Word Meaning
सीमयाई
sīmiyā'ī
Meaning
Magic, sorcery, illusion, or the quality of being a deceptive phantasm.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Urdu and Persian poetry, 'sīmiyā'ī' refers to natural magic, illusionism, or conjuring tricks that bewitch the senses with unreal appearances. In this couplet, it characterizes the material world as an insubstantial optical trick, contrasting the fleeting illusion of worldly manifestation with the eternal reality of the Divine.
Etymology
From Arabic 'sīmiyāʾ' (natural magic or divination, originating from Greek 'sēmeîon' meaning sign/token), combined with the Persian suffix '-ī'.
Usage
Frequently used in Sufi and philosophical ghazals as an epistemological metaphor to denote the illusory, transient essence of the cosmos.
Examples
The spectacle of this world is entirely an illusionary enchantment.
Every manifestation of this worldly talisman is merely magical deception.