Word Meaning
फ़रसंग
farsang
Meaning
A league; an ancient unit of distance roughly equal to three to four miles.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Persian and Urdu poetry, 'farsang' denotes a historical measure of distance (parasang), traditionally estimated around three to four miles. In this couplet, it is used hyperbolically to emphasize the agonizing, insurmountable psychological barrier between the lover and the beloved's street. Even though the physical distance is a mere two steps, the poet's inner state makes it feel like an impossible journey of a hundred leagues.
Etymology
Persian, derived from Middle Persian/Pahlavi 'frasang' (ultimately Old Persian 'parasang').
Usage
In the Urdu ghazal tradition, 'farsang' is typically invoked as a hyperbole to convey the agonizing length of the spiritual or romantic journey and the vastness of separation.
Examples
Every step on the path of love felt like a hundred leagues.
The distance between our hearts spans many a weary league.