Word Meaning
मेहरबाँ
mihrbāñ
Meaning
Kind, compassionate, benevolent, or gracious.
Detailed Meaning
In Urdu poetry, 'meharbāñ' (a poetic contraction of 'meharbān') describes a beloved or benefactor who demonstrates kindness, grace, or affection. In the context of this couplet, it is juxtaposed against 'nā-meharbāñ' (unkind or aloof), ironically suggesting that the beloved's very persistence in being unkind is itself a peculiar sign of attention or grace toward the lover.
Etymology
Persian 'mihrbān' (from 'mihr', meaning love, friendship, or sun + suffix '-bān', meaning keeper or guardian).
Usage
Commonly addressed to the beloved in ghazals, either sincerely when acknowledging favor or with playful irony to recast harshness as attention.
Examples
A kind glance from you relieved the wounded heart.
When fortune became benevolent, every sorrow vanished.