Shloka 2.63.8
दशरथस्य शोकानुचिन्तनं शब्धवेधि-दोषस्मरणं च (Daśaratha’s grief, karmic reflection, and the remembered ‘śabdavedhī’ misdeed)
कश्चिदाम्रवणं छित्त्वा पलाशां श्च निषिञ्चति।पुष्पं दृष्ट्वा फले गृध्नु स्स शोचति फलागमे।।2.63.8।।
kaścid āmravaṇaṃ chittvā palāśāṃś ca niṣiñcati | puṣpaṃ dṛṣṭvā phale gṛdhnuḥ sa śocati phalāgame || 2.63.8 ||
Someone may cut down a mango grove and instead water palāśa trees; greedy for fruit, he rejoices at flowers—then grieves when the time of fruit arrives.
If some one cuts down mango trees and plants palasa trees and waters them will repent when he sees only flowers while he expects fruit.
Right action must match right aims: misguided choices driven by greed lead to predictable disappointment—an ethical warning against shortsighted desire.
Daśaratha uses a metaphor to explain how wrong decisions produce regret when results mature.
Foresight and restraint: avoiding greed-based, incoherent choices.