Word Meaning
दस्त-गाहों
dast-gāhoñ
Meaning
Powers, capacities, resources, or those possessing mastery and strength.
Detailed Meaning
In Persian and classical Urdu poetry, 'dastgāh' signifies power, competence, mastery, or reach. In this couplet, it appears compounded with 'ajz' ('ajz-dastgāh') in the plural oblique form to describe those whose only resource, capacity, or station is helplessness and humble devotion. Thus, it ironically juxtaposes ultimate humility with worldly capability.
Etymology
Persian: compound of 'dast' (hand) + 'gāh' (place, station, realm of capability).
Usage
In the ghazal tradition, it is frequently used in contrast with helplessness ('ajz' or 'be-kasi') to emphasize human limitation before fate or the beloved.
Examples
No one has the power to alter fate's design.
Our helplessness remains our only refuge.