1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 6 · Prescribed Duties for Mankind · 19 chapters

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.2.4

Who is speaking and story frame

यद्यदाचरति श्रेयानितरस्तत्तदीहते ।

स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते ॥ ४ ॥

yad yad ācarati śreyān

itaras tat tad īhate

sa yat pramāṇaṁ kurute

lokas tad anuvartate

Translation

The mass of people follow the example of a leader in society and imitate his behavior. They accept as evidence whatever the leader accepts.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

A Leader's Example Shapes Society

  1. 1

    People imitate a leader's behavior and accept what the leader accepts as evidence.

  2. 2

    Taking Ajāmila for punishment when he was not punishable was contrary to religious principles. The Viṣṇudūtas feared that allowing this would spoil the management of society.

  3. 3

    The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement works to improve humanity's fallen condition. Governments and public leaders should support its valuable service.

Key points from the purport
  • The Viṣṇudūtas feared that if such irreligious acts were allowed, the management of human society would be spoiled.
  • In modern times, the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is trying to introduce the right principles of management for human society, but unfortunately the governments of Kali-yuga do not properly support the Hare Kṛṣṇa movement because they do not appreciate its valuable service.
  • The Hare Kṛṣṇa movement is the right movement for ameliorating the fallen condition of human society, and therefore governments and public leaders in every part of the world should support this movement to completely rectify humanity’s sinful condition.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

How it feels

Guilt and mortal terror → Mercy and renewed devotion. The holy name opens a path beyond an apparently hopeless death.

Chapters 1–3 of Canto 6: Ajāmila and the Viṣṇudūtas. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 2: Ajāmila Delivered by the Viṣṇudūtas

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The mass of people are helpless and must depend upon the government for their safety and security, but if the government takes advantage of this to harm the citizens, where will they go? We see perfectly that Ajāmila should not be punished, although you are attempting to take him to Yamarāja for punishment.”
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.2
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yat yatwhatever
  2. ācaratiexecutes
  3. śreyāna first-class man with full knowledge of religious principles
  4. itaraḥthe subordinate man
  5. tat tatthat
  6. īhateperforms
  7. saḥhe (the great man)
  8. yatwhatever
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 6.2

    In this verse: “religious”, “principles”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 6.2

    In this verse: “feared”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 6.2

    In this verse: “governments”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What example does my behavior set for those who look to me?

Practice

Choose one action today that sets an example of fairness rather than following an unfair example.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.

2 lectures given on it. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Live this todayA Leader's Example Shapes SocietyThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 6.2.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.