Word Meaning
ख़्वाब
khwaab
Meaning
A dream, vision, slumber, or illusion.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Persian and Urdu poetry, 'khwaab' denotes both sleep and the visionary state of dreaming, often symbolizing transience, illusion, or longing. In this verse, 'khwaab-e-gul' (the dream of the rose) evokes the bud's latent inner vision or slumber of flourishing, which paradoxically ends in dispersed petals and agitation. It reflects the theme that composure in form does not protect against inherent dissolution.
Etymology
From Persian خواب (xwāb), derived from Proto-Iranian *xwafna- ('sleep, dream').
Usage
In ghazal aesthetics, 'khwaab' frequently pairs with 'pareshaan' (scattered/disturbed) to portray unfulfilled desires or the fleeting unreality of worldly life.
Examples
A life spent chasing a scattered dream
Awakened from the slumber of heedlessness