Word Meaning
गहवारा-जुम्बानी
gahvāra-jumbānī
Meaning
Rocking the cradle; soothing or lulling to sleep.
Detailed Meaning
Literally meaning the rocking of a cradle, it refers to the act of lulling someone into deep rest or slumber. In this couplet, it carries the paradoxical nuance that the life-giving motion of Jesus's lips fails to resurrect the slain lover; instead, it gently rocks the cradle to deepen his eternal sleep.
Etymology
Persian compound composed of 'gahvāra' (cradle) and 'jumbānī' (abstract noun from 'jumbāndan', to cause to rock or move).
Usage
In classical Urdu poetry, it is employed metaphorically to describe soothing someone to sleep, occasionally with ironic overtones of inducing eternal or unyielding slumber.
Examples
The gentle breeze serves as the rocking of my cradle.
His voice was a cradle-rocking for a restless soul.