Persian · noun · Nation, Faith & Society

Gada

गदा

said ga-daa

also written: Gadaa

Meaning

A beggar or mendicant.

How Iqbal uses it

The beggar set against the king; a favourite contrast in Persianate verse where the gada at love's door is richer in spirit than any monarch. The faqir-beggar carries dignity, not mere want.

See it in the verse

Gada in Iqbal’s couplets

Nigah-e-faqr mein shan-e-sikandari kya hai
Khiraj ki jo gada ho wo qaisari kya hai

In the eyes of a free spirit, what is the splendour of an Alexander? An empire that begs for tribute is no empire at all.

Selfhood · Freedom · Self-Knowledge

Related words

PERSIAN

Gadaai

Begging, mendicancy; the life or act of a beggar.

SANSKRIT

Bheek

Alms; that which is begged or given to a beggar.

ARABIC

Faqr

Spiritual poverty; the dervish's chosen detachment from wealth and power.

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