The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
यद्यत्whateverआचरतिdoes, practicesश्रेष्ठःthe best personतत् तत् एवthat very sameइतरःotherजनःpeopleसःthat personयत्whateverप्रमाणंstandard, authorityकुरुतेsets, makesलोकःthe world, peopleतत्thatअनुवर्ततेfollows
Read literallywhatever · does, practices · the best person · that very same · other · people · that person · whatever · standard, authority · sets, makes · the world, people · that · follows
Understanding the verse
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Whatever the best person does, others copy, Krishna says; their standard becomes everyone's.
01
In plain words
What this verse means
People copy the conduct of those they admire. A respected person's actions become the standard others imitate.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
Krishna shows that leaders shape the behavior of everyone watching them, so Arjuna's conduct will matter far beyond his own life.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
An elder brother who touches his grandparents' feet every morning will see the younger ones doing the same within a month. Children copy what they watch far more than what they are told.
The takeaway
“Your choices matter beyond you. Example quietly teaches more than instruction.”
People copy the conduct of those they admire. A respected person's actions become the standard others imitate.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 3.21?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Karma Yoga" (The Yoga of Action).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 3.21?
Verse 21 sits in Chapter 3 of the Bhagavad Gita — Karma Yoga, "The Yoga of Action". The chapter has 43 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 3.21 matter today?
An elder brother who touches his grandparents' feet every morning will see the younger ones doing the same within a month. Children copy what they watch far more than what they are told.
Whatever the best person does, others copy, Krishna says; their standard becomes everyone's.
What this verse means
People copy the conduct of those they admire. A respected person's actions become the standard others imitate.
Context & commentary
Krishna shows that leaders shape the behavior of everyone watching them, so Arjuna's conduct will matter far beyond his own life.
What it looks like today
An elder brother who touches his grandparents' feet every morning will see the younger ones doing the same within a month. Children copy what they watch far more than what they are told.
“Your choices matter beyond you. Example quietly teaches more than instruction.”