'But if the life (the living Self) leaves one of its branches, that branch withers; if it leaves at second, that branch withers; if it leaves a third, that branch withers. If it leaves the whole tree, the whole tree withers. In exactly the same manner, my son, know this.' Thus he spoke:

In plain words: The father, Uddalaka, continues teaching his son. When life leaves one branch of a tree, that branch dries up, and when life leaves the whole tree, the whole tree dies. He tells his son to understand people in the same way.