Word Meaning
सर-ब-कू
sar-ba-kū
Meaning
Heading toward or leading into a street; directed toward a lane.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Persian-Urdu idiom, 'sar-ba-kū' describes facing, extending, or directing one's steps toward a specific street or quarter. In the cited verse, it depicts the road (jaada) as stretching straight into the lane of forlorn desire, evoking an image of perpetual, helpless orientation toward that path. It combines the imagery of a traveler's bowed head with the literal stretch of a pathway.
Etymology
Persian compound of 'sar' (head), the preposition 'ba' (to/towards), and 'kū' (street/alley).
Usage
Frequently used in the ghazal tradition to evoke the lover's obsession with or helpless movement toward the beloved's lane.
Examples
wandering with head turned toward the beloved's lane
a lonely path leading toward the valley of despair