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Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 3.21
यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः ।
स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते ॥ २१ ॥
yad yad ācarati śreṣṭhas
tat tad evetaro janaḥ
sa yat pramāṇaṁ kurute
lokas tad anuvartate
Whatever action a great man performs, common men follow. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.
Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.ioWhat this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.
In the story
Chapter 3, Karma-yoga: exemplary action and leadership by example.
Study note
An observation about social example establishes a responsibility of leadership.
Interpretive
Responsibility
The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.
Key ideas: ācāra, loka-saṅgraha.
Take one thing from this verse into your day.
What behavior of mine are others likely to imitate?
Demonstrate one value through action rather than instruction alone.
Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.
Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.
Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.
Ask about BG 3.21 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.