Word Meaning
सर-ब-सर
sar-ba-sar
Meaning
Completely, entirely, from beginning to end, or from head to toe.
Detailed Meaning
The Persian adverbial compound 'sar-ba-sar' literally signifies 'from head to head' or 'from end to end', indicating totality or completeness. In this couplet, it qualifies the beloved's cruelty ('zulm'), emphasizing that her torment is entirely composed of captivating style and aesthetic charm. It conveys that even the harshness of the beloved is, through and through, a manifestation of alluring grace.
Etymology
Persian compound formed from 'sar' (head, beginning, end) joined by the preposition 'ba' (to, with) with 'sar'.
Usage
In classical Urdu poetry, it is favored for establishing absolute states, portraying beauty or grief as total and without exception.
Examples
The tale of longing was entirely grief.
Her demeanor is from head to toe pure grace.