Path of Selfless Service
Verse 3.21
यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः। स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते।।3.21।।
yad yad ācharati śhreṣhṭhas tat tad evetaro janaḥ sa yat pramāṇaṁ kurute lokas tad anuvartate
Word Meanings
yat yat—whatever; ācharati—does; śhreṣhṭhaḥ—the best; tat tat—that (alone); eva—certainly; itaraḥ—common; janaḥ—people; saḥ—they; yat—whichever; pramāṇam—standard; kurute—perform; lokaḥ—world; tat—that; anuvartate—pursues
Translation · English
Whatever a great man does, others also do; whatever he establishes as the standard, the world follows.
Deep Meaning · English
In this verse, Bhagavan Krishna addresses the profound responsibility of the leader, or the 'Shreshtha' (the one who excels in knowledge and virtue). This is not merely an instruction on social etiquette; it is a spiritual mandate regarding the influence of one's consciousness on the collective. The human psyche is naturally imitative, seeking to anchor itself in the behaviors of those it perceives as authoritative. Therefore, the person of spiritual attainment carries the burden of being a living scripture, for their every action sets the benchmark for the common person, or 'itara jana,' who lacks the discernment to judge truth independently.
The life of a self-realized soul is a perpetual offering to the world, as their conduct inevitably shapes the moral and spiritual trajectory of the entire society.
Connected Verses
Reflects on the power of standards and definitions in shaping the spiritual quality and purity of human endeavor.
Highlights how the Lord Himself rewards individuals based on how they follow His path, mirroring the idea of the divine as the ultimate standard.
Reinforces the same principle by urging the wise not to disturb the minds of the ignorant, but to inspire them through active performance of duty.
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