68. Lead By Example

Children always look up to their parents to understand the world, learn new things, manners, behaviours etc. That’s why it’s said that the best way to raise a child is to lead by example and truly walk the talk. Similar dependence continues in the later stages too. It might be dependence on friends, teachers, mentors etc. This implies that there are people who depend on us and look to us for guidance. Whatever we do influences them. It is in this context that Krishna says whatever a superior being does, other people imitate and his actions set a standard for the people of the world (3.21).

Krishna further explains “There is nothing in three worlds that should be done by Me, nor anything unattained that has to be attained (3.22); yet I engage in action. If at any time I do not continue to perform actions, without pause, men would wholly imitate My way (3.23). These worlds would perish if I did not perform action. I would be the cause for dire confusion, and I would also be ruining these people” (3.24).

Clearly, Krishna is coming as creativity which includes creation, maintenance and destruction. In these verses, Krishna mentions the consequences if creativity stops performing action.

For example, when a farmer sows wheat, it is creativity that is responsible for sprouting. If creativity stops, the seed is wasted. After sprouting, if that crop doesn’t grow, that too is a cause of confusion. After growing, if it doesn’t produce seeds, then it would destroy generations. Similarly, when we eat, the digestive force ensures its digestion. If this process of digestion stops functioning, life would perish.

Our lives depend so much on visible and invisible automaticity built into this universe and this is purely possible because of the tireless actions which are continuously performed by creativity.