Word Meaning
ब-ज़ाहिदाँ
ba-zaahidaan
Meaning
For or unto the ascetics; to the pious worshippers.
Detailed Meaning
A Persian prepositional construction meaning 'unto the ascetics' or 'for the pious'. In this couplet, it highlights how the proud, rigid neck of the orthodox ascetic paradoxically becomes an infidel's sacred thread of stubbornness. It points directly to the austere, orthodox class commonly contrasted with free-spirited lovers in classical poetry.
Etymology
Persian preposition 'ba' (to/for) prefixed to the Arabic root 'zāhid' (ascetic) with Persian plural suffix '-ān'.
Usage
Commonly employed in Urdu and Persian poetry to introduce an ironic contrast between the hypocrisy of ascetics and the devotion of true lovers.
Examples
Do not recount the tale of intoxication unto the ascetics.
What inkling of true passion could ever reach the ascetics?