Word Meaning
तब्
tab'
Meaning
Nature, innate disposition, temperament, or poetic intellect.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Urdu poetry, 'tab'' denotes one's innate disposition, temperament, or creative intellect. In this couplet by Mir, it appears in the compound 'tab-e-raushan' (luminous disposition or radiant intellect), describing the poet's brilliant poetic mind. Though radiant like the sun, this very brilliance paradoxically brings him sorrow and self-decline.
Etymology
Arabic root ṭ-b-ʿ (ط ب ع), literally meaning to imprint, seal, or stamp; hence innate character or nature.
Usage
In classical ghazal poetry, it frequently denotes poetic genius and temperament, appearing in genitive izafat constructions like 'tab-e-mauzoon' or 'tab-e-raushan'.
Examples
tab-e-mauzoon (balanced poetic talent)
shikwa-e-tab (complaint against one's temperament)