Mahabharata — Shanti Parva, Shloka 12
एवमुक्त: स धर्मात्मा जगाम मिथिलां मुनि: । पद्धयां शक्तो<न्तरिक्षेण क्रान्तुं पृथ्वीं ससागराम्
evam uktaḥ sa dharmātmā jagāma mithilāṃ muniḥ | paddhyāṃ śakto 'ntarikṣeṇa krāntuṃ pṛthvīṃ sasāgarām ||
Bhishma said: Thus addressed, that righteous-souled sage set out for Mithilā. Though he was capable of traversing the entire earth with its oceans by moving through the sky, he nevertheless went on foot—choosing a humble, disciplined course over the display of power.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when one possesses extraordinary abilities, dharma is shown through restraint and humility. The sage chooses the disciplined, ordinary path (walking) rather than exhibiting power (flying), modeling ethical self-control and simplicity.
After being spoken to, the righteous sage departs for Mithilā. The verse highlights that although he could have crossed the whole ocean-girt earth through the sky, he deliberately travels on foot.