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
圣者舒迦提婆·高斯瓦弥说：大王啊，阿修罗统帅弗利陀罗修罗向部将宣说正法之理；然而那些怯懦的魔军将领一心只想逃离战场，被恐惧搅乱，竟无法接受他的话语。
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.