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 |
Disse Bhīṣma: O Senhor bem-aventurado (Viṣṇu) deu a espada a Marīci; Marīci a entregou aos grandes ṛṣis; e os ṛṣis, por sua vez, concederam essa espada a Vāsava (Indra). Assim, a arma é apresentada como um depósito sagrado transmitido por mãos justas—sua legitimidade não se funda apenas na força, mas numa linhagem de guarda santificada e de uso responsável.
भीष्म उवाच
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.