Shloka 16
Vyāsa’s Counsel to Dhṛtarāṣṭra on Restraining Duryodhana (व्यास-धृतराष्ट्र-उपदेशः)
युराभिरुवाच यदि पुत्रसहस््राणि सर्वत्र समतैव मे । दीनस्यथ तु सतः शक्र पुत्रस्याभ्यधिका कृपा,सुरभि बोली--देवेन्द्र! यदि मेरे सहस्ौरों पुत्र हैं, तो मैं उन सबके प्रति समानभाव ही रखती हूँ; परंतु दीन-दुःखी पुत्रके प्रति अधिक दया उमड़ आती है
surabhir uvāca—yadi putrasahasrāṇi sarvatra samataiva me | dīnasya tu sataḥ śakra putrasyābhyadhikā kṛpā ||
Surabhi said: “O Śakra (Indra), even if I have thousands of sons, my attitude toward them is equal everywhere; yet when one son is helpless and suffering, a greater compassion naturally rises in me for that afflicted child.”
शक्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
Impartiality is a virtue, but dharma also recognizes a special claim of the vulnerable: compassion may rightly become stronger toward the innocent who are distressed.
Surabhi addresses Śakra (Indra), explaining that although she regards all her many offspring equally, her heart is especially moved when one child is suffering and helpless.