Word Meaning
हड्डियों
haddiyon
Meaning
bones (plural, oblique case); the skeletal remains of the body
Detailed Meaning
In Urdu poetry, 'haddiyon' refers to the skeletal bones, often symbolizing the frail physical remnants of a lover wasted away by grief and love's internal fire. In Mir's verse, it represents the lover's dried, emaciated body destined to act as mere firewood when the smoldering passion flares up completely. It conveys the tragic limit of suffering, leading to total annihilation.
Etymology
Derived from Sanskrit 'अस्थि' (asthi) via Prakrit 'अट्ठि' (aṭṭhi) into Hindustani 'हड्डी' (haḍḍī).
Usage
Commonly invoked in classical ghazals to depict the extremity of physical wasting, consuming passion, and mortality.
Examples
The fire of love burned until only dry bones remained.
A heap of bones turned to dust in the wilderness of grief.