Harivamsha 100.72

100.72

yajñārthe tu vayaṃ sṛṣṭāḥ sṛṣṭā yena sma nārada
tad asmākaṃ parā yajñā na vayaṃ svavaśe sthitāḥ
svayaṃbhuvo 'pīha parā vedānāṃ ca parā gatiḥ //

We were created for the sake of the sacrifice, O Nārada, by him who created [us]; / therefore sacrifices are superior to us; we are not under our own control. / The sacrifice is higher even than the self-born one here, and the highest destiny of the Vedas.’