Gita 03.21 – We learn from others’ examples and set examples for others

Audio Link : https://www.thespiritualscientist.com/gita-03-21-we-learn-from-others-examples-and-set-examples-for-others

yad yad ācarati śreṣṭhas
tat tad evetaro janaḥ
sa yat pramāṇaṁ kurute
lokas tad anuvartate (Bg 3.21)

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.

Explanation:
yad yad ācarati śreṣṭhas: As the great people act,
tat tad evetaro janaḥ: common people follow accordingly.
sa yat pramāṇaṁ kurute: Whatever standard they set by their actions,
lokas tad anuvartate: others emulate those standards.

Kṛṣṇa states here that all of us learn—and can learn—from the examples set by our leaders. And if we happen to be in a leadership position, we too have the responsibility to set an example for others.

The caliber of a society is largely shaped by the caliber of its leaders. Even if we look at recent Indian or world history—say, from 50 to 100 years ago—the individuals who inspired society were often leaders who stood for meaningful principles. Today, however, those most glamorized by the media are typically movie stars and sports stars, whose primary offering to society is entertainment and little beyond that. These individuals become role models, and what people mainly learn from them are superficial things—such as what clothes to wear, how to style their hair, and other fleeting trends.

As a result, neither are today’s leaders remarkable in terms of substantial character, nor is what people learn from them truly meaningful. Yet, this is how society gets caught in the trivial—and thus becomes entangled and distracted from what really matters.

In general, we are social beings, and as social beings, we naturally seek confirmation, validation, affirmation, or reassurance for our actions. Without this, we often begin to doubt ourselves—wondering, “Am I doing the right thing?” When making decisions, we generally want the approval of others.

At an extreme level, this can become approval addiction, but at a basic human level, it reflects our need for belonging. Whenever we act, we ask ourselves: “Will this action be accepted and respected in my social circle, or will it alienate me from that circle?” To answer this, we frequently look toward those who are widely respected in our community. We think, “This person is so famous and popular, and they behave in this way. Maybe if I act like them, I too will gain approval and respect.”

In this way, our actions are often shaped by observing the actions of those who are either our leaders or, at the very least, the opinion leaders within our social sphere.

Who are the leaders in society? In the traditional context—and to some extent even today—the first leaders in a child’s life are the parents. When children are born and begin to recognize other people, their parents are their entire world—their first and most influential leaders.

As children grow, another formative influence enters their lives—their teachers. When they begin school, teachers play a significant role in shaping their values and behavior. Additionally, certain peers who have leadership qualities may also influence them. Beyond teachers and peers—especially peers they admire—children today are heavily influenced by media and popular culture.

In fact, with the pervasiveness and onslaught of media, many children spend more time in front of a television or digital screens than they do interacting with real-life role models. Because of the enormous amount of time spent absorbing virtual impressions, they often get lost in fantasy worlds, where fictional or glamorized characters become their examples and role models.

Entertainment in itself is one thing, but when entertainment is mistaken for reality—especially by children who lack the maturity to distinguish between the two—it can be very harmful. As children grow older, the media continues to exert a powerful influence on their choices and preferences.

Fashion, in particular, is a clear example of this dynamic, illustrating the principle of tat tad evetaro janaḥ—people follow what the leaders do. George Bernard Shaw once remarked that “fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to change it every few months.” People change their fashion trends simply because their leaders—whether a film star or a model—suddenly appear wearing a new style of clothing. Seeing this, people feel compelled to imitate them.

When we take to spiritual life, it is often because we have encountered inspiring spiritual teachers and guides. Their example draws us toward the spiritual path. Similarly, when we begin practicing spirituality, it becomes our responsibility to set an example for others.

Very often, people are not alienated from God because of hatred toward Him, but because of disenchantment with those who claim to represent Him. Hypocritical theists are, in fact, one of the greatest causes of atheism. As one humorous yet thought-provoking bumper sticker says: “Oh God, save me from your evangelists!” Sometimes, in their excessive zeal, people appear so fanatical that others feel repelled rather than attracted.

As devotees, we draw inspiration in our spiritual lives by seeing the good examples of others. Conversely, we feel disheartened, demotivated, and disillusioned when we see senior devotees—those expected to set a good example—behaving in ways that are uninspiring or even discouraging. The same principle applies to us as well. Others are watching us, and our conduct may either attract or alienate them from the spiritual path.

Setting an example can take many forms. At a basic level, it means demonstrating ordinary human sensitivity and culture. Śrīla Prabhupāda said that devotees should be perfect gentlemen and ladies. This means that, even by worldly standards of behavior and conduct, people should be able to appreciate, “These are good people. They are individuals I can respect and admire.”

Beyond this basic human decency, of course, are the spiritual standards of devotion that a devotee is expected to follow—and strives to follow sincerely. In this way, by our conduct, we can set an example and help others to choose the right role models.

It is not that we claim to be role models ourselves. There are far greater devotees, spiritual teachers, and guides than us. However, in our own social circles, we may be the only person visibly practicing spiritual life. Whether we like it or not, people will form their first impressions of spirituality through us. Based on how we behave, they will decide whether they want to explore further what we are practicing.

If they are inspired, they may eventually meet more advanced spiritual teachers—a spiritual master or senior devotees—and through that connection, they can deepen their spiritual understanding and inspiration.

In this context, Kṛṣṇa reminds Arjuna that he is a social leader—a member of the royal family and the foremost archer—and therefore has the responsibility to set a proper example, because people will follow him. If he abandons the battlefield, ordinary people will follow his example and likewise abandon their duties.

Seeing that Arjuna has neglected his responsibility, others too will forsake their own responsibilities, and this collective negligence will lead to social disorder and widespread disaster. Therefore, Kṛṣṇa urges Arjuna, “Do not act in such a way. Fulfill your duty and set the right example for others to follow.”

Thank you.