Chapter 17 · Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga - The Yoga of the Division of Threefold FaithKrishna
Verse 4
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 17, श्लोक 4
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
यजन्ते सात्त्विका देवान्यक्षरक्षांसि राजसाः।
प्रेतान्भूतगणांश्चान्ये यजन्ते तामसा जनाः॥
Transliteration
Yajante sattvika devan yaksha-rakshamsi rajasah
Pretan-bhuta-ganamsh-cha-anye yajante tamasa janah
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
यजन्तेyajanteworship
सात्त्विकाःsattvikahthose in goodness
देवान्devangods
यक्षरक्षांसिyaksha-rakshamsiyakshas and rakshasas
राजसाःrajasahthose in passion
प्रेतान्pretanghosts
भूतगणान्bhuta-gananspirits
तामसाःtamasahthose in ignorance
जनाःjanahpeople
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
सात्त्विक लोग देवताओं की पूजा करते हैं, राजसिक लोग यक्ष-राक्षसों की, और तामसिक लोग प्रेत-भूतगणों की पूजा करते हैं।
English Translation
Those in the mode of goodness worship the gods; those in the mode of passion worship yakshas and rakshasas; and those in the mode of ignorance worship ghosts and spirits.
Commentary (टीका)
The object of worship directly reflects one's dominant guna. Sattvic people are drawn to divine beings, rajasic to powerful entities that grant material desires, and tamasic to dark forces. This classification helps seekers evaluate and elevate their spiritual aspirations.