यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः | स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते || २१ ||
yad yad ācarati śreṣṭhas tat tad evetaro janaḥ sa yat pramāṇaṁ kurute lokas tad anuvartate
yat yat—whatever; ācarati—does; śreṣṭhaḥ—a respectable leader; tat tat—that and that alone; eva—certainly; itaraḥ—common; janaḥ—person; saḥ—he; yat—whichever; pramāṇam—standard; kurute—makes; lokaḥ—all the world; tat—that; anuvartate—follows in the footsteps of.
“Whatever a great person does, others follow. Whatever standard such a person sets, the world follows.”
This verse establishes the principle of loka-sangraha — the binding together of the world through right example. The wise act not for their own liberation alone (which is already achieved) but for the upliftment of society. Leadership here is not about authority but about the moral influence that genuine wisdom and integrity naturally command. Those who have realized the Self have an unavoidable responsibility to model right living.
Recognize that your actions — in family, workplace, and community — set invisible standards that others observe and absorb, especially those who look up to you. Before acting in a difficult situation, ask: 'What standard am I setting here?' The awareness of being a role model elevates the quality of action and naturally aligns it with dharma.