DhunDte DhunDte KHud ko main kahan ja nikla

DhūñDte DhūñDte ḳhud ko maiñ kahāñ jā niklā

ek parda jo uThā dūsrā parda niklā

manzar-e-zīst sarāsar tah-o-bālā niklā

ġhaur se dekhā to har shaḳhs tamāshā niklā

ek hī rañg kā ġham-ḳhāna-e-duniyā niklā

ġham-e-jānāñ bhī ġham-e-zīst kā saayā niklā

is rah-e-zīst ko ham ajnabī samjhe the magar

jo bhī patthar milā barsoñ kā shanāsā niklā

aarzū hasrat aur ummīd shikāyat aañsū

ik tirā zikr thā aur biich meñ kyā kyā niklā

ghar se nikle the ki ā.īna dikhā.eñ sab ko

lekin har aks meñ apnā hī sarāpā niklā

kyuuñ na ham bhī kareñ us naqsh-e-kaf-e-pā kī talāsh

sho.ala-e-tūr bhī to ek bahānā niklā

jī meñ thā baiTh ke kuchh apnī kaheñge 'sarvar'

tū bhī kam-baḳht zamāne kā satāyā niklā

DhunDte DhunDte KHud ko main kahan ja nikla

ek parda jo uTha dusra parda nikla

manzar-e-zist sarasar tah-o-baala nikla

ghaur se dekha to har shaKHs tamasha nikla

ek hi rang ka gham-KHana-e-duniya nikla

gham-e-jaanan bhi gham-e-zist ka saya nikla

is rah-e-zist ko hum ajnabi samjhe the magar

jo bhi patthar mila barson ka shanasa nikla

aarzu hasrat aur ummid shikayat aansu

ek tera zikr tha aur bich mein kya kya nikla

ghar se nikle the ki aaina dikhaen sab ko

lekin har aks mein apna hi sarapa nikla

kyun na hum bhi karen us naqsh-e-kaf-e-pa ki talash

shoala-e-tur bhi to ek bahana nikla

ji mein tha baiTh ke kuchh apni kahenge 'sarwar'

tu bhi kam-baKHt zamane ka sataya nikla