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 |
भीष्म उवाच—भगवान् विष्णुः खड्गं मरीचये ददौ; मरीचिर्महर्षिभ्यः; महर्षयस्तु वासवाय (इन्द्राय) तं खड्गं प्रददुः। एवं स शस्त्रः धर्म्यहस्तेषु परम्परया न्यस्तः, न केवलं बलात्, किन्तु पवित्ररक्षापरम्परया प्रमाणीकृतः।
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.