतनाथानि सर्वत: ॥ १६ ॥
kumbhāṇḍa-kūpakarṇaś ca petatur muṣalārditau dudruvus tad-anīkani hata-nāthāni sarvataḥ
库姆般达与库帕卡尔那被主巴拉罗摩的棍杵折磨，倒地身亡。两魔军士见首领被杀，便向四方溃散奔逃。
FAQs
This verse states that Kumbhāṇḍa and Kūpakarṇa were struck down by the Lord’s club and fell, after which Bāṇāsura’s leaderless troops scattered and fled in all directions.
Because key leaders like Kumbhāṇḍa and Kūpakarṇa were slain, the remaining divisions became “hata-nātha”—without commanders—and, overwhelmed by fear, ran away.
When worldly supports collapse, fear spreads quickly; the remedy is to take shelter of the true protector—God—so one’s direction and courage come from devotion rather than unstable external leadership.