Word Meaning
खींची
khīñchī
Meaning
Pulled, drew, stripped off, or flayed (past tense, feminine).
Detailed Meaning
In this couplet, 'khīñchī' is used in the visceral sense of skinning or flaying alive ('khāl khīñchī'), an allusion to martyrs of love such as Sarmad or Nasimi. It signifies the extreme physical trials and sacrificial suffering endured by true devotees in love's domain. Grammatically, it is the simple past tense feminine form of 'khīñchnā', agreeing in gender with 'khāl'.
Etymology
Derived from Sanskrit कृष् (kṛṣ, to draw/pull) via Prakrit into Hindustani खींचना (khīñchnā).
Usage
In classical Urdu poetry, it frequently combines with 'khāl' (skin) or 'dār' (gallows) to depict the tragic martyrdom of mystical lovers.
Examples
She drew a deep breath before answering.
Without mercy, the tyrant flayed his skin.