Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, 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 ||
भीष्म बोले—जो लोग वृद्धों को, भार से पीड़ित जनों को, स्त्रियों को, चक्रधारी (रथ/गाड़ी चलाने वाले) को, तथा ब्राह्मणों, गौओं और राजाओं को मार्ग दे देते हैं, वे विनीत और साधु माने जाते हैं; लोकाचार भी धर्म ही है।
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.