Word Meaning
शिकस्तन
shikastan
Meaning
Breaking, shattering, or the act of being broken.
Detailed Meaning
In Persian, 'shikastan' is the infinitive meaning 'to break' or 'shattering', functioning here as a verbal noun. In this verse, it represents the elusive release of annihilation; the fragile, glass-like heart despairs of even finding death or peace through being shattered on the rocky mountain of suffering. The poet laments that despite its inherent fragility, the heart endures an excruciating and stubborn survival.
Etymology
Persian infinitive 'shikastan' (شکستن), from Middle Persian 'škastan' (to break, defeat).
Usage
In classical ghazal poetry, Persian infinitives like 'shikastan' are borrowed directly to poetically denote continuous processes of emotional and physical ruination.
Examples
the sorrow of the heart's breaking
before the shattering of the fragile glass