Word Meaning
कारवाँ-सरा
kaarwaan-saraa
hinoun, feminine
Meaning
An inn or caravanserai; metaphorically, this transient, mortal world.
Detailed Meaning
Literally meaning a roadside inn or resting station for caravans, this Persian compound frequently symbolizes the transient, mortal world in Urdu poetry. In Mir's verse, it reflects life as a fleeting stopover where unpacking luggage is futile, since the traveler must depart at any moment.
Etymology
Persian compound of 'kārvān' (caravan, company of travelers) and 'sarā' (inn, house, palace).
Usage
In classical ghazal, it is a standard mystical metaphor emphasizing the impermanence of worldly existence and the inevitability of death.
Examples
Staying in this caravanserai for but a single breath
The transient caravanserai where no one stays forever
Synonyms
सरायमुसाफ़िरख़ानादार-ए-फ़ानी
Related Words
कारवाँकूचमंज़िलक़ाफ़िला