Word Meaning
उतने
utne
Meaning
That many, that much, to that degree (correlative to 'jitne').
Detailed Meaning
The word 'utne' is a masculine plural and oblique correlative quantitative adjective and pronoun meaning 'that many' or 'to that extent'. In this couplet, it pairs with 'jitne' to construct an ironic paradox: the more the numbers expanded, the more diminished and insubstantial people became in dignity and estimation. It emphasizes the tragic disproportion between superficial numerical increase and loss of real worth.
Etymology
From Sanskrit 'तावत्' (tāvat, so much/many) through Prakrit into Old Hindi / Hindustani 'उतना'.
Usage
In classical ghazal, the correlative pair 'जितने... उतने' is a classic rhetorical device used to balance verses and frame philosophical or emotional paradoxes.
Examples
As many as the wounds, that many were the sighs.
The more grief deepened, that much patience grew.