Shloka 29
Adhyāya 31: Rājasūya-samāgama — The Gathering of Kings and the Ordering of Hospitality
व्यजनैर्धूयमानो5पि तावत् प्रज्वलते न सः । यावच्चारुपुटौछेन वायुना न विधूयते
vyajanair dhūyamāno 'pi tāvat prajvalate na saḥ | yāvac cāru-puṭauṣṭhena vāyunā na vidhūyate ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Even when fanned with hand-fans, the fire would not blaze up so long as it was not stirred by the breath blown from the lovely woman’s cupped lips.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that effort must be apt and well-directed: repeated external actions (fanning) may fail, while a precise, suitable impetus (a focused breath) can accomplish the intended result.
A fire is being tended; despite being fanned, it does not flare up until a beautiful woman blows upon it with her cupped lips, at which point it kindles properly.