वहशत-कदे

Meaning

Abode or wilderness of madness, terror, and desolation.

Detailed Meaning

A Persian compound formed from 'wahshat' (madness, wildness, dread) and 'kada' (abode), used here in its oblique form. In this couplet, it serves as an evocative metaphor for the mortal world ('dahr'), characterizing earthly existence as an asylum or wilderness inhabited solely by the deranged. It captures the poet's sense of profound alienation and the chaotic absurdity of worldly life.

Etymology

Arabic 'wahshat' (wildness, dread, estrangement) + Persian '-kada' (house, dwelling).

Usage

In classical Urdu ghazal, it is frequently used as an allegory for the chaotic worldly realm or the lover's own desolate, grieving heart.

Examples

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Related Words