O heavenly bird, death is far better than that sustenance which restricts or brings a decline in your flight.

Iqbal envisions the human soul as a celestial bird whose true destiny is to soar through boundless spiritual heights. He reminds us that any comfort, wealth, or sustenance that curbs our freedom and compromises our self-respect is merely a gilded cage, not a blessing. For a noble and dignified heart, it is far better to struggle with honor than to survive on handouts that clip our wings.