Word Meaning
दस्त-गीरी
dast-geeri
Meaning
Helping, supporting, or rescuing; literally holding someone by the hand.
Detailed Meaning
Literally meaning 'holding or taking by the hand', the term signifies providing support, protection, or succour to someone in helplessness. In the couplet, Ghalib personifies madness as needing an ally, asserting that only complete nakedness comes to its aid by sparing it the obligation of repeatedly tearing garments. It carries shades of patronizing benevolence and emotional rescue.
Etymology
Persian compound formed from 'dast' (hand) + 'gīr' (stem of giriftan, to hold/seize) + abstract noun suffix '-ī'.
Usage
In classical ghazal, it frequently symbolizes divine rescue, spiritual guidance, or the compassionate intervention of the beloved toward a destitute lover.
Examples
Holding the hand of the helpless is true humanity.
When no one was there, God came to my rescue.