Shloka 1
Gratitude, Discernment, and the Escalation of Power (Śvā–Dvipī–Vyāghra–Nāga–Siṃha–Śarabha Itihāsa)
षोडशाधिकशततमोब<्ध्याय: सज्जनोंके चरित्रके विषयमें दृष्टान्तरूपसे एक महर्षि और कुत्तेकी कथा युधिछ्िर उवाच (न सन्ति कुलजा यत्र सहाया: पार्थिवस्य तु । अकुलीनाश्न कर्तव्या न वा भरतसत्तम ||) युधिष्ठिरने पूछा--भरतश्रेष्ठ)! जहाँ राजाके पास अच्छे कुलमें उत्पन्न सहायक नहीं हैं
bhīṣma uvāca | atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṃ purātanam | nidarśanaṃ paraṃ loke sajjanācārite sadā ||
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | na santi kulajā yatra sahāyāḥ pārthivasya tu | akulīnān kṛtavyā na vā bharatasattama ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Sa bagay na ito rin, binabanggit ng mga pantas ang isang sinaunang salaysay bilang halimbawa—isang larawan na itinuturing sa daigdig na pinakamataas na huwaran ng asal ng mga matutuwid.” Wika ni Yudhiṣṭhira: “O pinakadakila sa mga Bharata! Kung ang isang hari ay walang mga katuwang na isinilang sa mabubuting angkan, nararapat ba niyang italaga ang mga taong mababa o di-tiyak ang lahi bilang mga katuwang, o hindi nararapat?”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage frames a dharmic question of governance: when ideal, well-born aides are unavailable, a ruler must weigh lineage against practical competence and ethical reliability. Bhishma signals that the answer will be guided by an exemplary ancient story illustrating how the virtuous act in such dilemmas.
Yudhishthira asks Bhishma whether a king may appoint assistants of low or unknown lineage if no well-born helpers are available. Bhishma begins his reply by introducing an old itihasa (traditional story) used as a model for the conduct of good people, setting up the forthcoming illustrative tale.