Bhagavad Gita 3.21

Sanskrit

यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः । स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते ॥3.21॥

Transliteration

yadyadācarati śreṣṭhastattadevetaro janaḥ | sa yatpramāṇaṃ kurute lokastadanuvartate ‖3.21‖

Meaning

“Whatever a great person does, common people imitate; whatever standard such a one sets, the world follows.”

Key learning

People copy what they see others do far more than what they're told to do. The "important person" can be anyone looked up to, like a parent, older sibling, or boss. So how you actually behave quietly sets the example for everyone watching you.

How to apply this today

Notice the gap between what you say and what you do. Telling a child to read while you scroll your phone teaches scrolling. Preaching being on time while showing up late teaches lateness. Treat waiters and guards the way you'd want your kids to treat people. Do this: be the behavior you want others to copy.

Theme: The Yoga of Action

This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3: Karma Yoga , read all verses in this chapter.

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