Meaning of
qafas
क़फ़स • قفس
English
cage; confinement; prison
Hindi
पिंजरा; बंदीगृह; कारागार
Urdu
پنجرہ; قید خانہ; جیل
Origin
Arabic
Ash'aar
main hooñ aur kunj-e-qafas hai mirii raahat ke li.e
sabhi samaan baham hai mirii ishrat ke li.e
4
qafas udaas hai yaaron saba se kuchh to kaho
kahii to bahre-khuda aaj zikr-e-yaar chale
31
qafas ko tod ke jab bhi aseer niklega
hamaare khol ke andar se meer niklega
dhuaan hai raakh hai aur dheer hai chitaon ka
yahiin se naachta gaata kabeer niklega
27
zabt karta hooñ to ghutta hai qafas men mira dam
aah karta hooñ to sayyaad KHafaa hota hai
23
KHoon se bhar gaya hai qafas
chhod do ya mujhe maar do
13
jo abhii ham jee rahe hain vo qafas e aazaa
dii hai
jo abhii itne maze hain baad men sab barbaa
dii hai
10
nahin is khulii fazaa men koii gosha-e-faraaghat
ye jahaan ajab jahaan hai na qafs na aashiyana
5
ra’naaiyaan samet ke saare jahaan kii
jab kuchh na ban sakaa teri aañkhen banaaiin tab
main ishq hooñ ruka na kisi bhi qafas men to
mazbootiyon bharii ye salaakhen banaaiin tab
5
main qaid tha qafas men aur vo ud raha tha saamne
ye pahli baar tha ke pankh ahmiyat men the nahin
muaaf kar diya hai hamne soch kar ke kuchh magar
tire gunaah to ai yaar maazrat men the nahin
4
kya ajab reet hai mohabbat ki
ham rihaa ho ke bhi qafas men hain
4
main hooñ aur kunj-e-qafas hai mirii raahat ke li.e
sabhi samaan baham hai mirii ishrat ke li.e
4
qafas udaas hai yaaron saba se kuchh to kaho
kahii to bahre-khuda aaj zikr-e-yaar chale
31
Nuance
Qafas conveys the sense of confinement and restriction, often used to symbolize the limitations imposed on the soul or spirit. In poetry, it can represent the struggle for freedom and the yearning to break free from societal or personal constraints.
Poetic Usage
Poets use qafas to explore themes of captivity and liberation. It can symbolize the heart's imprisonment by unfulfilled desires or societal norms. The image of a caged bird is a common metaphor for the soul's longing for freedom.
Closing Insight
Qafas reminds us of the delicate balance between freedom and constraint. It speaks to the universal desire to transcend limitations and soar beyond the ordinary.