Bhagavad Gita · Verse 3.21
Chapter 3: Karma Yoga (कर्मयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः । स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते ॥२१॥
yadyadācarati śreṣṭhastattadevetaro janaḥ | sa yatpramāṇaṃ kurute lokastadanuvartate ||21||
Complete Shloka Translation
Whatever an exemplary person does, others do likewise. Whatever standard that person establishes, the world follows.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| यत् यत् | yat yat | whatever |
| आचरति | ācarati | practices / conducts |
| श्रेष्ठः | śreṣṭhaḥ | an exemplary leader / noble person |
| तत् तत् | tat tat | that very thing |
| एव | eva | alone / precisely |
| इतरः जनः | itaraḥ janaḥ | other common people |
| सः | saḥ | that leader |
| यत् प्रमाणम् | yat pramāṇam | whatever standard / benchmark |
| कुरुते | kurute | sets up |
| लोकः | lokaḥ | the whole world |
| तत् | tat | that |
| अनुवर्तते | anuvartate | follows / emulates |
whatever
practices / conducts
an exemplary leader / noble person
that very thing
alone / precisely
other common people
that leader
whatever standard / benchmark
sets up
the whole world
that
follows / emulates
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Shreshtha refers to someone regarded as an example in this argument. Krishna emphasizes the responsibility created by influence, rather than declaring prominent people morally infallible.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Influence is exercised through conduct as much as through words."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What example do your everyday actions set for someone who watches you?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse in your daily career and work life: discharge your responsibilities wholeheartedly as an act of service and social welfare, freeing your mind from selfish anxiety and burnout.