Verse 2x1835aarakhte the
G5
In this meter the first long syllable may be replaced by a short; and the next-to-last long syllable may be replaced by two shorts.
1
what more/else in the world/age, to preserve/cherish, did we used to have/keep?
2
only a single/particular/unique/excellent penetrating/'attaining' style in verse , we used to have/keep
'To protect, preserve, keep, take care of, save; to keep, maintain; to keep, put, place, lay (upon or before), set, station, deposit, lay down, pledge, stake; to keep back, reserve; to put by, put aside; to leave; to stop; to possess, own; to have, hold, harbour, entertain; to deem, esteem, consider; to engage, employ, take into service'.
'One, single, sole, alone, only, a, an; the same, identical; only one; a certain one; single of its kind, unique, singular, preëminent, excellent'.
'Arriving, attaining; causing to arrive (used as last member of compounds); quick of apprehension, acute, sharp, penetrating, skilful, capable, clever; — mixing or mingling (with); amiable; well-received, welcome'.
| References | |
|---|---|
| Arshi, Imtiyaz Ali | Ghazal# 207 |
| Raza, Kalidas Gupta | 386 |
| Hamid Ali Khan | Open Image |
For background see S. R. Faruqi's choices . This verse is NOT one of his choices; I thought it was interesting and have added it myself. For more on Ghalib's unpublished verses, see the discussion in 4,8x .
This verse and the next one form a kind of small unofficial verse-set . This one could quite well stand alone, but the next one, 150,3x , definitely could not.
Could there ever be a cleverer use of ? A tiny little monosyllable in the second line, even further shortened (for metrical convenience) from . It might look modest, even humble. Yet what a fine range of meanings-- including 'single of its kind, unique, singular, preëminent, excellent' (see the definition above).
The second line also describes Ghalib's style as , which has the basic sense of 'arriving, attaining, getting access' (see the definition above). Thus the verse combines a modest-sounding first line with a matter-of-fact statement of quite lofty self-praise in the second line. But remember, this verse is designed to segue into 150,3x -- which will alter the mood considerably.
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