Shloka 38
वृद्धानां भारतप्तानां स्त्रीणां चक्रधरस्य च । ब्राह्मणानां गवां राज्ञां पन्थानं ददते च ये
vṛddhānāṃ bhārataptānāṃ strīṇāṃ cakradharasya ca | brāhmaṇānāṃ gavāṃ rājñāṃ panthānaṃ dadate ca ye ||
Bhishma sprach: „Wer ehrerbietig den Alten, den Schwerbeladenen, den Frauen, dem Radführer (Karren- oder Wagenlenker) und ebenso Brahmanen, Kühen und Königen den Weg freigibt, der gilt als tugendhaft und wohlerzogen. Die Lehre betont öffentliche Höflichkeit als konkrete Gestalt des Dharma: die Schutzbedürftigen, die gesellschaftlich Verehrten und die in notwendigen Diensten Stehenden zu ehren.“
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is shown through everyday conduct: one should yield the path and show deference to elders, the burdened, women, Brahmins, cows, and rulers. Courtesy and protection of the vulnerable and revered are treated as marks of a sādhū (virtuous person).
In the Anushasana Parva’s instruction on righteous behavior, Bhishma enumerates practical signs of good character. Here he lists categories of people (and sacred/socially honored beings) to whom one should give way on the road, presenting civic respect as a component of dharma.