yahi hota hai aksar zindagi mein

yahī hotā hai aksar zindagī meñ

ki thoḌā ġham bhī shāmil ho ḳhushī meñ

udaas āñkhoñ meñ palkoñ kī namī meñ

jhalaktī thī vafā bhī be-ruḳhī meñ

vahāñ dushvār thā ḳhud se bhī milnā

talāsh-e-yār kyā ho be-ḳhudī meñ

gile-shikve to hote hī raheñge

chalo kuchh der baiTheñ chāñdnī meñ

añdheroñ se shikāyat ho to kyā ho

dikhā.ī kuchh na de jab raushnī meñ

na koī aarzū dil meñ shifā kī

na hāsil hai shifā chāragarī meñ

misāl 'arjun' kī rakhnā yaad har dam

bahut aage baḌhoge zindagī meñ

ġhanīmat hai ki ab bhī dekhte haiñ

ham apne-āp ko is ajnabī meñ

'ḳhayāl' itne na the kam-zarf pahle

baḌī gahrā.ī thī tishna-labī meñ

yahi hota hai aksar zindagi mein

ki thoDa gham bhi shamil ho KHushi mein

udas aankhon mein palkon ki nami mein

jhalakti thi wafa bhi be-ruKHi mein

wahan dushwar tha KHud se bhi milna

talash-e-yar kya ho be-KHudi mein

gile-shikwe to hote hi rahenge

chalo kuchh der baiThen chandni mein

andheron se shikayat ho to kya ho

dikhai kuchh na de jab raushni mein

na koi aarzu dil mein shifa ki

na hasil hai shifa chaaragari mein

misal 'arjun' ki rakhna yaad har dam

bahut aage baDhoge zindagi mein

ghanimat hai ki ab bhi dekhte hain

hum apne-ap ko is ajnabi mein

'KHayal' itne na the kam-zarf pahle

baDi gahrai thi tishna-labi mein