I have asked this question in [MSE](http://math.stackexchange.com/questions/1226126) a few weeks back, but did not receive any responses.  I have cross-posted it to MO, hoping that it *is* appropriate for this site.

Let $\sigma(x)$ be the (classical) sum of the divisors of $x$.

A number $N \in \mathbb{N}$ is called *perfect* if $\sigma(N)=2N$.

An *even* perfect number $U$ is said to be given in *Euclidean* form if $U=(2^p - 1){2^{p-1}}$ (where $2^p - 1$ is called the *Mersenne* prime).  On the other hand, an *odd* perfect number $L$ is said to be given in *Eulerian* form if $L = {q^k}{n^2}$ (where $q$ is called the *Euler* prime).

Notice that for even perfect numbers, trivially we have $1 < 2^p - 1$ (where $1$ is the exponent of the Mersenne prime $2^p - 1$).

Does a similar statement hold for odd perfect numbers?  That is, does $k < q$ always hold?