Shloka 67
बक-गौतमाख्यानम् / The Baka–Gautama Account
On Gratitude and Friendship Ethics
महेन्द्रो लोकपालेभ्यो लोकपालास्तु पुत्रक
mahendro lokapālebhyo lokapālāstu putraka
ビーシュマは言った。「マヘーンドラ（インドラ）はローカパーラたちに勝り、ローカパーラたちもまた、わが子よ、それぞれの位階において彼の下に立つ。」倫理の文脈では、これは権威と責務が階層的に配分された宇宙の秩序を示し、インドラが世界の守護者たちの長であることを明らかにする。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse points to a structured hierarchy in the cosmos: Indra (Mahendra) is presented as chief, with the Lokapālas occupying subordinate but important roles. It reflects the dharmic idea that governance—divine or human—functions through ordered ranks and delegated responsibilities.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction, Bhīṣma addresses his listener as “putraka” and makes a concise statement about the relative status of Indra and the Lokapālas, likely as part of a broader explanation of authority, guardianship, and the organization of the world.