Verse 3.21
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः। स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते।।
Transliteration (IAST)
yad yad ācarati śreṣṭhas tat tad evetaro janaḥ | sa yat pramāṇaṁ kurute lokas tad anuvartate ||
Word-by-Word Meanings
श्रेष्ठः-a great person
आचरति-acts/does
इतरः-others
जनः-people
प्रमाणम्-standard/example
अनुवर्तते-follows
Translation
Whatever a great person does, common people follow. Whatever standard such a person sets, the world follows.
Commentary
This verse establishes the principle of leadership by example. Great souls have a responsibility to act rightly because others emulate them. Even if a leader has transcended personal need for action, they must continue performing duty to guide society. This is the ethical foundation of responsible leadership.
Themes
dharmadutykarma