The Great Epic of the Bhārata dynasty 6.25.12-21

"The Devas, cherished by Yajna, will give you desired-for objects." So, he who enjoys objects given by the Devas without offering (in return) to them, is verily a thief.

The good, eating the remnants of Yajna, are freed from all sins: but who cook food (only) for themselves, those sinful ones eat sin.

From food come forth beings: from rain food is produced: from Yajna arises rain and Yajna is born of Karma.

Know Karma to have risen from the Veda, and the Veda from the Imperishable. Therefore the all-pervading Veda is ever centred in Yajna.

He, who here follows not the wheel thus set revolving, living in sin, and satisfied in the senses, O son of Prithâ,—he lives in vain.

But the man who is devoted to the Self, and is satisfied with the Self, and content in the Self alone, he has no obligatory duty.

He has no object in this world (to gain) by doing (an action), nor (does he incur any loss) by non-performance of action,—nor has he (need of) depending on any being for any object.

Therefore, do thou always perform actions which are obligatory, without attachment;—by performing action without attachment, one attains to the highest.

Verily by action alone, Janaka and others attained perfection;—also, simply with the view for the guidance of men, thou shouldst perform action.

Whatsoever the superior person does, that is followed by others. What he demonstrates by action, that, people follow.