Ghazal 162, Verse 6

{162,6}*

shikan-e zulf-e ʿanbarīñ kyūñ hai
nigah-e chashm-e surmah-sā kyā hai

1) the twists/'overthrowing' of amber-scented curls-- why is it?
2) the gaze/glance of a collyrium-like eye-- what is it?!

Notes:

shikan : 'Breaking, crushing, overthrowing, routing;  — a curl; a ply, fold, plait; a furrow, crease, wrinkle, &c'. (Platts p.731)

 

ʿanbarīn : 'Of ambergris; of the colour or odour of ambergris'. (Platts p.766)

 

sā : '(as an affix) like, as ʿañbar-sā , Resembling ambergris'. (Steingass p.637)

*Platts Dictionary Online*

Nazm:

[See the discussion in {162,4}.]

== Nazm page 174; Nazm page 175

Bekhud Dihlavi:

These perfumed, adorned curls-- why have they been created? And this collyrium-shadowed glance-- what purpose is it serving? (233)

Bekhud Mohani:

[See the discussion in {162,4}.]

FWP:

SETS == EXCLAMATION; KYA
CURLS: {14,6}
EYES {3,1}
GAZE: {10,12}

This is the third verse of a four-verse verse-set. For general discussion of the whole verse-set, see {162,4}.

For a discussion of the special qualities of collyrium, see {44,1}.

Note for grammar fans: In terms of iẓāfat structure, surmah-sā should be considered just as a single adjective. It must also be considered to be the Persian sā (see the definition above)-- which, intriguingly, is very like the Indic sā (except that it doesn't have separate feminine and plural/oblique forms). But the Persian sā can be used with an iẓāfat , while the Indic one cannot. Another such case: {80,5}.

 

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