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Shloka 666

बक-गौतमाख्यानम् / The Baka–Gautama Account

On Gratitude and Friendship Ethics

महर्षिभ्यो ददौ खड्गमृषयो वासवाय च । भगवान्‌ विष्णुने मरीचिको, मरीचिने महर्षियोंको और महर्षियोंने इन्द्रको वह खड्ग प्रदान किया

maharṣibhyo dadau khaḍgam ṛṣayo vāsavāya ca | bhagavān viṣṇune marīciko, marīcine maharṣīṃś ca, maharṣayas tu indraṃ taṃ khaḍgaṃ pradadau |

ビーシュマは語った。福徳ある主(ヴィシュヌ)はその剣をマリーチに授け、マリーチはそれを大リシたちに渡し、リシたちはさらにその剣をヴァーサヴァ(インドラ)に授けた。かくしてこの武器は、正しき者の手を経て受け継がれる聖なる託宣として示される。その正当性は力のみならず、浄められた守護の系譜と責任ある用い方に根ざしている。

महर्षिभ्यःto the great sages
महर्षिभ्यः:
Sampradana
TypeNoun
Rootमहर्षि
FormMasculine, Dative, Plural
ददौgave
ददौ:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootदा (दाने)
FormPerfect (Liṭ), 3rd, Singular
खड्गम्a sword
खड्गम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootखड्ग
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
ऋषयःthe sages
ऋषयः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootऋषि
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
वासवायto Vāsava (Indra)
वासवाय:
Sampradana
TypeNoun
Rootवासव
FormMasculine, Dative, Singular
and
:
TypeIndeclinable
Root

भीष्म उवाच

B
Bhishma
V
Vishnu
M
Marici
M
Maharshis (great seers)
V
Vasava (Indra)
K
Khaḍga (sword)

Educational Q&A

Power (especially martial power) is not self-justifying; it gains legitimacy through dharmic transmission and responsible custodianship. The sword is portrayed as a trust passed through sanctified authorities, implying restraint and ethical governance.

Bhishma recounts a lineage of possession: Vishnu gives a sword to the sage Marici; Marici passes it to the great seers; and the seers then grant it to Indra (Vasava). The focus is on how a potent weapon comes into rightful hands.