Word Meaning
खाती
khaati
Meaning
Enduring, suffering, or taking (here as part of the idiom 'to take dives').
Detailed Meaning
In this couplet, 'khaati' forms part of the compound idiom 'ghota khaana' (to dive, plunge, or flounder helplessly). It describes the fundamental essence of both worlds struggling and drowning within the vast emotional tempest contained in the single drop of blood that is the speaker's heart. Grammatically, it is the feminine imperfective participle agreeing with the feminine subject 'maahiyyat'.
Etymology
Derived from Sanskrit खादति (khādati, 'to chew, eat'), evolving through Prakrit into Hindustani खाना (khānā).
Usage
In classical ghazal poetry, 'khaana' often functions as a light verb forming compound idioms such as 'chakkar khaana' (to reel), 'fareb khaana' (to be deceived), or 'ghota khaana' (to flounder).
Examples
The frail boat keeps plunging into treacherous waves.
The helpless eye keeps suffering the deceit of sight.