Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga - The Yoga of Selfless ActionKrishna
Verse 12
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 3, श्लोक 12
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
इष्टान्भोगान्हि वो देवा दास्यन्ते यज्ञभाविताः।
तैर्दत्तानप्रदायैभ्यो यो भुङ्क्ते स्तेन एव सः॥१२॥
Transliteration
Ishtan Bhogan Hi Vo Deva Dasyante Yajna-Bhavitah.
Tair-Dattan-Apradaya-Ibhyo Yo Bhunkte Stena Eva Sah.||12||
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
इष्टान्ishtandesired
भोगान्bhoganenjoyments
हिhiindeed
वःvahto you
देवाःdevahthe devas
दास्यन्तेdasyantewill bestow
यज्ञभाविताःyajna-bhavitahpleased by sacrifice
तैःtaihby them
दत्तान्dattangiven
अप्रदायapradayawithout offering in return
यःyahwho
भुङ्क्तेbhunkteenjoys
स्तेनःstenaha thief
एवevaverily
सःsahhe
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
यज्ञ से सन्तुष्ट देवता तुम्हें इच्छित भोग प्रदान करेंगे। जो उनके दिए हुए भोगों को उन्हें बिना अर्पित किए स्वयं भोगता है, वह निश्चय ही चोर है।
English Translation
The devas, nourished by sacrifice, will bestow upon you the enjoyments you desire. But one who enjoys these gifts without offering anything in return is verily a thief.
Commentary (टीका)
Krishna uses strong language — calling those who only consume without contributing 'thieves.' This establishes a moral principle: we are all debtors to nature, society, and the cosmos. Taking without giving back disrupts the universal order. Every person has an obligation to contribute to the welfare of the whole.