Path of Selfless Service
Verse 3.12
इष्टान्भोगान्हि वो देवा दास्यन्ते यज्ञभाविताः। तैर्दत्तानप्रदायैभ्यो यो भुङ्क्ते स्तेन एव सः।।3.12।।
iṣhṭān bhogān hi vo devā dāsyante yajña-bhāvitāḥ tair dattān apradāyaibhyo yo bhuṅkte stena eva saḥ
Word Meanings
iṣhṭān—desired; bhogān—necessities of life; hi—certainly; vaḥ—unto you; devāḥ—the celestial gods; dāsyante—will grant; yajña-bhāvitāḥ—satisfied by sacrifice; taiḥ—by them; dattān—things granted; apradāya—without offering; ebhyaḥ—to them; yaḥ—who; bhuṅkte—enjoys; stenaḥ—thieves; eva—verily; saḥ—they
Translation · English
The gods, nourished by the sacrifice, will give you the desired objects. So, he who enjoys the objects given by the gods without offering anything in return is indeed a thief.
Deep Meaning · English
In this verse, Krishna unveils the profound philosophy of 'Sacred Reciprocity' that governs the manifested universe. The 'Devas' here represent not merely external mythological figures, but the cosmic powers and elemental forces that sustain human life. When we engage in 'Yajna'—a life lived in a spirit of sacrifice and selflessness—we nourish these forces. By acknowledging that every resource we consume is a gift from the cosmic order, we transition from an exploitative relationship with the world to a participatory one. Service becomes the bridge that aligns individual ego with the cosmic rhythm. To consume without acknowledging the source is to live in the delusion of ownership, which Krishna labels as 'theft.' Spiritually, this warns us that hoarding or selfish indulgence blocks the flow of divine grace. By offering the fruits of our labor back into the cycle of life, we purify our actions and cultivate an inner state of detachment. This is the foundation of Karma Yoga: recognizing that we are stewards, not proprietors, of the universe’s gifts, thereby transforming mundane existence into a constant act of worship.
True prosperity arises from a cycle of sacred exchange, whereas selfish consumption, disconnected from the divine source, is the root of spiritual stagnation and theft.
Connected Verses
Distinguishes the 'Sattvic' sacrifice, performed as a duty without expectation, which perfectly aligns with the spirit of this verse.
Reinforces the devotional aspect, teaching the seeker to offer every action and consumption directly to the Supreme Lord.
Expands on the concept of Yajna, viewing the entire process of action as an offering into the Brahman.
This verse directly follows by explaining how eating the 'remnants' of sacrifice cleanses one of all sins.
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