Ghazal 286x, Verse 1

{286x,1}*

baskih maa))il hai vuh rashk-e maahtaab aa))iine par
hai nafas taar-e shu((aa-e aaftaab aa))iine par

1) {to such an extent / although} that envy of the moonlight is inclined/inclining toward the mirror

2a) her breath is the thread of a ray of the sun, on the mirror
2b) the thread of a ray of the sun is the breath, on the mirror

Notes:

maa))il : 'Inclining (to or towards, ... -par ), leaning; inclined; ... fond (of), taking delight (in), addicted (to)'. (Platts p.988)

 

nafas : 'Breath, respiration; — the voice or sound from the breast; — a moment, an instant (syn. dam )

Asi:

Since that envy of the moonlight is a lover of the mirror, and keeps looking at the mirror, her every breath falls on the mirror; it appears that a ray of the sun has fallen on the mirror.

== Asi, p. 121

Zamin:

That is, the breath of that envy of the moonlight-- that is, the thread of the breath-- is so radiant that on the mirror it seems to be a ray of the sun.

== Zamin, p. 173

Gyan Chand:

The beloved is the envy of the moon. She is looking at the mirror; the thread of her breath, that is falling on the mirror, seems to be a ray of the sun.

== Gyan Chand, p. 202

FWP:

SETS == BASKIH; SYMMETRY
MIRROR: {8,3}
SUN: {10,5}

For more on Ghalib's unpublished verses, see the discussion in {4,8x}. See also the overview index.

The two meanings of baskih in the first line, and the power of 'symmetry' in the second line, combine to yield at least two readings:

=That 'envy of the moonlight' is leaning so close to the mirror that her breath falls on it; and her hot breath, radiant like her face, strikes the mirror in the form of a 'ray of sunlight'.

=Although that 'envy of the moonlight' is leaning toward the mirror, the sun is leaning in even more closely (or perhaps even enviously?) to watch her-- so that what falls on the mirror is not the 'thread' of her breath, but the 'thread' of a ray of sunlight. (For proof that the sun watches her closely, see {87,3}.)