Word Meaning
वगर्ना
vagarnā
hiconjunction
Meaning
Otherwise, or else, if not.
Detailed Meaning
A conditional conjunction meaning 'otherwise' or 'or else', derived from Persian. In this couplet, it presents an alternative, catastrophic reality: the poet maintains that self-restraint preserves his life, otherwise a single soul-melting breath would have completely destroyed him. It introduces dramatic urgency by delineating what would transpire if the premise failed.
Etymology
Persian compound of 'wa' (and) + 'gar' (if) + 'na' (not), contracted as 'wa-gar-na'.
Usage
Widely used in classical ghazal to set up an ominous alternative, contrast, or tragic counterfactual condition.
Examples
Stay silent, otherwise the secret will be revealed.
Turn back, or else there is no remedy for this journey.
Synonyms
वरनाअन्यथानहीं तो
Related Words
अगरमगरलेकिन