Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 17 · Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 17.4 यजन्ते सात्त्विका देवान्यक्षरक्षांसि राजसाः
श्लोक 17.4
यजन्ते सात्त्विका देवान्यक्षरक्षांसि राजसाः ।
प्रेतान्भूतगणांश्चान्ये यजन्ते तामसा जनाः ॥
yajante sāttvikā devānyakṣarakṣāṃsi rājasāḥ |
pretānbhūtagaṇāṃścānye yajante tāmasā janāḥ ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
सात्त्विक लोग देवताओं की पूजा करते हैं, राजसी लोग यक्षों और राक्षसों की, और तामसी लोग प्रेतों और भूतगणों की पूजा करते हैं।
Meaning in English
Sattvic people worship the gods; rajasic people worship yakshas and rakshasas (powerful spirits and demons); and tamasic people worship ghosts and hosts of spirits.
Bhagavad Gita 17.4 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| यजन्ते | yajante | worship |
| सात्त्विकाः | sāttvikāḥ | those of goodness |
| देवान् | devān | the gods |
| यक्षरक्षांसि | yakṣa-rakṣāṃsi | yakshas and rakshasas |
| राजसाः | rājasāḥ | those of passion |
| प्रेतान् | pretān | spirits of the dead |
| भूतगणान् च | bhūta-gaṇān ca | and hosts of ghosts |
| अन्ये | anye | others |
| यजन्ते | yajante | worship |
| तामसाः | tāmasāḥ | of darkness |
| जनाः | janāḥ | people |
Explanation
Sattvic people worship the gods; rajasic people worship yakshas and rakshasas; and the others, tamasic people, worship departed spirits and hosts of ghosts. Krishna shows that the object a person chooses to worship reveals the quality of their faith: the pure turn to the luminous, the ambitious to powers of wealth and might, and the dull to dark and fearful forces.
Yakṣas are traditionally associated with wealth and rākṣasas with force; pretas and bhūtas are spirits of the dead and ghostly beings. Shankara treats this as a practical test: one can infer the quality of a person's faith from what they worship. Commentators in the bhakti traditions add that the highest worship is of the Supreme itself, beyond the gunas, as taught elsewhere in the Gita (9.23–25). Modern readers often read the categories inwardly, as what a person truly gives their heart to.
भावार्थ
सात्त्विक लोग देवताओं की पूजा करते हैं, राजसी लोग यक्षों और राक्षसों की, और तामसी लोग प्रेतों और भूतगणों की पूजा करते हैं। किसकी पूजा की जाती है, इससे श्रद्धा का स्वरूप पहचाना जा सकता है।
Living it today
Look at what you give most of your attention and devotion to. That object says a lot about the quality of your faith.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 17.4?
Sattvic people worship the gods; rajasic people worship yakshas and rakshasas; and the others, tamasic people, worship departed spirits and hosts of ghosts. Krishna shows that the object a person chooses to worship reveals the quality of their faith: the pure turn to the luminous, the ambitious to powers of wealth and might, and the dull to dark and fearful forces.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 17.4?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 17 (Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 17.4 in daily life?
Look at what you give most of your attention and devotion to. That object says a lot about the quality of your faith.
Reflected on verse 17.4?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.