Word Meaning
ख़ारा-शिकनी
khārā-shikanī
hinoun
Meaning
Breaking hard rock or granite; strenuous stone-cutting.
Detailed Meaning
Literally denotes the breaking or cutting of hard granite stone. In classical Urdu and Persian poetry, it invokes the legendary perseverance of Farhad, who carved through Mount Behistun for the love of Shirin. In this couplet, it represents the miraculous strength of passion achieved despite physical helplessness.
Etymology
Persian compound from 'khārā' (hard stone, granite) + 'shikanī' (breaking, from the verb shikastan).
Usage
Commonly used in ghazal poetry as an archetype for attempting near-impossible tasks fueled purely by love and devotion.
Examples
His relentless rock-breaking echoed across the mountain.
True devotion turns rock-breaking into an act of worship.
Synonyms
संग-शिकनीकोह-शिकनीपत्थर-तराशी
Related Words
कोहकनीसंगतराशीतीशाफ़रहाद