Chapter 3, Verse 12
इष्टान्भोगान्हि वो देवा दास्यन्ते यज्ञभाविता: | तैर्दत्तानप्रदायैभ्यो यो भुङ्क्ते स्तेन एव स: ॥12॥
iṣṭān bhogān hi vo devā dāsyante yajña-bhāvitāḥ |
tair dattān apradāyaibhyo yo bhuṅkte stena eva saḥ ||
"Being nourished by sacrifices, the gods will indeed give you the coveted enjoyments. He is certainly a thief who enjoys what have been given by them without offering (these) to them."
Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 3.12 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 3.12 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
Detailed Meaning
This verse emphasizes the cosmic cycle of reciprocity. The 'Devas' represent the administrative forces of nature (rain, sun, wind, etc.) that sustain life. When we perform our duties as 'Yajna' (sacrifice/offering), these forces are 'nourished' or harmonized, ensuring a continued flow of resources. Krishna warns that consuming these resources solely for personal pleasure without acknowledging their source or giving back to the collective is an act of 'stena' (theft). In a modern sense, this refers to ecological and social responsibility—taking from the earth and society without contributing back results in a karmic and systemic imbalance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core message of Gita 3.12?
Being nourished by sacrifices, the gods will indeed give you the coveted enjoyments. He is certainly a thief who enjoys what have been given by them without offering (these) to them.