Word Meaning
लगने
lagne
Meaning
To strike, hit, touch, or be inflicted upon.
Detailed Meaning
In this couplet, 'lagne' denotes the physical impact or landing of a mortal blow upon the speaker's heart. It appears in the oblique infinitive form preceding 'na paaya', creating the construction 'could not even strike'. The poet laments that the executioner's hand fatigued too early, depriving the lover of the fulfillment of suffering a fatal wound.
Etymology
From Sanskrit 'लग्' (lag, meaning to cling, adhere, or contact), through Prakrit 'लग्गइ' (laggai) to Hindustani 'लगना'.
Usage
Frequently paired with terms for wounds ('ज़ख़्म') or arrows ('तीर') in ghazal poetry to dramatize the suffering caused by the beloved's cruelty.
Examples
Before the wound could even strike, the heart surrendered.
Not a single arrow was able to strike the target.