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 ||
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは言った。「手扇であおいでも、その火はなお燃え立たず、あの麗しき娘が両の唇を杯のようにすぼめて息を吹きかけ、風で揺り動かすまでは、炎は立ち上がらなかった。」
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.