Shloka 2.37.3
अयोध्याकाण्डे सर्गः ३७ — चीरधारणं, सीतासंकल्पः, वसिष्ठोपदेशः (Bark-Robe Episode and Vasistha’s Admonition)
यो हि दत्त्वा द्विपश्रेष्ठं कक्ष्यायां कुरुते मनः।रज्जुस्नेहेन किं तस्य त्यजतः कुञ्जरोत्तमम्।।2.37.3।।
yo hi dattvā dvipaśreṣṭhaṁ kakṣyāyāṁ kurute manaḥ | rajjusnehena kiṁ tasya tyajataḥ kuñjarottamam ||2.37.3||
For if a man, having bestowed the finest of elephants, still fixes his mind upon the rope bound around its girth—what worth is such attachment to the rope for one who has renounced the noblest elephant itself?
Having given away the best of elephants, will any one be interested in the rope tied to its girth? Why should one have any attachment for the rope after he has given up the elephant?
It teaches that once a major renunciation or decision is made, clinging to minor attachments is irrational; dharma requires consistency of intent and freedom from petty grasping.
In context, it presses Daśaratha toward keeping his pledged word: if he must give up something immense, then attachment to lesser remnants is meaningless—satya demands following through on one’s promise.