Vyasa Recounts the Conversation Between Surabhi and Indra
Vyasa responds to Dhritarashtra's confession by stating plainly that a son is supreme — nothing is superior to a son. To prove it, he tells the story of Surabhi and Indra: how the mother of all cows wept for one oppressed calf, and how Indra himself was convinced that a son is dearer than life.
Vyasa replied to Dhritarashtra's confession.
"O king! O Vichitravirya's son! What you have said is true. I know that a son is supreme and nothing is superior to a son. Indra himself realized this through the flow of Surabhi's tears. He understood that a son surpasses all other riches, no matter how expensive."
Then he told the story.
In times long past, Surabhi — the mother of all cows — cried out in heaven. Indra asked her why she wept. She told him: her son was small and weak, burdened by a plough, beaten by a peasant with a stick. He was close to death, unable to bear the load. She was overcome with compassion for him.
Indra asked: "Thousands of your sons are equally oppressed. Why are you driven by compassion for this one?"
Surabhi answered: "I have thousands of sons everywhere and I look upon them equally. O Shakra! But my compassion is truly greater for the son who is oppressed."
On hearing this, Indra was greatly surprised. He became convinced that a son was dearer than one's own life. And so he sent a great shower of rain that stopped the ploughing and relieved the suffering of Surabhi's son.
Vyasa let the story settle. Then he would apply its meaning to Dhritarashtra himself. Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 307