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 ||
Itinuro ni Bhishma na ang paggalang at pagbigay-daan ay dharma: kapag may matanda, taong nabibigatan ng hirap, buntis, mahina, o yaong nararapat sa natatanging pagpupugay—gaya ng Brahmin, baka, o hari—na dumarating mula sa harap, dapat tayong kusang tumabi at bigyan sila ng daan. Hindi ito basta kagandahang-asal lamang, kundi disiplin ng pagkilala sa kahinaan, kabanalan, at kaayusang panlipunan, na ipinapakita sa paglalaan ng puwang at pag-una sa mga dapat ingatan o parangalan.
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.