नाफ़

Meaning

Navel; center; the musk gland of a deer.

Detailed Meaning

Literally meaning navel, 'naaf' is often used metaphorically for the geographic or metaphysical center of a place, such as 'naaf-e-zameen' denoting the Kaaba as the center of the earth. It also refers to the musk-producing scent gland of the musk deer. In this couplet, it simultaneously invokes the sacred hub of the world and the source of sublime fragrance.

Etymology

Persian 'ناف' (nāf), cognate with Sanskrit 'नाभि' (nābhi) and English 'navel'.

Usage

In Urdu poetry, it frequently appears in metaphorical compounds designating a focal point or alongside deer imagery referring to musk.

Examples

Synonyms

Related Words