Bhagavad Gita · Verse 3.12
Chapter 3: Karma Yoga (कर्मयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
इष्टान्भोगान्हि वो देवा दास्यन्ते यज्ञभाविताः । तैर्दत्तानप्रदायैभ्यो यो भुङ्क्ते स्तेन एव सः ॥१२॥
iṣṭānbhogānhi vo devā dāsyante yajñabhāvitāḥ | tairdattānapradāyaibhyo yo bhuṅkte stena eva saḥ ||12||
Complete Shloka Translation
Nourished by sacrifice, the devas will give you desired enjoyments. One who enjoys their gifts without offering back to them is indeed a thief.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| यज्ञभाविताः | yajñabhāvitāḥ | nourished by sacrifice |
| स्तेनः | stenaḥ | thief |
| इष्टान्भोगान्हि | iṣṭānbhogānhi | [term] in context of Nourished by sacrifice, the de... |
| वो | vo | [term] in context of Nourished by sacrifice, the de... |
| देवा | devā | [term] in context of Nourished by sacrifice, the de... |
| दास्यन्ते | dāsyante | [term] in context of Nourished by sacrifice, the de... |
| तैर्दत्तानप्रदायैभ्यो | tairdattānapradāyaibhyo | [term] in context of Nourished by sacrifice, the de... |
| यो | yo | [term] in context of Nourished by sacrifice, the de... |
| भुङ्क्ते | bhuṅkte | [term] in context of Nourished by sacrifice, the de... |
| स्तेन | stena | [term] in context of Nourished by sacrifice, the de... |
| एव | eva | [term] in context of Nourished by sacrifice, the de... |
| सः | saḥ | [term] in context of Nourished by sacrifice, the de... |
| १२ | saḥ | [term] in context of Nourished by sacrifice, the de... |
nourished by sacrifice
thief
[term] in context of Nourished by sacrifice, the de...
[term] in context of Nourished by sacrifice, the de...
[term] in context of Nourished by sacrifice, the de...
[term] in context of Nourished by sacrifice, the de...
[term] in context of Nourished by sacrifice, the de...
[term] in context of Nourished by sacrifice, the de...
[term] in context of Nourished by sacrifice, the de...
[term] in context of Nourished by sacrifice, the de...
[term] in context of Nourished by sacrifice, the de...
[term] in context of Nourished by sacrifice, the de...
[term] in context of Nourished by sacrifice, the de...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The strong term thief criticizes taking from the sacrificial order without reciprocity. Reflection on gratitude follows from this setting, rather than erasing its ritual obligations.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Receiving is presented together with an obligation to give back."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What do you receive from a larger order that calls for gratitude or contribution?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse in your daily career and work life: discharge your responsibilities wholeheartedly as an act of service and social welfare, freeing your mind from selfish anxiety and burnout.