Word Meaning
मेहमान
mehmān
hinoun
Meaning
A guest or visitor; someone temporarily staying or dining with a host.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Urdu poetry, 'mehmān' signifies a guest, often symbolizing transient mortal existence or reliance on an ungenerous fate. In Mir's couplet, it refers to seeking sustenance or generosity from the cosmos (the celestial banquet), which is ultimately barren despite appearances.
Etymology
Persian (میهمان / mehmān), derived from Middle Persian mēhmān, rooted in Proto-Iranian.
Usage
Commonly invoked in ghazals to evoke the ephemeral nature of life and the futility of expecting benevolence from the world or fate.
Examples
Do not linger as an uninvited guest at the world's feast.
The soul is merely a guest in this earthen body.
Synonyms
अतिथिपाहुनाज़ैफ़
Related Words
मेज़बानख़्वानज़ियाफ़तरिकाबी