ख़ुफ़्ता

Meaning

Asleep, slumbering, dormant, or inactive.

Detailed Meaning

In classical Persian and Urdu poetry, 'khufta' denotes someone or something in deep sleep, dormancy, or stagnation. In Ghalib's couplet, it combines with 'bakht' (fortune) as 'bakht-e-khufta', signifying slumbering or adverse destiny. The poet envisions borrowing even a pleasant illusion from this dormant fate despite the fear of how to repay it.

Etymology

Persian, past participle of the infinitive 'khuftan' (خفتن), meaning 'to sleep' or 'to slumber'.

Usage

In the Urdu ghazal, it is most frequently encountered in the genitive compound 'bakht-e-khufta' (slumbering fate) to evoke persistent misfortune in contrast to 'bedari' (wakefulness).

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