Chapter 3, Verse 12 (Bhagavad Gita 3.12)
Chapter 3: Karm Yog – Path of Selfless Service
Sanskrit Shloka
इष्टान्भोगान्हि वो देवा दास्यन्ते यज्ञभाविताः। तैर्दत्तानप्रदायैभ्यो यो भुङ्क्ते स्तेन एव सः
Transliteration
iṣhṭān bhogān hi vo devā dāsyante yajña-bhāvitāḥ tair dattān apradāyaibhyo yo bhuṅkte stena eva saḥ
Word Meanings
iṣhṭān—desired; bhogān—necessities of life; hi—certainly; vaḥ—unto you; devāḥ—the celestial gods; dāsyante—will grant; yajña-bhāvitāḥ—satisfied by sacrifice; taiḥ—by them; dattān—things granted; apradāya—without offering; ebhyaḥ—to them; yaḥ—who; bhuṅkte—enjoys; stenaḥ—thieves; eva—verily; saḥ—they
Translation
The celestial beings, nourished by sacrifice, will grant you your desired enjoyments. He who enjoys the gifts bestowed by them without offering back in return is verily a thief.
Meaning & Commentary
This verse reveals the fundamental law of cosmic reciprocity, asserting that existence is an interconnected cycle of giving and receiving. By labeling one who does not give back as a 'thief,' Krishna teaches that hoarding resources for personal pleasure without acknowledging the Source is a form of spiritual theft against the Divine order. True transformation occurs when we shift from a mindset of 'consumption' to 'contribution,' realizing that every blessing is a trust to be shared. Living in this spirit of sacrifice dissolves the ego's possessiveness and aligns our individual actions with the rhythmic pulse of the universe. Ultimately, it teaches that true joy is found not in accumulation, but in the sacred exchange of gratitude and service.