Word Meaning
इबरत
'Ibrat
Meaning
A warning, admonition, or moral lesson drawn from experience or another's fate.
Detailed Meaning
'Ibrat refers to an instructive warning, moral lesson, or admonition derived from observing misfortune or the transient nature of worldly existence. In this couplet, the poet asserts supreme self-reliance, arguing that one should refuse to accept anything from the world—even a salutary moral lesson ('ibrat)—lest it imply dependency or loss of dignity. It highlights the tension between acquiring wisdom and maintaining an uncompromising pride against worldly entanglements.
Etymology
Arabic root 'i-b-r (ع-ب-ر), relating to crossing over, interpreting signs, or taking warning.
Usage
In classical Urdu ghazal, 'ibrat often evokes contemplation over ruins, grave sites, and the downfall of rulers to stress the transience of the material world.
Examples
A lesson taken from the ruins of the world
Looking at the turning of fate with an admonished eye