Word Meaning
मूँदनी
moondni
Meaning
To close or shut (especially the eyes); act of closing.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Urdu and Hindavi poetry, 'moondni' denotes the action of shutting or closing, specifically in reference to the eyes. In this couplet by Mir, 'aankhein moondni padin' captures the transience and tragedy of human existence, where barely having opened one's eyes to the world, one is compelled to close them in death. It emphasizes helplessness against the fleeting brevity of life.
Etymology
Derived from Sanskrit mudraṇa (closing/sealing) or the verbal root mudr-, evolving through Prakrit into Hindavi/Braj as mūndnā (मूँदना).
Usage
In the ghazal, it is traditionally collocated with 'aankh' (eye) to evoke motifs of death, shame, modesty, or the fleeting nature of worldly vision.
Examples
Had to close the eyes in despair
Closing the eyelids at dawn