Bhagavad Gita · Karma Yoga — The Yoga of Action
Chapter 3, Verse 12
"Bhagavad Gita 3.12" — meaning and explanation.
इष्टान्भोगान्हि वो देवा दास्यन्ते यज्ञभाविताः | तैर्दत्तानप्रदायैभ्यो यो भुङ्क्ते स्तेन एव सः
iṣṭānbhogānhi vo devā dāsyante yajñabhāvitāḥ . tairdattānapradāyaibhyo yo bhuṅkte stena eva saḥ
Meaning
3.12 The gods, nourished by the sacrifice, will give you the desired objects. So, he who enjoys the objects given by the gods without offering (in return) to them, is verily a thief.
।।3.12।। यज्ञ द्वारा पोषित देवतागण तुम्हें इष्ट भोग प्रदान करेंगे। उनके द्वारा दिये हुये भोगों को जो पुरुष उनको दिये बिना ही भोगता है वह निश्चय ही चोर है।।
Explanation
3.12 इष्टान् desired? भोगान् objects? हि so? वः to you? देवाः the gods? दास्यन्ते will give? यज्ञभाविताः nourished by sacrifice? तैः by them? दत्तान् give? अप्रदाय without offering? एभ्यः to them? यः who? भुङ्क्ते enjoys? स्तेनः thief? एव verily? सः he.Commentary When the gods are pleased with you sacrifices? they will bestow on you all the desired objects such as children? cattle? property? etc. He who enjoys what has been given to him by the gods? i.e.? he who gratifies the cravings of his own body and the senses without offering anything to the gods in return is a veritable thief. He is really a dacoit of the property of the gods.
Life Lesson
Study Bhagavad Gita 3.12 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
Context
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3, verse 12, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.
Bhagavad Gita 3.12
This page presents the Sanskrit verse, transliteration, Hindi meaning, English meaning, and a simple explanation for study. For a fuller understanding, read this shloka in sequence with the rest of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 3.12 mean?
3.12 The gods, nourished by the sacrifice, will give you the desired objects. So, he who enjoys the objects given by the gods without offering (in return) to them, is verily a thief.
What is the life lesson of this verse?
Study Bhagavad Gita 3.12 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
What is the context of this verse?
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3, verse 12, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.