Karma Yoga
Chapter 3, Verse 21
yadyad-ācarati śreṣṭhah
tat-tad-evetaro janaḥ
sa yat pramāṇaṁ kurute
lokas-tad-anuvartate
Whatever an eminent person does, other people also do; whatever standard he sets, the world follows it.
Whatever an eminent person does, other people also do – this is fashion! If somebody cuts their hair in a certain style, next week everybody will have the same hairstyle. That’s why Krishna says, “Whatever an eminent person does, other people also do.” Everybody looks at that person and takes the example of that person. Humanity has evolved in that way, by looking at the examples of great personages. If somebody does a certain duty in life, normal people look at them and try to follow their example.
“Whatever standard he sets, the world follows.” Whenever a realised soul gives to the world, people look up to that person. If he is enlightened, if this saint, this man of knowledge is surrendered to the Divine, people will look at him, and try to become Divine like him. In the Bible, Christ says, “Be holy as your Father in Heaven is holy.” Take His example. He is reminding you that, “You are holy.”
Here Krishna says to Arjuna, “Awaken this feeling and make a positive impression on the world! Not for your sake, but for the sake of others. If everybody sees you depressed like you are, right now, what example can they take from that? How can another warrior look at you and say, ‘I am proud that I am going to fight in the war like Arjuna!’ Looking at you right now, he will say, ‘Oh my goodness! If I go to war and just sit and cry like this, it will not help. People look at you and at other people when they do their duty.’ If you do a good job in life, does it matter or not? It matters more for other people than for yourself! Because when you do something good, people take it as an example and also try to do it in their lives. This will inspire people. And when people get inspired, they also reach that level.”
Krishna says, “Be a great and noble man. You are a man of knowledge. You are a man who has great control. Act, therefore not for your own benefit: act for the benefit of the world. Remind yourself that before you, there were many great ones. We are still talking about them today. We are still singing their glory. Now My dear Arjuna, you are a person of such an elevated state, you know? You are a realised soul. You are far better than these people that I have mentioned. Set an example, My dear Arjuna! People will follow that example and people will also be strong. Be strong in your faith! Be strong in your path so that you can also help others to find their way in life.”
When you are following your spiritual path and when you can share what you have, you are a blessing to other people. Because this spiritual path was not given to you just for your own gratification or for your own practice. It has also been given to you so that you can share it with others and inspire others to change their lives!
Krishna says here to Arjuna, “Don’t be afraid about how people see you!” Krishna is not only talking to Arjuna. He is telling each of us, “Don’t have fear to talk about your path. Be strong! Know that you are doing something for humanity.”
“Whatever standard he sets, the world follows it.” Whatever you do out of joy and love for God, will be an example for others. You will inspire others also to reach God Consciousness, to rise above the duality, and attain God-Realisation.
Don’t be afraid to speak about your spiritual path, even with people who agree with you or don’t agree with you! People love you or they don’t love you! Be neutral to all. Love all! People talk badly about you? Ignore it. People talk good about you? Don’t rejoice in it! Today they will flatter you, tomorrow they will dagger you. This is the natural state of people.
That’s why Krishna says to Arjuna, “Be neutral.” How many people, when you were entertaining them, when you were showing them the beauty of the world, when you were sitting, eating and drinking with them, said to you, “How much we love you! We will never leave you, we love you so much!” Then all of a sudden, you become spiritual and they don’t want to know you anymore. At the beginning they will say, “Let’s try to convert him by poisoning his mind.” But while
they are trying to convert you, you should also convert them! Then you can say, “Yes, I have done something good!”
Don’t be afraid to talk about God, because He is the only Reality. And if you can share the joy of your life with people and help them to rise, it will be a great blessing and you will receive a lot of good punya in this life and in future lives. This verse is about being strong, not only for yourself, but caring also for the advancement of others.
Bhagavad Gita
