Word Meaning
लहू
lahū
Meaning
Blood; specifically tears of blood representing extreme sorrow or pain.
Detailed Meaning
Literally meaning blood, in classical Urdu poetry 'lahu' frequently appears in the context of intense weeping or inner hemorrhage caused by profound heartache. In this couplet, it features in the idiom 'lahu rona' (to weep blood), denoting the unbearable emotional exhaustion born of longing in separation. It pairs directly with 'dīda-e-khūn-bār' (blood-shedding eye) in the second hemistich.
Etymology
Sanskrit लोहित (lohita) via Prakrit, inherited into Hindustani as लहू / لہو.
Usage
In the ghazal tradition, 'lahu' is an emblem of the lover's consuming agony, where tear ducts run dry and weep pure blood instead.
Examples
lahu rona hijran mein (to weep tears of blood in separation)
dida-e-lahu-chakan (an eye dripping with blood)