सफ़ेद

Meaning

White; blinded or rendered blank by excessive weeping and endless waiting.

Detailed Meaning

Literally meaning the color white, the term here invokes the classical idiom 'aankhen safed hona' (eyes turning white), which signifies the loss of eyesight due to continuous weeping. It alludes to the motif of Prophet Yaqub losing his vision while weeping in longing for his son Yusuf. In this couplet, it highlights the devastating toll of endless separation and sorrow on the lover.

Etymology

Persian 'safēd' / 'sipīd' (white).

Usage

In the ghazal tradition, it frequently forms the idiom of eyes turning white to represent blind grief and unfulfilled yearning.

Examples

Synonyms

Related Words