Word Meaning
ज़-ख़ुद
za-khud
hiadverb
Meaning
By oneself, of one's own accord, or independently.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Persian and Urdu poetry, 'za-khud' conveys acting autonomously, spontaneously, or purely out of one's own free will. In this couplet, it emphasizes the rarity of genuine independent volition, observing that almost no one carves out a path purely of their own choosing, bound as all beings are by innate compulsions.
Etymology
Persian compound formed from 'zi/za' (from, by) and 'khud' (self).
Usage
Frequently employed in contemplative ghazals to reflect on the tension between free will (ikhtiyar) and predestined compulsion (jabr).
Examples
To advance toward the destination of one's own accord
To become oblivious to all, absorbed within oneself
Synonyms
अज़-ख़ुदख़ुद-ब-ख़ुदब-ख़ुद
Related Words
ख़ुदीख़ुद-रफ़्ताख़ुद-मुख़्तार