Word Meaning
पाक-बाज़
paak-baaz
Meaning
Chaste, morally upright, or purely devoted, free from deceit or worldly taint.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Urdu and Persian poetry, 'paak-baaz' denotes an individual whose heart, love, and conduct are entirely devoid of deceit or ulterior motives. In this couplet, it specifically describes true spiritual free-spirits ('rindaan-e-paak-baaz') who uphold supreme moral self-respect. They would never compromise their spiritual purity by supplicating before the cupbearer of the foreign, Western world.
Etymology
Persian compound formed from 'pāk' (pure, clean) and the agentive suffix/stem '-bāz' (from bāzīdan/bākhtan, to play or deal), literally meaning one who plays fairly or deals with purity.
Usage
In the ghazal tradition, it is frequently used to invert orthodox values, portraying the non-conformist drunkard (rind) as far more genuinely pure than the hypocritical ascetic (zahid).
Examples
The sanctuary of genuine devotion welcomes only the upright and pure.
A chaste soul seeks no validation from superficial masters.