Word Meaning
आफ़ताब-परस्त
aftab-parast
Meaning
A sun-worshipper; metaphorically, a lover devoted to the radiant beloved.
Detailed Meaning
A Persian compound functioning as a noun or adjective, literally meaning one who worships the sun. In classical Urdu poetry, it metaphorically denotes an ardent lover fixated on the radiant beauty and light of the beloved. In the couplet, even after dying and turning to dust, every speck of the lover retains an innate yearning toward the splendor of the beloved like a sun-worshipper.
Etymology
Persian compound formed from 'āftāb' (sun) and the stem 'parast' (from 'parastīdan', to worship).
Usage
In ghazal poetry, it is conventionally paired with the mote or speck of dust (zarra) to portray absolute humility captivated by overwhelming brilliance.
Examples
The dust mote turned into a sun-worshipper the moment light fell upon it.
Every look of the devotee was sun-worshipping, drawn only to radiance.