Word Meaning
ब-मअ'नी
ba-ma'nī
Meaning
In essence, in reality, inwardly, or in true meaning.
Detailed Meaning
Formed from the Persian preposition 'ba' (in, with) and the Arabic 'ma'ni' (meaning, essence), this compound translates to 'in meaning' or 'intrinsically'. In classical poetry, it is frequently paired against 'ba-surat' (in appearance or outwardly) to differentiate outward form from underlying truth. In this couplet, Ghalib juxtaposes outward social pleasantry with the inward essence of melancholy.
Etymology
Persian preposition 'ba' (with/by/in) + Arabic 'ma'nā' / 'ma'nī' (meaning, reality, essence).
Usage
Commonly contrasted with 'ba-surat' in classical Urdu poetry to delineate the difference between appearance and reality.
Examples
Ba-surat fana, ba-ma'ni baqa
Har naqsh tha ba-ma'ni fasana-e-gham