Word Meaning
सुलाया
sulāyā
Meaning
Put to sleep, lulled to rest; pacified (often a misreading for 'silāyā', stitched).
Detailed Meaning
Literally means 'caused to sleep' or 'lulled to rest' (the causative past tense of 'sonā'). In this classical couplet, the unvocalized Urdu text 'سلایا' is traditionally read as 'silāyā' (stitched or mended, from 'sīnā'), lamenting that every attempt to sew up the torn collar (garebān) caused it to rend further. Where transcribed as 'सुलाया', it is metaphorically understood as calming or quieting passion and grief.
Etymology
Sanskrit स्वपयति (svapayati, causes to sleep) through Prakrit सुवावेइ (suvāvei) into Hindustani सुलाना / sulānā.
Usage
In ghazal poetry, it metaphorically denotes putting to rest the agony, longing, or burning heart during the sleepless night of separation.
Examples
Singing a lullaby, I put my grief to sleep.
Soothing the restless heart, I lulled it to rest.