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 ||
पंखों से हवा करने पर भी अग्नि तब तक प्रज्वलित नहीं होता था, जब तक वह सुन्दरी अपने मनोहर ओष्ठों के सम्पुट से फूँक मारकर उसे वायु न देती।
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.