बल

Meaning

Support, posture, or force; used here in 'sar ke bal' meaning 'headlong'.

Detailed Meaning

In this couplet, 'bal' appears in the idiomatic expression 'sar ke bal' (falling headlong or upside down upon one's head). It portrays the poet's precipitous and desperate fall while journeying in pursuit of the beloved or an ideal. More broadly in poetry, it also denotes force, physical twist, curls of hair, or reliance on someone.

Etymology

From Sanskrit 'bala' (बल) meaning strength, power, or force; extended in Hindustani idioms to denote support, leaning, or posture.

Usage

Often utilized in ghazals idiomatically to signify desperate devotion ('sar ke bal dauṛnā' - running on one's head) or the curls and pride in the beloved's persona.

Examples

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Related Words