Shloka 2.74.15

भरतस्य कैकेयी-गर्हा तथा सुरभि-दृष्टान्तः (Bharata’s Reproach of Kaikeyi and the Surabhi Exemplum)

Devanagari script

अन्यदा किल धर्मज्ञा सुरभि स्सुरसम्मता।वहमानौ ददर्शोर्व्यां पुत्रौ विगतचेतसौ।।।।

Transliteration

anyadā kila dharmajñā surabhiḥ surasammatā | vahamānau dadarśorvyāṃ putrau vigatacetasau ||

Translation

It is said that once Surabhī—knower of dharma and honored among the gods—saw on the earth her two sons, bearing burdens and fainting from exhaustion.

Context

It is said that once upon a time Surabhi, the divine cow, highly respected by the gods and conversant with righteous ways, beheld her two sons who fainted due to fatigue while carrying the burden of the ploughs.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Kaikeyi
• Surabhī

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma includes compassion: the narrative turns to an exemplum showing how a mother’s suffering has cosmic resonance.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharata introduces a traditional story about Surabhī to illustrate the gravity of causing a mother grief.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Empathy—using moral exemplars to awaken conscience and restore dharmic awareness.