आँख उस से नहीं उठने की साहब नज़रों की
जिस ख़ाक पे होगा असर उस की कफ़-ए-पा का
— Mir Taqi Mir
Meaning
Sir, the gaze cannot be lifted from her; rather, it is the dust upon her sole that casts its spell.
Explanation
This profound couplet by Mir Taqi Mir moves beyond the superficiality of mere glances. The poet suggests that the true struggle of love is not about controlling one's gaze, but about the inescapable, permanent mark left by the beloved's mere presence. The 'dust' (khaak) represents life itself, and the 'footprint' (kaf-e-pa) signifies an irreversible impact—an imprint that changes your very existence. It speaks to a love that is foundational, not just fleeting.
