म्हणोनि समर्थें जे जे कीजे। तें तें इतरींही अनुष्ठिजे। तेंचि प्रमाण मानिजे। सामान्यींही॥
"Whatever a great man does, that very thing other men also do; whatever standard he sets up, the generality of men follow the same."
💡 Meaning
Therefore, whatever a great person does, others also follow. Whatever standards they set, the common people accept as the norm.
🔍 Deep Interpretation
Saint Dnyaneshwar highlights a psychological and social truth: the masses look up to leaders and wise individuals for guidance. If a realized soul or a powerful leader abandons their duties, it creates confusion and leads to the moral decay of society. Therefore, to maintain social order (Loksangraha), the wise must continue to perform their duties with detachment, setting a standard for others to follow. Their actions become the 'Pramana' (authority) for the rest of the world.
🎯 Practical Application
In a professional environment, a manager must embody the work ethic they expect from their team. For instance, if a leader is punctual and ethical, the employees naturally adopt those values.
📌 Context
In this verse, Saint Dnyaneshwar explains the influence of a leader's actions on the common masses, emphasizing the need for exemplary behavior.