Word Meaning
असपंद
aspand
Meaning
Wild rue seed (harmal), burnt on coals to ward off the evil eye.
Detailed Meaning
Aspand (commonly ispand or sipand) refers to the seeds of the wild rue plant (Peganum harmala), traditionally tossed onto live coals as incense to avert the evil eye. When burnt, the seeds sizzle, crackle, and leap frantically. In this couplet, it serves as a contrast: a steadfast believer remains serene even in Nimrod's inferno, unlike an agitated seed of aspand that sputters and jumps in the heat.
Etymology
Persian 'ispand' / 'aspand' (اسپند), derived from Old Persian / Avestan 'spənta' meaning 'holy' or 'sacred'.
Usage
In classical Urdu and Persian poetry, 'dāna-e-aspand' is a standard trope symbolizing extreme restlessness, agitation, and suffering under the heat of passion or trial.
Examples
restless on fire like a seed of wild rue
the heart burned like aspand in the flame of longing