Word Meaning
ग़नी
ghani
Meaning
Wealthy, rich, self-sufficient, or free from worldly want.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Urdu poetry, 'ghani' denotes someone possessing great wealth, but more profoundly, someone who is inwardly self-sufficient and detached from material desire. In this couplet, it serves as a deliberate antithesis to 'gada' (beggar), emphasizing that the true lover, enriched by sacred devotion, is far wealthier than the petty seekers of lust.
Etymology
Arabic, from the root gh-n-y (غ-ن-ي), denoting self-sufficiency and freedom from want.
Usage
It is frequently paired with 'gadā' or 'faqīr' in the ghazal to express the spiritual paradox of sovereign wealth found within ascetic poverty.
Examples
A beggar at your doorstep, yet wealthier than kings.
The contentment of the heart makes the poor man rich.