बक-गौतमाख्यानम् / The Baka–Gautama Account
On Gratitude and Friendship Ethics
यदुभ्यश्न शिबिलेंभे शिबेश्वापि प्रतर्दन: । प्रतर्दनादष्टकश्न पृषदश्चो 5ष्टकादपि
yadubhyaśna śibilembhe śibeśvāpi pratardanaḥ | pratardanād aṣṭakaśna pṛṣadaś co ’ṣṭakād api ||
यदुभ्यः शिबिर् लेभे शिबेश्चापि प्रतर्दनः । प्रतर्दनाद् अष्टकश्च पृषदश्चाष्टकादपि ॥
भीष्म उवाच
The verse reinforces the importance of dynastic continuity in the context of rājadharma: righteous governance is remembered and validated through well-attested lineages, linking present instruction to exemplary ancestors.
Bhīṣma is reciting a genealogical sequence—Yadu → Śibi → Pratardana → Aṣṭaka → Pṛṣada—situating the discussion within the authoritative tradition of ancient kings.