Word Meaning
साग़र
saaghar
Meaning
A wine cup, goblet, or chalice.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Persian and Urdu poetry, 'saaghar' denotes a drinking vessel or goblet, rich with metaphorical layers of intoxication and divine knowledge. In this couplet by Ghalib, it represents the wine cup whose glowing stain outshines the moon, rendering the lunar disc incapable of rivalling its eye-like splendor. It stands as a motif of mystical realization or aesthetic refinement in contrast to cold cosmic perfection.
Etymology
Persian (ساغر - sāghar), denoting a cup, goblet, or bowl for wine.
Usage
In the ghazal, 'saaghar' is an essential trope of tavern imagery, recurrently paired with the 'saaqi' (cupbearer) and 'maikhana' (tavern) to evoke either earthly revelry or spiritual intoxication.
Examples
The overflowing wine goblet
A broken cup of sorrow