Word Meaning
परस्त
parast
Meaning
Worshipper, devotee, adorer, or one deeply attached and dedicated to something.
Detailed Meaning
In Persian and Urdu poetry, 'parast' functions as an agentive element meaning one who worships, serves, or is persistently bound to something. In this couplet, it forms part of the construction 'parast-e-bālīn' (devoted to the pillow), evoking a chronically sick or sorrowful lover lying immobilized at the bedside. It captures an intense, habitual clinging born of despair and unresolved longing.
Etymology
Persian, present stem of parastīdan (پرستیدن), meaning 'to worship, serve, or revere'.
Usage
Commonly attached to nouns in classical ghazal poetry to characterize either passionate spiritual devotion or ironic, worldly self-absorption.
Examples
but-parast (an idol-worshipper)
ḳhud-parast (self-obsessed or vain)