Shankaracharya's commentary, trans. Alladi Mahadeva Sastry (1897)
[1]The world is bound by action except that done for the sake of sacrifice. Do thou, O son of Kunti, perform action for that sake, free from attachment.
BG 3.9
यज्ञार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धनः । तदर्थं कर्म कौन्तेय मुक्तसङ्गः समाचर ॥
yajñārthāt karmaṇo 'nyatra loko 'yaṃ karma-bandhanaḥ | tad-arthaṃ karma kaunteya mukta-saṅgaḥ samācara ||
"Action done as an offering (yajna) does not bind. All other action creates bondage. Do your work as offering."
All public-domain translations
5 translations · all pre-1928 or released to public domain · sources
Swami Swarupananda, Srimad Bhagavad Gita (1909)
[4]The world is bound by action unless performed for the sake of sacrifice. Therefore, O son of Kunti, do thou perform action for that sake, free from attachment.
William Quan Judge, The Bhagavad Gita (1890)
[6]This world is imprisoned by its own activity except when actions are performed as worship of God. Do thou, therefore, O son of Kunti, perform all actions as an offering, free from attachment.
Sir Edwin Arnold, The Song Celestial (1885)
[7]All acts of sacrifice, whatever, O Kunti's Son! Are for the world's advantage, and must needs Be done. Let all thine acts be sacrifice.
K.T. Telang, Sacred Books of the East Vol. 8 (1882)
[9]The world is bound by bonds of action except those done with a view to sacrifice. Therefore, O son of Kunti, do thou perform actions for that end, free from attachment.