SB 10.15.36
tatah krsnam ca ramam ca
jnatayo dhenukasya ye
krostaro ’bhyadravan sarve
samrabdha hata-bandhavah
Translation:
The other ass demons, close friends of Dhenukasura, were enraged upon seeing his death, and thus they all immediately ran to attack Krsna and Balarama.
Purport:
Srila Sanatana Gosvami makes the following comment on this verse: “It is stated here that the ass demons first attacked Krsna and then Balarama (krsnam ca ramam ca). One reason for this is that the demons, having seen the prowess of Lord Balarama, thought it wise to attack Krsna first. Or it may be that out of affection for His elder brother, Lord Krsna placed Himself between Balarama and the ass demons. The words krsnam ca ramam ca may also be understood to indicate that Lord Balarama, out of affection for His younger brother, went to Lord Krsna’s side.