Markandeyapurana 76.42

Ānanda spoke:
Desirous of purity of soul I perform austerities, adorable lord! setting my face towards consuming the actions which tend to fetter me.

Brahmā spoke:
He who is lord over consumed actions is fit for final emancipation, not he who engages in action. Hence Sir! thou shalt obtain final emancipation, when thou hast the lordship of goodness. Thou must be the sixth Manu; go; do accordingly! Enough of austerities for thee! When thou hast done that, thou shalt obtain final emancipation.