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Chapter 3 · Karma-yoga · 43 verses

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Duty & actionChapter 3 · Karma-yoga
3.113.13

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 3.12

The cycle of sacrifice and duty

इष्टान्भोगान्हि वो देवा दास्यन्ते यज्ञभाविताः ।

तैर्दत्तानप्रदायैभ्यो यो भुङ्क्ते स्तेन एव सः ॥ १२ ॥

iṣṭān bhogān hi vo devā

dāsyante yajña-bhāvitāḥ

tair dattān apradāyaibhyo

yo bhuṅkte stena eva saḥ

Translation

In charge of the various necessities of life, the demigods, being satisfied by the performance of yajña [sacrifice], will supply all necessities to you. But he who enjoys such gifts without offering them to the demigods in return is certainly a thief.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

Using the Lord’s Gifts

  1. 1Demigods satisfied by sacrifice supply life’s necessities. Anyone who enjoys these gifts without offering to them in return is a thief.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that demigods supply necessities on behalf of the Supreme Lord, Viṣṇu. All prescribed sacrifices are ultimately offered to Him.
  3. 3Use the Lord’s supplies to stay healthy and pursue self-realization, not merely to satisfy your senses.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 3, Karma-yoga: the cycle of sacrifice and duty.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Act dutifully without attachment to fruits.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: karma, sva-dharma.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 3.12 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to duty & action?

Practice

Do one task today purely because it is right.

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The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 3 ›
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Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 3.10The cycle of sacrifice and dutyBG 3.11The cycle of sacrifice and dutyBG 2.47Responsibility without ownership of outcomes

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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Ask about BG 3.12 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.

Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.