ग़फ़लत-मता

Meaning

Whose sole possession or merchandise is negligence or heedlessness.

Detailed Meaning

This compound is formed by combining 'ghaflat' (negligence, heedlessness) and 'mataa' (goods, merchandise, or capital). In classical Urdu poetry, it metaphorically denotes a person whose entire wealth or spiritual inventory consists merely of unmindfulness and slumber. In Ghalib's verse, the speaker views his own utter heedlessness as the only commodity weighing in the pan of divine justice.

Etymology

Arabic: 'ghaflah' (inattention, neglect) + Arabic: 'mataa‘' (goods, merchandise, possessions).

Usage

A sophisticated Persianized Persian/Arabic construct typical of Mirza Ghalib's philosophical and introspective style, contrasting worldly neglect with transcendent divine judgment.

Examples

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