Dil Diya Jaan Ke Kyuun Us Ko Vafadar Asad — Mirza Ghalib
Meaning
O Asad, why did you give your heart away thinking they were faithful? You made a grave mistake by considering an infidel to be a true believer.
Explanation
Here, Ghalib turns upon himself with a bitter, self-mocking sigh, questioning why he ever surrendered his heart expecting loyalty. In classic Urdu poetry, the beloved is often cast as a 'kafir'—a stone-hearted, cruel idol who bows to no faith—while the 'musalman' symbolizes a steadfast believer true to their promises. He laments his sweet naivety, realizing that expecting fidelity from someone inherently indifferent was a heartbreak entirely of his own making.
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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