Word Meaning
हया
haya
hinoun
Meaning
Modesty, bashfulness, shame, or sense of decorum.
Detailed Meaning
In Urdu poetics, 'haya' denotes a refined sense of modesty, bashfulness, or maidenly reserve. In this couplet, Mir gently rebukes the beloved for persistent hesitation, urging them to cast aside excessive shyness and reveal their true presence.
Etymology
Arabic (حَيَاء, ḥayāʾ), denoting modesty, shame, or decency.
Usage
Often combined into the compound 'sharm-o-haya', it acts as both a cherished virtue and an agonizing barrier separating lover and beloved in the ghazal.
Examples
The veil of modesty concealed her glowing countenance.
A glance filled with bashfulness spoke a thousand words.
Synonyms
शर्मलाजसंकोचहिजाब
Related Words
बा-हयाबे-हयाहिजाबपर्दा