Persian · noun · The Tavern & the Cup
Mai-parast
मय-परस्त
said mai-pa-RAST
also written: mai-parast, mayparast, mai parast
Meaning
A wine-worshipper; a confirmed devotee of drink.
Literally: wine-worshipper
How Iqbal uses it
The mai-parast is the 'wine-worshipper' — in the mystical sense the devotee whose religion is the wine of divine love, who adores grace itself. The label, an insult in pious mouths, is worn proudly by the lover for whom love is the only true worship. It sits with rind and baadah-khwaar in the poet's gallery of holy drinkers who shame the sober hypocrite.
See it in the verse
Mai-parast in Iqbal’s couplets
Main shakh-e-taak hun meri ghazal hai mera samar
Mire samar se mai-e-laala-faam paida kar
Mire samar se mai-e-laala-faam paida kar
I am the vine-branch; my ghazal is my fruit — from my fruit, press out the rose-red wine.
Aspiration · Action · Youth
Kya dabdaba-e-nadir kya shaukat-e-taimuri
Ho jaate hain sab daftar gharq-e-mai-e-naab aakhir
Ho jaate hain sab daftar gharq-e-mai-e-naab aakhir
What of Nadir's dread power, what of Timur's splendour? In the end every such record is drowned in the pure wine of time.
Humility · Self-Knowledge · Adversity
Main shakh-e-tak hun meri ghazal hai mera samar
Mere samar se mai-e-lala-fam paida kar
Mere samar se mai-e-lala-fam paida kar
I am a branch of the vine, my song is my fruit; from that fruit press out the tulip-red wine.
Action · Aspiration · Youth