rasta hayat-e-shauq ka hamwar to nahin

rasta hayāt-e-shauq kā hamvār to nahīñ

ye inqilāb-e-vaqt ke āsār to nahīñ

ye imtihān vaqt ke ye āzmā.isheñ

maiñ apne daur kā koī autār to nahīñ

insān haiñ ki sang-tarāshoñ ke shāhkār

ehsās in meñ koī bhī bedār to nahīñ

shāmil huuñ tez dauḌ meñ lekin huuñ fikrmand

kuchh aur tez vaqt kī raftār to nahīñ

maanā ye gulsitāñ hai magar dekh kar yahāñ

koī gul-e-shagufta sharar-bār to nahīñ

kyoñ ruk rahe haiñ shauq ke uThte hue qadam

raste meñ koī dard kī dīvār to nahīñ

'ash.har' jise uchhāl chuke log mulk meñ

changez-e-'ahd-e-nau kī vo dastār to nahīñ

rasta hayat-e-shauq ka hamwar to nahin

ye inqilab-e-waqt ke aasar to nahin

ye imtihan waqt ke ye aazmaishen

main apne daur ka koi autar to nahin

insan hain ki sang-tarashon ke shahkar

ehsas in mein koi bhi bedar to nahin

shamil hun tez dauD mein lekin hun fikrmand

kuchh aur tez waqt ki raftar to nahin

mana ye gulsitan hai magar dekh kar yahan

koi gul-e-shagufta sharar-bar to nahin

kyon ruk rahe hain shauq ke uThte hue qadam

raste mein koi dard ki diwar to nahin

'ashhar' jise uchhaal chuke log mulk mein

changez-e-'ahd-e-nau ki wo dastar to nahin