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 ||
Bhīṣma berkata: “Mereka yang dengan hormat memberi laluan kepada orang tua, kepada mereka yang memikul beban berat, kepada wanita, kepada pembawa roda (pemandu pedati atau kusir), dan juga kepada para Brahmin, kepada lembu, serta kepada raja—mereka itu patut dianggap berbudi dan beradab. Ajaran ini menegaskan kesantunan di tempat awam sebagai wujud nyata dharma: memuliakan yang rentan, yang dihormati masyarakat, dan mereka yang menjalankan tugas penting.”
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.