0949_06

{949,6}

kar ke taʿvīż rakheñ us ko bahut bhātī hai
vuh naz̤ar pāʾoñ pah vuh bāt divānī us kī

1) please 'make an amulet' and keep it-- very alluring/pleasing is
2) that gaze at the feet, that mad/frenzied speech of his

Notes:

taʿvīż : 'A charm, an amulet, a phylactery; a magic square'. (Platts p.328)

divānah : 'Mad, insane, lunatic; in an ecstasy, frenzied; inspired'. (Platts p.560)

*Platts Dictionary Online*

S. R. Faruqi:

[For SRF's discussion of this ghazal as a whole, see {949,1}.]

FWP:

SETS
MOTIFS == MADNESS
NAMES
TERMS

For discussion of this ghazal as a whole, see {949,1}.

The theme of magic continues from the previous verse, {949,5}. Perhaps Mir's verbal magic is dangerous because of its very understatement: he keeps his gaze downward toward his feet, and says crazy things that somehow are very agreeable and alluring. By having an amulet made to invoke God's power (against 'possessed' poets?), and carrying it on his person, the listener can hope to have some defense against the spell-casting power of that fey charm.

Or else, as our poetry group maintains (August 2023), the phrase should be read as 'make [it into] an amulet'-- in other words, keep the memory of Mir with you and cherish it as a precious souvenir.

Here, the advice given for future behavior makes it clear that 'he' is alive.