Word Meaning
दरख़्शाँ
darakhshaan
Meaning
Shining, radiant, brilliant, glowing, or luminous.
Detailed Meaning
In classical poetry, 'darakhshaan' signifies brilliant radiance or luminosity, frequently describing celestial bodies or the illuminated face of the beloved. In this couplet, it qualifies the blazing sun ('mehr-e-darakhshaan') whose fierce light threatens to annihilate the fragile dewdrop. It underscores the contrast between radiant, overwhelming power and an ephemeral, vulnerable existence.
Etymology
Persian; present participle of the verb 'derakhshidan' (to shine, flash, glitter).
Usage
Commonly used in ghazals to depict celestial splendor, auspicious fortune (akhtar-e-darakhshaan), or luminous beauty.
Examples
A radiant star in the pitch-black night
The brilliant glow upon the beloved's forehead