सर-ब-पा

Meaning

Head to foot; also placing one's head at the beloved's feet.

Detailed Meaning

In Persian and Urdu poetics, the phrase signifies either being completely enveloped from head to toe, or literally resting one's head at someone's feet. In this couplet, it evokes absolute humility and devotion, depicting the fortunate rival lying like a flower's shadow with head cast at the rose's feet. It captures the essence of total surrender in romantic subjugation.

Etymology

Persian compound formed from 'sar' (head), the preposition 'ba' (to/at), and 'pā' (foot).

Usage

Commonly invoked in the ghazal to paint a posture of extreme adoration, servitude, or total absorption in the beloved.

Examples

Synonyms

Related Words