Meaning
Supreme God Krishna spoke
Whatsoever an honorable man does, others emulate. Whatever standards he sets, others follow. (3:21)
Sanskrit
श्रीभगवान् उवाच
यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः ।
स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते॥
Word-by-word
यत् यत् आ-चरति श्रेष्ठः तत् तत् एव इतरः जनः,
स यत् प्रमाणम् कुरुते लोकः तत् अनु-वर्तते।।
Commentary
The message is clear: if a person like Arjuna sets an example of running away from a battle which is to be fought for the sake of justice and good governance for the people at large, others may also emulate him in the future, possibly even in this war.