Word Meaning
बंधे
bandhe
Meaning
were tied, captured, or composed into poetic form
Detailed Meaning
In Urdu literary idiom, 'mazmūn bāndhnā' means to bind, compose, or capture a poetic concept, and 'bandhe' functions here as its passive or intransitive reflection. In this couplet, Ghalib laments that the insatiable thirst of desire could not be adequately captured in verses. Even though the poet was capable of bounding entire rivers with shores, this elusive theme could not be tethered.
Etymology
Sanskrit 'बन्ध' (bandha, binding or fastening) via Prakrit to Hindustani 'बँधना' / 'بندھنا'.
Usage
Frequently used in classical ghazal poetics in relation to 'मज़मूँ' (poetic theme) to describe the successful crafting or confinement of an idea in verse.
Examples
No theme of such beauty was ever composed.
The delicate threads of sorrow were never tied.