Word Meaning
दर-गिरौ
dar-girau
Meaning
Pawned, pledged, mortgaged, or held in bondage/captivity.
Detailed Meaning
A Persian compound formed of 'dar' (in/at) and 'girau' (pledge/pawn), meaning 'held in pledge' or 'mortgaged'. In this couplet by Ghalib, it evokes how the vast expanse of spring is locked up, captive, or pledged inside the tight enclosure of an unopened flower bud. Metaphorically, it implies that infinite potential or beauty is confined within a compact form.
Etymology
Persian: 'dar' (in, into) + 'girau' (pledge, pawn, wager).
Usage
In classical Urdu poetry, 'dar-girau' is often combined via izaafat to describe something surrendered, bound, or held hostage to love or beauty.
Examples
dar-girau-e-zulf (held captive in the beloved's tresses)
dil dar-girau-e-gham hai (the heart is pledged to sorrow)