तेग़-आज़मा

Meaning

One who tests or wields a sword; swordsman; the beloved as slayer.

Detailed Meaning

A Persian compound formed from 'tegh' (sword) and 'aazma' (tester/tryer), denoting someone testing the edge or skill of their blade. In classical Urdu ghazal, it typically refers metaphorically to the beloved (the executioner or qaatil) whose beauty or cruelty slays lovers. In this couplet by Ghalib, the poet laments that the beloved's striking arm grew tired before inflicting a mortal wound on his heart.

Etymology

Persian: 'tegh' (تیغ, sword) + 'aazmaa' (آزما, agentive stem of aazmudan, to test/try).

Usage

Commonly used in classical ghazals as a poetic epithet for the beloved depicted as an executioner testing their lethal power on devotees.

Examples

Synonyms

Related Words