जे जे आचरती थोर । तया नाम धर्मु थोर । तेचि सामान्य इतर । अनुष्ठिती ॥ २१ ॥
"Whatever a great man does, that very thing becomes the standard; whatever he sets as the rule, the world follows."
💡 Meaning
Whatever great people do, that itself is recognized as Dharma, and other common people follow the same practices.
🔍 Deep Interpretation
In this verse, Saint Dnyaneshwar emphasizes the psychological and social truth that the masses follow the leaders. Whatever actions are performed by a 'great man' (Thor) become the standard of conduct for the rest of society. The common people do not often look into scriptures themselves; instead, they observe the lives of those they respect. Therefore, those in positions of influence have a profound responsibility to act righteously, as their behavior defines the moral fabric of the community.
🎯 Practical Application
In a corporate setting, if a CEO demonstrates integrity and punctuality, the employees naturally emulate these traits, leading to a healthy work culture. Leaders must lead by example.
📌 Context
Saint Dnyaneshwar explains why enlightened souls should continue to perform their duties to set an example for society.