sara ki umr kya hai ham-sara kitna purana hai

sarā kī 'umr kyā hai ham-sarā kitnā purānā hai

purānā 'ishq kyā kuchh thā nayā kitnā purānā hai

koī itnā purānā hai kahāñ tasvīr-e-'ālam meñ

kise pūchheñ ye sab achchhā-burā kitnā purānā hai

hameñ to āte-jāte hī milā hai jab bhī dekhā hai

ye rozāna kā jhoñkā kyā pata kitnā purānā hai

ye andāza badan ko hogā yā phir ruuh ko hogā

qabā ko kyā pata band-e-qabā kitnā purānā hai

zamīñ uupar uThī thī yā falak nīche ḳhud aaya thā

udāsī kā vo pahlā tajraba kitnā purānā hai

hamārī 'aks-bandī ho chukī thī tab ham aa.e the

ab aage kyā batā.eñ aa.ina kitnā purānā hai

kabhī chakkhā piyāle kā ye paanī kyā hai miTTī kyā

kabhī sochā ki ye dast-e-du'ā kitnā purānā hai

sara ki 'umr kya hai ham-sara kitna purana hai

purana 'ishq kya kuchh tha naya kitna purana hai

koi itna purana hai kahan taswir-e-'alam mein

kise puchhen ye sab achchha-bura kitna purana hai

hamein to aate-jate hi mila hai jab bhi dekha hai

ye rozana ka jhonka kya pata kitna purana hai

ye andaza badan ko hoga ya phir ruh ko hoga

qaba ko kya pata band-e-qaba kitna purana hai

zamin upar uThi thi ya falak niche KHud aaya tha

udasi ka wo pahla tajraba kitna purana hai

hamari 'aks-bandi ho chuki thi tab hum aae the

ab aage kya bataen aaina kitna purana hai

kabhi chakkha piyale ka ye pani kya hai miTTi kya

kabhi socha ki ye dast-e-du'a kitna purana hai