Compassion and kindness belong to qualities that are roots of dharma. We should serve others.
Roots of Dharma
Adroha (absence of ill-feeling), Alobha (absence of covetousness),
Dama (self-control), Bhutadaya (kindness to living beings), Tapas
(penance), Brahmacarya (celibacy), Satya (truthfulness), Anukrosa
(compassion and tenderness), Ksama (forgiveness) and Dhrti (fortitude)
– these are roots of Dharma but extremely difficult to achieve.
Vayu Purana I.57.116
Sympathy for others is a part of Sistachara.
The following eight are characteristic Sistacaras (rules of polite
behavior): charity, truthfulness, penance, absence of greed, learning,
sacrifice, procreation and sympathy.
Vayu Purana I.59.37
Need to feel for the afflicted
A Brahmana might be even-sighted and calm in disposition. But if he
cannot sympathize with the afflicted, all the merits of his austerity
come to naught like water kept in a broken pot.
Srimad Bhagavata Purana IV.14.41
Service to the afflicted
I abide in all beings as their inner-most soul. Disregarding My
presence within them, men make a show of worshiping Me through images.
If one disregards Me present in all as their soul and Lord but
ignorantly offers worship only to images, such worship is as
ineffective as a sacrificial offering made in ashes. A man who
persecutes Me residing in others, who is proud and haughty, who looks
upon God as the other – such a person will never attain to peace of
mind. If a man disregards and persecutes fellow beings, but worships
Me in images with numerous rituals and rich offerings, I am not at all
pleased with him for proffering such worship. A man should, however,
worship Me in images, side by side with discharging his duties, which
include the love of all beings, until he actually realizes My presence
in in himself and in all beings. As long as man is self-centered and
makes an absolute distinction between himself and others (without
recognizing the unity of all in Me, the Inner Pervader), he will be
subject to the great fear of Death (including every form of
deprivation of self-interest). So, overcoming the separateness of a
self-centered life, one should serve all beings with gifts, honor and
love, recognizing that such service is really being rendered to Me who
reside in all beings as their innermost soul.
Srimad Bhagavata Purana III.29.21-27
Helping the indigent
Bhishma said, "Whatever wishes one entertains with respect to
oneself, one should certainly cherish with respect to another. With
the surplus wealth one may happen to own one should relieve the wants
of the indigent. It is for this reason that the Creator ordained the
practice of increasing one's wealth (by trade or laying it out at
interest)."
Mahabharata, Santi Parva, Section CCLIX