गोदान उपन्यास भाग-6

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

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jeth ki udas aur garm sandhya semari ki s dakoan aur galiyoan mean, pani ke chhi dakav se shital aur prasann ho rahi thi. mandap ke charoan taraph phooloan aur paudhoan ke gamale saja die ge the aur bijali ke pankhe chal rahe the. rayasahab apane karakhane mean bijali banava lete the. unake sipahi pili vardiyaan date, nile saphe baandhe, janata par rob jamate phirate the. naukar ujale kurate pahane aur kesariya pag baandhe, mehamanoan aur mukhiyoan ka adar-satkar kar rahe the. usi vakt ek motar sianh-dvar ke samane a kar rooki aur usamean se tin mahanubhav utare. vah jo khaddar ka kurata aur chappal pahane hue haian, unaka nam pandit oankaranath hai. ap dainik-patr 'bijali' ke yashasvi sanpadak haian, jinhean desh-chianta ne ghula dala hai. doosare mahashay jo kot-paiant mean haian, vah haian to vakil, par vakalat n chalane ke karan ek bima-kanpani ki dalali karate haian aur tallukedaroan ko mahajanoan aur baiankoan se karz dilane mean vakalat se kahian zyada kamaee karate haian. inaka nam hai shyamabihari tankha aur tisare sajjan jo reshami achakan aur tang pajama pahane hue haian, mistar bi. mehata, yunivarsiti mean darshanashastr ke adhyapak haian. ye tinoan sajjan rayasahab ke sahapathiyoan mean haian aur shagun ke utsav par nimantrit hue haian. aj sare ilake ke asami aeange aur shagun ke rupe bheant kareange. rat ko dhanush-yajn hoga aur mehamanoan ki davat hogi. hori ne paanch rupe shagun ke de die haian aur ek gulabi mirjee pahane, gulabi pag di baandhe, ghutane tak kachhani kachhe, hath mean ek khurapi lie aur mukh par paudar lagavae raja janak ka mali ban gaya hai aur garoor se itana phool utha hai, mano yah sara utsav usi ke purusharth se ho raha hai.

rayasahab ne mehamanoan ka svagat kiya. dohare badan ke ooanche adami the, gatha hua sharir, tejasvi chehara, ooancha matha, gora rang, jis par sharbati reshami chadar khoob khil rahi thi.

pandit oankaranath ne poochha - abaki kaun-sa natak khelane ka vichar hai? mere ras ki to yahaan vahi ek vastu hai.

rayasahab ne tinoan sajjanoan ko apane ravati ke samane kursiyoan par baithate hue kaha - pahale to dhanush-yajn hoga, usake bad ek prahasan. natak koee achchha n mila. koee to itana lanba ki shayad paanch ghantoan mean bhi khatm n ho aur koee itana klisht ki shayad yahaan ek vyakti bhi usaka arth n samajhe. akhir maianne svayan ek prahasan likh dala, jo do ghantoan mean poora ho jayaga.

oankaranath ko rayasahab ki rachana-shakti mean bahut sandeh tha. unaka khyal tha ki pratibha to gariboan hi mean chamakati hai dipak ki bhaanti, jo aandhere hi mean apana prakash dikhata hai. upeksha ke sath, jise chhipane ki bhi unhoanne cheshta nahian ki, pandit oankaranath ne muanh pher liya.

mistar tankha in bematalab ki batoan mean n p dana chahate the, phir bhi rayasahab ko dikha dena chahate the ki is vishay mean unhean kuchh bolane ka adhikar hai. bole - natak koee bhi achchha ho sakata hai, agar usake abhineta achchhe hoan. achchha-se-achchha natak bure abhinetaoan ke hath mean p d kar bura ho sakata hai. jab tak stej par shikshit abhinetriyaan nahian atian, hamari natayakala ka uddhar nahian ho sakata. abaki to apane kauansil mean prashnoan ki dhoom macha di. maian to dave ke sath kah sakata hooan ki kisi meanbar ka rikard itana shanadar nahian hai.

darshan ke adhyapak mistar mehata is prashansa ko sahan n kar sakate the. virodh to karana chahate the, par siddhaant ki a d mean. unhoanne hal hi mean ek pustak kee sal ke parishram se likhi thi. usaki jitani dhoom honi chahie thi, usaki shataansh bhi nahian huee thi. isase bahut dukhi the. bole- bhee, maian prashnoan ka kayal nahian. maian chahata hooan, hamara jivan hamare siddhaantoan ke anukool ho. ap krishakoan ke shubhechchhu haian, unhean tarah-tarah ki riyayat dena chahate haian, jamiandaroan ke adhikar chhin lena chahate haian, balki unhean ap samaj ka shap kahate haian, phir bhi ap zamiandar haian, vaise hi zamiandar jaise hajaroan aur zamiandar haian. agar apaki dharana hai ki krishakoan ke sath riyayat honi chahie, to pahale ap khud shuroo karean - kashtakaroan ko bagair najarane lie patte likh dean, begar band kar dean, ijafa lagan ko tilaanjali de dean, charavar zamin chho d dean. mujhe un logoan se jara bhi hamadardi nahian hai, jo batean to karate haian kamyunistoan ki-si, magar jivan hai reesoan ka-sa, utana hi vilasamay, utana hi svarth se bhara hua.

rayasahab ko aghat pahuancha. vakil sahab ke mathe par bal p d ge aur sanpadak ji ke muanh mean jaise kalikh lag gee. vah khud samashtivad ke pujari the, par sidhe ghar mean ag n lagana chahate the.

tankha ne rayasahab ki vakalat ki - maian samajhata hooan, rayasahab ka apane asamiyoan ke sath jitana achchha vyavahar hai, agar sabhi zamiandar vaise hi ho jayan, to yah prashn hi n rahe.

mehata ne hathau de ki doosari chot jamaee - manata hooan, apaka apane asamiyoan ke sath bahut achchha bartav hai, magar prashn yah hai ki usamean svarth hai ya nahian. isaka ek karan kya yah nahian ho sakata ki maddhim aanch mean bhojan svadisht pakata hai? gu d se marane vala zahar se marane vale ki apeksha kahian saphal ho sakata hai. maian to keval itana janata hooan, ham ya to samyavadi haian ya nahian haian. haian to usaka vyavahar karean, nahian haian, to bakana chho d dean. maian nakali ziandagi ka virodhi hooan. agar maans khana achchha samajhate ho to khul kar khao. bura samajhate ho, to mat khao, yah to meri samajh mean ata hai, lekin achchha samajhana aur chhip kar khana, yah meri samajh mean nahian ata. maian to ise kayarata bhi kahata hooan aur dhoortata bhi, jo vastav mean ek haian.

rayasahab sabha-chatur adami the. apaman aur aghat ko dhairy aur udarata se sahane ka unhean abhyas tha. kuchh asamanjas mean p de hue bole - apaka vichar bilakul thik hai mehata ji! ap janate haian, maian apaki saphagoee ka kitana adar karata hooan, lekin ap yah bhool jate haian ki any yatraoan ki bhaanti vicharoan ki yatra mean bhi p dav hote haian, aur ap ek p dav ko chho d kar doosare p dav tak nahian ja sakate. manav-jivan ka itihas isaka pratyaksh praman hai. maian us vatavaran mean pala hooan, jahaan raja eeshvar hai aur zamiandar eeshvar ka mantr. mere svargavasi pita asamiyoan par itani daya karate the ki pale ya sookhe mean kabhi adha aur kabhi poora lagan maph kar dete the. apane bakhar se anaj nikal kar asamiyoan ko khila dete the. ghar ke gahane bech kar kanyaoan ke vivah mean madad dete the, magar usi vakt tak, jab tak praja unako sarakar aur dharmavatar kahati rahe, unhean apana devata samajh kar unaki pooja karati rahe. praja ko palana unaka sanatan dharm tha, lekin adhikar ke nam par vah kau di ka ek daant bhi pho d kar dena n chahate the. maian usi vatavaran mean pala hooan, aur mujhe garv hai ki maian vyavahar mean chahe jo kuchh karooan, vicharoan mean unase age badh gaya hooan aur yah manane lag gaya hooan ki jab tak kisanoan ko yah riyayatean adhikar ke roop mean n mileangi, keval sadbhavana ke adhar par unaki dasha sudhar nahian sakati. svechchha agar apana svarth chho d de, to apavad hai. maian khud sadbhavana karate hue bhi svarth nahian chho d sakata aur chahata hooan ki hamare varg ko shasan aur niti ke bal se apana svarth chho dane ke lie majaboor kar diya jae. ise ap kayarata kaheange, maian ise vivashata kahata hooan. maian ise svikar karata hooan ki kisi ko bhi doosaroan ke shram par mote hone ka adhikar nahian hai. upajivi hona ghor lajja ki bat hai. karm karana pranimatr ka dharm hai. samaj ki aisi vyavastha, jisamean kuchh log mauj karean aur adhik log pisean aur khapean kabhi sukhad nahian ho sakati. pooanji aur shiksha, jise maian pooanji hi ka ek roop samajhata hooan, inaka kila jitani jald toot jay, utana hi achchha hai. jinhean pet ki roti mayassar nahian, unake aphasar aur niyojak das-das, paanch-paanch hazar phatakarean, yah hasyaspad hai aur lajjaspad bhi. is vyavastha ne ham jamiandaroan mean kitani vilasita, kitana durachar, kitani paradhinata aur kitani nirlajjata bhar di hai, yah maian khoob janata hooan, lekin maian in karanoan se is vyavastha ka virodh nahian karata. mera to yah kahana hai ki apane svarth ki drishti se bhi isaka anumodan nahian kiya ja sakata. is shan ko nibhane ke lie hamean apani atma ki itani hatya karani p dati hai ki hamamean atmabhiman ka nam bhi nahian raha. ham apane asamiyoan ko lootane ke lie majaboor haian. agar aphasaroan ko kimati-kimati daliyaan n dean, to bagi samajhe jayan, shan se n rahean, to kanjoos kahalaean. pragati ki jara-si ahat pate hi ham kaanp uthate haian, aur aphasaroan ke pas phariyad le kar dau date haian ki hamari raksha kijie. hamean apane oopar vishvas nahian raha, n purusharth hi rah gaya. bas, hamari dasha un bachchoan ki-si hai, jinhean chammach se doodh pila kar pala jata hai, bahar se mote, aandar se durbal, satvahin aur mohataj.

mehata ne tali baja kar kaha - hiyar, hiyar! apaki jaban mean jitani buddhi hai, kash usaki adhi bhi mastishk mean hoti. khed yahi hai ki sab kuchh samajhate hue bhi ap apane vicharoan ko vyavahar mean nahian late.

oankaranath bole - akela chana bha d nahian pho d sakata, mistar mehata! hamean samay ke sath chalana bhi hai aur use apane sath chalana bhi. bure kamoan mean hi sahayog ki zaroorat nahian hoti. achchhe kamoan ke lie bhi sahayog utana hi zaroori hai. ap hi kyoan ath sau rupe mahine h dapate haian, jab apake karo doan bhaee keval ath rupe mean apana nirvah kar rahe haian?

rayasahab ne oopari khed, lekin bhitari santosh se sanpadakaji ko dekha aur bole - vyaktigat batoan par alochana n kijie sanpadak ji! ham yahaan samaj ki vyavastha par vichar kar rahe haian.

mistar mehata usi thande man se bole - nahian-nahian, maian ise bura nahian samajhata. samaj vyakti se hi banata hai. aur vyakti ko bhool kar ham kisi vyavastha par vichar nahian kar sakate. maian isalie itana vetan leta hooan ki mera is vyavastha par vishvas nahian hai.

sanpadak ji ko achanbha hua - achchha, to ap vartaman vyavastha ke samarthak haian?

'maian is siddhaant ka samarthak hooan ki sansar mean chhote-b de hamesha raheange, aur unhean hamesha rahana chahie. ise mitane ki cheshta karana manav-jati ke sarvanash ka karan hoga.'

kushti ka jo d badal gaya. rayasahab kinare kh de ho ge. sanpadak ji maidan mean utare - ap bisavian shatabdi mean bhi ooanch-nich ka bhed manate haian.

'ji haan, manata hooan aur bade joroan se manata hooan. jis mat ke ap samarthak haian, vah bhi to koee nee chiz nahian. kab se manushy mean mamatv ka vikas hua, tabhi us mat ka janm hua. buddh aur pleto aur eesa sabhi samaj mean samata pravartak the. yoonan aur rom aur siriyaee, sabhi sabhyataoan ne usaki pariksha ki, par aprakritik hone ke karan kabhi vah sthayi n ban saki.

'apaki batean sun kar mujhe ashchary ho raha hai.'

'ashchary ajnan ka doosara nam hai.'

'maian apaka kritajn hooan! agar ap is vishay par koee lekhamala shuroo kar dean.'

'ji, maian itana ahamak nahian hooan, achchhi rakam dilavaie, to alabatta.'

'apane siddhaant hi aisa liya hai ki khule khazane pablik ko loot sakate haian.'

'mujhamean aur apamean aantar itana hi hai ki maian jo kuchh manata hooan, us par chalata hooan. ap log manate kuchh haian, karate kuchh haian. dhan ko ap kisi anyay se barabar phaila sakate haian. lekin buddhi ko, charitr ko, roop ko, pratibha ko aur bal ko barabar phailana to apaki shakti ke bahar hai. chhote-b de ka bhed keval dhan se hi to nahian hota. maianne b de-b de dhanakuberoan ko bhikshukoan ke samane ghutane tekate dekha hai, aur apane bhi dekha hoga. roop ke chaukhat par b de-b de mahip nak rag date haian. kya yah samajik vishamata nahian hai? ap roos ki misal deange. vahaan isake sivay aur kya hai ki mil ke malik ne rajakarmachari ka roop le liya hai. buddhi tab bhi raj karati thi, ab bhi karati hai aur hamesha karegi.'

tashtari mean pan a ge the. rayasahab ne mehamanoan ko pan aur ilayachi dete hue kaha - buddhi agar svarth se mukt ho, to hamean usaki prabhuta manane mean koee apatti nahian. samajavad ka yahi adarsh hai. ham sadhu-mahatmaoan ke samane isilie sir jhukate haian ki unamean tyag ka bal hai. isi tarah ham buddhi ke hath mean adhikar bhi dena chahate haian, samman bhi, netritv bhi, lekin sanpatti kisi tarah nahian. buddhi ka adhikar aur samman vyakti ke sath chala jata hai, lekin usaki sanpatti vish bone ke lie usake bad aur bhi prabal ho jati hai. buddhi ke bagair kisi samaj ka sanchalan nahian ho sakata. ham keval is bichchhoo ka dank to d dena chahate haian.

doosari motar a pahuanchi aur mistar khanna utare, jo ek baiank ke mainejar aur shakkar mil ke mainajiang dairektar haian. do deviyaan bhi unake sath thian. rayasahab ne donoan deviyaan ko utara. vah jo khaddar ki sa di pahane bahut ganbhir aur vicharashil-si haian, mistar khanna ki patni, kamini khanna haian. doosari mahila jo ooanchi e di ka joota pahane hue haian aur jinaki mukh-chhavi par hansi phooti p dati hai, mis malati haian. ap ianglaiand se daktari padh aee haian aur ab praiktis karati haian. tallukedaroan ke mahaloan mean unaka bahut pravesh hai. ap navayug ki sakshat pratima haian. gat komal, par chapalata koot-koot kar bhari huee. jhijhak ya sankoch ka kahian nam nahian, mek-ap mean pravin, bala ki hajir-javab, purush-manovijnan ki achchhi janakar, amod-pramod ko jivan ka tatv samajhane vali, lubhane aur rijhane ki kala mean nipun. jahaan atma ka sthan hai, vahaan pradarshan, jahaan hriday ka sthan hai, vahaan hav-bhav, manodgaroan par kathor nigrah, jisamean ichchha ya abhilasha ka lop-sa ho gaya ho.

apane mistar mehata se hath milate hue kaha - sach kahati hooan, ap soorat se hi philasaphar maloom hote haian. is nee rachana mean to apane atmavadiyoan ko udhe d kar rakh diya. padhate-padhate kee bar mere ji mean aisa aya ki apase l d jaooan. philasapharoan mean sahridayata kyoan gayab ho jati hai?

mehata jheanp ge. bina byahe the aur navayug ki ramaniyoan se panah maangate the. purushoan ki mandali mean khoob chahakate the, magar jyoan hi koee mahila aee aur apaki jaban band huee, jaise buddhi par tala lag jata tha. striyoan se shisht vyavahar tak karane ki sudhi n rahati thi.

mistar khanna ne poochha - philasapharoan ki soorat mean kya khas bat hoti hai devi ji?

malati ne mehata ki or daya-bhav se dekh kar kaha - mistar mehata, bura n manean to batala dooan?

khanna mis malati ke upasakoan mean the. jahaan mis malati jayan, vahaan khanna ka pahuanchana lajim tha. unake as-pas bhauanre ki tarah mandarate rahate the. har samay unaki yahi ichchha rahati thi ki malati se adhik se adhik vahi bolean, unaki nigah adhik se adhik unhian par rahe.

khanna ne aankh mar kar kaha - philasaphar kisi ki bat ka bura nahian manate. unaki yahi siphat hai.

'to sunie, philasaphar hamesha murda-dil hote haian, jab dekhie, apane vicharoan mean magan baithe haian. apaki taraph takeange, magar apako dekheange nahian, ap unase batean kie jayan, kuchh suneange nahian, jaise shoony mean u d rahe hoan.'

sab logoan ne kahakaha mara. mistar mehata jaise zamin mean g d ge.

'aksaphord mean mere philasaphi ke prophesar hasabeand the!'

khanna ne toka - nam to nirala hai.

'ji haan, aur the kvaanre...

'mistar mehata bhi to kvaanre haian...'

'yah rog sabhi philasapharoan ko hota hai.'

ab mehata ko avasar mila. bole - ap bhi to isi maraj mean giraphtar haian?

'maianne pratijna ki hai, ki kisi philasaphar se shadi karooangi aur yah varg shadi ke nam se ghabarata hai. hasabeand sahab to stri ko dekh kar ghar mean chhip jate the. unake shishyoan mean kee l dakiyaan thian. agar unamean se koee kabhi kuchh poochhane ke lie unake aauphis mean chali jati thi, to ap aise ghab da jate, jaise koee sher a gaya ho. ham log unhean khoob chhe da karate the, bechare b de saral-hriday. kee hazar ki amadani thi, par maianne unhean hamesha ek hi soot pahane dekha. unaki ek vidhava bahan thi. vahi unake ghar ka sara prabandh karati thi. mistar hasabeand ko to khane ki fikr hi n rahati thi. milane valoan ke dar se apane kamare ka dvar band karake likha-padhi karate the. bhojan ka samay a jata, to unaki bahan ahista se bhitar ke dvar se unake pas ja kar kitab band kar deti thi, tab unhean maloom hota ki khane ka samay ho gaya. rat ko bhi bhojan ka samay bandha hua tha. unaki bahan kamare ki batti bujha diya karati thi. ek din bahan ne kitab band karani chahi, to apane pustak ko donoan hathoan se daba liya aur bahan-bhaee mean jor-ajamaee hone lagi. akhir bahan unaki pahiedar kursi ko khianch kar bhojan ke kamare mean laee.'

rayasahab bole - magar mehata sahab to b de khushamizaj aur milanasar haian, nahian is hangame mean kyoan ate.'

'to ap philasaphar n hoange. jab apane chiantaoan se hamare sir mean dard hone lagata hai, to vishv ki chianta sir par lad kar koee kaise prasann rah sakata hai.'

udhar sanpadak ji shrimati khanna se apane arthik kathinaiyoan ki katha kah rahe the - bas yoan samajhie shrimatiji, ki sanpadak ka jivan ek dirgh vilap hai, jise sun kar log daya karane ke badale kanoan par hath rakh lete haian. bechara n apana upakar kar sake, n auroan ka. pablik usase asha to yah rakhati hai ki har ek aandolan mean vah sabase age rahe, jel jay, mar khae, ghar ke mal-asabab ki kurki karae, yah usaka dharm samajha jata hai, lekin usaki kathinaiyoan ki or kisi ka dhyan nahian. ho to vah sab kuchh. use har ek vidya, har ek kala mean parangat hona chahie, lekin use jivit rahane ka adhikar nahian. ap to ajakal kuchh likhati hi nahian. apaki seva karane ka jo tho da-sa saubhagy mujhe mil sakata hai, usase mujhe kyoan vanchit rakhati haian?

misej khanna ko kavita likhane ka shauq tha. is nate se sanpadak ji kabhi-kabhi unase mil aya karate the, lekin ghar ke kam-dhandho mean vyast rahane ke karan idhar bahut dinoan se kuchh likh nahian saki thian. sach bat to yah hai ki sanpadak ji ne hi unhean protsahit karake kavi banaya tha. sachchi pratibha unamean bahut kam thi.

kya likhooan kuchh soojhata hi nahian. apane kabhi mis malati se kuchh likhane ko nahian kaha?'

sanpadak ji upeksha bhav se bole - unaka samay moolyavan hai kamini devi! likhate to vah log haian, jinake aandar kuchh dard hai, anurag hai, lagan hai, vichar hai. jinhoanne dhan aur bhog-vilas ko jivan ka lakshy bana liya, vah kya likheange?

kamini ne eershya-mishrit vinod se kaha - agar ap unase kuchh likha sakean, to apaka prachar duguna ho jae. lakhanoo mean to aisa koee rasik nahian hai, jo apaka grahak n ban jae.

'agar dhan mere jivan ka adarsh hota, to aj maian is dasha mean n hota. mujhe bhi dhan kamane ki kala ati hai. aj chahooan, to lakhoan kama sakata hooan, lekin yahaan to dhan ko kabhi kuchh samajha hi nahian. sahity ki seva apane jivan ka dhyey hai aur rahega.'

'kam-se-kam mera nam to grahakoan mean likhava dijie.'

'apaka nam grahakoan mean nahian, sanrakshakoan mean likhooanga.'

'sanrakshakoan mean raniyoan-maharaniyoan ko rakhie, jinaki tho di-si khushamad karake ap apane patr ko labh ki chiz bana sakate haian.'

meri rani-maharani ap haian. maian to apake samane kisi rani-maharani ki hakikat nahian samajhata. jisamean daya aur vivek hai, vahi meri rani hai. khushamad se mujhe ghrina hai.'

kamini ne chutaki li - lekin meri khushamad to ap kar rahe haian sanpadak ji!

sanpadak ji ne ganbhir ho kar shraddhapoorn svar mean kaha - yah khushamad nahian hai devi ji, hriday ke sachche udgar haian.

rayasahab ne pukara - sanpadak ji, jara idhar aiega. mis malati apase kuchh kahana chahati haian.

sanpadak ji ki vah sari ak d gayab ho gee. namrata aur vinay ki moorti bane hue a kar kh de ho ge! malati ne unhean saday netroan se dekh kar kaha - maian abhi kah rahi thi ki duniya mean mujhe sabase zyada dar sanpadakoan se lagata hai. ap log jise chahean, ek kshan mean biga d dean. mujhi se chiph sekretari sahab ne ek bar kaha - agar maian is bladi oankaranath ko jel mean band kar sakooan to apane ko bhagyavan samajhooan.

oankaranath ki b di-b di mooanchhean kh di ho geean. aankhoan mean garv ki jyoti chamak uthi. yoan vah bahut hi shaant prakriti ke adami the, lekin lalakar sun kar unaka purushatv uttejit ho jata tha. dridhata-bhare svar mean bole - is kripa ke lie apaka kritajn hooan. us bajm (sabha) mean apana zikr to ata hai, chahe kisi tarah ae. ap sekretari mahoday se kah dijiega ki oankaranath un adamiyoan mean nahian hai, jo in dhamakiyoan se dar jae. usaki kalam usi vakt vishram legi, jab usaki jivan-yatra samapt ho jayagi. usane aniti aur svechchhachar ko j d se khod kar pheank dene ka jimma liya hai.

mis malati ne aur ukasaya - magar meri samajh mean apaki yah niti nahian ati ki jab ap mamooli shishtachar se adhikariyoan ka sahayog prapt kar sakate haian, to kyoan unase kanni katate haian. agar ap apani alochanaoan mean ag aur vish jara kam dean, to maian vada karati hooan ki apako gavarnameant se kafi madad dila sakati hooan. janata ko to apane dekh liya. usase apil ki, usaki khushamad ki, apane kathinaiyoan ki katha kahi, magar koee natija n nikala. ab jara adhikariyoan ko bhi ajama dekhie. tisare mahine ap motar par n nikalane lagean, aur sarakari davatoan mean nimantrit n hone lagean to mujhe jitana chahean kosiega. tab yahi rees aur neshanalist jo apaki parava nahian karate, apake dvar ke chakkar lagaeange.

oankaranath abhiman ke sath bole - yahi to maian nahian kar sakata devi ji! maianne apane siddhaantoan ko sadaiv ooancha aur pavitr rakha hai aur jite-ji unaki raksha karooanga. daulat ke pujari to gali-gali mileange, maian siddhaant ke pujariyoan mean hooan.

'maian ise danbh kahati hooan.'

'apaki ichchha.'

'dhan ki apako parava nahian hai?'

'siddhaantoan ka khoon karake nahian.'

'to apake patr mean videshi vastuoan ke vijnapan kyoan hote haian? maianne kisi bhi doosare patr mean itane videshi vijnapan nahian dekhe. ap banate to haian adarshavadi aur siddhaantavadi, par apane phayade ke lie desh ka dhan videsh bhejate hue apako jara bhi khed nahian hota? ap kisi tark se is niti ka samarthan nahian kar sakate.'

oankaranath ke pas sachamuch koee javab n tha. unhean bagalean jhaankate dekh kar rayasahab ne unaki himayat ki - to akhir ap kya chahati haian? idhar se bhi mare jayan, udhar se bhi mare jayan, to patr kaise chale?

mis malati ne daya karana n sikha tha.

'patr nahian chalata to band kijie. apana patr chalane ke lie apako videshi vastuoan ke prachar ka koee adhikar nahian. agar ap majaboor haian, to siddhaant ka dhoang chho die. maian to siddhaantavadi patroan ko dekh kar jal uthati hooan. ji chahata hai, diyasalaee dikha dooan. jo vyakti karm aur vachan mean samanjasy nahian rakh sakata, vah aur chahe jo kuchh ho, siddhaantavadi nahian hai.'

mehata khil utha. tho di der pahale unhoanne khud isi vichar ka pratipadan kiya tha. unhean maloom hua ki is ramani mean vichar ki shakti bhi hai, keval titali nahian. sankoch jata raha.

'yahi bat abhi maian kah raha tha. vichar aur vyavahar mean samanjasy ka n hona hi dhoortata hai, makkari hai.'

mis malati prasannamukh se boli - to is vishay mean ap aur maian ek haian, aur maian bhi philasaphar hone ka dava kar sakati hooan.

khanna ki jibh mean khujali ho rahi thi. bole - apaka ek-ek aang philasaphi mean dooba hua hai.

malati ne unaki lagam khianchi - achchha, apako bhi philasaphi mean dakhal hai. maian to samajhati thi, ap bahut pahale apane philasaphi ko ganga mean dubo baithe. nahian, ap itane baiankoan aur kanpaniyoan ke dairektar n hote.

rayasahab ne khanna ko sanbhala - to kya ap samajhati haian ki philasapharoan ko hamesha phakemast rahana chahie?

'ji haan' philasaphar agar moh par vijay n pa sake, to philasaphar kaisa?'

'is lihaz se to shayad mistar mehata bhi philasaphar n thaharean.'

mehata ne jaise astin chadha kar kaha - maianne to kabhi yah dava nahian kiya ray sahab! maian to itana hi janata hooan ki jin aujaroan se lohar kam karata hai, unhian aujaroan se sonar nahian karata. kya ap chahate haian, am bhi usi dasha mean phalean-phoolean jisase babool ya ta d? mere lie dhan keval un suvidhaoan ka nam hai, jinase maian apana jivan sarthak kar sakooan. dhan mere lie phalane-phoolane vali chiz nahian, keval sadhan hai. mujhe dhan ki bilakul ichchha nahian, ap vah sadhan juta dean, jisamean maian apane jivan ko upayog kar sakooan.

oankaranath samashtivadi the. vyakti ki is pradhanata ko kaise svikar karate?

isi tarah har ek mazadoor kah sakata hai ki use kam karane ki suvidhaoan ke lie ek hazar mahine ki zaroorat hai.'

agar ap samajhate haian ki us mazadoor ke bagair apaka kam nahian chal sakata, to apako vah suvidhaean deni p deangi. agar vahi kam doosara mazadoor tho di-si mazadoori mean kar de, to koee vajah nahian ki ap pahale mazadoor ki khushamad karean.'

'agar mazadooroan ke hath mean adhikar hota, to mazadooroan ke lie stri aur sharab bhi utani hi zaroori suvidha ho jati, jitani philasapharoan ke lie.

'to ap vishvas manie, maian unase eershya n karata.'

'jab apaka jivan sarthak karane ke lie stri itani avashyak hai, to ap shadi kyoan nahian kar lete?'

mehata ne ni:sankoch bhav se kaha - isilie ki maian samajhata hooan, mukt bhog atma ke vikas mean badhak nahian hota. vivah to atma ko aur jivan ko pianjare mean band kar deta hai.

khanna ne isaka samarthan kiya - bandhan aur nigrah purani thyoriyaan haian. nee thyori hai mukt bhog.

malati ne choti pak di - to ab misej khanna ko talak ke lie taiyar rahana chahie.

'talak ka bil to ho.'

'shayad usaka pahala upayog ap hi kareange?'

kamini ne malati ki or vish-bhari aankhoan se dekha aur muanh siko d liya, mano kah rahi hai - khanna tumhean mubarak rahean, mujhe paravah nahian.

malati ne mehata ki taraph dekh kar kaha - is vishay mean apake kya vichar haian mistar mehata?

mehata ganbhir ho ge. vah kisi prashn par apana mat prakat karate the, to jaise apani sari atma usamean dal dete the.

'vivah ko maian samajik samajhauta samajhata hooan aur use to dane ka adhikar n purush ko hai, n stri ko. samajhauta karane ke pahale ap svadhin haian, samajhauta ho jane ke bad apake hath kat jate haian.'

'to ap talak ke virodhi haian, kyoan?'

'pakka.'

'aur mukt bhog vala siddhaant?'

'vah unake lie hai, jo vivah nahian karana chahate.'

'apani atma ka sanpoorn vikas sabhi chahate haian, phir vivah kaun kare aur kyoan kare?'

'isilie ki mukti sabhi chahate haian, par aise bahut kam haian, jo lobh se apana gala chhu da sakean'.

'ap shreshth kise samajhate haian, vivahit jivan ko ya avivahit jivan ko?

'samaj ki drishti se vivahit jivan ko, vyakti ki drishti se avivahit jivan ko.'

dhanush-yajn ka abhinay nikat tha. das se ek tak dhanush-yajn, ek se tin tak prahasan, yah progam tha. bhojan ki taiyari shuroo ho gee. mehamanoan ke lie bangale mean rahane ka alag-alag prabandh tha. khanna-parivar ke lie do kamare rakhe ge the. aur bhi kitane hi mehaman a ge the. sabhi apane-apane kamare mean ge aur kap de badal-badal kar bhojanalay mean jama ho ge. yahaan chhoot-chhat ka koee bhed n tha. sabhi jatiyoan aur varnoan ke log sath bhojan karane baithe. keval sanpadak oankaranath sabase alag apane kamare mean phalahar karane ge. aur kamini khanna ko siradard ho raha tha, unhoanne bhojan karane se inakar kiya. bhojanalay mean mehamanoan ki sankhya pachchis se kam n thi. sharab bhi thi aur maans bhi. is utsav ke lie rayasahab achchhi kism ki sharab khas taur par mangavate the? khianchi jati thi dava ke nam se, par hoti thi khalis sharab. maans bhi kee tarah ke pakate the, kophate, kabab aur pulav. murga, murgiyaan, bakara, hiran, titar, mor jise jo pasand ho, vah khae.

bhojan shuroo ho gaya to mis malati ne poochha - sanpadak ji kahaan rah ge? kisi ko bhejo rayasahab, unhean pak d laean.

rayasahab ne kaha - vah vaishnav haian, unhean yahaan bula kar kyoan bechare ka dharm nasht karogi? b da hi acharanishth adami hai.

aji aur kuchh n sahi, tamasha to rahega.'

sahasa ek sajjan ko dekh kar usane pukara - ap bhi tashariph rakhate haian mirja khurshed, yah kam apake supurd. apaki liyakat ki pariksha ho jayagi.

mirja khurshed gore-chitte adami the, bhoori-bhoori mooanchhean, nili aankhean, dohari deh, chaand ke bal saphachat. chhakaliya achakan aur choo didar pajama pahane the. oopar se hait laga lete the. kauansil ke meanbar the, par phalahar samay kharrate lete rahate the. votiang ke samay chauank p date the aur neshanalistoan ki taraph se vot dete the. soophi musalaman the. do bar haj kar ae the, magar sharab khoob pite the. kahate the, jab ham khuda ka ek hukm bhi kabhi nahian manate, to din ke lie kyoan jan dean. b de dillagibaj, bephikare jiv the. pahale basare mean thike ka karobar karate the. lakhoan kamae, magar shamat aee ki ek mem se ashanaee kar baithe. mukadamebaji huee. jel jate-jate bache. chaubis ghante ke aandar mulk se nikal jane ka hukm hua. jo kuchh jahaan tha, vahian chho da, aur sirph pachas hazar le kar bhag kh de hue. banbee mean unake ejeant the. socha tha, unase hisab-kitab kar lean aur jo kuchh nikalega, usi mean ziandagi kat deange, magar ejeantoan ne jal karake unase vah pachas hazar bhi aianth lie. nirash ho kar vahaan se lakhanoo chale. ga di mean ek mahatma se sakshat hua. mahatma ji ne unhean sabjabag dikha kar unaki gh di, aangoothiyaan, rupe sab u da lie. bechare lakhanoo pahuanche to deh ke kap doan ke siva kuchh n tha. ray sahab se purani mulakat thi. kuchh unaki madad se aur kuchh any mitroan ki madad se ek joote ki dukan khol li. vah ab lakhanoo ki sabase chalati huee joote ki dukan thi, char-paanch sau roj ki bikri thi. janata ko un par tho de hi dinoan mean itana vishvas ho gaya ki ek b de bhari muslim tallukedar ko nicha dikha kar kauansil mean pahuanch ge.

apane jagah par baithe-baithe bole - ji nahian, maian kisi ka din nahian biga data. yah kam apako khud karana chahie. maja to jab hai ki ap unhean sharab pila kar chho dean. yah apake husn ke jadoo ki ajamaish hai.

charoan taraph se avajean aeean - haan-haan, mis malati, aj apana kamal dikhaie. malati ne mirja ko lalakara - kuchh inam doge?

'sau rupe ki ek thaili.'

'hush! sau rupe! lakh rupe ka dharm bigadooan sau ke lie.'

'achchha, ap khud apani phis bataie.'

'ek hajar, kau di kam nahian.'

'achchha, manjoor.'

'ji nahian, la kar mehata ji ke hath mean rakh dijie.'

mirja ji ne turant sau rupe ka not jeb se nikala aur use dikhate hue kh de ho kar bole- bhaiyo! yah ham sab maradoan ki ijjat ka mamala hai. agar mis malati ki pharamaish n poori huee, to hamare lie kahian muanh dikhane ki jagah n rahegi. agar mere pas rupe hote, to maian mis malati ki ek-ek ada par ek-ek lakh kuraban kar deta. ek purane shayar ne apane mashook ke ek kale til par samarakand aur bokhara ke soobe kuraban kar die the. aj ap sabhi sahaboan ki javaanmaradi aur husnaparasti ka imtahan hai. jisake pas jo kuchh ho, sachche soorama ki tarah nikal kar rakh de. apako ilm ki kasam, mashook ki adaoan ki kasam, apani ijjat ki kasam, pichhe qadam n hataie. maradoan! rupe kharch ho jaeange, nam hamesha ke lie rah jayaga. aisa tamasha lakhoan mean bhi sasta hai. dekhie, lakhanoo ke hasinoan ki rani ek jahid par apane husn ka mantr kaise chalati hai?

bhashan samapt karate hi mirja ji ne har ek ki jeb ki talashi shuroo kar di. pahale mistar khanna ki talashi huee. unaki jeb se paanch rupe nikale.

mirja ne muanh phika karake kaha - vah khanna sahab, vah! nam b de darshan tho de, itani kanpaniyoan ke dairektar, lakhoan ki amadani aur apake jeb mean paanch rupe. lahaul vila koovat kahaan haian mehata? ap jara ja kar misej khanna se kam-se kam sau rupe vasool kar laean.

khanna khisiya kar bole - aji, unake pas ek paisa bhi n hoga. kaun janata tha ki yahaan ap talashi lena shuroo kareange?

'khair, ap khamosh rahie. ham apani takadir to ajama lean.'

'achchha, to maian ja kar unase poochhata hooan.'

'ji nahian, ap yahaan se hil nahian sakate. mistar mehata, ap philasaphar haian, manovijnan ke pandit. dekhie, apani bhad n karaiega.'

mehata sharab pi kar mast ho jate the. us masti mean unaka darshan u d jata tha aur vinod sajiv ho jata tha. lapak kar misej khanna ke pas ge aur paanch minat hi mean muanh latakae laut ae.

mirja ne poochha - are, kya khali hath?

rayasahab hanse - qazike ghar choohe bhi sayane.

mirja ne kaha - ho b de khushanasib khanna, khuda ki kasam.

mehata ne kahakaha mara aur jeb se sau-sau rupe ke paanch not nikale.

mirja ne lapak kar unhean gale laga liya.

charoan taraph se avajean ane lagian - kamal hai, manata hooan ustad, kyoan n ho, philasaphar hi jo thahare!

mirja ne notoan ko aankhoan se laga kar kaha - bhee mehata, aj se maian tumhara shagird ho gaya. batao, kya jadoo mara?

mehata ak d kar, lal-lal aankhoan se takate hue bole - aji, kuchh nahian. aisa kaun-sa b da kam tha. ja kar poochha, aandar aooan? bolian - ap haian mehata ji, aie. maianne aandar ja kar kaha - vahaan log brij khel rahe haian. mis malati paanch sau rupe har gee haian aur apane aangoothi bech rahi haian. aangoothi ek hazar se kam ki nahian hai. apane to dekha hai. bas vahi. apake pas rupe hoan, to paanch sau rupe de kar ek hazar ki chiz le lijie. aisa mauqa phir n milega. mis malati ne is vakt rupe n die, to bedag nikal jaeangi. pichhe se kaun deta hai, shayad isilie unhoanne aangoothi nikali hai ki paanch sau rupe kisake pas dhare hoange. muskaraeean aur chat apane batuve se paanch not nikal kar de die, aur bolian - maian bina kuchh lie ghar se nahian nikalati. n jane kab kya zaroorat p de.

khanna khisiya kar bole - jab hamare prophesaroan ka yah hal hai, to yoonivarsiti ka eeshvar hi malik hai.

khurshed ne ghav par namak chhi daka - are, to aisi kaun-si b di rakam hai, jisake lie apaka dil baitha jata hai. khuda jhooth n bulavae to yah apaki ek din ki amadani hai. samajh lijiega, ek din bimar p d ge, aur jayaga bhi to mis malati hi ke hath mean. apake darde jigar ki dava mis malati hi ke pas to hai.

malati ne thokar mari - dekhie mirja ji, tabele mean latiahuj achchhi nahian.

mirja ne dum hilaee - kan pak data hooan devi ji!

mistar tankha ki talashi huee. mushkil se das rupe nikale, mehata ki jeb se keval athanni nikali. kee sajjanoan ne ek-ek, do-do rupe khud die. hisab jo da gaya, to tin sau ki kami thi. yah kami rayasahab ne udarata ke sath poori kar di.

sanpadak ji ne meve aur phal khae the aur jara kamar sidhi kar rahe the ki rayasahab ne ja kar kaha - apako mis malati yad kar rahi haian.

khush ho kar bole - mis malati mujhe yad kar rahi haian, dhany-bhag! rayasahab ke sath hi hal mean a viraje.

udhar naukaroan ne mejean saf kar di thian. malati ne age badh kar unaka svagat kiya.

sanpadak ji ne namrata dikhaee - baithie, takalluph n kijie. maian itana b da adami nahian hooan.

malati ne shraddha-bhare svar mean kaha - ap takalluph samajhate hoange, maian samajhati hooan, maian apana samman badha rahi hooan, yoan ap apane ko kuchh n samajhean aur apako shobha bhi yahi deta hai, lekin yahaan jitane sajjan jama haian, sabhi apaki rashtr aur sahity-seva se bhali-bhaanti parichit haian. apane is kshetr mean jo mahattvapoorn kam kiya hai, abhi chahe log usaka mooly n samajhean, lekin vah samay bahut door nahian hai-maian to kahati hooan vah samay a gaya hai - jab har ek nagar mean apake nam ki s dakean baneangi, klab baneange, taoonahaloan mean apake chitr latakae jaeange. is vakt jo tho di bahut jagriti hai, vah ap hi ke mahanh udyogoan ka prasad hai. apako yah jan kar anand hoga ki desh mean ab apake aise anuyayi paida ho ge haian, jo apake dehat-sudhar aandolan mean apaka hath bantane ko utsuk haian, aur un sajjanoan ki b di ichchha hai ki yah kam sangathit roop se kiya jay aur ek dehat sudhar-sangh sthapit kiya jay, jisake ap sabhapati hoan.

oankaranath ke jivan mean yah pahala avasar tha ki unhean choti ke adamiyoan mean itana samman mile. yoan vah kabhi-kabhi am jalasoan mean bolate the aur kee sabhaoan ke mantri aur upamantri bhi the, lekin shikshit-samaj ne ab tak unaki upeksha hi ki thi. un logoan mean vah kisi tarah mil n pate the, isalie am jalasoan mean unaki nishkriyata aur svarthaandhata ki shikayat kiya karate the, aur apane patr mean ek-ek ko ragedate the. kalam tej thi, vani kathor, saphagoee ki jagah uchchhriankhalata kar baithate the, isilie log unhean khali dhol samajhate the. usi samaj mean aj unaka itana samman! kahaan haian aj 'svaraj' aur 'svadhin bharat' aur 'hantar' ke sanpadak, a kar dekhean aur apana kaleja thanda karean. aj avashy hi devataoan ki un par kripadrishti hai. sadyog kabhi nishphal nahian jata, rrishiyoan ka vaky hai. vah svayan apane najaroan mean uth ge. kritajnata se pulakit ho kar bole - devi ji, ap to mujhe kaantoan mean ghasit rahi haian. maianne to janata ki jo kuchh bhi seva ki, apana kartavy samajh kar ki. maian is samman ko vyakti ka samman nahian, us uddeshy ka samman samajh raha hooan, jisake lie maianne apana jivan arpit kar diya hai, lekin mera namr-nivedan hai ki pradhan ka pad kisi prabhavashali purush ko diya jay, maian padoan mean vishvas nahian rakhata. maian to sevak hooan aur seva karana chahata hooan.

mis malati ise kisi tarah svikar nahian kar sakati? sabhapati pandit ji ko banana p dega. nagar mean use aisa prabhavashali vyakti doosara nahian dikhaee deta. jisaki kalam mean jadoo hai, jisaki jaban mean jadoo hai, jisake vyaktitv mean jadoo hai, vah kaise kahata hai ki vah prabhavashali nahian hai. vah jamana gaya, jab dhan aur prabhav mean mel tha. ab pratibha aur prabhav ke mel ka yug hai. sanpadak ji ko yah pad avashy svikar karana p dega. mantri mis malati hoangi. is sabha ke lie ek hazar ka chanda bhi ho gaya hai aur abhi to sara shahar aur praant p da hua hai. char-paanch lakh mil jana mamooli bat hai.

oankaranath par kuchh nasha-sa chadhane laga. unake man mean jo ek prakar ki phurahari-si uth rahi thi, usane ganbhir uttaradayitv ka roop dharan kar liya. bole - magar yah ap samajh lean, mis malati, ki yah b di zimmedari ka kam hai aur apako apana bahut samay dena p dega. maian apani taraph se apako vishvas dilata hooan ki ap sabha-bhavan mean mujhe sabase pahale maujood paeangi.

mirja ji ne puchara diya - apaka b de-se-b da dushman bhi yah nahian kah sakata ki ap apana karz ada karane mean kabhi kisi se pichhe rahe.

mis malati ne dekha, sharab kuchh-kuchh asar karane lagi hai, to aur bhi ganbhir ban kar bolian - agar ham log is kam ki mahanata n samajhate, to n yah sabha sthapit hoti aur n ap isake sabhapati hote. ham kisi rees ya tallukedar ko sabhapati bana kar dhan khoob bator sakate haian, aur seva ki a d mean svarth siddh kar sakate haian, lekin yah hamara uddeshy nahian. hamara ekamatr uddeshy janata ki seva karana hai. aur usaka sabase b da sadhan apaka patr hai. hamane nishchay kiya hai ki har ek nagar aur gaanv mean usaka prachar kiya jay aur jald-se-jald usaki grahak-sankhya ko bis hazar tak pahuancha diya jae. praant ki sabhi myunisipailitiyoan aur zila bordo ke cheyaramain hamare mitr haian. kee cheyaramain to yahian virajaman haian. agar har ek ne paanch-paanch sau pratiyaan bhi le lian, to pachis hazar pratiyaan to ap yakini samajhean. phir rayasahab aur mirja sahab ki yah salah hai ki kauansil mean is vishay ka ek prastav rakha jay ki pratyek gaanv ke lie 'bijali' ki ek prati sarakari taur par mangaee jay, ya kuchh varshik sahayata svikar ki jay aur hamean poora vishvas hai ki yah prastav pas ho jayaga.

oankaranath ne jaise nashe mean jhoomate hue kaha - hamean gavarnar ke pas deputeshan le jana hoga.

mirja khurshed bole - zaroor-zaroor!

'unase kahana hoga ki kisi sabhy shasan ke lie yah kitani lajja aur kalank ki bat hai ki gramotthan ka akela patr hone par bhi 'bijali' ka astitv tak nahian svikar kiya jata.'

mirja khurshed ne kaha - avashy-avashy!

'maian garv nahian karata. abhi garv karane ka samay nahian aya, lekin mujhe isaka dava hai ki gramy-sangathan ke lie 'bijali' ne jitana udyog kiya hai...'

mistar mehata ne sudhara - nahian mahashay, tapasya kahie.

'maian mistar mehata ko dhanyavad deta hooan. haan, ise tapasya hi kahana chahie, b di kathor tapasya. 'bijali' ne jo tapasya ki hai, vah is praant ke hi nahian, is rashtr ke itihas mean abhootapoorv hai.'

mirja khurshed bole - zaroor-zaroor!

mis malati ne ek peg aur diya - hamare sangh ne yah nishchay bhi kiya hai ki kauansil mean ab ki jo jagah khali ho, usake lie apako ummidavar kh da kiya jae. apako keval apani svikriti deni hogi. shesh sara kam log kar leange. apako n kharch se matalab, n propegeanda, n dau d-dhoop se.

oankaranath ki aankhoan ki jyoti duguni ho gee. garvapoorn namrata se bole - maian ap logoan ka sevak hooan, mujhase jo kam chahe le lijie.

ham logoan ko apase aisi hi asha hai. ham ab tak jhoothe devataoean ke samane nak rag date-rag date har ge aur kuchh hath n laga. ab hamane apamean sachcha path-pradarshak, sachcha guru paya hai. aur is shubh din ke anand mean aj hamean ekaman, ekapran ho kar apane ahankar ko, apane danbh ko tilaanjali de deni chahie. hamamean aj se koee brahman nahian hai, koee shoodr nahian hai, koee hiandoo nahian hai, koee musalaman nahian hai, koee ooanch nahian hai, koee nich nahian hai. ham sab ek hi mata ke balak, ek hi god ke khelane vale, ek hi thali ke khane vale bhaee haian. jo log bhed-bhav mean vishvas rakhate haian, jo log prithakata aur kattarata ke upasak haian, unake lie hamari sabha mean sthan nahian hai. jis sabha ke sabhapati poojy oankaranath jaise vishal-hriday vyakti hoan, us sabha mean ooanch-nich ka, khan-pan ka aur jati-paanti ka bhed nahian ho sakata. jo mahanubhav ekata mean aur rashtriyata mean vishvas n rakhate hoan, ve kripa karake yahaan se uth jayan.

rayasahab ne shanka ki - mere vichar mean ekata ka yah ashay nahian hai ki sab log khan-pan ka vichar chho d dean. maian sharab nahian pita, to kya mujhe is sabha se alag ho jana padega?

malati ne nirmam svar mean kaha - beshak alag ho jana p dega. ap is sangh mean rah kar kisi tarah ka bhed nahian rakh sakate.

mehata ji ne gh de ko thoanka - mujhe sandeh hai ki hamare sabhapatiji svayan khan-pan ki ekata mean vishvas nahian rakhate haian.

oankaranath ka chehara jard p d gaya. is badamash ne yah kya bevakt ki shahanaee baja di. dusht kahian g de murde n ukha dane lage, nahian yah sara saubhagy svapn ki bhaanti shoony mean vilin ho jayaga.

mis malati ne unake muanh ki or jijnasa ki drishti se dekh kar dridhata se kaha - apaka sandeh niradhar hai mehata mahoday! kya ap samajhate haian ki rashtr ki ekata ka aisa anany upasak, aisa udaracheta purush, aisa rasik kavi is nirarthak aur lajjajanak bhed ko many samajhega? aisi shanka karana usaki rashtriyata ka apaman karana hai.

oankaranath ka mukh-mandal pradipt ho gaya. prasannata aur santosh ki abha jhalak p di.

malati ne usi svar mean kaha - aur isase bhi adhik unaki purush-bhavana ka. ek ramani ke hathoan se sharab ka pyala pa kar vah kaun bhadr purush hoga, jo inakar kar de - yah to nari-jati ka apaman hoga, us nari-jati ka, jisake nayan-banoan se apane hriday ko biandhavane ki lalasa purush-matr mean hoti hai, jisaki adaoan par mar-mitane ke lie b de-b de mahip lalayit rahate haian. laie, botal aur pyale, aur daur chalane dijie. is mahanh avasar par, kisi tarah ki shanka, kisi tarah ki apatti rashtr-droh se kam nahian. pahale ham apane sabhapati ki sehat ka jam pieange.

barph, sharab aur soda pahale hi se taiyar tha. malati ne oankaranath ko apane hathoan se lal vish se bhara hua glas diya, aur unhean kuchh aisi jadoo-bhari chitavan se dekha ki unaki sari nishtha, sari varn-shreshthata kafoor ho gee. man ne kaha sara achar-vichar paristhitiyoan ke adhin hai. aj tum daridr ho, kisi motarakar ko dhool u date dekhate ho, to aisa big date ho ki use pattharoan se choor-choor kar do, lekin kya tumhare man mean kar ki lalasa nahian hai? paristhiti hi vidhi hai aur kuchh nahian. bap-dadoan ne nahian pi thi, n pi ho. unhean aisa avasar hi kab mila tha - unaki jivika pothi-patroan par thi. sharab late kahaan se, aur pite bhi to jate kahaan? phir vah to relaga di par n chadhate the, kal ka pani n pite the, aangreji padhana pap samajhate the. samay kitana badal gaya hai. samay ke sath agar nahian chal sakate, to vah tumhean pichhe chho d kar chala jayaga. aisi mahila ke komal hathoan se vish bhi mile, to shirodhary karana chahie. jis saubhagy ke lie b de-b de raje tarasate haian, vah aj unake samane kh da hai. kya vah use thukara sakate haian?

unhoanne glas le liya aur sir jhuka kar apani kritajnata dikhate hue ek hi saans mean pi ge aur tab logoan ko garv bhari aankhoan se dekha, mano kah rahe hoan, ab to apako mujh par vishvas aya. kya samajhate haian, maian nira poanga pandit hooan. ab to mujhe danbhi aur pakhandi kahane ka sahas nahian kar sakate?

hal mean aisa shoragul macha ki kuchh n poochho, jaise pitare mean band kahakahe nikal p de hoan! vah devi ji! kya kahana hai! kamal hai mis malati, kamal hai. to d diya, namak ka qanoon to d diya, dharm ka kila to d diya, nem ka gh da pho d diya!

oankaranath ke kanth ke niche sharab ka pahuanchana tha ki unaki rasikata vachal ho gee. muskara kar bole -

maianne apane dharm ki thati mis malati ke komal hathoan mean sauanp di aur mujhe vishvas hai, vah usaki yathochit raksha kareangi. unake charan-kamaloan ke is prasad par maian aise ek hazar dharmo ko nyochhavar kar sakata hooan.

kahakahoan se hal gooanj utha.

sanpadak ji ka chehara phool utha tha, aankhean jhuki p dati thian. doosara glas bhar kar bole - yah mil malati ki sehat ka jam hai. ap log piean aur unhean ashirvad dean.

logoan ne phir apane-apane glas khali kar die.

usi vakt mirja khurshed ne ek mala la kar sanpadak ji ke gale mean dal di aur bole - sajjanoan, phidavi ne abhi apane poojy sadar sahab ki shan mean ek kasida kaha hai. ap logoan ki ijajat ho to sunaooan.

charoan taraph se avajean aee - haan-haan, zaroor sunaie.

oankaranath bhang to ae din piya karate the aur unaka mastishk usaka abhyast ho gaya tha, magar sharab pine ka unhean yah pahala avasar tha. bhang ka nasha manthar gati se ek svapn ki bhaanti ata tha aur mastishk par megh ke saman chha jata tha. unaki chetana bani rahati thi. unhean khud maloom hota tha ki is samay unaki vani b di lachchhedar hai, aur unaki kalpana bahut prabal. sharab ka nasha unake oopar sianh ki bhaanti jhapata aur daboch baitha. vah kahate kuchh haian, muanh se nikalata kuchh hai. phir yah jnan bhi jata raha. vah kya kahate haian aur kya karate haian, isaki sudhi hi n rahi. yah svapn ka romani vaichitray n tha, jagriti ka vah chakkar tha, jisamean sakar nirakar ho jata hai.

n jane kaise unake mastishk mean yah kalpana jag uthi ki kasida padhana koee b da anuchit kam hai. mej par hath patak kar bole - nahian, kadapi nahian. yahaan koee kasida neean oga, neean oga. ham sabhapati haian. hamara hukm hai. ham abi is sab ko to d sakate haian. abi to d sakate haian. sabhi ko nikal sakate haian. koee hamara kuchh neean kar sakata. ham sabhapati haian. koee doosara sabhapati neean hai.

mirja ne hath jo d kar kaha - huzoor, is kaside mean to apaki tariph ki gee hai.

sanpadak ji ne lal, par jyotihin netroan se dekha - tum hamari tariph kyoan ki? kyoan ki? bolo, kyoan hamari tariph ki? ham kisi ka naukar neean hai. kisi ke bap ka naukar neean hai, kisi sale ka diya nahian khate. ham khud sanpadak hai. ham 'bijali' ka sanpadak hai. ham usamean sabaka tariph karega. devi ji, ham tumhara tariph neean karega. ham koee b da adami neean hai. ham sabaka gulam hai. ham apaka charan-raj hai. malati devi hamari lakshmi, hamari sarasvati, hamari radha...

yah kahate hue ve malati ke charanoan ki taraph jhuke aur muanh ke bal pharsh par gir p de. mirja khurshed ne dau d kar unhean sanbhala aur kursiyaan hata kar vahian zamin par lita diya. phir unake kanoan ke pas muanh le ja kar bole - ram-ram satt hai! kahie to apaka janaja nikalean?

rayasahab ne kaha - kal dekhana kitana big data hai. ek-ek ko apane patr mean ragedega. aur aisa ragedega ki ap bhi yad kareange! ek hi dusht hai, kisi par daya nahian karata. likhane mean to apana jo d nahian rakhata. aisa gadha adami kaise itana achchha likhata hai, yah rahasy hai.

kee adamiyoan ne sanpadak ji ko uthaya aur le ja kar unake kamare mean lita diya. udhar pandal mean dhanush-yajn ho raha tha. kee bar in logoan ko bulane ke lie adami a chuke the. kee hukkam bhi pandal mean a pahuanche the. log udhar jane ko taiyar ho rahe the ki sahasa ek afagan a kar kh da ho gaya. gora rang, b di-b di mooanchhean, ooancha kad, chau da sina, aankhoan mean nirbhayata ka unmad bhara hua, dhila nicha kurata, pairoan mean shalavar, jari ke kam ki sadari, sir par pag di aur kulah, kandhoan mean cham de ka beg latakae, kandhoan par bandook rakhe aur kamar mean talavar baandhe n jane kidhar se a kh da ho gaya aur garaj kar bola - khabaradar! koee yahaan se mat jao. amara sath ka adami par daka p da hai. yahaan ka jo saradar hai, vah amara adami ko loot liya hai, usaka mal tumako dena hoga. ek-ek kau di dena hoga. kahaan hai saradar, usako bulao!

rayasahab ne samane a kar krodh-bhare svar mean kaha - kaisi loot! kaisa daka? yah tum logoan ka kam hai. yahaan koee kisi ko nahian lootata. saph-saph kaho, kya mamala hai?

afagan ne aankhean nikalian aur bandook ka kuanda zamin par patak kar bola - amase poochhata hai kaisa loot, kaisa daka? tum lootata hai, tumhara adami lootata hai. am yahaan ki kothi ka malik hai. amari kothi mean pachis javan haian. amara adami rupe tahasil kar lata tha. ek hajar. vah tum loot liya, aur kahata hai, kaisa daka? am bataega, kaisa daka hota hai. amara pachisoan javan abi ata hai. am tumhara gaanv loot lega. koee sala kuchh neean kar sakata, kuchh neean kar sakata.

khanna ne afagan ke tevar dekhe to chupake se uthe ki nikal jayan. saradar ne zor se daanta - kaan jata tum? koee keean neean ja sakata, neean am sabako katal kar dega. abi phair kar dega. amara tum kuchh neean kar sakata. am tumhara pulis se neean darata. pulis ka adami amara sakal dekh kar bhagata hai. amara apana kaansal hai, am usako khat likh kar lat sahab ke pas ja sakata hai. am yaan se kisi ko neean jane dega. tum amara ek hazar rupaya loot liya. amara rupaya neean dega, to am kisi ko jianda neean chho dega. tum sab adami doosaroan ke mal ko loot karata hai aur yaan mashook ke sath sharab pita hai.

mis malati usaki aankh bacha kar kamare se nikalane lagian ki vah baj ki tarah toot kar unake samane a kh da hua aur bola - tum in badamashoan se amara mal dilavae, neean am tumako utha le jayaga apane kothi mean jashan manaega. tumhara husn par am ashik ho gaya. ya to amako ek hazar abi-abi de de ya tumako amare sath chalana p dega. tumako am neean chho dega. am tumhara ashik ho gaya hai. amara dil aur jigar phata jata hai. amara is jagah pachis javan hai. is zila mean hamara paanch sau javan kam karata hai. am apane kabile ka khan hai. amare kabila mean das hazar sipahi haian. am kabul ke amir se l d sakata hai. aangrez sarakar amako bis hazar salana khiraj deta hai. agar tum hamara rupaya neean dega, to am gaanv loot lega aur tumhara mashook ko utha le jayaga. khoon karane mean amako lutaph ata hai. am khoon ka dariya baha dega.

majalis par atank chha gaya. mis malati apana chahakana bhool geean. khanna ki piandaliyaan kaanp rahi thian. bechare chot-chapet ke bhay se ek-manjile bangale mean rahate the. jine par chadhana unake lie sooli par chadhane se kam n tha. garami mean bhi dar ke mare kamare mean sote the. rayasahab ko thakuraee ka abhiman tha. vah apane hi gaanv mean ek pathan se dar jana hasyaspad samajhate the, lekin usaki bandook ko kya karate? unhoanne jara bhi chian-chap d kiya aur isane bandook chalaee. hoosh to hote hi haian yah sab, aur nishana bhi is saboan ka kitana achook hota hai, agar usake hath mean bandook n hoti, to rayasahab usase siang milane ko bhi taiyar ho jate. mushkil yahi thi ki dusht kisi ko bahar nahian jane deta. nahian, dam-ke-dam mean sara gaanv jama ho jata aur isake poore jatthe ko pit-pat kar rakh deta.

akhir unhoanne dil mazaboot kiya aur jan par khel kar bole - hamane apase kah diya ki ham chor-dakoo nahian haian. maian yahaan ki kauansil ka meanbar hooan aur yah devi ji lakhanoo ki suprasiddh daktar haian. yahaan sabhi sharif aur ijjatadar log jama haian. hamean bilakul khabar nahian, apake adamiyoan ko kisane loota? ap ja kar thane mean rapat kijie.

khan ne zamin par pair pataka, paiantare badale aur bandook ko kandhoan se utar kar hath mean leta hua daha da - mat bak-bak karo. kauansil ka meanbar ko am is tarah pairoan se kuchal deta hai (jamin par paanv rag data hai) amara hath mazaboot hai, amara dil mazaboot hai, am khudatala ke siva aur kisi se neean darata. tum amara rupaya nahian dega, to am (rayasahab ki taraph ishara kar) abhi tumako katal kar dega.

apane taraph bandook ki donali dekh kar rayasahab jhuk kar mej ke barabar a ge. ajib musibat mean jan phansi thi. shaitan barabas kahe jata hai, tumane hamare rupe loot lie. n kuchh sunata hai, n kuchh samajhata hai, n kisi ko bahar ane-jane deta hai. naukar-chakar, sipahi-pyade, sab dhanush-yajn dekhane mean magn the. jamiandaroan ke naukar yoan bhi alasi aur kam-chor hote haian, jab tak das daphe n pukara jata, bolate hi nahian, aur is vakt to ve ek shubh kam mean lag hue the. dhanush-yajn unake lie keval tamasha nahian, bhagavan ki lila thi, agar ek adami bhi idhar a jata, to sipahiyoan ko khabar ho jati aur dam bhar mean khan ka sara khanapan nikal jata, dadhi ke ek-ek bal nuch jate. kitana gussevar hai. hote bhi to jallad haian. n marane ka gam, n jine ki khushi.

mirja sahab se aangreji mean bole - ab kya karana chahie?

mirja sahab ne chakit netroan se dekha - kya bataooan, kuchh akl kam nahian karati. maian aj apana pistaul ghar hi chho d aya, nahian maja chakha deta.

khanna rona muanh bana kar bole - kuchh rupe de kar kisi tarah is bala ko talie.

rayasahab ne malati ki or dekha - devi ji, ab apaki kya salah hai?

malati ka mukhamandal tamatama raha tha. bolian - hoga kya, meri itani beijjati ho rahi hai aur ap log baithe dekh rahe haian! bis mardoan ke hote ek ujadd pathan meri itani durgati kar raha hai aur ap logoan ke khoon mean jara bhi garami nahian ati! apako jan itani pyari hai? kyoan ek adami bahar ja kar shor nahian machata? kyoan ap log us par jhapat kar usake hath se bandook nahian chhin lete? bandook hi to chalaega? chalane do. ek ya do ki jan hi to jayagi? jane do.

magar devi ji mar jane ko jitana asan samajhati thian, aur log n samajhate the. koee adami bahar nikalane ki phir himmat kare aur pathan gusse mean a kar das-paanch phair kar de, to yahaan saphaya ho jayaga. bahut hoga, pulis use phaansi saja de degi. vah bhi kya thik. ek b de kabile ka saradar hai. use phaansi dete hue sarakar bhi soch-vichar karegi. oopar se dabav p dega. rajaniti ke samane nyay ko kaun poochhata hai - hamare oopar ulate mukadame dayar ho jayan aur dandakari pulis bitha di jay, to ashchary nahian, kitane maje se hansi-majak ho raha tha. ab tak drama ka anand uthate hote. is shaitan ne a kar ek nee vipatti kh di kar di, aur aisa jan p data hai, bina do-ek khoon kie, manega bhi nahian.

khanna ne malati ko phatakara - devi ji, ap to hamean aisa lata d rahi haian, mano apane pran raksha karana koee pap hai. pran ka moh prani-matr mean hota hai aur ham logoan mean bhi ho, to koee lajja ki bat nahian. ap hamari jan itani sasti samajhati haian, yah dekh kar mujhe khed hota hai. ek hazar ka hi to muamala hai. apake pas muft ke ek hazar haian, use de kar kyoan nahian bida kar detian. ap khud apane beijjati kara rahi haian, isamean hamara kya dosh?

rayasahab ne garm ho kar kaha - agar isane devi ji ko hath lagaya, to chahe meri lash yahian t dapane lage, maian usase bhi d jaooanga. akhir vah bhi adami hi to hai.

mirja sahab ne sandeh se sir hila kar kaha - rayasahab, ap abhi to in saboan ke mizaj se vakiph nahian haian. yah phair karana shuroo karega, to phir kisi ko jianda n chho dega. inaka nishana bekhata hota hai.

mi. tankha bechare ane vale chunav ki samasya sulajhane ae the. das-paanch hazar ka vara-nyara karake ghar jane ka svapn dekh rahe the. yahaan jivan hi sankat mean p d gaya. bole - sabase saral upay vahi hai, jo abhi khanna ji ne batalaya. ek hazar ki hi bat aur rupe maujood haian, to ap log kyoan itana soch-vichar kar rahe haian.

mis malati ne tankha ko tiraskar-bhari aankhoan se dekha!

'ap log itane kayar haian, yah maian n samajhati thi.'

'maian bhi yah n samajhata tha ki apako rupe itane pyare haian aur vah bhi muft ke !'

'jab ap log mera apaman dekh sakate haian, to apane ghar ki striyoan ka apaman bhi dekh sakate hoange?'

'to ap bhi paise ke lie apane ghar ke purushoan ko hom karane mean sankoch n kareangi.'

khan itani der tak jhallaya hua-sa in logoan ki gitapit sun raha tha. ekaek garaj kar bola - am ab nioo manega. am itani der yahaan kh da hai, tum log koee javab neean deta. (jeb se siti nikal kar) am tumako ek lamaha aur deta hai, agar tum rupaya neean deta to am siti bajayaga aur amara pachis javan yahaan a jayaga. bas!

phir aankhoan mean prem ki jvala bhar kar usane mis malati ko dekha.

tum amare sath chalega diladar! am tumhare oopar phida ho jayaga. apana jan tumhare kadamoan par rakh dega. itana adami tumhara ashik hai, magar koee sachcha ashik neean hai. sachcha ishk kya hai, am dikha dega. tumhara ishara pate hi am apane sine mean khanjar chubha sakata hai.'

mirja ne ghighiya kar kaha - devi ji, khuda ke lie is mooji ko rupe de dijie.

khanna ne hath jo d kar yachana ki - hamare oopar daya karo mis malati!

rayasahab tan kar bole - haragij nahian. aj jo kuchh hona hai, ho jane dijie. ya to ham khud mar jaeange, ya in jalimoan ko hamesha ke lie sabak de deange.

tankha ne rayasahab ko daant bataee - sher ki maand mean ghusana koee bahaduri nahian hai. maian ise moorkhata samajhata hooan.

magar mis malati ke manobhav kuchh aur hi the. khan ke lalasa-pradipt netroan ne unhean ashvast kar diya tha aur ab is kaand mean unhean manachalepan ka anand a raha tha. unaka hriday kuchh der in narapuangavoan ke bich mean rah kar usake barbar prem ka anand uthane ke lie lalacha raha tha. shisht prem ki durbalata aur nirjivata ka unhean anubhav ho chuka tha. aj akkh d, anagadh pathanoan ke unmatt prem ke lie unaka man dau d raha tha, jaise sangit ka anand uthane ke bad koee mast hathiyoan ki l daee dekhane ke lie dau de.

unhoanne khan sahab ke samane ja kar nishshank bhav se kaha - tumhean rupe nahian mileange.

khan ne hath badha kar kaha- to am tumako loot le jayaga.

'tum itane adamiyoan ke bich se hamean nahian le ja sakate.'

'am tumako ek hazar adamiyoan ke bich se le ja sakata hai.'

'tumako jan se hath dhona p dega.'

'am apane mashook ke lie apane jism ka ek-ek boti nuchava sakata hai.'

usane malati ka hath pak d kar khiancha. usi vakt hori ne kamare mean qadam rakha. vah raja janak ka mali bana hua tha aur usake abhinay ne dehatiyoan ko hansate-hansate lota diya tha. usane socha, malik abhi tak kyoan nahian ae? vah bhi to a kar dekhean ki dehati is kam mean kitane kushal hote haian. unake yar-dost bhi dekhean. kaise malik ko bulae - vah avasar khoj raha tha, aur jyoan hi muhalat mili, dau da hua yahaan aya, magar yahaan ka drishy dekh kar bhauanchakka-sa kh da rah gaya. sab log chuppi sadhe, thar-thar kaanpate, katar netroan se khan ko dekh rahe the aur khan malati ko apane taraph khianch raha tha. usaki sahaj buddhi ne paristhiti ka anuman kar liya. usi vakt rayasahab ne pukara- hori, dau d kar ja aur sipahiyoan ko bula la, jald dau d!

hori pichhe mu da tha ki khan ne usake samane bandook tan kar daanta - kahaan jata hai? suar am goli mar dega.

hori ganvar tha. lal pag di dekh kar usake pran nikal jate the, lekin mast saan d par lathi le kar pil p data tha. vah kayar n tha, marana aur marana donoan hi janata tha, magar pulis ke hathakandoan ke samane usaki ek n chalati thi. bandhe-bandhe kaun phire, rishvat ke rupe kahaan se lae, bal-bachchoan ko kis par chho de; magar jab malik lalakarate hoan, to phir kisaka dar? tab to vah maut ke muanh mean bhi kood sakata hai.

usane jhapat kar khan ki kamar pak di aur aisa a danga mara ki khan charoan khane chitta zamin par a raha aur laga pashto mean galiyaan dene. hori usaki chhati par chadh baitha aur zor se dadhi pak d kar khianchi. dadhi usake hath mean a gee. khan ne turant apani kulah utar pheanki aur zor mar kar kh da ho gaya. are! yah to mistar mehata haian. vah!

logoan ne charoan taraph se mehata ko gher liya. koee unake gale lagata, koee unaki pith par thapakiyaan deta tha aur mistar mehata ke chehare par n hansi thi, n garv, chupachap kh de the, mano kuchh hua hi nahian.

malati ne nakali rosh se kaha - apane yah bahuroopapan kahaan sikha? mera dil abhi tak dh d-dh d kar raha hai.

mehata ne muskarate hue kaha - jara in bhale adamiyoan ki javaanmardi ki pariksha le raha tha. jo gustakhi huee ho, use kshama kijiega.

sanbandhit lekh

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