Shloka 29
Adhyāya 31: Rājasūya-samāgama — The Gathering of Kings and the Ordering of Hospitality
व्यजनैर्धूयमानो5पि तावत् प्रज्वलते न सः । यावच्चारुपुटौछेन वायुना न विधूयते,पंखेसे हवा करनेपर भी अग्निदेव तबतक प्रज्वलित नहीं होते थे, जबतक कि वह सुन्दरी अपने मनोहर ओषछ्ठसम्पुटसे फूँक मारकर हवा न देती थी
vyajanair dhūyamāno 'pi tāvat prajvalate na saḥ | yāvac cāru-puṭauṣṭhena vāyunā na vidhūyate ||
Vaiśampāyana dijo: «Aunque se lo abanicara con abanicos, el fuego no se avivaba mientras no fuera agitado por el aliento que la hermosa joven soplaba desde sus labios, ahuecados como una copa.»
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.