Chapter 3, Verse 21
यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः | स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते ||३-२१||
yadyadācarati śreṣṭhastattadevetaro janaḥ . sa yatpramāṇaṃ kurute lokastadanuvartate ||3-21||
Meaning
3.21 Whatsoever a great man does, that the other men also do; whatever he sets up as the standard, that the world (mankind) follows.
Word-by-Word Meaning
Explanation & Commentary
Krishna reveals the quiet power of example. Whatever a shreshtha — a great or distinguished person — does becomes a model that ordinary people imitate. The pramana, the standard such a one sets, is followed by the world without question.
This places a profound responsibility on those who lead or are looked up to. Their conduct is never merely personal; it ripples outward, shaping the behaviour of many. A leader who withdraws from duty teaches withdrawal; one who serves with integrity teaches service. For Arjuna, a prince and warrior whom thousands watch, this is decisive: his choices will echo far beyond himself. The verse speaks to every parent, teacher, and influencer as well. We are always teaching by who we are, and the example we set may matter more than any words we speak.
💡 Key Takeaway
People follow what respected figures do, not just what they say — so let your own conduct be the standard you would wish others to follow.
Related Verses
नियतं कुरु कर्म त्वं कर्म ज्यायो ह्यकर्मणः | शरीरयात्रापि च ते न प्रसिद्ध्येदकर्मणः ||३-८||
niyataṃ kuru karma tvaṃ karma jyāyo hyakarmaṇaḥ . śarīrayātrāpi ca te na prasiddhyedakarmaṇaḥ ||3-8||
3.8 Do thou perform (thy) bounden duty, for action is superior to inaction and even the maintenance of the body would not be possible for thee by inaction.
कर्मणैव हि संसिद्धिमास्थिता जनकादयः | लोकसंग्रहमेवापि सम्पश्यन्कर्तुमर्हसि ||३-२०||
karmaṇaiva hi saṃsiddhimāsthitā janakādayaḥ . lokasaṃgrahamevāpi sampaśyankartumarhasi ||3-20||
3.20 Janaka and others attained perfection verily by action only; even with a view to the protection of the masses thou shouldst perform action.
न मे पार्थास्ति कर्तव्यं त्रिषु लोकेषु किञ्चन | नानवाप्तमवाप्तव्यं वर्त एव च कर्मणि ||३-२२||
na me pārthāsti kartavyaṃ triṣu lokeṣu kiñcana . nānavāptamavāptavyaṃ varta eva ca karmaṇi ||3-22||
3.22 There is nothing in the three worlds, O Arjuna, that should be done by Me, nor is there anything unattained that should be attained; yet I engage Myself in action.