O learned Śaunaka, while Cupid and his followers tried to harm the sage, they felt themselves being burned alive by his potency. Thus they stopped their mischief, just like children who have aroused a sleeping snake.
Srimad Bhagavata Purana
श्रीमद्भागवतमहापुराणम्
मूल श्लोकः
त इत्थमपकुर्वन्तो मुनेस्तत्तेजसा मुने । दह्यमाना निववृतुः प्रबोध्याहिमिवार्भकाः
ta itthamapakurvanto munestattejasā mune | dahyamānā nivavṛtuḥ prabodhyāhimivārbhakāḥ
SB 12.8.29