Word Meaning
पकड़
pakaṛ
Meaning
To grasp, seize, or hold; clutching or taking hold of.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Urdu poetry, 'pakaṛ' functions here as a conjunctive participle meaning 'having seized' or 'holding'. Within the idiom 'dāman pakaṛnā' (to clutch the skirt), it signifies pleading, seeking shelter, or begging for favor from a beloved or patron. The poet asserts his stoic dignity by refusing to cling to anyone's hem in desperate supplication despite immense grief.
Etymology
Indo-Aryan / Prakrit origin; derived from the Hindustani root pakaṛ- (cognate with Prakrit roots meaning to seize).
Usage
Frequently encountered in the idiom 'dāman pakaṛnā' (to hold the skirt), denoting either seeking refuge or holding someone accountable on the day of judgment.
Examples
Dāman pakaṛ ke yaar kā fariyād ham kareñ
Giryān the par kisū kā na dāman pakaṛ sake