यः whoever, धर्मम् one's duty, तथा so also, अर्थं च pursuit of wealth also, हित्वा after giving up, कामम् desire, निषेवत् attends, सः he, वृक्षाग्रे on the tree top, सुप्तः इव as one lying, पतितः fallen down, प्रतिबुध्यते gets awakened.

'One who neglects dharma and artha and pursues only kama (sensuous enjoyment) is like a man asleep on top of the tree, waking up only to realize that he has fallen down.