Word Meaning
ख़ज़फ़
khazaf
Meaning
Earthenware, pottery shard, or a worthless piece of clay.
Detailed Meaning
In Persian and Urdu poetic diction, 'khazaf' refers to earthenware, potsherds, or worthless fragments of baked clay. It is conventionally contrasted with precious gems and pearls ('gauhar') to signify insignificance, worthlessness, or humility. In the couplet, 'reza-e-khazaf' represents the heart being unappreciated and discarded like a cheap piece of broken pottery.
Etymology
Arabic (خَزَف), denoting earthenware, baked clay, or potsherds.
Usage
In classical ghazal tradition, 'khazaf' is frequently juxtaposed with 'gauhar' (pearl) to create a contrast between the worthless and the priceless.
Examples
To treat a rare pearl as if it were a worthless shard of clay
Scattered pieces of broken pottery upon the barren path