Know that work proceeds from the Vedas; Vedas have proceeded from Him who hath no decay.  Therefore, the all-pervading Supreme Being is installed in sacrifice.[156] He who conformeth not to this wheel that is thus revolving, that man of sinful life delighting (the indulgence of) his senses, liveth in vain, O Partha.[157] The man, however, that is attached to self only, that is contented with self, and that is pleased in his self,—­hath no work (to do).  He hath no concern whatever with action nor with any omission here.  Nor, amongst all creatures, is there any upon whom his interest dependeth.[158] Therefore, always do work that should be done, without attachment.  The man who performeth work without attachment, attaineth to the Supreme.  By work alone, Janaka and others, attained the accomplishment of their objects.  Having regard also to the observance by men of their duties, it behoveth thee to work.  Whatever a great man doth, is also done by vulgar people.  Ordinary men follow the ideal set by them (the great).[159] There is nothing whatever for me, O Partha, to do in the three worlds, (since I have) nothing for me which hath not been acquired; still I engage in action.[160] Because if at any time I do not, without sloth, engage in action, men would follow my path, O Partha, on all sides.  The worlds would perish if I did not perform work, and I should cause intermixture of castes and ruin these people.  As the ignorant work, O Bharata, having attachment to the performer, so should a wise man work without being attached, desiring to make men observant of their duties.  A wise man should not cause confusion of understanding amongst ignorant persons, who have attachment to work itself; (on the other hand) he should (himself) acting with devotion engage them to all (kinds of) work.  All works are, in every way, done by the qualities of nature.  He, whose mind is deluded by egoism, however, regards himself as the actor.[161] But he, O mighty-armed one, who knoweth the distinction (of self) from qualities and work, is not attached to work, considering that it is his senses alone (and not his self) that engage in their objects.[162] Those who are deluded by the qualities of nature, become attached to the works done by the qualities.  A person of perfect knowledge should not bewilder those men of imperfect knowledge.[163] Devoting all work to me, with (thy) mind directed to self, engage in battle, without desire, without affection and with thy (heart’s) weakness dispelled.[164] Those men who always follow this opinion of mine with faith and without cavil attain to final emancipation even by work.  But they who cavil at and do not follow this opinion of mine, know, that, bereft of all knowledge and without discrimination, they are ruined.  Even a wise man acts according to his own nature.  All living beings follow (their own) nature.  What then would restraint avail?  The senses have, as regards the objects of the senses, either affection or aversion fixed.  One should not submit to these, for they are obstacles in one’s way.[165] One’s own duty, even if imperfectly performed, is better than being done by other even if well performed.  Death in (performance of) one’s own duty is preferable. (The adoption of) the duty of another carries fear (with it).