Word Meaning
लिबास
libās
Meaning
Clothing, garment, dress, attire, or external outward covering.
Detailed Meaning
Literally referring to clothing or attire, 'libas' in Urdu poetic tradition often symbolizes an outer disguise, social dignity, or superficial persona. In Ghalib's verse, it contrasts with the shroud (kafan), representing all worldly garments that utterly failed to mask the speaker's inherent shame and naked unworthiness of existence. Only death's shroud finally provides the veil that no regular attire could grant.
Etymology
Arabic root l-b-s (لبس), denoting putting on clothes, wearing, or covering.
Usage
In ghazal poetry, 'libas' frequently symbolizes appearance or hypocrisy contrasted with inner spiritual nakedness or passion.
Examples
A beggar veiled under the attire of a king.
Tearing the dress of patience in the grief of separation.