Verse 3.12
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
इष्टान्भोगान्हि वो देवा दास्यन्ते यज्ञभाविताः। तैर्दत्तानप्रदायैभ्यो यो भुङ्क्ते स्तेन एव सः।।
Transliteration (IAST)
iṣṭān bhogān hi vo devā dāsyante yajña-bhāvitāḥ | tair dattān apradāyaibhyo yo bhuṅkte stena eva saḥ ||
Word-by-Word Meanings
इष्टान्-desired
भोगान्-enjoyments
देवाः-the gods
यज्ञभाविताः-pleased by sacrifice
अप्रदाय-without offering
स्तेनः-a thief
Translation
The gods, nourished by sacrifice, will bestow upon you the desired enjoyments. But one who enjoys their gifts without offering anything in return is verily a thief.
Commentary
Krishna establishes an ethical principle: enjoying the fruits of the cosmic order without contributing back is theft. This applies to all levels - ecological, social, and spiritual. One who only takes without giving disrupts the natural balance of dharma.
Themes
dharmakarmaduty