kitna muKHtasar hai ye zindagi ka afsana

kitnā muḳhtasar hai ye zindagī kā afsāna

ek gām-e-mardāna ek raqs-e-mastāna

tū hī ek shākī hai zauq-e-tishna-kāmī kā

ġharq-e-mauj-e-sahbā hai jabki saarā mai-ḳhāna

bas yahī hai le de ke dūrī-e-rah-e-manzil

do qadam dilerāna do qadam shitābāna

haq tujhe hai kyā hāsil zer-e-charḳh jiine kā

hādsāt-e-ālam se tū agar hai begāna

dil nahīñ vo siine meñ ek sañg-e-ḳhārā hai

ho na jis meñ poshīda āh-e-dard-mandāna

ye bhī ek dhokā hai dīda-e-ġhalat-bīñ kā

varna kaun dīvāna aur kaun farzāna

gaah gaah laḌtā rah aql-e-maslahat-bīñ se

gaah gaah letā jā haath meñ bhī paimāna

kitna muKHtasar hai ye zindagi ka afsana

ek gam-e-mardana ek raqs-e-mastana

tu hi ek shaki hai zauq-e-tishna-kaami ka

gharq-e-mauj-e-sahba hai jabki sara mai-KHana

bas yahi hai le de ke duri-e-rah-e-manzil

do qadam dilerana do qadam shitabana

haq tujhe hai kya hasil zer-e-charKH jine ka

hadsat-e-alam se tu agar hai begana

dil nahin wo sine mein ek sang-e-KHara hai

ho na jis mein poshida aah-e-dard-mandana

ye bhi ek dhoka hai dida-e-ghalat-bin ka

warna kaun diwana aur kaun farzana

gah gah laDta rah aql-e-maslahat-bin se

gah gah leta ja hath mein bhi paimana