Word Meaning
बातिल
bātil
Meaning
False, futile, null, void, or groundless.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Arabic and Urdu philosophy, 'bātil' denotes anything that is unreal, invalid, or destined to perish, standing in direct contrast to 'haqq' (absolute truth). In this couplet, it describes how any boast of self-control or sobriety becomes completely void and meaningless in the presence of the enchanting cupbearer. It underscores the overwhelming supremacy of love and intoxication over calculated reason.
Etymology
Arabic (بَاطِل, bāṭil), active participle from the root b-ṭ-l (ب ط ل), meaning to be false, invalid, or futile.
Usage
In Urdu ghazal poetry, it is standardly contrasted with 'haqq' to expose the illusory, fragile nature of mortal pretensions against mystical truth.
Examples
All illusions of stability turned out to be false.
Before eternal truth, every worldly pretension is rendered void.