Word Meaning
खपाता
khapaata
Meaning
Racking, exhausting, or wasting (especially mental effort or energy).
Detailed Meaning
In this couplet, the word forms part of the idiom 'sar khapana', meaning to exhaust one's mind or rack one's brains over futile worldly cares. The poet laments spending precious intellectual and emotional energy on mundane troubles that are unworthy of the spirit. It evokes a sense of weariness caused by pointless struggle.
Etymology
Derived from the Hindustani root 'khapna' (to be consumed, absorbed, or destroyed), which traces back to Sanskrit 'kṣapayati' (causes to destroy or waste away).
Usage
In ghazal poetry, it is most often used transitively in idioms like 'sar khapana' or 'jaan khapana' to contrast futile worldly striving with the sublime pursuit of love or detachment.
Examples
racking one's brain over futile matters
exhausting one's life in pursuit of the world