Word Meaning
बेद
bed
hinoun
Meaning
Willow tree; a tree known for bearing no fruit.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Persian and Urdu poetry, the willow tree ('bed' or 'shajar-e-bed') symbolizes barrenness and fruitlessness because it yields no edible fruit. In Ghalib's couplet, sacrifice of life (jaan-sipaari) is contrasted with the willow to emphasize that true devotion in love will never remain fruitless or ineffective.
Etymology
Persian 'bed' (بید), referring to the willow tree, cognate with Sanskrit 'vetasa' (वेतस).
Usage
In the ghazal, 'bed' is commonly employed as a metaphor for fruitlessness (be-samari) or trembling frailty (bed-e-larzaan).
Examples
Fruitless like the branch of a willow
Trembling like a willow leaf in the wind
Synonyms
बेंतशजर-ए-बेद
Related Words
शजरबे-समरसमरतासीर