Word Meaning
नमद
namad
Meaning
Felt; a coarse, thick woolen pad used for cushioning or protection.
Detailed Meaning
In Persian and Urdu, 'namad' denotes felt, a dense non-woven fabric prepared by pressing wool fibers together. In this couplet, it serves as an ingenious conceit: travelers would bind felt under their soles to endure rough terrain, and here the lover binds his own heart beneath his feet like felt to readily receive the wounds of thorns. It evokes absolute vulnerability, endurance, and self-sacrifice on the path of love.
Etymology
Persian نمد (namad), meaning felt or a coarse woolen mat.
Usage
In classical Urdu and Persian poetry, 'namad' often symbolizes extreme humility, endurance, or something trampled underfoot for protection.
Examples
To bind one's heart like felt beneath the sole
A pad of felt to cushion the traveler's footsteps