Word Meaning
शम
sham'
Meaning
Candle or lamp; flame representing radiant beauty or illumination.
Detailed Meaning
In classical poetry, it denotes a candle or lamp, often serving as a central symbol of luminous beauty or sacrifice. In this couplet, it appears in the compound 'sham'-ru' (candle-faced), where the beloved's radiant countenance is likened to a delicate candle made of wax that softens and melts with warmth. It highlights the tender yet fleeting nature of beauty and passion.
Etymology
Arabic origin (شَمْع, sham'), meaning wax or candle, absorbed into Persian and Urdu poetry.
Usage
In the ghazal tradition, the candle (sham') is perpetually paired with the moth (parwana) to symbolize the beloved's radiant indifference and the lover's self-sacrificing devotion.
Examples
sham'-e mehfil
sham' bujhne ko hai