We should not complain of mutual jealousy towards each other; my knee is my companion in sorrow, and the mirror is your intimate friend.
Ghalib playfully yet tenderly suggests that neither lover nor beloved has any reason to be jealous of the other. The lover sits curled in profound sorrow, resting his head on his knees as his only loyal companion, while the beloved is utterly captivated by their own reflection in the mirror. It paints an evocative picture of two solitary worlds—one consumed by quiet heartbreak, and the other happily lost in self-admiration.
Interpretation note: meanings and explanations may be AI-assisted and should not replace a primary text or scholarly edition. See the editorial policy.
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