nukta-chīñ hai ġham-e-dil us ko sunā.e na bane
kyā bane baat jahāñ baat banā.e na bane
I cannot pour my heart to her, for she does criticize
How can I get my goal when I, cant even verbalize
maiñ bulātā to huuñ us ko magar ai jazba-e-dil
us pe ban jaa.e kuchh aisī ki bin aa.e na bane
I do call out to her, my feelings, but what can I say
Something happens and she cant help but stay away
khel samjhā hai kahīñ chhoḌ na de bhuul na jaa.e
kaash yuuñ bhī ho ki bin mere satā.e na bane
She should not forsake forget me ,for it is no play
Without my teasing, if only, she found it hard to stay
ġhair phirtā hai liye yuuñ tire ḳhat ko ki agar
koī pūchhe ki ye kyā hai to chhupā.e na bane
My rival roams, your message tucked so by his side
If someone were to ask what’s this, he’s unable to hide
is nazākat kā burā ho vo bhale haiñ to kyā
haath aaveñ to unheñ haath lagā.e na bane
Her daintiness be damned, tho noble, she may be as much
E’en when I manage to get hold, I’m unable to touch
kah sake kaun ki ye jalvagarī kis kī hai
parda chhoḌā hai vo us ne ki uThā.e na bane
Who can fathom who it is behind the veil concealed
Its been dropped in such a way it cannot be unveiled
maut kī raah na dekhūñ ki bin aa.e na rahe
tum ko chāhūñ ki na aao to bulā.e na bane
I do not wait for death for it will surely accrue
If I wish that you don’t come, I can’t call out to you
bojh vo sar se girā hai ki uThā.e na uThe
kaam vo aan paḌā hai ki banā.e na bane
The burden that’s fallen on my head I cannot unseat
A task has now befallen me that I cannot complete
ishq par zor nahīñ hai ye vo ātish ‘ġhālib’
ki lagā.e na lage aur bujhā.e na bane
Love is not in one’s control, this is that fire roused
It cannot be willed to ignite, nor can it be doused
