The work of life leads to fulfilment and salvation, scripturally

The real and learned Hinduism stresses on doing things (including committing to holy rituals) according to logical reasoning and proper understanding, and not based on the blind belief and fellowship. 

The emphasis in Shlokas 72 & 73 of Ch. 18 of the Bhagavad Gita (BG) is on doing things, taking actions and making decisions according to proper understanding and logical thinking, and not because some "holy" text, religious figure or a person in authority wants to be followed and obeyed blindly. 

After explaining everything to Arjuna in previous Chapters of BG, Krishna asks Arjuna, "Have you heard these words in the silent communion of your soul? Has the darkness of your delusion been dispelled by your inner Light (own thinking)?" BG (Ch. 18 - V. 72). 

In response to Krishna, Arjuna says, "By your mercy I understand things properly, and now gone is my delusion. My doubts are no more, my faith is firm; and now I can say 'I will do my duty'." BG (Ch. 18 - V. 73) 

Incidentally, Puranas (Puranic texts) are filled with mythical / imaginary tales which keep people occupied in unrealistic expectations, skewed reverence (including faith & worship) and unnecessary rituals towards different gods and goddesses (Siva, Visnu, Ganesha, Devi et al.) which in reality represent names only for one God (Brahman) and not the separate and independent divine personalities going around interacting literally with humans and other animals as depicted in the Puranas and according to mythical tales. 

Note, while Brahman, in essence Nirguna (ontologically, attributeless) is best described by “SAT (सत – reality), CIT (चित – consciousness), ANAND (आनंद  - bliss)”, it is helpful to worshiper during puja (worship) to think of Brahman as Saguna and possessing divine attributes such as creatorship and rulership of the world, etc., as “OM (ॐ :  the original guide of morality and spirituality), TAT (तत्  :   the Creator and Ruler of the world), SAT (सत् :   the good and true)”.

Furthermore, Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita (BG) does not advocate in favor of any special rituals or recitations to attain salvation, except that a person should be mindful of Brahman (or God) as “OM TAT SAT” and carry out his / her duties honestly and with dedication, which will lead to his / her fulfilment in this world and salvation later (in the hereafter). Note the verses from the Bhagavad Gita below in this regard.   

“OM, TAT, SAT. Each one of these three words is one word for Brahman;  OM (ॐ :  the original guide of morality and spirituality), TAT (तत्  :   the Creator and Ruler of the world), SAT (सत् :   the good and true).” BG (Ch. 17: 23)  

“Do in this life your task (duty) rightly (honestly and with dedication); without work you will miss life’s needs and might face starvation.” BG (Ch. 3: V.

“Everyone, irrespective of background and caste (present and ancestral family occupation, etc.) attains perfection (Liberation) when he finds satisfaction in his work. Hear how a person attains perfection and finds satisfaction in his work.” BG (Ch. 18: 45)  

“A man attains perfection when his work is worship of God (“OM TAT SAT”), from whom all things come and who is in all.” BG (Ch. 18: 46)  

“Greater is one’s own work, even if this be humble, than the work of another, even if this great. When a man takes care of his duty, there is no disadvantage.” BG (Ch. 18: 47)    

by: Dr. Subhash C. Sharma

Incidentally, the citation for 4th verse (Shloka) from the bottom of article should be BG (Ch. 3 - V. 8 ), as indicated below

“Do in this life your task (duty) rightly (honestly and with dedication); without work you will miss life’s needs and might face starvation.” BG (Ch. 3: V. 8 ) 

Comment (2):

याद रहे, जातिय्ता और अच्छूतपन सामाजिक बुराइयां हैं जो धर्म का अंग गल्ती से समझी जाती हैं; ऋग वेद में जातिय्ता और अच्छूतपन का कहीं वर्णन नहीं और न ही इनकी कोई बड़ाई ।

Incidentally, casteism and untouchability are societal ills which are not supported by religion even though they are mistakenly thought as part of religion; there is no mention or support for casteism and untouchability in the Rig Veda.

Comment (3):

Brahman (Nirguna: unfathomable and unapproachable as the Transcendent and Unmanifest throughout) is sought in prayer and worship as the Immanent (Saguna / Isvara: creator, ruler, guide and sustainer of the world, the Bhagavad Gita - Ch. 12 & 15). As indicated in the following verses from the Bhagavad Gita, Brahman (God / Isvara) is present in everyone as the Immanent -- approachable and attainable through reverence and meditation of Saguna (“OM TAT SAT”):

“God dwells in the heart of all beings and his power of wonder moves all things - like puppets in a play - whirling them onwards on the streams of time.” BG (Ch. 18 – V. 61)

“Go to him for your salvation with all your soul. By his mercy you shall obtain ultimate peace, your home of eternity.” BG (Ch. 18 – V. 62)