The Yoga of Action

Krishna redefines theft: consumption without contribution is stealing. When nature, society, or others provide for you and you take without giving back, you're a thief. The devas (natural forces and social systems) give what we need when we contribute through yajna. But enjoying food without honoring those who grew it, using infrastructure without paying taxes, or benefiting from community without serving it—that's stena, theft from the collective. This verse expands theft beyond 'taking property' to 'consuming without reciprocating.'