Srimad-Bhagavatam: Canto 10 - Chapter 1 - Verse 36

Sanskrit:

किं क्षेमशूरैर्विबुधैरसंयुगविकत्थनै: ।रहोजुषा किं हरिणा शम्भुना वा वनौकसा ।किमिन्द्रेणाल्पवीर्येण ब्रह्मणा वा तपस्यता ॥ ३६ ॥

ITRANS:

kiṁ kṣema-śūrair vibudhairasaṁyuga-vikatthanaiḥraho-juṣā kiṁ hariṇāśambhunā vā vanaukasākim indreṇālpa-vīryeṇabrahmaṇā vā tapasyatā

Translation:

The demigods boast uselessly while away from the battlefield. Only where there is no fighting can they show their prowess. Therefore, from such demigods we have nothing to fear. As for Lord Viṣṇu, He is in seclusion in the core of the hearts of the yogīs. As for Lord Śiva, he has gone to the forest. And as for Lord Brahmā, he is always engaged in austerities and meditation. The other demigods, headed by Indra, are devoid of prowess. Therefore you have nothing to fear.

Purport:

Kaṁsa’s ministers told Kaṁsa that all the exalted demigods had fled in fear of him. One had gone to the forest, one to the core of the heart, and one to engage in tapasya. “Thus you can be free from all fear of the demigods,” they said. “Just prepare to fight.”