Word Meaning
नीस्ताँ
nīstāñ
hinoun
Meaning
A reed-bed, thicket of reeds, or reed forest.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Persian and Urdu poetry, 'nistan' denotes a marshy forest of reeds. In this couplet, it metaphorically represents the dense row of eyelashes (mizhgān), envisioned as dry reeds that are ignited by the blazing heat and passion of tears.
Etymology
Persian: composed of 'ney' (reed/flute) and the suffix '-istān' (abode or place of).
Usage
In the ghazal, the reed-bed commonly symbolizes dry tinder susceptible to catching fire, or the primordial home from which the complaining reed-flute was cut.
Examples
fire sweeping through the dry reed-bed
the cry of a reed severed from the reed-bed
Synonyms
नेज़ारबंसवारीनेस्तान
Related Words
नेनेस्ताननेज़ारमिज़्गाँ