Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3, Verse 12 (BG 3.12) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

# BG 3.12 The divine powers are satisfied when you satisfy them—Sri Krishna reiterates this unbreakable principle of sacred action. Only when we accept the meanings of the words "divine" and "sacrifice" as explained in the preceding verses, rather than their conventional interpretations, does the true meaning of this verse become evident. When productive capacity is nurtured through selfless action performed in the spirit of offering and surrender, it bestows upon us the fruits we desire. This is the law of life. When all receive the fruits of sacrifice, we have every right to share and enjoy them together. No being should partake of the benefits of another's labor without contributing to the collective effort. In capitalist systems of living, one grave tendency is evident: a single individual seeks to claim the maximum benefit from the collective labor of millions of workers. Such corrupt tendencies ultimately breed disorder in all fields of work. The consequence is that by introducing chaos into life's harmony, threats arise to national and international peace. The second line of this verse is expressed in the language of modern economics thus: that person in society who consumes without producing is a burden upon the nation. Sri Krishna calls one who enjoys the fruits of the divine without performing sacrifice—without selfless service—a thief of society. Considering the honored moral ideals of the Gita's age, the word "thief" is harsh yet powerful, pointing toward the corrupt and dishonorable nature of the pleasure-seeker and social offender. Yet...