Concept:
For two lines in three-dimensional space to be parallel, their direction ratios must be proportional to one another. If the direction ratios of the first line are \( \langle a_1, b_1, c_1 \rangle \) and the second line are \( \langle a_2, b_2, c_2 \rangle \), then the condition for parallelism is:
\[
\frac{a_1}{a_2} = \frac{b_1}{b_2} = \frac{c_1}{c_2}
\]
Step 1: Extract the components and set up the proportion.
Given direction ratios:
- Line 1: \( a_1 = 1, \, b_1 = -2, \, c_1 = 3 \)
- Line 2: \( a_2 = -2, \, b_2 = p, \, c_2 = -6 \)
Applying the condition for parallel lines:
\[
\frac{1}{-2} = \frac{-2}{p} = \frac{3}{-6}
\]
Step 2: Simplify the known ratios and solve for \(p\).
Notice that the first and third ratios both simplify to \( -\frac{1}{2} \):
\[
-\frac{1}{2} = \frac{-2}{p}
\]
Cross-multiplying to solve for \( p \):
\[
1 \cdot p = (-2) \cdot (-2)
\]
\[
p = 4
\]
This value corresponds to option (B).