Word Meaning
दस्त-बरसर
dast-bar-sar
hiadjective
Meaning
With hand on head; mourning, bewildered, or deeply distressed.
Detailed Meaning
In Persian and Urdu poetic diction, 'dast-bar-sar' describes the physical posture of placing one's hand upon one's head as a classic gesture of lamentation, calamity, or bewilderment. In Ghalib's couplet, it evokes a vivid picture of the lover seated in grief, overwhelmed by helplessness and loss.
Etymology
Persian compound formed of 'dast' (hand), preposition 'bar' (on/upon), and 'sar' (head).
Usage
Used in classical ghazals as an evocative visual metaphor for helpless grief, despair, or tragedy.
Examples
sitting in mourning, hand upon head
bewildered and distressed by grief
Synonyms
मातम-ज़दाग़म-ज़दाहैरान-ओ-परेशान
Related Words
दस्तसरसर-ब-ज़ानूग़म-ख़ाना