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for himself, Self-concentrated, serving self alone, No part hath he
in aught nothing achieved, Nought wrought or
unwrought touched him; no hope Of help for all the living things of
earth Depends from him. Therefore, thy task prescribed With spirit
unattached gladly perform, Since in performance of plain duty man
Mounts to his highest bliss. By works alone Janak and
ancient saints reached blessedness! Moreover, for the upholding of
thy kind, Action thou should'st embrace. What the wise choose The
unwise people take; what best men do The multitude will follow.
Look on me, Thou Son of Pritha! in the
three wide worlds I am not bound to any toil, no height Awaits to
scale, no gift remains to gain, Yet I act here! and, if I acted not-
Earnest and watchful- those that look to me For guidance, sinking
back to sloth again Because I slumbered, would decline from good,
And I should break earth's order and commit Her offspring unto ruin,
Bharata! Even as the unknowing toil, wedded to sense, So let the
enlightened toil, sense-freed, but set To bring the world
deliverance, and its bliss; Not sowing in those simple, busy hearts
Seed of despair.
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