Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3 Verse 21 (3.21)

yadyadācharati śhreṣhṭhastattadevetaro janaḥ sa yatpramāṇaṁ kurute lokastadanuvartate

Word-by-word guide:

Line 1:

यत् (yat) — श्रेष्ठ पुरुष जो करता है(whatever a respected person does)
यत् (yat) — श्रेष्ठ पुरुष जो करता है(whatever a respected person does)
अचरइ (acharati) — श्रेष्ठ पुरुष जो करता है(whatever a respected person does)
एथ (shreshthah) — श्रेष्ठ पुरुष जो करता है(whatever a respected person does)
तत् (tat) — दूसरे लोग वही करते हैं(other people do the same)
तत् (tat) — दूसरे लोग वही करते हैं(other people do the same)
एव (eva) — दूसरे लोग वही करते हैं(other people do the same)
इतर (itarah) — दूसरे लोग वही करते हैं(other people do the same)
जनाः (janah) — दूसरे लोग वही करते हैं(other people do the same)

Line 2:

सः (sah) — वह जो प्रमाण स्थापित करता है(whatever standard that person sets)
यत् (yat) — वह जो प्रमाण स्थापित करता है(whatever standard that person sets)
प्रमाणम् (pramanam) — वह जो प्रमाण स्थापित करता है(whatever standard that person sets)
उउए (kurute) — वह जो प्रमाण स्थापित करता है(whatever standard that person sets)
लोकाः (lokah) — लोक उसका अनुसरण करता है(the world follows it)
तत् (tat) — लोक उसका अनुसरण करता है(the world follows it)
अउवतए (anuvartate) — लोक उसका अनुसरण करता है(the world follows it)

English: For whatever a great man does, others imitate. People conform to the standard which he has set.

Note:

The masses naturally follow the standards and actions of prominent leaders. Therefore, leaders have a profound duty to act responsibly, as their behavior shapes the character of society.

Learnings from Shloka 21:

Influence of Role Models:: Our actions are watched and copied by others, especially those who look up to us.
High Standards:: Setting a good example in our daily lives is a powerful way to inspire positive change.

Gita/Sanskrit Language Quiz

Practice this shloka vocabulary

Match Sanskrit words from shloka 3.21 with their Hindi and English meanings.

Practice vocabulary

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