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 dit : «Ceux qui, avec respect, cèdent le passage aux vieillards, à ceux qui portent de lourdes charges, aux femmes, à celui qui mène une roue (conducteur de char ou de chariot), et de même aux brahmanes, aux vaches et aux rois, doivent être tenus pour vertueux et bien élevés. L’enseignement souligne la civilité publique comme expression concrète du dharma : honorer les vulnérables, les personnes socialement révérées et ceux qui accomplissent des tâches indispensables.»
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.