गुलाब

Meaning

Rose; also rosewater or the distilled essence of a rose.

Detailed Meaning

Derived from Persian meaning rose-water (gul + āb), the word denotes both the rose flower and its distilled essence. In this couplet, it serves as an elaborate pun on the beloved's sweat (araq), describing it as the fragrant rosewater extracted from the rose-like countenance. Once this vital, moist essence is wiped away, the flower loses its quintessential charm.

Etymology

Persian: compound of 'gul' (flower/rose) and 'āb' (water), originally denoting rosewater.

Usage

In classical ghazal, poets frequently exploit the double meaning of 'gulāb' as both the rose flower and distilled rosewater.

Examples

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