Shloka 676
बक-गौतमाख्यानम् / The Baka–Gautama Account
On Gratitude and Friendship Ethics
मनवे सूर्यपुत्राय ददु: खड्गं सुविस्तरम् । बेटा! फिर महेन्द्रने लोकपालोंको और लोकपालोंने सूर्य-पुत्र मननुको वह विशाल खड्ग दे दिया
manave sūryaputrāya daduḥ khaḍgaṃ suvistaram |
Disse Bhīṣma: “A Manu, filho do Sol, concederam uma espada larga e poderosa.” No curso da narrativa, a arma surge como instrumento transmitido pelo divino para o governo segundo o dharma—simbolizando que a proteção da ordem é confiada a um governante digno por sanção superior e legítima, e não por mera força pessoal.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Legitimate power is not mere violence; the sword signifies entrusted responsibility. A ruler is authorized to protect dharma only when authority is received through rightful lineage and higher moral sanction, and is used for safeguarding society.
Bhishma recounts a transmission of a great sword to Manu, the Sun’s son. The episode frames the weapon as a divinely conferred tool of governance, indicating how protective power is handed down to uphold order.