Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17 Verse 4 Meaning

The sattvic, or pure, men worship the gods; the rajasic, or passionate, worship the yakshas and rakshasas; the others, the tamasic or deluded people, worship ghosts and hosts of nature-spirits.

BG 17.4

यजन्ते सात्त्विका देवान्यक्षरक्षांसि राजसाः।प्रेतान्भूतगणांश्चान्ये यजन्ते तामसा जनाः

yajante sāttvikā devān yakṣha-rakṣhānsi rājasāḥ pretān bhūta-gaṇānśh chānye yajante tāmasā janāḥ

Meaning

The sattvic, or pure, men worship the gods; the rajasic, or passionate, worship the yakshas and rakshasas; the others, the tamasic or deluded people, worship ghosts and hosts of nature-spirits.

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Explanation & Life Application

This verse from Chapter 17 of the Bhagavad Gita highlights a practical insight: The sattvic, or pure, men worship the gods; the rajasic, or passionate, worship the yakshas and rakshasas; the others, the tamasic or deluded people, worship ghosts and hosts of nature-spirits.

In The Yoga of Threefold Faith (Sraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga), Krishna explains How faith manifests according to the three modes of nature.

— Explained by the Nitya Team

Chapter Context

How faith manifests according to the three modes of nature.

Key themes in this chapter include Faith, Food, Sacrifice, Charity.

When to Apply This Verse

  • •When you need steadiness while dealing with faith
  • •When practicing food amid uncertainty
  • •When applying sacrifice to real-life choices

Verse FAQs

What is the main idea of Bhagavad Gita 17.4?
The sattvic, or pure, men worship the gods; the rajasic, or passionate, worship the yakshas and rakshasas; the others, the tamasic or deluded people, worship ghosts and hosts of nature-spirits. This verse emphasizes faith with clarity and purpose.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 17.4 in daily life?
Apply this teaching when making choices or doing your duties. Focus on food and keep your mind steady regardless of outcomes.

Related Verses

BG 17.3

The faith of each is in accordance with their nature, O Arjuna. People consist of their faith; as a person's faith is, so are they.

BG 17.20

That gift which is given to one who does nothing in return, knowing it to be a duty to give in a suitable place and time to a worthy person, is held to be Sattvic.

BG 1.1

Dhritarashtra said, "What did my people and the sons of Pandu do when they had assembled together, eager for battle, on the holy plain of Kurukshetra, O Sanjaya?"

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← Back to Chapter 17: The Yoga of Threefold Faith

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