Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 256
आचारप्रशंसा
Praise of Ācāra as the Basis of Longevity, Fame, and Prosperity
वृद्धाय भारतप्ताय गर्भिण्यै दुर्बलाय च । ब्राह्मण, गाय, राजा, वृद्ध पुरुष, गर्भिणी स्त्री, दुर्बल और भारपीड़ित मनुष्य यदि सामनेसे आते हों तो स्वयं किनारे हटकर उन्हें जानेका मार्ग देना चाहिये
vṛddhāya bhārataptāya garbhiṇyai durbalāya ca | brāhmaṇa-gāva-rājānaḥ vṛddha-puruṣā garbhiṇī-strī durbalo bhāra-pīḍitaś ca manuṣyaḥ yadi sāmane āgaccheyuḥ, tadā svayaṃ kināre hatvā tebhyo gantum mārgaṃ dātavyaḥ ||
Bhishma enseña que la cortesía es una forma de dharma: si un anciano, alguien abatido por la fatiga, una mujer encinta, una persona débil, o quienes merecen especial reverencia —como un brahmán, una vaca o un rey— se acercan de frente, uno debe apartarse y darles paso. No es mera urbanidad, sino disciplina: reconocer la vulnerabilidad, la sacralidad y el orden público, cediendo espacio y prioridad a quienes deben ser protegidos u honrados.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Yielding the path is presented as a practical expression of dharma: one should step aside and give precedence to those who are vulnerable (elderly, pregnant, weak, burdened) and those traditionally held in special honor (Brahmin, cow, king).
In the Anushasana Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhishthira on righteous conduct (ācāra). This verse gives a concrete rule of everyday behavior—how to act when meeting others on the road—linking courtesy with moral duty.