ajab shikast ka ehsas dil pe chhaya tha

ajab shikast kā ehsās dil pe chhāyā thā

kisī ne mujh ko nishānā nahīñ banāyā thā

usī nigāh ne āñkhoñ ko kar diyā patthar

usī nigāh meñ sab kuchh nazar bhī aayā thā

yahāñ to ret hai patthar haiñ aur kuchh bhī nahīñ

vo kyā dikhāne mujhe itnī duur laayā thā

ulajh gayā huuñ kuchh aisā ki yaad bhī to nahīñ

ye vahm pahle-pahal kaise dil meñ aayā thā

vo maiñ nahīñ thā tumhārī taraf saraktā huā

havas ne tīrgī kā fā.eda uThāyā thā

bichhaḌnā itnā hī āsān thā agar us se

to ḳhud-kushī kā ye sāmān kyuuñ juTāyā thā

gilā to aaj bhī sachchā.ī hai magar 'shāriq'

ye jhuuT us se meñ pahle hī bol aayā thā

ajab shikast ka ehsas dil pe chhaya tha

kisi ne mujh ko nishana nahin banaya tha

usi nigah ne aankhon ko kar diya patthar

usi nigah mein sab kuchh nazar bhi aaya tha

yahan to ret hai patthar hain aur kuchh bhi nahin

wo kya dikhane mujhe itni dur laya tha

ulajh gaya hun kuchh aisa ki yaad bhi to nahin

ye wahm pahle-pahal kaise dil mein aaya tha

wo main nahin tha tumhaari taraf sarakta hua

hawas ne tirgi ka faeda uThaya tha

bichhaDna itna hi aasan tha agar us se

to KHud-kushi ka ye saman kyun juTaya tha

gila to aaj bhi sachchai hai magar 'shaariq'

ye jhuT us se mein pahle hi bol aaya tha