zindagi dasht mein guzari hai

zindagī dasht meñ guzārī hai

jis kā hāsil ye burdbārī hai

maut kā naam le rahe ho tum

zindagī kab bhalā hamārī hai

shaam vo ghar ko der se pohñchā

jis kī āñkhoñ meñ ḳhvāb jaarī hai

laakh rakkhī haiñ hasrateñ tum ne

jaane kis baat kī ḳhumārī hai

ham zamāne ko paḌhne nikle the

ab to ḳhud dāstāñ hamārī hai

band darvāze hī mileñge tumheñ

is qadar mujh pe ḳhauf taarī hai

sach kā parda uThā to ye jaanā

zindagī jhuuT meñ guzārī hai

jis kā hāsil bhī ḳhud meñ lā-hāsil

is se behtar to jāñ-nisārī hai

jab tamanna hī uTh ga.ī dil se

phir bhī kyoñ justujū tumhārī hai

tū ne rakkhā hai sar to batlā duuñ

mere shānoñ pe bojh bhārī hai

sab ko hañstā dikhā hasīñ chehra

dil ke andar to āh-o-zārī hai

zindagi dasht mein guzari hai

jis ka hasil ye burdbari hai

maut ka nam le rahe ho tum

zindagi kab bhala hamari hai

sham wo ghar ko der se pohncha

jis ki aankhon mein KHwab jari hai

lakh rakkhi hain hasraten tum ne

jaane kis baat ki KHumari hai

hum zamane ko paDhne nikle the

ab to KHud dastan hamari hai

band darwaze hi milenge tumhein

is qadar mujh pe KHauf tari hai

sach ka parda uTha to ye jaana

zindagi jhuT mein guzari hai

jis ka hasil bhi KHud mein la-hasil

is se behtar to jaan-nisari hai

jab tamanna hi uTh gai dil se

phir bhi kyon justuju tumhaari hai

tu ne rakkha hai sar to batla dun

mere shanon pe bojh bhaari hai

sab ko hansta dikha hasin chehra

dil ke andar to aah-o-zari hai