Punishment is an important figure of speech in Hindi literature, which creates beauty through the double meaning or multiple meanings of words. In this, the same word or sentence is used in such a way that its meaning can change according to the context or situation. Punishment is used to bring special effect and depth in poems and literary compositions. In this article, the definition, examples and literary importance of puns have been explained in detail.
what is pun called pun
The meaning of ‘Shlesh’ is ‘joined’ or ‘glued’. In pun, such words are used which have not just one but multiple meanings.
For example, “Ram shoots arrows” – Here the word “Ram” can refer to both Lord Ram as well as any ordinary person named Ram. Thus, two different meanings can be interpreted from the same sentence, which is an example of pun.
Punishment is used by poets and writers to add depth, beauty and multidimensionality to their works. It also engages listeners or readers in deeper discussion and exploration of meaning.
pun definition
Where a word occurs only once, but that word has different meanings, then there is ‘punishment’.
It is important to keep two things in mind while punning. First, a word has more than one meaning. Second, more than one meaning is required in the case.
Example-
We know Maya Mahathagini.
Take the trigun and wave it, said Madhuri Bani.
Here a pun has been planned in the word ‘Tirgun’. It has two meanings – three qualities – Sattva, Rajas, Tamas. The second meaning is a rope with three threads. Both these meanings fit well according to the context, because their meaning has been established with ‘Mahathagini Maya’.
pun Of Example
- The bird pecked at the fields and roamed around the gardens. Description: In this example the word ‘bird’ is a pun. Here the word ‘bird’ has two meanings – one is ‘a type of bird’ and the other is ‘a part of land or field’. It has been used with both meanings.
- This time Modi’s government. This time, resolve for development. Description: Here the word ‘this time’ is a pun. ‘Abki Baar’ is a Hindi proverb which means ‘this time’ or ‘again’. In both the lines ‘this time’ has been used with the same meaning.
- Broken heart, suffering the punishment for it today. Description: In this example the word ‘punishment’ is a pun. Here the word ‘punishment’ has two meanings – one is ‘reward’ and the other is ‘decoration or punishment’. It has been used with both meanings.
- The city is adorned with splendor, many shining boats in the water. Description: Here the word ‘city’ is a pun. The word ‘city’ has two meanings – one is ‘city’ and the other is ‘city’. It has been used with both meanings.
- Gradually, the drizzle of sunlight turns into winter season. Description: In this example the word ‘winter’ is a pun. The word ‘winter’ has two meanings – one is ‘cold’ and the other is ‘control’. It has been used with both meanings.
- The sun rose in the west, the sun set in the east. Description: Here the word ‘Sun’ is a pun. The word ‘Suraj’ has two meanings – one is ‘Sun’ and the other is ‘Prince’. It has been used with both meanings.
- May the brave rise with his actions, but the enemy should not rise with his words. Description: In this example the word ‘increased’ is a pun. The word ‘badhe’ has two meanings – one is ‘high or great’ and the other is ‘to increase’. It has been used with both meanings.
- The resolution of development and cleanliness is higher than heaven. Description: Here the word ‘Sankalp’ is used as a pun. The word ‘resolution’ has two meanings – one is ‘desire or idea’ and the other is ‘development or option’. It has been used with both meanings.
- To hide from the chest, to respect the motherland. Description: In this example the word ‘motherland’ is a pun. The word ‘motherland’ has two meanings – one is ‘country’ and the other is ‘earth or land’. It has been used with both meanings.
- There is faith in our mind, we will move forward. We will move forward, I have faith in my mind. Description: Here the word ‘belief’ is used as a pun. The word ‘trust’ has two meanings – one is ‘trust’ and the other is ‘to believe’. It has been used with both meanings.
differences in pun
There are total 2 types of puns, which are as follows:-
1. Abhang Shyasa
2. Synthesis
unbroken line
The words which have multiple meanings without breaking them are called ‘Abhang Shlesha’.
Example- Rahim says, value water, for there is nothing without it
Water should not get bored, Moti, Manush, Choon. -Rahim
Here ‘water’ is a word with multiple meanings. It has three meanings – radiance, respect and water. These three meanings of water are in the above mentioned couplet and without breaking the word water; That’s why ‘Abhang Shlesha’ is a figure of speech.
compound pun
When a word is combined and broken to derive the meaning of a particular pun, it is called ‘combined pun’.
Example- Sakhar Sukomal Manju, with flawless contamination. -Tulsidas
Here the meaning of ‘Sakhar’ is hard and the second meaning is with contamination (Sakhar + Khar). This second meaning has been made by breaking ‘Sakhar’, hence here ‘Sabhang Shlesh’ is a figure of speech.
Difference between pun and pun
Both puns and puns are figures of speech used in Hindi poetics, the difference between them is as follows
| Difference | pun on pun | pun |
| 1 | In pun, the same word is used with two different meanings. | In puns, multiple meanings of the same word are used. |
| 2 | It is a grammatical figure of speech, in which the meaning of a word is changed in different forms or in different positions. | This is a figure of play on words and is used to develop Rasikata Bhang. |
| 3 | It is used mostly in poetic compositions. | It is mostly used in poetic compositions and open poems. |
| 4 | Example: “The youth of India, the waters of youth, are the doors of light” (Here the word youth means ‘youth’, and the other meaning is ‘withering’) | “Eyes wake up early, weave colorful dreams.” (Here the word ‘savare’ has one meaning ‘morning’, and the other meaning ‘time’) |
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