We have discussed 1st and 2nd section in 3rd chapter now we will discuss 3rd section which is setting example for others

 

1-10: KY is better than JY

10-16: If you are not qualified even for KY then practice KK

17-24: If you are qualified for JY, still practice KY to set example

25-29: KY-KK difference

30-35: How KY elevates

36-43: Overcome lust, the main obstacle on the path of KY

 

Krishna first gives the principle that act in a detached way then he give example of Janaka and others now He gives geneal principle how those who are in leadership position they need to act exemplarily 

Bg 3.21

yad yad ācarati śreṣṭhas
tat tad evetaro janaḥ
sa yat pramāṇaṁ kurute
lokas tad anuvartate

Word for word: 

yat yat — whatever; ācarati — he does; śreṣṭhaḥ — a respectable leader; tat — that; tat — and that alone; eva — certainly; itaraḥ — common; janaḥ — person; saḥ — he; yat — whichever; pramāṇam — example; kurute — does perform; lokaḥ — all the world; tat — that; anuvartate — follows in the footsteps.

Translation: 

Whatever action a great man performs, common men follow. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.

 

yad yad ācarati, ācarati means to behave / act, śreṣṭhas, leader those who are influential those who are  Shreshtha, 

tat tad evetaro janaḥ, other people act accordingly 

sa yat pramāṇaṁ kurute, and Pramana refers to standard e.g. Shabad Praman, Prtaksha Praman, standard ways of acquiring knowledge, authoritative ways 

lokas tad anuvartate, so general people anuvartate, they follow that.

So here Krishna talked about the principle of how we cannot act in an isolated, self-obsessed, self-concern way for our own good, even if it is for our spiritual good, we have to consider what is the effect on others and we have to behave in exemplary way accordingly.

One of the important way to judge caliber of a society is by its hero.

The kind of people that are considered ideal, exemplary, heroic that shapes the character of the society.

In India at the time of Independence social leaders who were straving for independence they were considered heroes. So they were models in many ways. 

And even if they were not spiritual minded they were exemplary 

 

Earlier political leaders were considered models like Mahtma Gandhi so people were also trying to imbibe such good characters but now the model is filmy star, sports star or someone just making lot of money. So if we look at the level of model people have that itself has declined and distorted. 

For example even entertainment 50 years ago was much holistic but now in the name of entertainment people look at sensuality, sex and violence. So heroes has become one dimensional character who goes around and beating people and meeting women. So if these are the characters people find attractive then that indicates that there consciousness level has declined.

If the models were spiritual minded it is best else at least they should have been in mode of goodness.

In today’s society sin are considered fashionable. In movies obscene scenes are called bold scene which is just shamelessness since it is called boldness so everyone wanted to become bold.

Parent, teacher and king are natural leader of society these people create formative influences, if they set good example people will be molded accordingly. 

What is exemplary behavior that should be a universal standard which comes from scripture not that someone says that no because of women liberation whatever women dress is exemplary. Leader in society should live as per scripture.

Power of example, (e.g. when people see someone is happily practicing KC life, e.g. SP preaching) is far more superior than examples of power (e.g. force conversions)

We all who are practicing KC are all leaders, Manusanam Shastresu…It is responsibility of every devotees that we should be models not critics. We don’t know why others are behaving like that. We should be part of solution not problems. 

People will say that great person like Arjuna has not performed his duty so I will also not perform. So you will set bad example for others please don’t do that.