one that is the stronger of the pair is bearing his burthen of greater
weight (with ease), but, O Vasava, the other is lean, and weak and is a
mass of veins and arteries! He beareth his burthen with difficulty! And
it is for him that I grieve. See, O Vasava, sore inflicted with the
whip, and harassed exceedingly, he is unable to bear his burthen. And it
is for him that, moved by grief, I weep in heaviness of heart and these
tears of compassion trickle down my eyes!

"'Sakra said, "O fair one, when thousands of thy son are (daily)
oppressed, why dost thou grieve for one under infliction?" Suravi
replied. "Although I have a thousand offspring, yet my affections flow
equally towards all! But, O Sakra, I feel greater compassion for one
that is weak and innocent!'

"Vyasa continued, 'Then Indra having heard these words of Suravi, was
much surprised, and O thou of the Kuru race, he became convinced that a
son is dearer than one's life! And the illustrious chastiser of Paka
thereupon suddenly poured there a thick shower and caused obstruction to
the husbandman's work. And as Suravi said, thy affections, O king,
equally flow towards all thy sons. Let them be greater towards those
that are weak! And as my son Pandu is to me, so art thou, O son, and so
also Vidura of profound wisdom! It is out of affection that I tell you
all this! O Bharata, thou art possessed of a hundred and one sons, but
Pandu hath only five. And they are in a bad plight and passing _their_
days in sorrow. _How may they save their lives, how may they thrive_
such thoughts regarding the distressed sons of Pritha continually
agitate my soul! O king of the earth, if thou desirest all the Kauravas
to live, let thy son Duryodhana make peace with the Pandavas!'"