यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः | स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते ||३-२१||
yadyadācarati śreṣṭhastattadevetaro janaḥ . sa yatpramāṇaṃ kurute lokastadanuvartate ||3-21||
Chapter 3 · Verse 21
Karma Yoga
कर्मयोग
In plain words
You are called to recognize the profound impact of your behavior on others. People naturally imitate leaders and take cues from their actions. By aligning your daily karma, or actions, with your highest dharma, which means your moral duty, you inspire those around you to live with integrity and follow a righteous path.
Translation
3.21 Whatever a great man does, other men also do. Whichever standard he sets, the world follows it.
Meaning
Man is a social animal. He is an imitating animal too. He takes his ideas of right and wrong from those whom he regards as his moral superior. Whatever a great man follows the same is considered as an authority by his followers. They try to follow him. They endeavour to walk in his footsteps.
Word by word
यद्यत् whatsoever आचरति does श्रेष्ठः the best तत्तत् that एव only इतरः the other जनः people सः he (that great man) यत् what प्रमाणम् standard (authority demonstration) कुरुते does लोकः the world (people) तत् that अनुवर्तते follows.