Persian · noun · Love & Longing

Dilbari

दिलबरी

said dil-ba-ree

Meaning

Heart-ravishing charm; the quality of stealing hearts, beautiful allure.

Literally: heart-carrying

How Iqbal uses it

Dilbari is the beloved's power to carry off the heart, the active charm of the dilbar; it names beauty as something that takes rather than merely is seen.

See it in the verse

Dilbari in Iqbal’s couplets

Faqat nigah se hota hai faisla dil ka
Na ho nigah mein shokhi to dilbari kya hai

The heart's verdict is settled by a glance alone — and if there is no spark in the glance, what charm is left at all?

Love · Courage · Self-Knowledge

Related words

PERSIAN

Dilbar

Beloved, sweetheart; one who steals the heart.

PERSIAN

Dilkashi

Heart-attracting charm, allure, loveliness.

PERSIAN

Dilruba

Beloved; one who ravishes or carries away the heart.

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