Shloka 456
बक-गौतमाख्यानम् / The Baka–Gautama Account
On Gratitude and Friendship Ethics
ब्रह्मा ददावसिं तीक्षणमधर्मप्रतिवारणम् । इसके बाद ब्रह्माजीने अधर्मका निवारण करनेमें समर्थ वह तीखी तलवार वृषभचिह्नित ध्वजावाले नीलकण्ठ भगवान् रुद्रको दे दी
brahmā dadāv asiṁ tīkṣṇam adharmaprativāraṇam |
ビーシュマは語った。「ブラフマーは、アダルマ（不義）を抑え退ける力をもつ、鋭利な剣を授けた。ついでブラフマーは、その不正を鎮める鋭き武器を、旗に牡牛の紋を掲げる青き喉の神ニीलカṇṭha、すなわちルドラ神に与え、乱れと不正が抑えられ、ダルマが護られるようにした。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Legitimate power and even weaponry are framed as instruments for the restraint of adharma: force is ethically justified here only insofar as it protects dharma and restores moral order, not for personal gain or cruelty.
In Bhishma’s account, Brahmā bestows a sharp sword intended to counter unrighteousness, and then entrusts it to Rudra (Śiva), identified by the blue throat and bull-emblem banner, indicating divine sanction for the protection of cosmic and social order.