Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3 Verse 21 Meaning
Whatever a great man does, others also do; whatever he establishes as the standard, the world follows.
BG 3.21
यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः। स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते
yad yad ācharati śhreṣhṭhas tat tad evetaro janaḥ sa yat pramāṇaṁ kurute lokas tad anuvartate
Meaning
Whatever a great man does, others also do; whatever he establishes as the standard, the world follows.
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Explanation & Life Application
This verse from Chapter 3 of the Bhagavad Gita highlights a practical insight: Whatever a great man does, others also do; whatever he establishes as the standard, the world follows.
In The Yoga of Action (Karma Yoga), Krishna explains The path of selfless action, performing one's duty without attachment to results.
— Explained by the Nitya Team
Chapter Context
The path of selfless action, performing one's duty without attachment to results.
Key themes in this chapter include Action, Duty, Selflessness, Work.
When to Apply This Verse
- •When you need steadiness while dealing with action
- •When practicing duty amid uncertainty
- •When applying selflessness to real-life choices
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Related Verses
BG 3.5
Verily, no one can remain for even a moment without performing action; for everyone is made to act helplessly, indeed, by the qualities born of Nature.
BG 3.8
Perform your bounden duty, for action is superior to inaction, and even the maintenance of the body would not be possible for you through inaction.
BG 1.1
Dhritarashtra said, "What did my people and the sons of Pandu do when they had assembled together, eager for battle, on the holy plain of Kurukshetra, O Sanjaya?"
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