Word Meaning
ख़स्ता-तन
khasta-tan
hiadjective
Meaning
having a wounded, weak, or physically broken body; exhausted in frame.
Detailed Meaning
Refers to someone whose physical body is broken, bruised, or exhausted due to severe hardship. In classical Urdu poetry, it describes the lover worn down by emotional agony and physical wanderings in pursuit of healing or the beloved. In this couplet, it emphasizes that despite the lover's entire body being battered, his feet have suffered even worse wounds.
Etymology
Persian compound formed from 'khasta' (wounded, broken, tired) and 'tan' (body).
Usage
Commonly employed in classical ghazal to depict the physical devastation wrought by relentless longing and journeying.
Examples
a broken-bodied traveler in love's wasteland
the plight of this wounded and frail frame
Synonyms
ज़ख़्मी-बदनशिकस्ता-तनज़ार-ओ-निज़ाररंजूर
Related Words
ख़स्ता-हालीफ़िगारतनमजरूह