Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 74, Shloka 25
भरतस्य कैकेयी-गर्हा तथा सुरभि-दृष्टान्तः
Bharata’s Reproach of Kaikeyi and the Surabhi Exemplum
ममकायात्प्रसूतौ हि दुःखितौ भारपीडितौ।यौ दृष्ट्वा परितप्येऽहं नास्ति पुत्रसमः प्रियः।।।।
mama kāyāt prasūtau hi duḥkhitau bhārapīḍitau | yau dṛṣṭvā paritapye ’haṁ nāsti putrasamaḥ priyaḥ ||
ನನ್ನದೇ ದೇಹದಿಂದ ಜನಿಸಿದ ಆ ಇಬ್ಬರೂ ದುಃಖಿತರಾಗಿ ಭಾರದಿಂದ ಪೀಡಿತರಾಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ; ಅವರನ್ನು ಕಂಡು ನಾನು ಒಳಗಿಂದಲೇ ದಹಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ—ಪುತ್ರನಂತೆ ಪ್ರಿಯನು ಮತ್ತಾರೂ ಇಲ್ಲ.
'These bulls were born from my body and they are oppressed by the burden. Having seen their anguish, I am extremely grieved. There is none so dear as a son'.
FAQs
Dharma recognizes the sanctity of familial bonds and the duty of care; the suffering of one’s dependents becomes a moral claim upon the conscience.
Surabhi intensifies her explanation: the bulls are her own offspring, and their forced labor causes her acute grief.
Vātsalya (parental affection) as a virtue that motivates protection and compassion.