पायाब

Meaning

Shallow water; a fordable crossing or shallow depth.

Detailed Meaning

In classical Urdu and Persian poetry, paayaab refers to shallow, fordable water where one's feet can touch the bottom, often contrasted with an unfathomable abyss. In this couplet, it metaphorically denotes the seemingly shallow yet treacherous surface depth of the mirror, from which the beloved's array of eyelashes marches forth like an invading army.

Etymology

Persian (پای / pāy 'foot' + آب / āb 'water').

Usage

It is often juxtaposed with 'girdāb' (whirlpool) or deep ocean waters to signify accessibility, illusion, or deceptive shallowness in the journey of love.

Examples

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Related Words