Verse 1.143

Sanskrit text and transliteration:

यथोक्तोपासनादेव स्वाराज्यफलसंश्रयात् ।
नैष्फल्ये कर्मणां प्राप्ते तत्साफल्यार्थ उत्तरः ॥ १४३ ॥

yathoktopāsanādeva svārājyaphalasaṃśrayāt |
naiṣphalye karmaṇāṃ prāpte tatsāphalyārtha uttaraḥ || 143 ||

English translation of verse 1.143:

Since the fruit of sovereignty can be attained by the meditation alone as stated above, one may think that rites are futile. In order to show their usefulness, the next section is commenced.

Notes:

The ninth anuvāka of the Upaniṣad is covered by verses (143) to (150). It gives an account of the duties of the meditator (upāsaka). The latter who acts on the notion of duality (dvaita-bhāva) thinks that he is the agent, that there is an end to be attained by him, and that there is a means thereto. Such a person has to perform the rites enjoined by Scripture. He should not neglect them thinking that the fruit of sovereignty could be attained through the upāsanā itself. Obstructed by the sin whose existence is indicated by the neglect of the Scripture-ordained duties, the upāsanā cannot produce the desired result. Hence the utility of rites enjoined by Scripture. While upāsanā may be combined with karma, it is not so in the case of knowledge (jñāna).