bahr-e-hasti mein sohbat-e-ahbab

bahr-e-hastī meñ sohbat-e-ahbāb

yuuñ hai jaise barū-e-āb-e-habāb

gardish-e-āsmāñ meñ ham kyā haiñ

par-e-kāhe miyāna-e-gardāb

bāda-e-nāb kyā hai ḳhūn-e-jigar

zardī-e-rañg hai shab-e-mahtāb

jis ko raqs-o-surūd kahte haiñ

vo bhī hai ik havā-e-ḳhana-ḳharāb

umr kahte haiñ jis ko vo kyā hai

misl-e-tahrīr mauj-e-naqsh-bar-āb

jism kyā ruuh kī hai jaulā-nigāh

ruuh kyā ik savār-e-pā-ba-rikāb

husn aur ishq kyā haiñ ye bhī haiñ

ḳhatfa-e-barq-o-qatra-e-sīmāb

zindagānī-o-marg bhī kyā haiñ

ek misl-e-ḳhayāl-o-dīgar-e-ḳhvāb

fursat-e-umr qatra-e-shabnam

vasl-e-mahbūb gauhar-e-nāyāb

kyuuñ na ishrat do-chand ho jo hai

yaar mah-chehra aur shab-e-mahtāb

sab kitāboñ ke khul ga.e ma.anī

jab se dekhī 'nazīr' dil kī kitāb

bahr-e-hasti mein sohbat-e-ahbab

yun hai jaise baru-e-ab-e-habab

gardish-e-asman mein hum kya hain

par-e-kahe miyana-e-gardab

baada-e-nab kya hai KHun-e-jigar

zardi-e-rang hai shab-e-mahtab

jis ko raqs-o-surud kahte hain

wo bhi hai ek hawa-e-KHana-KHarab

umr kahte hain jis ko wo kya hai

misl-e-tahrir mauj-e-naqsh-bar-ab

jism kya ruh ki hai jaula-nigah

ruh kya ek sawar-e-pa-ba-rikab

husn aur ishq kya hain ye bhi hain

KHatfa-e-barq-o-qatra-e-simab

zindagani-o-marg bhi kya hain

ek misl-e-KHayal-o-digar-e-KHwab

fursat-e-umr qatra-e-shabnam

wasl-e-mahbub gauhar-e-nayab

kyun na ishrat do-chand ho jo hai

yar mah-chehra aur shab-e-mahtab

sab kitabon ke khul gae mani

jab se dekhi 'nazir' dil ki kitab