Word Meaning
बुत-कदा
but-kada
Meaning
Temple of idols; a pagoda; metaphorically, the phenomenal world of forms.
Detailed Meaning
Literally referring to an idol temple or pagoda, 'but-kada' represents any place of worship containing statues or images. In Sufi and philosophical Urdu poetry, it frequently symbolizes the manifest world of attributes, forms, and appearances as opposed to the unmanifest divine essence. In this couplet by Iqbal, 'but-kada-e-sifat' denotes the realm of divine attributes where the pluralistic forms of existence dwell.
Etymology
Persian compound formed from 'but' (idol) and '-kada' (house, place/dwelling).
Usage
In the ghazal tradition, 'but-kada' is frequently contrasted with 'kaaba' to explore themes of orthodox piety versus ecstatic love and symbolic devotion.
Examples
What purpose has a pious hermit inside an idol-temple?
The world appeared as nothing more than a glittering temple of forms.