Ashtavakra said: True growth can not be inferred from the mere growth of the body, as the growth of the knots of Salmali tree cannot tell its age. That tree is called full grown, which, though slender and short, bears fruits.
अष्टावक्र उवाच र्यथाष्ठीला शाल्मलेः सम्प्रवृद्धा। ह्रस्वोऽल्पकायः फलितो विवृद्धो यश्चाफलस्तस्य न वृद्धभावः॥