Word Meaning
ख़याबाँ
khayaban
Meaning
A flowerbed, garden walk, or avenue lined with flowers.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Persian and Urdu verse, 'khayaban' denotes an ornamental flowerbed, parterre, or straight garden walk bordered by blossoms. In this couplet by Iqbal, it represents the cultivated setting of earthly existence where the passionate tulip (laala-e-dil-soz) fails to flourish amid purely material concerns. It commonly serves as a metaphor for lush, ordered beauty or the poetic space of nature.
Etymology
Persian 'خیابان' (khiyābān), signifying a garden pathway, parterre, or avenue.
Usage
In the ghazal tradition, it is frequently paired with images of blossoms like the rose and the tulip to evoke idealized, fragrant garden avenues.
Examples
khayaban-e-gul (avenue of flowers)
zeenat-e-khayaban (splendor of the flowerbed)