Word Meaning
शह
shah
hinoun
Meaning
King, sovereign, monarch; also a prefix meaning chief, principal, or royal.
Detailed Meaning
In Persian and Urdu poetry, 'shah' is a contracted form of 'shah' meaning a ruler or emperor. When compounded with nouns, it acts as a prefix meaning prime or vital, as in 'shah-rag' (the jugular vein). In this couplet, it forms part of the Quranic allusion to the life-vein, signifying extreme proximity.
Etymology
Persian 'shāh' (شاه), from Old Persian 'xšāyaθiya' (king).
Usage
In the ghazal, 'shah' is often juxtaposed with 'gada' (beggar) to emphasize humility or the equalizer of love, and serves as an intensifying prefix in compounds.
Examples
Before divine love, both the king and the beggar stand equal.
The praise of the king of beauties is spoken everywhere.
Synonyms
बादशाहसुल्तानराजाख़ुसरव
Related Words
शाहशहंशाहशह-रगशाही