सङ्करस्य च कर्ता स्यामुपहन्यामिमाः प्रजाः ॥ २४ ॥
utsīdeyurime lokā na kuryā karma cedaham .
saṅkarasya ca kartā syāmupahanyāmimāḥ prajāḥ .. 24 ..
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If I should not perform action, then there would be no action conducive to the continuance of the universe, and all these worlds would fall into ruin. Moreover, I would be the author of confusion of castes, and thereby destroy these creatures. Thus, though working for the welfare of the creatures, I would bring about their ruin,—which would be unbecoming of ME, their lord.
The wise man’s action as contrasted with that of the ignorant.
Suppose, on the other hand, you—or suppose (for that matter) any other man thinks that he has achieved his ends and has realised the Self, even he should work* for the welfare of others, though for himself he may have nothing to do.
Even he should perform action in view of the welfare of others.