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Chapter 3 · Verse 12 · Karma Yoga

Bhagavad Gita 3.12

devotional Karma & Action Dharma & Duty Attachment & Letting Go

Sanskrit

इष्टान्भोगान्हि वो देवा दास्यन्ते यज्ञभाविताः। तैर्दत्तानप्रदायैभ्यो यो भुङ्क्ते स्तेन एव सः।।3.12।।

Transliteration

iṣhṭān bhogān hi vo devā dāsyante yajña-bhāvitāḥ tair dattān apradāyaibhyo yo bhuṅkte stena eva saḥ

Word by Word

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
Simplified Perspective

The gods themselves are bound by the cosmic law of reciprocity—they give only to those who offer first through sacrifice and selfless action. When you receive without giving back, you become a thief of the universe's abundance, breaking the sacred circulation of energy that sustains all life.

The remedy is simple: honor the flow by contributing your gifts before claiming yours, recognizing that true prosperity comes only through participation in the cosmic exchange. '—whether in relationships, work, or community.

Listen

Bhagavad Gita 3.12 — BG 3.12

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Sanskrit text from the Bhagavad Gita (public domain). Commentary © Mahakatha.

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