यजन्ते सात्त्विका देवान्यक्षरक्षांसि राजसाः ।
प्रेतान्भूतगणांश्चान्ये यजन्ते तामसा जनाः ॥ १७.४ ॥

yajante sāttvikā devānyakṣarakṣāmsi rājasā: |
pretānbhūtagaṇāmścānye yajante tāmasā janā: || 17.4 ||

Three-fold worship & practices

Krishna then distinguishes the śraddhā by tracing it to the type of worship people take to, so that Arjuna can understand how sāttvika, rājasika and tāmasika śraddhā differ from one another:

Those of sāttvika orientation worship devas (angels), rajasika ones worship yakṣas and rākṣasas (celestials and demons), and others of tāmasika temperament worship pretas (spirits of the dead) and bhūta-gaṇas (manes and ghouls).

Devas, angels, are considered to be pure beings, innocuous and helpful to seekers. They are given only to the good of their votaries. Yakṣas and rākṣasas are different, reciprocating whatever the worshippers offer. In the process, a measure of sublimation of desires may also transpire. Bhūtas and pretas are of still lower denominations, representing animosity, crudeness and belligerence. Worshipping them is generally with a view to harm someone inflicting bad plights and fates.

By categorizing the three kinds of worship in this manner, Krishna highlights where lies the real welfare. Human nature at its worst can bring about any extent of havoc and downfall to another. People often resort to rājasika and tāmasika worship, in their urge to bring harm to others.