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Chapter 3
Link:-How action leads to the maintenance of the world, is discussed, in the next verse.
yadyadacarati iresthastattadevetaro janah
sa yatpramsnam kurute lokastadanuvartate
Whatsoever an ideal person does, he is followed by others, as well. Whatever standard he sets, the world follows the same. 21
Comment:-
Yadyadacarati sreathastattadevetaro janah:-An ideal man, is he who knows the reality about the world (body etc.) and me self. He realizes that the body, senses, mind, intellect, riches, property and family etc., are not his, but these belong really to the world. Not only this, but he does not regard renunciation, dispassion, devotion, knowledge and other virtues also as his own, because by doing so, his egoism is nourished which is an obstacle to self-realization. The feelings, "I am a renouncer," - "I am dispassionate," "I am a devotee" and "I am a knower" nourish his egoism and thus mese are stumbling blocks to Self-realization. There is no personal ego at all in a Self-realized person the prime ego remains only for common dealings and is engaged in rendering service to the world, as it belongs to the world (Gita 7/4; 13/5).
The body, riches, family, position, ability and authority etc., which have been provided to as by the world, are neither meant for our pleasure not for our possession, but these are for service of others. He who enjoys these himself, is verily a thief (Gita 3/12). All of these belong to the world and so great men utilize these in rendering service to the world. They have a natural inclination, for the welfare of all beings.
The feeling of selflessness, causes unity and love, while a feeling of selfishness, causes strife, the former, leads to salvation while the latter to degradation. By regarding the body as 'I', 'Mine' and 'For me' the feeling of selfishness, is caused. Great men who do not accept a feeling of affinity for the body, have no selfish motive. So all their actions, are for the welfare of others. The sight, touch, talk and thinking of such 'great men, automatically lead to the welfare of people. Even, the air which touches them does good to the people.
Such great men are of two kinds—
- 'Avadhuta'—the hermit kind, who lead,a holy and lonely life; such hermits are ideal only as hermits, not for common folk.
- 'Acarya'—Model for others—who are an example to others. Their actions are, according to the scriptural injunctions. They have neither egoism nor a sense of 'mine'.
Their actions are automatically performed, for the welfare of the world. They leave their sweet smell by destroying bad smell, just like a blooming flower. Such great men have their identity with the Lord, because both of them work for the welfare of the entire world.
Different limbs of a body, constitute the body and remain ever prepared to help one another. When anyone is injured, and they consider its recovery as that of the entire body. Similarly, all the beings of the world, in spite of being different, are one and the same, and the performance of duty by one, is for the welfare of the entire world.
As far as actions and words of the great men, are concerned, they leave a gross impression which is restricted, because actions are limited. But, as far as their feelings are concerned, their influence is subtle and limitless, as the feelings are limitless. They set examples for other people, by performing duty, according to their caste, social order, sect etc., and make a strong impression on others.
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