मतलब

Meaning

Purpose, intent, meaning, or underlying aim.

Detailed Meaning

In general usage, it refers to an objective, purpose, or semantic meaning. In this couplet, it denotes the lover's true hidden purpose or intent behind getting a wound stitched—not seeking healing, but craving the added sting of the needle. It captures the paradox where an act of apparent cure is merely a pretext for experiencing more pain.

Etymology

Arabic مَطْلَب (maṭlab), derived from the root ط-ل-ب (ṭ-l-b) meaning 'to seek, demand, or require'.

Usage

In classical Urdu ghazal, it frequently contrasts worldly, selfish motive (matlab-parasti) with the lover's selfless or paradoxical devotion to suffering.

Examples

Synonyms

Related Words