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 dijo: «Quienes, con respeto, ceden el paso a los ancianos, a quienes van cargados con peso, a las mujeres, a quien lleva una rueda (conductor de carro o auriga), y asimismo a los brahmanes, a las vacas y a los reyes, deben ser tenidos por virtuosos y de buena conducta. La enseñanza subraya la cortesía pública como expresión concreta del dharma: honrar a los vulnerables, a los socialmente venerados y a quienes cumplen deberes esenciales.»
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.