shikasta-dil andheri shab akela rahbar kyun ho
na ho jab ham-safar koi to apna bhi safar kyun ho

broken herted, why is the traveler alone in the dark night
when there is no one to walk beside, why am i on this journey

kisi ki yaad mein aansu ka rishta is tarah rakkho
ki dil pahlu agar badle to chehra tar-ba-tar kyun ho

in someone's memory, keep the ties with tgears in such a way
that if the heart were to change sides, why should the face be drenched

mere hamdam mere dilbar zara itna bata dena
koi bedard ho to dard dil mein is qadar kyun ho

my friend, my dear friend, tell me this much at least
why does the heart ache so much for one cruel

kabhi bhule se jo paigham un ka aaya bhi ek din
judai ki tadap mein roz aisa hi asar kyun ho

if perchance his message were to reach me someday
why should the torment of separation be the same every day

nashsha aankhon mein le kar so raho ai jagne walo
agar ye aankh khul jae to khwabon ka guzar kyun ho

you who remain wakeful sleep with intoxication in your eyes
if your eyes were to open, what would happen to their dreams

pareshan raat mein dil hai charagh-e-as ki manind
shab-e-wada na aae wo to raushan si sahar kyun ho

in the fretful night, the heart is like the lamp of hope
if he doesn't come on the promised night, why should the dawn be so bright

musalsal raat din chalna hai rah-e-ishq mein tanha
kisi ke waste ye rah aakhir mukhtasar kyun ho

one must walk alone all night and all day on the path of love
why should the rout be shortened for the sake of someone

mohabbat mein suna hai rah dil ki dil se hoti hai
agar yun 'indira' tadpe to jaanan be-khabar kyun ho

i have it said that in love, hearts are on the same track
then why is the beloved ignorant when indira tosses in agony