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 |
Wika ni Bhīṣma: Ipinagkaloob ng Mapalad na Panginoon (Viṣṇu) ang tabak kay Marīci; ibinigay ito ni Marīci sa mga dakilang rishi; at ang mga rishi naman, sa kanilang pagkakataon, ay ipinagkaloob ang tabak kay Vāsava (Indra). Kaya ang sandatang ito’y itinatanghal bilang isang banal na pananagutan na naipapasa sa mga kamay ng matuwid—ang pagiging lehitimo nito’y hindi lamang sa lakas, kundi sa angkan ng pinabanal na pag-iingat at sa maingat na paggamit na may pananagutan.
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.