The works of Ādi Śaṅkarācārya

Sanatsujātīyam

p. 184

p. 184

नन्वेवमारुरुक्षूणामपि कर्माणि नानुष्ठेयानि, कर्मणां बन्धहेतुत्वात् ।तथा चोक्तम्—‘कर्मणा बध्यते जन्तुर्विद्यया

In plain words

But wait — if that is so, then even those still climbing should not perform actions at all, since action is what causes bondage. And scripture says just this: "By action a creature is bound; by knowledge..."

Close to the Sanskrit

But surely, in this way, even for those desiring to ascend actions are not to be performed, because of actions being the cause of bondage. And so it has been said — 'By action a creature is bound; by knowledge...'