Word Meaning
लवा
Livaa
Meaning
A banner, flag, or standard symbolizing royal authority or military command.
Detailed Meaning
In classical poetry, 'liva' (Arabic 'liwa') denotes a flag, banner, or standard that serves as a royal insignia of command and sovereignty. In this couplet, it appears in the compound expression 'sahib-e-taj-o-liva' (possessor of crown and standard), signifying mighty monarchs and rulers. The verse contrasts this pinnacle of imperial grandeur with inevitable ruin and transience under the wheel of time.
Etymology
Arabic origin from 'liwāʾ' (لِوَاء), meaning standard, banner, or ensign.
Usage
Frequently juxtaposed with royal attributes like 'tāj' (crown) to signify the illusory height of worldly status.
Examples
The fluttering of the royal standard in the desert
Neither crown nor banner endured against fate