इष्टान्भोगान्हि वो देवा दास्यन्ते यज्ञभाविताः | तैर्दत्तानप्रदायैभ्यो यो भुङ्क्ते स्तेन एव सः ||१२||
iṣhṭān 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 yajna (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.
Interpretation
The one who receives the gifts of nature (food, water, air, life itself) without offering anything in return is called a thief. This is not about literal ritual offerings but about the attitude of gratitude and reciprocity. To consume without contributing to the whole is to steal from the cosmic treasury.