Shloka 2.74.20
भरतस्य कैकेयी-गर्हा तथा सुरभि-दृष्टान्तः (Bharata’s Reproach of Kaikeyi and the Surabhi Exemplum)
तां दृष्ट्वा शोकसन्तप्तां वज्रपाणिर्यशस्विनीम्।इन्द्रः प्राञ्जलिरुद्विग्न स्सुरराजोऽब्रवीद्वचः।।।।
tāṁ dṛṣṭvā śokasantaptāṁ vajrapāṇir yaśasvinīm | indraḥ prāñjalir udvignaḥ surarājo ’bravīd vacaḥ ||
Seeing the renowned Surabhi (Kāmadhenu) consumed by grief, Indra—the lord of the gods, bearer of the thunderbolt—stood with folded hands, alarmed, and spoke these words.
The king of the gods, Indra, wielder of thunderbolt, saw the renowned Kamadhenu consumed with grief. Alarmed, he said to her with palms joined in reverence:
Respect for suffering and the duty to inquire compassionately: even the powerful (Indra) responds with humility (folded hands) before grief.
A moral exemplum is introduced: Indra notices Surabhi/Kāmadhenu grieving and approaches her with reverence to learn the cause.
Indra’s humility and empathetic vigilance—power is shown as accountable to dharma through compassion.