ख़ारा

Meaning

A very hard stone, granite, or flint.

Detailed Meaning

In Persian and Urdu poetics, 'khara' designates an exceptionally hard stone such as granite or flint. In this couplet, it represents the dense rock in whose veins a dormant spark (sharar) remains captive, serving as a metaphor for freedom trapped within the harsh constraints of existence. Figuratively, it denotes absolute rigidity, resistance, or an unyielding heart.

Etymology

Persian (خارا - khārā), denoting granite, flint, or any hard, impenetrable stone.

Usage

In classical ghazal, it is widely invoked in the compound 'sang-e-khārā' to signify extreme callousness or the flintstone harboring hidden fire.

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