Word Meaning
पादाश
paadaash
Meaning
Recompense, reward, retribution, or return for an action.
Detailed Meaning
In Persian and classical Urdu poetry, 'paadaash' denotes recompense or retribution for one's actions, whether good or bad. In this couplet by Ghalib, it specifically signifies the promised heavenly reward for religious deeds ('paadaash-e-amal'). The poet critiques conventional piety, arguing that even ascetic devotion without hypocrisy becomes debased if motivated by the crude desire for return.
Etymology
Persian (پاداش / pādāsh), signifying recompense, return, or retribution.
Usage
Commonly used in philosophical and ethical verses discussing divine retribution, karma, and the transactional nature of conventional religiosity.
Examples
paadaash-e-amal (recompense for deeds)
paadaash-e-wafa (reward for faithfulness)