What is Maryada?

It means a boundary or limit. Marya or martya means one who is mortal or human. That boundary or limit which is accepted by human beings is called maryada (maryaih adiyate iti). Our parents, elders or teachers make some lee-way for our wrong action or mischief. Then they warn us, “You are now crossing your limit.” If you do, you have had it. Maryada is requiredto live in harmony with others. These limits are set as rules, government laws, social norms and so on. For example, if you cross the speed limit, you are fined. If you follow, then you are fine.

Shri kirshna did not follow manav maryada-human laws, but he did follow dharma maryada. He lived according to the law of dharma which of course is the highest. It is said, that one should not just do what is expected of us, but do much more then that and set high standards of conduct. Shri krishna and Shri Rama, not only set the highest standards of dharma, but they did so perfectly. Many have lived a life of dharma, and maryada, but none like Shri Rama. Shri Rama could have accepted the Kingdom when Bharata pleaded with him to do so. None would have criticized him. But he did not do so. He set a higher standard of dharma by not accepting kingship.