Word Meaning
क़दम-बोस
qadam-bos
hicompound noun / adjective
Meaning
Kissing feet; paying humble homage or deep devotion to the beloved.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Urdu poetry, 'qadam-bos' denotes the act or state of touching one's lips to the beloved's feet as a mark of supreme surrender, humility, and reverence. In this couplet, the lover questions why he is forbidden from kissing the beloved's feet, asking if he has less standing than the sky itself, which bows to touch them.
Etymology
Arabic 'qadam' (foot, step) + Persian 'bos' (present stem of 'bosidan', to kiss).
Usage
Widely used in ghazals as an emblem of ultimate submissiveness, adoration, and petition before a haughty beloved or royal patron.
Examples
longing to kiss your feet day and night
forbidden from kissing the beloved's threshold
Synonyms
पा-बोसक़दम-बोसीदस्त-बोस
Related Words
क़दमबोसासजदाताज़ीम