In Bhagavad Gita 3.12, Krishna says that the gods, nourished by sacrifice, give the enjoyments we desire; one who enjoys their gifts without offering in return is a thief.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
इष्टान्भोगान्हि वो देवा
दास्यन्ते यज्ञभाविताः
तैर्दत्तानप्रदायैभ्यो
यो भुङ्क्ते स्तेन एव सः ॥ ३-१२ ॥
iṣṭānbhogānhi vo devā
dāsyante yajñabhāvitāḥ
tairdattānapradāyaibhyo
yo bhuṅkte stena eva saḥ
English transliteration ishtaanbhogaanhi vo devaa
daasyante yajnabhaavitaah
tairdattaanapradaayaibhyo
yo bhunkte stena eva sah ॥ 3.12 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Nourished by sacrifice, the gods will give you the enjoyments you desire. One who enjoys what they have given without offering anything to them in return is surely a thief.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| इष्टान् iṣṭān | desired |
| भोगान् bhogān | enjoyments |
| हि hi | indeed |
| वः vaḥ | to you |
| देवाः devāḥ | the gods |
| दास्यन्ते dāsyante | will give |
| यज्ञभाविताः yajñabhāvitāḥ | nourished by sacrifice yajña (sacrifice) + bhāvitāḥ (nourished) |
| तैः taiḥ | by them |
| दत्तान् dattān | given |
| अप्रदाय apradāya | without offering |
| एभ्यः ebhyaḥ | to them |
| यः yaḥ | who |
| भुङ्क्ते bhuṅkte | enjoys |
| स्तेनः stenaḥ | thief |
| एव eva | indeed |
| सः saḥ | he |
Word-wise Chanting
- iṣ–ṭān–bho–gān–hi vo de–vā 8 syllables ish-taan-bho-gaan-hi vo de-vaa
- dās–yan–te ya–jña–bhā–vi–tāḥ | 8 syllables daas-yan-te ya-jna-bhaa-vi-taah
- tair–dat–tā–nap–ra–dā–yaibh–yo 8 syllables tair-dat-taa-nap-ra-daa-yaibh-yo
- yo bhuṅ–kte ste–na e–va saḥ || 3-12 8 syllables yo bhun-kte ste-na e-va sah
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 3 Verse 12
Context
Krishna continues explaining the cycle of sacrifice (3.10–3.16).
Meaning
The gifts of life, food, air, water, health and skills, come to us from powers beyond ourselves. To enjoy them without gratitude or return is to take what is not freely ours. Krishna uses a strong word: stena, thief. Living only for oneself breaks the sacred cycle of giving and receiving.
The verse invites reflection on our relationship with everything that sustains us. Gratitude and giving are not optional extras; they are the proper response to what we receive. A life of pure consumption, however legal, is spiritually a kind of theft.
In Practice
Before eating today, pause and give thanks for everyone and everything that made the meal possible.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 3: Karma Yoga (The Yoga of Action). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.