Persian · noun · Struggle & the Sword

Nishana

निशाना

said ni-SHAA-na

also written: Nishan

Meaning

A target or aim; the mark aimed at by an archer or marksman.

Literally: target; aim; mark

How Iqbal uses it

Nishana is the target or mark aimed at. Iqbal makes it an image of life's true goal, the destination toward which the self must direct its every effort. A life without a clear nishana, like an arrow loosed at nothing, scatters its force and arrives nowhere.

See it in the verse

Nishana in Iqbal’s couplets

Yunan o Misr o Roma sab mit gaye jahan se
Ab tak magar hai baqi naam-o-nishan hamara

Greece, Egypt and Rome have all vanished from the world — yet to this day our name and trace remain.

Adversity · Hope

Related words

TURKISH

Nishanchi

A marksman or sharpshooter; also the keeper of the royal seal.

PERSIAN

Teer

An arrow. A recurring image in poetry for the beloved's glance or the pang of love.

ARABIC

Manzil / Maqam

Destination, goal; (maqam) a stage, station or rank on the way.

ARABIC

Maqsad

Purpose, aim, objective; the end toward which one strives.

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