आँधी -जयशंकर प्रसाद

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is lekh ka punarikshan evan sampadan hona avashyak hai. ap isamean sahayata kar sakate haian. "sujhav"

chanda ke tat par bahut-se chhatanare vrikshoan ki chhaya hai, kintu maian pray: muchakund ke niche hi jakar tahalata, baithata aur kabhi-kabhi chaandani mean ooanghane bhi lagata. vahian mera vishram tha. vahaan meri ek sahachari bhi thi, kintu vah kuchh bolati n thi. vah rahatthoan ki bani huee moosadani-si ek jhop di thi, jisake niche pahale sathiya musaharin ka mota-sa kala ladaqa pet ke bal p da rahata tha. donoan kalaiyoan par sir teke hue bhagavanh ki anant karuna ko pranam karate hue usaka chitr aankhoan ke samane a jata. maian sathiya ko kabhi-kabhi kuchh de deta tha; par vah nahian ke barabar. use to majoori karake jine mean sukh tha. any musaharoan ki tarah aparadh karane mean vah chatur n thi. usako musaharoan ki basti se door rahane mean suvidha thi, vah muchakund ke phal ikatthe karake bechati, semar ki ruee bin leti, lak di ke gatthe bator kar bechati par usake in sab vyaparoan mean koee aur sahayak n tha. ek din vah mar hi to gee. tab bhi kalaee par se sir utha kar, karavat badal kar aang daee lete hue kalua ne keval ek janbhaee li thi. maianne socha-sneh, maya, mamata in saboan ki bhi ek ghareloo pathashala hai, jisamean utpann hokar shishu dhire-dhire inake abhinay ki shiksha pata hai. usaki abhivyakti ke prakar aur visheshata se vah akarshak hota hai sahi, kintu, maya-mamata kis prani ke hriday mean n hogi! musaharoan ko pata laga-ve kalloo ko le gaye. tab se is sthan ki nirjanata par garima ka ek aur rang chadh gaya.

maian ab bhi to vahian pahuanch jata hooan. bahut ghoom-phir kar bhi jaise muchakund ki chhaya ki or khianch jata hooan. aj ke prabhat mean kuchh adhik sarasata thi. mera hriday halaka-halaka sa ho raha tha. pavan mean madak sugandh aur shitalata thi. tal par nachati huee lal-lal kiranean vrikshoan ke antaral se b di suhavani lagati thian. maian parajate ke saurabh mean apane sir ko dhire-dhire hilata hua kuchh gunagunata chala ja raha tha. sahasa muchakund ke niche mujhe dhuana aur kuchh manushyoan ki chahal-pahal ka anuman hua. maian kutoohal se usi or badhऩe laga.

vahaan kabhi ek saray bhi thi, ab usaka dhvans bach raha tha. do-ek kothariyaan thian, kintu purani pratha ke anusar ab bhi vahian par pathik thaharate.

maianne dekha ki muchakund ke as-pas door tak ek vichitr jamav da hai. adh‌bhut shiviroan ki paanti mean yahaan par kanan-charoan, bina gharavaloan ki basti basi huee hai.

srishti ko arambh hue kitana samay bit gaya, kintu in abhagoan ko koee paha d ki talahati ya nadi ki ghati basane ke lie prastut n huee aur n inhean kahian ghar banane ki suvidha hi mili. ve aj bhi apane chalate-phirate gharoan ko janavaroan par lade hue ghoomate hi rahate haian! maian sochane laga-ye sabhy manav-samaj ke vidrohi haian, to bhi inaka ek samaj hai. sabhy sansar ke niyamoan ko kabhi n manakar bhi in logoan ne apane lie niyam banaye haian. kisi bhi tarah, jinake pas kuchh hai, unase le lena aur svatantr hokar rahana. inake sath sadaiv aj ke sansar ke lie vichitratapoorn sangrahalay rahata hai. ye achchhe ghu dasavar aur bhayanak vyapari haian. achchha, ye log kathor parishrami aur sansar-yatra ke upayukt prani haian, phir in logoan ne kahian basana, ghar banana kyoan nahian pasand kiya?-maian man-hi-man sochata hua dhire-dhire unake pas hone laga. kutoohal hi to tha. aj tak in logoan ke sambandh mean kitani hi batean sunata aya tha. jab nirjan chanda ka tal mere manovinod ki samagri ho sakata hai, tab aj usaka basa hua tat mujhe kyoan n akarshit karata? maian dhire-dhire muchakund ke pas pahuanch gaya. ek dal se bandha hua ek sundar bachhe da hari-hari doob kha raha tha aur lahanga-kurata pahane, rumal sir se baandhe hue ek ladaqi usaki pith sookhe ghas ke matthe se mal rahi thi. maian ruk kar dekhane laga. usane poochha-gho da loge, baboo?

nahian-kahate hue maian age badha tha, ki ek taruni ne jhop de se sir nikal kar dekha. vah bahar nikal aee. usane kaha-ap padhऩa janate haian?

haan, janata to hooan.

hinduoan ki chitthi ap padh leange?

maian usake sundar mukh ko kala ki drishti se dekh raha tha. kala ki drishti; thik to bauddh-kala, gandhar-kala, dravi doan ki kala ityadi nam se bharatiy moorti-saundary ke anek vibhag jo hai; jisase gadhऩ ka anuman hota hai. mere ekant jivan ko bitane ki samragi mean is tarah ka j d saundary-bodh bhi ek sthan rakhata hai. mera hriday sajiv prem se kabhi aplut nahian hua tha. maian is mook saundary se hi kabhi-kabhi apana manovinod kar liya karata. chitthi padhऩe ki bat poochhane par bhi maian apane man mean nishchay kar raha tha, ki yah vastavik gandhar pratima hai, ya gris aur bharat ka is saundary mean samanvay hai.

vah jhuanjhala kar boli-kya nahian padh sakoge?

chashma nahian hai, maianne sahasa kah kiya. yadyapi maian chashma nahian lagata, to bhi striyoan se bolane mean n jane kyoan mere man mean hichak hoti hai. maian unase darata bhi tha, kyoanki suna tha ki ve kisi vastu ko bechane ke lie pray: is tarah tang karati haian ki unase dam poochhane vale ko lekar hi chhootana p data hai. isamean unake purush log bhi sahayak ho jate haian, tab vah bechara grahak aur bhi jhanjhat mean phans jata. meri saundary ki anubhooti vilin ho gee. maian apane dainik jivan ke anusar tahalane ka upakram karane laga; kintu vah samane achal pratima ki tarah kh di ho gee. maianne kaha-kya hai?

chashma chahie? maian le ati hooan.

thaharo, thaharo, mujhe chashma n chahie.

kahakar maian soch raha tha ki kahian mujhe kharidana n p de. usane poochha-tab tum padh sakoge kaise?

maianne dekha ki bina padhe mujhe chhutti n milegi. maianne kaha-le ao, dekhooan, sambhav hai ki padh sakooan- usane apani jeb se ek buri tarah mu da hua patr nikala. maian use lekar man-hi-man padhऩe laga.

laila....,

tumane jo mujhe patr likha tha, use padh kar maian hansa bhi aur du:kh to hua hi. hansa isalie ki tumane doosare se apane man ka aisa khula hua hal kyoan kah diya. tum kitani bholi ho! kya tumako aisa patr doosare se likhavate hue hichak n huee. tumhara ghoomanevala parivar aisi batoan ko sahan karega? kya in prem ki batoan mean tum gambhirata ka tanik bhi anubhav nahian karati ho? aur dukhi isalie hua ki tum mujhase prem karati ho. yah kitani bhayanak bat hai. mere lie bhi aur tumhare lie bhi. tumane mujhe nimantrit kiya hai prem ke svatantr samrajy mean ghoomane ke lie, kintu tum janati ho, mujhe jivan ki thos jhanjhatoan se chhutti nahian. ghar mean meri stri hai, tin-tin bachche haian, un saboan ke lie mujhe khatana p data hai, kam karana p data hai. yadi vaisa n bhi hota, to bhi kya maian tumhare jivan ko apane sath ghasitane mean samarth hota? tum svatantr van-vihangini aur maian ek hindoo grihasth; anekoan rukavatean, bisoan bandhan. yah sab asambhav hai. tum bhool jao. jo svapn tum dekh rahi ho-usamean keval ham aur tum haian. sansar ka abhas nahian. maian sansar mean ek din aur jirn sukh lete hue jivan ki vibhinn avasthaoan ka samanvay karane ka prayatn kar raha hooan. n-maloom kab se manushy is bhayanak sukh ka anubhav kar raha hai. maian un manushyoan mean apavad nahian hooan, kyoanki yah sukh bhi tumhare svatantr sukh ki santati hai! vah arambh hai, yah parinam hai. phir bhi ghar basana p dega. phir vahi samasyaean samane aveangi. tab tumhara yah svapn bhang ho jayaga. prithvi thos aur kankarili rah jayagi. phool hava mean bikhar jayeange. akash ka virath mukh samast alok ko pi jayaga. andhakar keval andhakar mean jhuanjhalahat-bhara pashchatap, jivan ko apane dankoan se kshat-vikshat kar dega. isalie laila! bhool jao. tum charayari bechati ho. usase suna hai, chor pak de jate haian. kintu apane man ka chor pakadऩa kahian achchha hai. tumhare bhitar jo tumako chura raha hai, use nikal bahar karo. maianne tumase kaha tha ki bahut-se purane sikke kharidooanga, tum abaki bar pashchim jao to khojakar le ana. maian unhean achchhe damoan par le looanga. kintu tumako kharidana hai, apane ko bechana nahian, isalie mujhase prem karane ki bhool tum n karo.

haan, ab kabhi is tarah patr n bhejana kyoanki vah sab vyarth hai.

rameshvar

maian ek saans mean patr padh gaya, tab tak laila mera muanh dekh rahi thi. mera padhऩa kuchh aisa hi hua, jaise log apane mean barrate haian. maianne usaki or dekhate hue vah kagaz use lauta diya. usane poochha-isaka matalab?

matalab! vah phir kisi samay bataooanga. ab mujhe jalapan karana hai. maian jata hooan. kahakar maian mu da hi tha ki usane poochha-apaka ghar, baboo!-maianne chanda ke kinare apane saphed bangale ko dikha diya. laila patr hath mean liye vahian kh di rahi. maian apane bangale ki or chala. man mean sochata ja raha tha. rameshvar. vahi to rameshvaranath varma! kyooriyo marchent! usi ki likhavat hai. vah to mera parichit hai. mitr man lene mean man ko ek tarah ki a dachan hai. isalie maian pray: apane kahe janevale mitroan ko bhi jab apane man mean sambodhan karata hooan, to parichit hi kahakar! so bhi jab itana mane bina kam nahian chalata. mitr man lene par manushy usase shiv ke saman atm-tyag, bodhisatv ke sadrish sarvasv-samarpan ki jo asha karata hai aur usaki shakti ki sima ko pray: atiranjit dekhata hai. vaisi sthiti mean apane ko dalana mujhe pasand nahian. kyoanki jivan ka hisab-kitab us kalpanik ganit ke adhar par rakhane ka mera abhyas nahian, jisake dvara manushy sabake oopar apana pavana hi nikal liya karata hai.

akele jivan ke niyamit vyay ke liye sadharan pooanji ka byaj mere lie paryapt hai. maian sukhi vicharata hooan! haan, maian jalapan karake kurasi par baitha hua apani dak dekh raha tha. usamean ek liphapha thik unhian aksharoan mean likha hua-jinamean laila ka patr tha-nikala. maian utsukata se kholakar padhऩe laga-

bhaee shrinath

tumhara samachar bahut dinoan se nahian mila. tumhean yah janakar prasannata hogi ki ham log do saptah ke bhitar tumhare atithi hoange. chanda ki vayu ham logoan ko khianch rahi hai. minna to tang kar hi raha hai, usaki maan ko aur bhi utsukata hai. un saboan ko yahi soojhi hai, ki din bhar tal mean doangi par bhojan n karake hava khayeange aur pani piyeange. tumhean kasht to n hoga?

tumhara-rameshvar

patr padh lene par jaise kutoohal mere samane nachane laga. rameshvar ke parivar ka sneh, unake madhur jhag de; man-manauval-samajhauta aur abhav mean bhi santosh; kitana sundar! maian kalpana karane laga. rameshvar ek saphal kadamb hai, jisake oopar malati ki lata apani saik doan ulajhanoan se, anand ki chhaya aur aliangan ka sneh-surabhi dhal rahi hai.

rameshvar ka byah maianne dekha tha. rameshvar ke hath ke oopar malati ki pili hatheli, jisake oopar jaladhara p d rahi thi. sachamuch yah sambandh kitana shital hua. us samay maian hans raha tha-balika malati aur kishor rameshvar! hindoo-samaj ka yah parihas-yah bhishan mano-vinod! to bhi maianne dekha, kahian bhoochal nahian hua-kahian jvalamukhi nahian phoota. bahiya ne koee gaanv bahaya nahian. rameshvar aur malati apane sukh ki phasal har sal katate haian. ...maianne jo socha-abhi-abhi jo vichar mere man mean aya, vah n likhooanga. meri kshudrata jalan ke roop mean prakat hogi. kintu maian sach kahata hooan, mujhe rameshvar se jalan nahian, to bhi mere us vichar ka mithya arth log laga hi leange. aj-kal manovijnan ka yug hai n. pratyek ne manovrittiyoan ke lie hriday ko kabootar ka daraba bana dala hai. inake lie saphed, nila, surkh ka shreni-vibhag kar liya gaya hai. utani prakar ki manovrittiyoan ko ginakar vargikaran kar lene ka sahas bhi hone laga hai.

to bhi maianne us bat ko soch hi liya. mere sadharan jivan mean ek lahar uthi. prasannata ki snigdh lahar! parivarik sukhoan se lipata hua, pranay-kalah dekhooanga; mere dayitv-vihin jivan ka vah manovinod hoga. maian rameshvar ko patr likhane laga-

bhaee rameshvar!

tumhare patr ne mujh par prasannata ki varsha ki hai. mere shoony jivan ko anand kolahal se, kuchh hi dinoan ke lie sahi bhar dene ka tumhara prayatn, mere lie sukh ka karan hoga, tum avashy ao aur sabako sath lekar ao!

tumhara-shrinath

punashch-

banbee se ate hue sooran avashy lete ana! yahaan vaisa nahian milata. sooran ki tarakari ki garami mean hi tum log chanda ki thandi hava jhel sakoge aur sath-sath apani chalati-phirati dookan ka ek baks, jis par ham logoan ki batachit ki parampara lagi rahe.

-shrinath

dopahar ka bhojan kar lene ke bad maian tho di der avashy letata hooan koee poochhata hai, to kah deta hooan ki yah nidra nahian bhaee, tandra hai, svasthy ko maian use apane aram se chalane deta hooan! chikitsakoan se salah poochhakar usamean chhe d-chha d karana mujhe thik nahian janchata. sach bat to yah hai ki mujhe vartaman yug ki chikitsa mean vaisa hi vishvas hai, jaise pashchaty puratatvajnoan ki khoj par. jaise ve saanchi aur amaravati ke stambh tatha shilp ke chihnoan mean vastr pahani huee moortiyoan ko dekhakar, grik shilp-kala ka abhas pa jate haian aur kalpana kar baithate haian ki bharatiy bauddh kala aisi ho hi nahian sakati, kyoanki ve kap da pahanana janate hi n the. phir chahe ap tripitak se hi praman kyoan n dean ki bina antarvasak, chivar ityadi ke bharat ka koee bhi bhikshu nahian rahata tha; par ve kab mananevale! vaise hi chikitsak ke pas sir mean dard hone ki dava khojane gaye ki vah pet se usaka sambandh jo dakar koee rechak aushadhi de hi dega. bechara kabhi n sochega ki koee gambhir vichar karate hue, jivan ki kisi kathinaee se takarate rahane se bhi pi da ho sakati hai. to bhi maian halki-si tandra keval tabiyat banane ke lie le hi leta hooan.

sharadh-kal ki ujali dhoop tal ke nile jal par phail rahi thi. aankhoan mean chakachauandhi lag rahi thi. maian kamare mean p da aang daee le raha tha. dulare ne akar kaha-eerani-nahian-nahian baloochi aye haian. maianne poochha-kaise eerani aur baloochi?

vahi jo mooanga, phiroza, charayari bechate haian, sir mean rumal baandhe hue.

maian uth kh da hua, dalan mean akar dekhata hooan, to ek bis baras ke yuvak ke sath laila. gale mean cham de ka beg, pith par choti, chhiant ka rumal. ek nirala akarshak chitr! laila ne hansakar poochha-baboo, charayari loge?

charayari?

haan baboo! charayari! isake rahane se isake pas sona, asharphi rahega. thaili kabhi khali n hogi. aur baboo! isase chori ka mal bahut jald pak da jata hai.

sath hi yuvak ne kaha-le lo baboo! asali charayari; sona ka charayari! ek baboo ke lie laya tha. vah mila nahian.

maian ab tak un donoan ki suramili aankhoan ko dekh raha tha. surame ka ghera gore-gore muanh par aankh ki vistrit satta ka svatantr sakshi tha. patali lambi gardan par khilaune-sa muanh tapatap bol raha tha! maiannean kaha-mujhe to charayari nahian chahie.

kintu vahaan sunata kaun hai, donoan sidhi par baith gaye the aur laila apana beg khol rahi thi. kee potaliyaan nikalian, sahasa laila ke muanh ka rang u d gaya. vah ghabarakar kuchh apani bhasha mean kahane lagi. yuvak uth kh da hua. maian kuchh n samajh saka. vah chala gaya. ab laila ne muskarate hue, beg mean se vahi patr nikala. maianne kaha-ise to maian padh chuka hooan.

isaka matalab!

vah tumhari charayari kharidane phir avega. yahi isamean likha hai-maianne kaha.

bas! itana hi?

aur bhi kuchh hai.

kya baboo?

aur jo usane likha hai, vah maian nahian kah sakata-

kyoan baboo? kyoan n kah sakoge? bolo.

laila ki vani mean puchakar, dular, jhidaqi aur ajna thi.

yah sab bat maian nahian ......

bich mean hi bat katakar usane kaha-nahian kyoan? tum janate ho, nahian bologe?

usane likha hai, maian tumako pyar karata hooan.

likha hai, baboo!-laila ki aankhoan mean svarg hansane laga! vah phurati se patr mo dakar rakhati huee hansane lagi. maianne apane man mean kaha-ab yah poochhegi, vah kab avega? kahaan milega?-kintu laila ne yah sab kuchh nahian poochha. vah sidhiy़oan par arddh-shayanavastha mean jaise koee sundar sapana dekhati huee muskara rahi thi. yuvak dau data hua aya; usane apani bhasha mean kuchh ghabara kar kaha par laila lete-hi-lete kuchh boli. yuvak bhi baith gaya. laila ne meri or dekhakar kaha-to baboo! vah avega. meri charayari kharidega. gul se bhi kah do. maianne samajh liya ki yuvak ka nam gul hai. maianne kaha-haan, vah tumhari charayari kharidane aveange. gul ne laila ki or prasann drishti se dekha.

parantu maian, jaise bhayabhit ho gaya. apane oopar sandeh hone laga. laila sundari thi, par usake bhitar bhayanak rakshas ki akriti thi ya devamoorti! yah bina jane maianne kya kah diya! isaka parinam bhishan bhi ho sakata hai. maian sochane laga. rameshvar ko mitr to manata nahian, kintu mujhe usase shatruta karane ka kya adhikar hai?

chanda ke dakshini tat par thik mere bangale ke samane ek pathashala thi. usamean ek sianhali sajjan rahate the. n jane kahaan-kahaan se unako chanda milata tha. ve pas-p dos ke ladaqoan ko bulakar padhane ke lie bithate the. do mastaroan ko vetan dete the. unaka vishvas tha ki chanda ka tat kisi din tathagat ke pavitr charan-chihn se aankit hua tha, ve aj bhi unhean khojate the. b de shant prakriti ke jiv the. unaka shyamal sharir, kunchit kesh, tikshn drishti, sianhali visheshata se poorn vinay, madhur vani aur kuchh-kuchh mote adharoan mean chaubisoan ghante basane vali hansi akarshan se bhari thi. maian kabhi-kabhi jab jibh mean khujalahat hoti, vahaan pahuanch jata. aj ki vah ghatana mere gambhir vichar ka vishay banakar mujhe vyast kar rahi thi. maian apani doangi par baith gaya. din abhi ghante-dedh-ghante baki tha. us par khekar doangi le jate bahut der nahian huee. maian pathashala aur tal ke bich ke udyan ko dekh raha tha. khajoor aur nariyal ke ooanche-ooanche vrikshoan ko jisamean nirali chhata thi. ek naya pipal apane chikane pattoan ki hariyali mean jhoom raha tha. usake niche shila par prajnasarathi baithe the. nav ko atakakar maian unake samip pahuancha. ast hone vale soory-bimb ki rangili kiranean unake prashant mukhamandal par p d rahi thian. do dhaee hazar varsh pahale ka chitr dikhaee p da, jab bharat ki pavitrata hajaroan kos se logoan ko vasana-daman karana sikhane ke lie amantrit karati thi. aj bhi adhyatmik rahasyoan ke us desh mean us mahati sadhana ka ashirvad bacha hai. abhi bhi bodh-vriksh panapate haian! jivan ki jatil avashyakata ko tyag kar jab kashay pahane sandhya ke soory ke rang mean rang milate hue dhyan-stimit-lochan moortiyaan abhi dekhane mean ati hai, tab jaise mujhe apani satta ka vishvas hota hai, aur bharat ki apoorvata ka anubhav hota hai. apani satta ka isalie ki maian bhi tyag ka abhinay karata hooan n! aur bharat ke lie to mujhe poorn vishvas hai ki isaki vijay dharm mean haian.

adharoan mean kunchit hansi, aankhoan mean prakash bhare prajnasarathi ne mujhe dekhate hue kaha-aj meri ichchha thi ki apase bheant ho.

maianne hansate hue kaha-achchha hua ki maian pratyaksh hi a gaya. nahian to dhyan mean badha p dati.

shrinathaji! mere dhyan mean apake ane ki sambhavana n thi. to bhi aj ek vishay par apaki sammati ki avashyakata hai.

maian bhi kuchh kahane ke lie hi yahaan aya hooan. pahale maian kahooan ki ap hi arambh kareange?

sathiya ke l dake kalloo ke sambandh mean to apako kuchh nahian kahana hai? mere bahut kahane par musaharoan ne use padhऩe ke lie meri pathashala mean rakh diya hai aur usake palan ke bhar se apane ko mukt kar liya. ab vah sat baras ka ho gaya hai. achchhi tarah khata-pita hai. saph-suthara rahata hai. kuchh-kuchh padhata bhi hai!-prajnasarathi ne kaha.

chalie, achchha hua! ek raste par lag gaya. phir jaisa usake bhagy mean ho. mera man in ghareloo bandhanoan mean p dane ke lie virakt-sa hai, phir bhi n jane kyoan kalloo ka dhyan a hi jata hai-maianne kaha.

tab to achchhi bat hai, ap is kritrim virakti se oob chale haian, to kuchh kam karane lagie. maian bhi ghar jana chahata hooan, n ho to pathashala hi chalaie-kahate hue prajnasarathi ne meri or gambhirata se dekha.

mere man mean halachal huee. maian ek bakavadi manushy! kisi vishay par gambhirata ka abhinay karake tho di der tak saphal vad-vivad chala dena aur phir vishvas karana; itana hi to mera abhyas tha. kam karana, kisi dayitv ko sir par lena asambhav! maian chup raha. vah mera muanh dekh rahe the. maian chaturata se nikal jana chahata tha. yadi maian tho di der aur usi tarah sannata rakhata, to mujhe haan ya nahian kahana hi p data. maianne vivahavala chutakula chhe d hi to diya.

ap to virakt bhikshu haian. ab ghar jane ki avashyakata kaise a p di?

bhikshu! ashchary se prajnasarathi ne kaha-maian to brahmachary mean hooan. vidyabhyas aur dharm ka anushilan kar raha hooan. yadi maian chahooan to pravrajya le sakata hooan, nahian to grihi banane mean koee dharmik apatti nahian. sianhal mean to yahi pratha prachalit hai. mere vichar se yah prachin ary-pratha bhi thi! maian garhasthy-jivan se parichit hona chahata hooan.

to ap byah kareange?

kyoan nahian; vahi karane to ja raha hooan.

dekhata hooan, striyoan par apako poorn vishvas hai.

avishvas karane ka karan hi kya hai? itihas mean, akhyayikaoan mean kuchh striyoan aur purushoan ka dusht charitr padhaqar mujhe apane aur apani bhavi sahadharmini par avishvas kar lene ka koee adhikar nahian? pratyek vyakti ko apani pariksha deni chahie.

vivahit jivan! sukhadayak hoga?-maianne poochha.

kisi karm ko karane ke pahale usamean sukh ki hi khoj karana kya atyant avashyak hai? sukh to dharmacharan se milata hai. anyatha sansar to du:khamay hai hi! sansar ke karmoan ko dharmikata ke sath karane mean sukh ki hi sambhavana hai.

kintu byah-jaise karm se to sidha-sidha stri se sambandh hai. stri! kitani vichitr paheli hai. ise janana sahaj nahian. bina jane hi usase apana sambandh jo d lena, kitani b di bhool hai, brahmachariji!-maianne hans kar kaha.

bhaee, tum b de chatur ho. khoob soch-samajhakar, parakhakar tab sambandh jodऩa chahate ho n; kintu meri samajh mean sambandh hue bina parakhane ka doosara upay nahian. prajnasarathi ne gambhirata se kaha. maian chup hokar sochane laga. abhi-abhi jo maianne ek kand ka bijaropan kiya hai, vah kya laila ke svabhav se parichit hokar! maian apani moorkhata par man-hi-man tilamila utha. maianne kalpana se dekha, laila pratihiansa bhari ek bhayanak rakshasi hai, yadi vah apane jati-svabhav ke anusar rameshvar ke sath badala lene ki pratijna kar baithe, tab kya hoga?

prajnasarathi ne phir kaha-mera jana to nishchit hai. tamraparni ki tarang-malaean mujhe bula rahi haian! meri ek prarthana hai. ap kabhi-kabhi akar isaka nirikshan kar liya kijie.

mujhe ek bahana mila, maianne kaha-maianne baithe-bithaye ek jhanjhat bula li hai. maian dekhata hooan ki kuchh dinoan tak to mujhe usamean phansana hi p dega.

prajnasarathi ne poochha-vah kya?

maianne laila ka patr padhऩe aur usake bad ka sab vrittaant kah sunaya. prajnasarathi chup rahe, phir unhoanne kaha-apane is kam ko khoob soch-samajh kar karane ki avashyakata par to dhyan n diya hoga, kyoanki isaka phal doosare ko bhogane ki sambhavana hai n!

mujhe prajnasarathi ka yah vyang achchha n laga. maianne kaha-sambhav hai ki mujhe bhi kuchh bhogana p de.

bhaee maian dekhata hooan, sansar mean bahut-se aiese kam manushy ko karane p date haian, jinhean vah svapn mean bhi nahian sochata. akasmath ve prasang samane akar gurrane lagate haian, jinase bhag kar jan bachana hi usaka abhisht hota hai. maian bhi isi tarah byah karane ke lie sianhal ja raha hooan.

andhakar ko bhed kar sharadh ka chandrama nariyal aur khajoor ke vrikshoan par dikhaee dene laga tha. chanda ka tal lahariyoan mean prasann tha. maian kshan bhar ke lie prakriti ki us sundar chitrapati ko tanmay hokar dekhane laga.

kalua ne jab prajnasarathi ko bhojan karane ki soochana di, mujhe smaran hua ki mujhe us par jana hai. maianne doosare din ane ko kah kar prajnasarathi se chhutti maangi.

doangi par baithakar maian dhire-dhire daan d chalane laga.

maian anamana-sa daan d chalata hua kabhi chandrama ko aur kabhi chanda tal ko dekhata. nav saral andolan mean tir rahi thi. bar-bar sianhali prajnasarathi ki bat sochata jata tha. maianne ghoomakar dekha, to kunj se ghira hua pathashala ka bhavan chanda ke shubhrajal mean pratibimbit ho raha tha! chanda ka vah tat samudr-upakool ka ek khand-chitr tha. man-hi-man sochane laga-maian karata hi kya hooan, yadi maian pathashala ka hi nirikshan karooan, to hani kya? man bhi lagega aur samay bhi katega. -ab maian door chala aya tha. samane muchakund vriksh ki nil akriti dikhalaee p di. mujhe laila ka phir smaran a gaya. kitani saral, svatantr aur sahasikata se bhari huee ramani hai. suramili aankhoan mean kitana nasha hai aur apane madak upakaranoan se bhi rameshvar ko apani or akarshit karane mean vah asamarth hai. rameshvar par mujhe krodh aya aur laila ko phir apane vicharoan se ulajhate dekh kar jhuanjhala utha. ab kinara samip ho chala tha. maian muchakund ki or se nav ghumane ko tha ki mujhe us prashant jal mean do shir tairate hue dikhaee p de. sharadh-kal ki shital rajani mean un tairanevaloan par mujhe ashchary hua. maianne daan d chalana band kar diya. donoan tairanevale doangi ke pas a chale the. maianne chandrika ke alok mean pahachan liya, vah laila ka sundar mukh tha. kumadini ki tarah praphull chaandani mean hansata hua laila ka mukh! maianne pukara-laila! vah bolane hi ko thi ki usake sathavala mukh gurra utha. maianne samajha ki usaka sathi gul hoga; kintu laila ne kaha-chup, babooji haian. ab maianne pahachana-vah ek bhayanak taji kutta hai, jo laila ke sath tair raha tha. laila ne kaha-babooji, ap kahaan? meri doangi ke ek or laila ka hath tha aur doosari or kutte ke donoan agale panje. maianne kaha-yoan hi ghoomane aya tha aur tum rat ko tairati ho? laila.

dinabhar kam karane ke bad ab to chhutti mili hai, badan thanda kar rahi hooan-laila ne kaha.

vah ek adh‌bhut drishy tha. itane dinoan tak maian jivan ke akele dinoan ko kat chuka hooan. anek avasar vichitr ghatanaoan se poorn aur manoranjak mile haian; kintu aisa drishy to maianne kabhi n dekha. maianne poochha-aj ki rat to bahut thandi hai, laila!

usane kaha-nahian, b di garm.

donoan ne apani rukavat hata li. doangi chalane ko svatantr thi. laila aur usaka sathi donoan tairane lage. maian phir apane bangale ki or doangi khene laga. kinare par pahuanch kar dekhata hooan ki dulare kh da hai. maianne poochha-kyoan re! too kab se yahaan hai?

usane kaha-apako ane mean der huee, isalie maian aya hooan. rasoee thandi ho rahi hai.

maian doangi se utar p da aur bangale ki or chala. mere man mean n jane kyoan sandeh ho raha tha ki dulare jan-boojhakar parakhane aya tha. laila se batachit karate hue usane mujhe avashy dekha hai. to kya vah mujh par kuchh sandeh karata hai? mera man dulare ko sandeh karane ka avasar dekar jaise kuchh prasann hi hua. bangale par pahuanchakar maian bhojan karane baith gaya. svabhav ke anusar sharir to apana niyamit sab karata hi raha, kintu so jane par bhi vahi sapana dekhata raha.

aj bahut vilamb se sokar utha. alas se kahian ghoomane-phirane ki ichchha n thi. maianne apani kothari mean hi asan jamaya. meri aankhoan mean vah ratri ka drishy abhi ghoom raha tha. maianne lakh cheshta ki kintu laila aur vah sianhali bhikshu donoan hi ne mere hriday ko akha da bana liya tha. maianne virakt hokar vichar-parampara ko to dane ke liye baansuri bajana arambh kiya. asavari ke gambhir vilambit alapoan mean phir bhi laila ki premapoorn akriti jaise banane lagati. maianne baansuri bajana band kiya aur thik vishramakal mean hi maianne dekha ki prajnasarathi samane kh de haian. maianne unhean baithate hue poochha-aj ap idhar kaise bhool p de?

yah prashn meri vichar-vishriankhalata ke karan hua tha, kyoanki ve to pray: mere yahaan aya hi karate the. unhoanne hans kar kaha-mera ana bhoolakar nahian, kintu karan se hua hai. kahiye, apane us vishay mean kuchh sthir kiya?

maianne anajan banakar poochha-kis vishay mean?

prajnasarathi ne kaha-vahi pathashala ki dekh-rekh karane ke lie, jaisa maianne us din apase kaha tha.

maianne bat u dane ke dhang se kaha-ap to soch-vicharakar kam karane mean vishvas hi nahian rakhate. apaka to yahi kahana hai n ki manushy pray: anichchhavash bahut-se kam karane ke lie badhy hota hai, to phir mujhe us par sochane-vicharane ki kya avashyakata thi? jab vaisa avasar avega, tab dekha jayaga.

kripaya meri batoan ka manonukool arth n lagaie. yah to maian manata hooan ki ap apane dhang se vichar karane ke lie svatantr haian; kintu unhean kriyatmak roop dene ke samay apaki svatantrata mean mera vishvas sandigdh ho jata hai. pray: dekha jata hai, ham log kya karane jakar kya kar baithate haian, to bhi ham usaki zimmedari se chhootate nahian. man lijie ki laila ke hriday mean ek durasha utpann karake apane rameshvar ke jivan mean a dachan dal di hai. sambhav hai, yah ghatana sadharan n rah kar koee bhishan kand upasthit kar sakati hai aur apaka mitr apane anisht karanevale ko n bhi pahachan sake, to kya ap apane hi man ke samane isake lie aparadhi n thahareange?

prajnasarathi ki ye batean mujhe bedhangi-si jan p dian kyoanki us samay mujhe unaka ana aur mujhe upadesh dene ka dhoang rachana asahy hone laga. meri ichchha hoti thi ki ve kisi tarah bhi yahaan se chale jate; to bhi mujhe unhean uttar dene ke lie itana to kahana hi p da ki-ap kachche adrishtavadi haian. apake jaisa vichar rakhane par maian to ise is tarah sulajhaooanga ki aparadh karane mean aur dand dene mean manushy ek doosare ka sahayak hota hai. ham aj jo kisi ko hani pahuanchate haian, ya kasht dete haian, vah itane hi ke lie nahian ki usane meri koee buraee ki hai. ho sakata hai ki maian usake kisi aparadh ka yah dand samaj-vyavastha ke kisi maulik niyam ke anusar de raha hooan. phir chahe mera yah dand dena bhi aparadh ban jay aur usaka phal bhi mujhe bhogana p de. mere is kahane par prajnasarathi ne hans diya aur kaha-shrinathaji, maian apaki dand-vyavastha hi to karane aya hooan. ap apane bekar jivan ko meri begar mean laga dijie. maianne pind chhu dane ke lie kaha- achchha, tin din sochane ka avasar dijie.

prajnasarathi chale gaye aur maian chupachap sochane laga. mere svatantr jivan mean maan ke mar jane ke bad yah doosari ulajhan thi. nishchint jivan ki kalpana ka anubhav maianne itane dinoan tak kar liya tha. maianne dekha ki mere nirash jivan mean ullas ka chhianta bhi nahian. yah jnan mere hriday ko aur aur bhi sparsh karane laga. maian jitana hi vicharata tha, utana hi mujhe nishchintata aur nirasha ka abhed dikhalaee p data tha. mere alasi jivan mean sakriyata ki pratidhvani hone lagi. to bhi kam n karane ka svabhav mere vicharoan ke bich mean jaise vyang se muskara deta tha.

tin dinoan tak maianne socha aur vichar kiya. ant mean prajnasarathi ki vijay huee kyoanki meri drishti mean prajnasarathi ka kam nam ke lie to avashy tha, kintu karane mean kuchh bhi nahian ke barabar.

maianne apana hriday dridh kiya aur prajnasarathi se jakar kah diya ki-maian pathashala ka nirikshan karooanga, kintu mere mitr anevale haian aur jab tak yahaan raheange, tab tak to maian apana bangala n chho dooanga kyoanki yahaan un logoan ke ane se apako asuvidha hogi. phir jab ve log chale jayeange, tab maian yahian akar rahane lagooanga.

mere sianghali mitr ne hans kar kaha-abhi to ek mahine yahaan maian avashy rahooanga. yadi ap abhi se yahaan chale avean to, b da achchha ho, kyoanki mere rahate yahaan ka sab prabandh apaki samajh mean a jayaga. rah gee meri asuvidha ki bat, so to keval apaki kalpana hai. maian apake mitroan ko yahaan dekhakar prasann hi hoooanga. jagah ki kami bhi nahian.

maian ‘achchha’ kah kar unase chhutti lene ke lie uth kh da hua; kintu prajnasarathi ne mujhe phir se baithate hue kaha-dekhie shrinathaji, yah pathashala ka bhavan poornat: apake adhikar mean rahega. bhikshuoan ke rahane ke lie to sangharam ka bhag alag hai hi aur usamean jo kamare abhi adhoore haian, unhean shighr hi poora karakar tab maian jaooanga aur apane sangh se maian isaki pakki likha-padhi kar raha hooan ki ap pathashala ke ajivan avaitanik pradhanadhyaksh raheange aur usamean kisi ko hastakshep karane ka adhikar n hoga.

maian us yuvak bauddh mishanari ki yuktipoorn vyavaharikata dekh kar man-hi-man chakit ho raha tha. ek kshan bhar ke lie us sianhali ki vyavahar-kushal buddhi se maian bhitar-hi-bhitar oob utha. meri ichchha huee ki maian spasht asvikar kar dooan; kintu n jane kyoan maian vaisa n kar saka. maianne kaha-to apako mujhamean itana vishvas hai ki maian ajivan apaki pathashala chalata rahooanga!

prajnasarathi ne kaha-shakti ki pariksha doosaroan hi par hoti hai; yadi mujhe apaki shakti ka anubhav ho, to kuchh ashchary ki bat nahian. aur ap to janate hi haian ki dharmik manushy vishvasi hota hai. sookshm roop se jo kalyan-jyoti manavata mean antarnihit hai, maian to usamean adhik-se-adhik shraddha karata hooan. vipathagami hone par vahi sant ho karake manushy ka anushasan karati hai, yadi usaki pashuta hi prabal n ho gee ho, to.

maianne prajnasarathi ki aankhoan se aankh milate hue dekha, usamean tivr sanyam ki jyoti chamak rahi thi, maian prativad n kar saka, aur yah kahate hue kh da hua ki- achchha, jaisa ap kahate haian vaisa hi hoga!

maian dhire-dhire bangale ki or laut raha tha. raste mean achanak dekhata hooan ki dulare dau da hua chala a raha hai. maianne poochha-kya hai re?

usane kaha-babooji, gho daga di par bahut-se adami aye haian. ve log apako poochh rahe haian.

maianne samajh liya ki rameshvar a gaya. dulare se kaha ki-too dau d ja, maian yahian kh da hooan. un logoan ko saman-sahit yahian liva la!

dulare to bangale ki or bhaga, kintu maian usi jagah avichal bhav se kh da raha. man mean vicharoan ki aandhi uthane lagi, rameshvar to a gaya aur ve eerani bhi yahian haian. oh, maianne kaisi moorkhata ki! to mere man ko jaise dhadhas hua ki rameshvar mere bangale mean nahian thaharata hai. is bauddh pathashala tak laila kyoan ane lagi? jaise laila ko vahaan ane mean koee daivi badha ho. phir mera sir chakarane laga. maianne kalpana ki aankhoan se dekha ki laila abadhagati se chalane vali ek nirjharani hai. pashchim ki sarrate se bhari huee vayutarang-mala hai. usako rokane ki kisamean samathry hai; aur phir akele rameshvar hi to nahian, usaki stri bhi usake sath hai. apani moorkhatapoorn karani se mera hi dam ghutane laga. maian kh da-kh da jhil ki or dekh raha tha. usamean chhoti-chhoti lahariyaan uth rahi thian, jinamean soory ki kiranean pratibimbit hokar aankhoan ko chauandhiya deti thian. maianne aankhe band kar lian. ab maian kuchh nahian sochata tha. ga di ki gharagharahat ne mujhe sajag kiya. maianne dekha ki rameshvar ga di ka palla kholakar vahian s dak mean utar raha hai.

maian usase gale mil shighrata se kahane laga-ga di par baith jao. maian bhi chalata hooan. yahian pas hi chalana hai.-usane ga divan se chalane ke lie kaha. ham donoan sath-sath paidal hi chale. pathashala ke samip prajnasarathi apani rahasyapoorn muskarahat ke sath agavani karane ke lie kh de the.

do dinoan mean ham log achchhi tarah rahane lage. ghar ka kona-kona avashyak chijoan se bhar gaya. prajnasarathi isamean barabar ham logoan ke sathi ho rahe the aur sabase adhik ashchary mujhe malati ko dekh kar hua. vah mano is jivan ki sampoorn grihasthi yahaan saja kar rahegi. malati ek svasth yuvati thi; kintu door se dekhane mean apani chhoti-si akriti ke karan vah balika-si lagati thi. usaki tinoan santanean b di sundar thian. minna chhah baras ka, rajjan char ka aur kamalo do ki thi. kamalo sachamuch ek gudiy़a thi, kalloo ka usase itana ghana parichay ho gaya ki donoan ko ek doosare bina chain nahian. maian sochata tha ki prani kya snehamay hi utpann hota hai. ajnat pradeshoan se akar vah sansar mean janm leta hai. phir apane lie snehamay sambandh bana leta hai; kintu maian sadaiv in buri batoan se bhagata hi raha. ise maian apana saubhagy kahooan, ya durbhagy?

inhian kee dinoan mean rameshvar ke prati mere hriday mean itana sneh um da ki maian use ek kshan chho dane ke lie prastut n tha. ab ham log sath baithakar bhojan karate, sath hi tahalane nikalate. batoan ka to ant hi n tha. kalloo tinoan ladaqoan ko bahalaye rahata. dulare khane-pine ka prabandh kar leta. rameshvar se meri batean hoti aur malati chupachap suna karati. kabhi-kabhi bich mean koee achchhi-si mithi bat bol bhi deti.

aur prajnasarathi ko to mano ek pathashala hi mil gee thi. ve garhasthy-jivan ka chupachap achchha-sa adhyayan kar rahe the.

ek din maian bazar se akela laut raha tha. bangale ke pas maian pahuancha hi tha, ki laila mujhe dikhaee p di. vah apane gho de par savar thi. maian kshan bhar tak vicharata raha ki kya karooan. tab tak gho de se utar kar vah mere pas chali aee. maian kh da ho gaya tha. usane poochha-babooji, ap kahian chale gaye the?

haan!

ab is bangale mean ap nahian rahate?

maian tumase ek bat kahana chahata hooan, laila. maianne ghabara kar usase kaha.

kya babooji?

vah chitthi.

hai mere hi pas, kyoan?

maianne usamean kuchh jhooth kaha tha.

jhooth! laila ki aankhoan se bijali nikalane lagi thi.

haan laila! usamean rameshvar ne likha tha ki maian tumako nahian chahata, mujhe bal-bachche haian.

aian! tum jhoothe! dagabaj! .... kahati huee laila apani chhuri ki or dekhati huee daant pisane lagi.

maianne kaha-laila, tum mera kasoor.....

tum mere dil se dillagi karate the! kitane ranj ki bat hai! vah kuchh n kah saki. vahian baithakar rone lagi. maianne dekha ki yah b di aphat hai. koee mujhe is tarah yahaan dekhega to kya kahega. maian turant vahaan se chal dena chahata tha, kintu laila ne aansoo bhari aankhoan se meri or dekhate hue kaha-tumane mere lie duniya mean ek b di achchhi bat sunaee thi. vah meri hansi thi! ise jan kar aj mujhe itana gussa ata hai ki maian tumako mar dalooan ya ap hi mar jaooan.-laila daant pis rahi thi. maian kaanp utha-apane pranoan ke bhay se nahian kintu laila ke sath adrisht ke khilava d par aur apani moorkhata par. maianne prarthana ke dhang se kaha-laila, maianne tumhare man ko thes laga di hai-isaka mujhe b da du:kh hai. ab tum usako bhool jao.

tum bhool sakate ho, maian nahian! maian khoon karooangi!-usaki aankhoan se jvala nikal rahi thi.

kisaka, laila! mera?

oh nahian, tumhara nahian, tumane ek din mujhe sabase b da aram diya hai. ho, vah jhootha. tumane achchha nahian kiya tha, to bhi maian tumako apana dost samajhati hooan.

tab kisaka khoon karogi?

usane gahari saans le kar kaha-apana ya kisi..... phir chup ho gee. maianne kaha-tum aisa n karogi, laila! mera aur kuchh kahane ka sahas nahian hota tha. usi ne phir poochha-vah jo tej hava chalati hai, jisamean bijali chamakati hai, baraph girati hai, jo b de-b de pe doan ko to d dalati hai....ham logoan ke gharoan ko u da le jati hai.

aandhi!-maianne bich hi mean kaha.

haan, vahi mere yahaan chal rahi hai!-kahakar laila ne apani chhati par hath rakh diya.

laila!-maianne adhir hokar kaha.

maian usako ek bar dekhana chahati hooan.-usane bhi vyakulata se meri or dekhate hue kaha.

maian use dikha dooanga; par tum usaki koee buraee to n karogi?-maianne kaha.

hush!-kahakar laila ne apani kali aankhean uthakar meri or dekha.

maianne kaha-achchha laila! maian dikha dooanga.

kal mujhase yahian milana. kahati huee vah apane gho de par savar ho gee. udas laila ke bojh se vah gho da bhi dhire-dhire chalane laga aur laila jhuki huee-si us par mano kisi tarah baithi thi.

maian vahian tho di der tak kh da raha. aur phir dhire-dhire anichchhapoorvak pathashala ki or lauta. prajnasarathi pipal ke niche shilakhand par baithe the. minna unake pas kh da unaka muanh dekh raha tha. prajnasarathi ki rahasyapoorn hansi aj adhik udar thi. maianne dekha ki vah udasin videshi apani samasya hal kar chuka hai. bachchoan ki chahal-pahal ne usake jivan mean vanchhit parivartan la diya hai. aur maian?

maian kah chuka tha, isalie doosare din laila se bheant karane pahuancha. dekhata hooan ki vah pahale hi se vahaan baithi hai. nirasha se udas usaka muanh aj pila ho raha tha. usane hansane ki cheshta nahian ki aur n maianne hi. usane poochha-to kab, kahaan chalana hoga? maian to soorat mean usase mili thi! vahian usane meri chitthi ka javab diya tha. ab kahaan chalana hoga?

maian bhauanchak-sa ho gaya. laila ko vishvas tha ki soorat, bambee, kashmir vah chahe kahian ho, maian use livakar chalooanga hi. aur rameshvar se bheant kara dooanga. sambhavat: usane mere parihas ka dand nirdharit kar liya tha. maian sochane laga-kya kahooan.

laila ne phir kaha-maian usaki buraee n karooangi, tum daro mat.

maianne kaha-vah yahian a gaya hai. usake bal-bachche sab sath haian! laila, tum chalogi?

vah ek bar sir se pair tak kaanp uthi! aur maian bhi ghabara gaya. mere man mean nee ashanka huee. aj maian kya doosari bhool karane ja raha hooan? usane samhalakar kaha-haan chalooangi, baboo! maianne gahari drishti se usake muanh ki or dekha, to andh d nahian, kintu ek shital malay ka vyakul jhoanka usaki ghuangharali latoan ke sath khel raha tha. maianne kaha-achchha, mere pichhe-pichhe chalo ao!

maian chala aur vah mere pichhe thi. jab pathashala ke pas pahuancha, to mujhe haramoniyam ka svar aur madhur alap sunaee p da. maian thithakakar sunane laga-ramani-kanth ki madhur dhvani! maianne dekha ki laila ki bhi aankhe us sangit ke nashe mean matavali ho chali haian. udhar dekhata hooan to kamalo ko god mean liye prajnasarathi bhi jhoom rahe haian. apane kamare mean malati chhote-se saphari baje par piloo ga rahi hai aur achchhi tarah ga rahi hai! rameshvar leta hua usake muanh ki or dekh raha hai. poorn tripti! prasannata ki madhuri donoan ke muanh par khel rahi hai! pas hi ranjan aur minna baithe hue apane mata aur pita ko dekh rahe haian! ham logoan ke ane ki bat kaun janata hai. maianne ek kshan ke lie apane ko kosa; itane sundar sansar mean kalah ki jvala jala kar maian tamasha dekhane chala tha. hay re-mera kutoohal! aur laila stabdh apani b di-b di aankhoan se ekatak n jane kya dekh rahi thi. maian dekhata tha ki kamalo prajnasarathi ki god se dhire se khisak p di aur billi ki tarah pair dabati huee apani maan ki pith par hansati huee gir p di, aur boli-maan! aur gana ruk gaya. kamalo ke sath minna aur ranjan bhi hans p de. rameshvar ne kaha-kamalo, too bali paji hai le! ba-paji-lal-kahakar kamalo ne apani nanhi-si uangali uthakar ham logoan ki or sanket kiya. rameshvar to uthakar baith gaye. malati ne mujhe dekhate hi sir ka kap da tanik age ki or khianch liya aur laila ne rameshvar ko dekhakar salam kiya. donoan ki aankhe milian. rameshvar ke muanh par pal bhar ke lie ek ghabarahat dikhaee p di. phir usane samhalakar poochha-are laila! tum yahaan kahaan?

charayari n loge, baboo?-kahati huee laila nirbhik bhav se malati ke pas jakar baith gee.

malati laila par ek salajj muskan chho dati huee, uth kh di huee. laila usaka muanh dekh rahi thi, kintu us or dhyan n dekar malati ne mujhase kaha-bhaee ji, apane jalapan nahian kiya. aj to ap hi ke lie maianne sooran ke laddoo banaye haian.

to deti kyoan nahian pagali, maian savere se hi bhookha bhatak raha hooan-maianne kaha. malati jalapan le ane gee. rameshvar ne kaha-charayari le aee ho? laila ne haan kahate hue apana beg khola. phir ruk kar usane apane gale se ek tabij nikala. resham se lipata hua chaukor tabij ka sivan kholakar usane vah chiththi nikali. maian sthir bhav se dekh raha tha. laila ne kaha-pahale babooji, is chiththi ko padh dijie.-rameshvar ne kampit hathoan se usako khola, vah usi ka likha hua patr tha. usane ghabarakar laila ki or dekha. laila ne shant svaroan mean kaha-padhi़e baboo! maian ap hi ke muanh se sunana chahati hooan.

rameshvar ne dridhata se padhऩa arambh kiya. jaise usane apane hriday ka samast bal anevali ghatanaoan ka samana karane ke lie ekatr kar liya ho; kyoanki malati jalapan liye a hi rahi thi. rameshvar ne poora patr padh liya. keval niche apana nam nahian padha. malati kh di sunati rahi aur maian sooran ke laddoo khata raha. bich-bich mean malati ka muanh dekh liya karata tha! usane b di gambhirata se poochha-bhaee ji, laddoo kaise haian, yah to apane bataya nahian, dhire se kha gaye.

jo vastu achchhi hoti hai, vahi to gale mean dhire se utar li jati hai. nahian to k davi vastu ke lie, thoo-thoo n karana p data. maian kah hi raha tha ki laila ne rameshvar se kaha- thik to! maianne sun liya. ab ap usako pha d dalie. tab apako charayari dikhaooan.

rameshvar sachamuch patr pha dane laga. chindi-chindi us kagaz ke tuk de ki u d gee aur laila ne ek chhipi huee gahari saans li, kintu mere konoan ne use sun hi liya. vah to ek bhayanak aandhi se kam n thi. laila ne sachamuch ek sone ki charayari nikali. usake sath ek sundar mooange ki mala. rameshvar ne charayari lekar dekha. usane malati se pachas ke not dene ke lie kaha. malati apane pati ke vyavasay ko janati thi, usane turant not de diye. rameshvar ne jab not laila ki or badhaye, tabhi kamalo samane akar kh di ho gee-ba..... lal...... rameshvar ne poochha, kya hai re kamalo?

putali-si sundar balika ne rameshvar ke galoan ko apane chhote se hathoan se pak d kar kaha-lala-lal....

laila ne not le liye the. poochha-babooji! mooange ki mala n lijiega?

nahian.

laila ne mala uthakar kamalo ko pahana di. rameshvar nahian-nahian kar hi raha tha kintu usane suna nahian! kamalo ne apani maan ko dekhakar kaha maan....lal....vah hans p di aur kuchh not rameshvar ko dete hue boli-to le n lo, isaka bhi dam de do.

laila ne tivr drishti se malati ko dekha; maian to saham gaya tha. malati hans p di. usane kaha-kya dam n logi?

laila, kamalo ka muanh choomati huee uth kh di huee. malati avakh, rameshvar stabdh, kintu maian prakritisth tha.

laila chali gee.

maian vicharata raha, sochata raha. koee ant n tha-or-chhor ko pata nahian. laila-prajnasarathi-rameshvar aur malati sabhi mere samane bijali ke putaloan-se chakkar kat rahe the. sandhya ho chali thi, kintu maian pipal ke niche se uth n saka. prajnasarathi apana dhyan samapt karake uthe. unhoanne mujhe pukara-shrinathaji! maianne hansane ki cheshta karate hue kaha-kahie!

aj to ap bhi samadhisth rahe.

tab bhi isi prithvi par tha! jahaan lalasa krandan karati hai, du:khanubhooti hansati hai aur niyati apane mitti ke putaloan ke sath apana kroor manovinod karati hai; kintu ap to bahut ooanche kisi svargiy bhavana mean.....

thahariye shrinathaji! sukh aur du:kh, akash aur prithvi, svarg aur narak ke bich mean hai vah saty, jise manushy prapt kar sakata hai.

mujhe kshama kijie! antariksh mean u dane ki mujhamean shakti nahian hai. maianne parihas-poorvak kaha.

sadharan man ki sthiti ko chho d kar jab manushy kuchh doosari bat sochane ke lie prayas karata hai; tab kya vah u dane ka prayas nahian? ham log kahane ke lie dvipad haian, kintu dekhie to jivan mean ham log kitani bar uchakate haian, u dan bharate haian. vahi to unnati ki cheshta, jivan ke lie sangram, aur bhi kya-kya nam se prashansit nahian hoti? to maian bhi isaki ninda nahian karata; uthane ki cheshta karani chahie, kintu

ap yahi n kaheange ki samajh-boooojh kar ek bar uchakana chahie; kintu us ek bar ko-us achook avasar ko janana sahaj nahian. isilie to manushy ko, jo sabase buddhiman prani hai, bar-bar dhokha khana p data hai. unnati ko usane vibhinn roopoan mean apani avashyakataoan ke sath itana milaya hai ki use siddhant bana lena p da hai ki unnati ka dvandv patan hi hai.

sanyam ka vajr-gambhir nad prakriti se nahian sunate ho? sharirik karm to gaun hai, mukhy sanyam to manasik hai. shrinathaji, aj laila ka vah man ka sanyam kya kisi mahanadi ki prakhar dhara ke achal baandh se kam tha? maian to dekhakar avakh tha. apaki us samay vichitr paristhiti rahi. phir bhi kaise sab nirvighn samapt ho gaya. use sochakar to maian ab bhi chakit ho jata hooan; kya vah is bhayanak pratirodh ke dhakke ko samhal legi?

laila ke vaksh:sthal mean kitana bhishan andh d chal raha hoga, isaka anubhav ham log nahian kar sakate! maian ab bhi isase bhayabhit ho raha hooan.

prajnasarathi chup rahakar dhire-dhire kahane lage-maian to kal jaooanga. yadi tumhari sammati ho, to rameshvar ko bhi sath chalane ke lie kahooan. bambee tak ham logoan ka sath rahega aur malati is bhayavani chhaya se shighr hi door hat jayagi! phir to sab kushal hi hai. ....

mere trast man ko sharan mili. maianne kaha-achchhi bat hai. prajnasarathi uth gaye. maian vahian baitha raha, aur bhi baitha rahata, yadi minna aur ranjan ki kilakari aur rameshvar ki daant-dapat-malati ki kalachhi ki khat-khat ka kolahal zor n pak d leta aur kalloo samane akar n kh da ho jata.

prajnasarathi, rameshvar aur malati ko gaye ek saptah se oopar ho gaya. abhi tak us vastavik sansar ka kolahal sudoor se ati huee madhur sangit ki pratidhvani ke saman mere kanoan mean gooanj raha tha. maian abhi tak us madakata ko utar n saka tha. jivan mean pahale ki-si nishchintata ka virag nahian, n to vah be-paravahi rahi. maian sochane laga ki ab maian kya karooan?

kuchh karane ki ichchha kyoan? man ke kone se chutaki lete kaun poochh baitha?

kiye bina to raha nahian jata.

karo bhi, pathashala se kya man oob chala?

utane se santosh nahian hota.

aur kya chahie?

yahi to samajh nahian saka, nahian to yah prashn hi kyoan karata ki-ab maian kya karooan-maianne jhuanjhala kar kaha. meri batoan ka uttar lene-denevala muskara kar hat gaya. maian chinta ke andhakar mean doob gaya! vah meri hi gaharaee thi, jisaki mujhe thah n lagi. maian prakritisth hua kab, jab ek udas aur jvalamayi tivr drishti meri aankhoan mean ghusane lagi. apane us andhakar mean maianne ek jyoti dekhi.

maian svikar karooanga ki vah laila thi, is par hansane ki ichchha ho to hans lijie, kintu maian laila ko pa jane ke lie vikal nahian tha, kyoanki laila jisako pane ki abhilasha karati thi, vahi use n mila. aur parinam thik meri aankhoan ke samane tha. tab? meri sahanubhooti kyoan jagi? haan, vah sahanubhooti thi. laila jaise dirgh path par chalane vale mujh pathik ki chirasangini thi.

us din itana hi vishvas karake mujhe santosh hua.

rat ko kalua ne poochha-babooji! ap ghar n chaliega. maian ashchary se usaki or dekhane laga. usane hath-bhari aankhoan se phir vahi prashn kiya. maianne hans kar kaha-mera ghar to yahi hai re kalua!

nahian babooji! jahaan minna gaye haian. jahaan ranjan aur jahaan kamalo gee hai, vahian to ghar hai.

jahaan bahooji gee haian-jahaan babaji....hathath prajnasarathi ka mujhe smaran ho aya. mujhe krodh mean kahana p da-kalua, mujhe aur kahian ghar-var nahian hai. phir man-hi-man kaha-is bat ko vah bauddh samajhata tha-

‘‘hooan, sabako ghar hai, babaji ko, bahooji ko, minna ko-sabako hai, apako nahian hai?’’ usane thunakate hue kaha.

kintu maian apane oopar jhuanjhala raha tha. maianne kaha-bakavad n kar, ja so rah, aj-kal too padhata nahian.

kalua sir jhukaye-vyatha-bhare vaksh:sthal ko dabaye apane bichhaune par ja p da. aur maian us nistabdh ratri mean jagata raha! khidaqi mean se jhil ka andolit jal dikhaee p d raha tha aur maian ashchary se apana hi banaya hua chitr usamean dekh raha tha. chanda ke prashant jal mean ek chhoti-si nav hai, jis par malati, rameshvar baithe the aur mai daan da chala raha tha. prajnasarathi tir par kh de bachchoan ko bahala rahe the. ham log ujali chaandani mean nav khete chale ja rahe the. sahasa chitr mean ek aur moorti ka pradurbhav hua. vah thi laila! meri aankhe tilamila gee.

maian jagata tha-sota tha.

savera ho gaya tha. niand se bhari aankhe nahian khulati thian, to bhi bahar ke kolahal ne mujhe jaga diya. dekhata hooan, to eeraniyoan ka ek jhund bahar kh da hai.

maianne poochha-kya hai?

gul ne kaha-yahaan ka pir kahaan hai?

pir!-maianne ashchary se poochha.

haan vahi, jo pila-pila kap da pahanata tha.

maian samajh gaya, ve log prajnasarathi ko khojate the. maianne kaha-vah to yahaan nahian hai, apane ghar gaye. kam kya hai?

ek ladaqi ko hava lagi hai, yahian ka koee aseb hai. pir ko dikhalana chahati hooan.-ek adhe d stri ne b di vyakulata se kaha.

maianne poochha-bhaee! maian to yah sab kuchh nahian janata. vah ladaqi kahaan hai?

p dav par, babooji! ap chalakar dekh lijie.

age vah kuchh n bol saki. kintu gul ne kaha-baboo! tum janate ho, vahi-laila!

age maian n sun saka. apani hi antadhrvani se maian vyakul ho gaya. yahi to hota hai, kisi ke uj dane se hi doosara basata hai. yadi yahi vidhi-vidhan hai, to basane ka nam ujadऩa hi hai. yadi rameshvar, malati aur apane bal-bachchoan ki chinta chho dakar laila ko hi dekhata, tabhi...kintu vaisa ho kaise sakata hai. maianne kalpana ki aankhoan se dekha; laila ka vivarn sundar mukh-nirasha ki jhulas se dayaniy mukh!

un eeraniyoan se phir bat n karake maian bhitar chala gaya aur takiye mean apana muanh chhipa liya. pichhe suna, kalua daant batata hua kah raha hai-jao-jao, yahaan baba ji nahian rahate!

maian ladaqoan ko padhane laga. kitana ashcharyajanak bhayanak parivartan mujhamean ho gaya! use dekhakar maian hi vismit hota tha. kalua inhian kee mahinoan mean mera ekant sathi ban gaya. maianne use bar-bar samajhaya, kintu vah bich-bich mean mujhase ghar chalane ke lie kah baithata hi tha. maian hatash ho gaya. ab vah jab ghar chalane ki bat kahata, to maian sir hilakar kah deta-achchha, abhi chalooanga.

din isi tarah bitane lage. basant ke agaman se prakriti sihar uthi. vanaspatiyoan ki romavali pulakit thi. maian pipal ke niche udas baitha hua eeshath shital pavan se apane sharir mean phurahari ka anubhav kar raha tha. akash ki alok-mala chanda ki vichiyoan mean dubakiyaan laga rahi thi. nistabdh ratri ka agaman b da gambhir tha.

door se ek sangit ki-nanhi-nanhi karun vedana ki tan sunaee p d rahi thi. us bhasha ko maian nahian samajhata tha. maianne samajha, yah bhi koee chhalana hogi. phir sahasa maian vicharane laga ki niyati bhayanak veg se chal rahi hai. aandhi ki tarah usamean asankhy prani trin-toolika ke saman idhar-udhar bikhar rahe haian. kahian se lakar kisi ko vah mila hi deti hai aur oopar se koee bojhe ki vastu bhi lad deti hai ki ve chirakal tak ek doosare se sambaddh rahean. sachamuch! kalpana pratyaksh ho chali. dakshin ka akash dhoosar ho chala-ek danav taraoan ko nigalane laga. pakshiyoan ka kolahal badha. antariksh vyakul ho utha! k dak dahat mean sabhi ashray khojane lage; kintu maian kaise uthata! vah sangit ki dhvani samip a rahi thi. vajranirghosh ko bhed kar koee kaleje se ga raha tha. andhakar ke samrajy mean trin, lata, vriksh sacharachar kampit ho rahe the.

kalua ki chitkar sun kar bhitar chala gaya. us bhishan kolahal mean bhi vahi sangit-dhvani pavan ke hindole par jhool rahi thi, mano pathashala ke charoan or lipat rahi thi. sahasa ek bhishan arrahat huee. ab maian tarch liye bahar a gaya.

aandhi ruk gee thi. maianne dekha pipal ki b di-si dal phati p di hai aur laila niche dabi huee apani bhavanaoan ki sima par kar chuki hai.

maian ab bhi chanda-tat ki bauddh pathashala ka avaitanik adhyaksh hooan. prajnasarathi ke nam ko kosata hua din bitata hooan. koee upay nahian. vahian jaise mere jivan ka kendr hai.

aj bhi mere hriday mean aandhi chala karati hai aur usamean laila ka mukh bijali ki tarah kauandha karata hai.

sanbandhit lekh

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