Surabhi's lament

Mahabharata Vanparva Aranyakaparva Section VIII & IX

Sri SadGurubhyoh Namah

Vyasa says to blind king Dhritarashtra "O King, Hear to my words, what I am saying is for the good of all Kauravas. I am not pleased with Kauravas as they sent Pandavas to forest after defeating them in a game of dice dishonestly. After 13 years Pandavas may come back and remembering all the insults may slay the Kauravas in the battle. Why does your wicked son Duryodhan want to slay Pandavas and take their kingdom. Restrain your son, who is a fool. He will die if he goes to forest to slay Pandavas. Fighting with one's own kin is sinful and forbidden. If you do not interfere, Duryodhan will meet with great misfortune. Let your wicked son go to forest alone and stay with Pandavas, and with the association if they feel a little attachment to him, they may spare him. But it is unlikely that Duryodhan will change, for what has come with birth will stay till the end. I would like to know what do Bhishma, Drona, Vidura and you think on this. Do something beneficial while there is time."

Dhritarashtra said "O revered one, I did not like the idea of gambling, but I had to agree to it forced by fate. Nobody, Bhishma, Drona, Vidura and Gandhari liked the idea of game of dice. I know everything what you say, O holy one, but being attached to my son and due to my affection towards my senseless son, I am not able to castigate him away".

Vyasa said "O King, what you say is true. A son is dearest to anyone. I will relate a story to you. Once in the heaven, the celestial wish yielding cow, Surabhi, was crying. King of heaven, Indra, asked her why she is crying. Surabhi said "I am crying for my son on earth who is ploughing the field. Please look below, one of the bulls is very weak, and not able to bear the weight. It is being beaten by the farmer mercilessly. The other bull has taken the extra burden to help the weak bull, but this son of mine is falling down repeatedly unable to pull the plough. Please help him". Indra was surprised to hear this. He asked her "You have many sons on earth, why are you bothered about this one alone ?". Surabhi replied "Yes I have many sons, but this son of mine is in distress, and it is natural that the heart goes to the one who is in trouble". Indra then sent thunder and showers to the field, and the farmer has desisted from ploughing. O King, as my son Pandu is to me, so are you, and vidura to me. I am equal to all of you. But at this moment Pandu's sons are in distress. I constantly think about their plight and want them to survive. You have 101 children. Pandu has only five sons and they are in trouble now. Please ask your son to make peace with Pandavas".

Hari Om