Word Meaning
शम्मा-मजलिस
shamma-majlis
Meaning
The candle of an assembly or gathering.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Urdu poetry, 'shamma-e-majlis' refers to the central candle illuminating a gathering, which melts down as it burns, mimicking the shedding of tears. In this verse, Mir compares the lover's involuntary weeping through the night to the wax drops trickling from an assembly candle. It embodies visible suffering, sacrifice, and endless grief in public sight.
Etymology
Arabic 'shamʿ' (candle/wax) combined with Arabic 'majlis' (assembly/sitting) through the Persian izafat construction.
Usage
In the ghazal tradition, it serves as a standard metaphor for the lover who weeps and burns away silently in the company of others.
Examples
burning like the candle of the assembly
weeping like the candle of the night gathering