यजन्ते सात्त्विका देवान्यक्षरक्षांसि राजसाः ।
प्रेतान्भूतगणांश्चान्ये यजन्ते तामसा जनाः ॥
प्रेतान्भूतगणांश्चान्ये यजन्ते तामसा जनाः ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
सात्त्विक मनुष्य देवताओंका पूजन करते हैं, राजस मनुष्य यक्षों और राक्षसोंका और दूसरे जो तामस मनुष्य हैं, वे प्रेतों और भूतगणोंका पूजन करते हैं ॥
English
The sattvic worship radiant beings; the rajasic worship yakshas and rakshasas; the tamasic worship spirits and hosts of the dead.
What this verse means
People worship different kinds of beings according to the quality that dominates their nature. Their faith shapes the form their devotion takes.
Context & commentary
On Kurukshetra, with Arjuna still struggling to understand human nature, Krishna explains that faith is not neutral. The quality ruling a person’s mind shapes whom they worship: the clear worship the radiant, the restless seek powerful intermediaries, and the confused turn to darker forces.
Why this verse still matters
A person who chases charisma, power, or fear usually reveals something about their own inner state. What you keep admiring is often a mirror of what rules you.
The takeaway
Your deepest tendencies quietly choose what you revere.
Word-by-word translation
यजन्ते (worship) / सात्त्विकाः (sattvic) / देवान् (radiant beings) / यक्ष-रक्षांसि (yakshas and rakshasas) / राजसाः (rajasic) / प्रेतान् (spirits of the dead) / भूत-गणान् (hosts of beings) / च (and) / अन्ये (others) / यजन्ते (worship) / तामसाः (tamasic) / जनाः (people)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17: Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga — The Three Kinds of Faith, which contains 28 verses.
Explore related themes: shraddha (34 verses), sattva (26 verses), rajas (21 verses)