श्रीकांत उपन्यास भाग-13

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

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manushy ki paralok ki chinta mean shayad paraee chinta ke lie koee sthan nahian. nahian to, mere khane-paharane ki chinta rajalakshmi chho d baithi, itana b da ashchary sansar mean aur kya ho sakata hai? is gangamati mean ae hi kitane din hue hoange, inhian kuchh dinoan mean sahasa vah kitani door hat gayi! ab mere khane ke bare mean poochhane ata hai rasoiya aur mujhe khilane baithata hai ratan. ek hisab se to jan bachi, pahale ki si jidda-jiddi ab nahian hoti. kamazori ki halat mean ab gyarah baje ke bhitar n khane se bukhar nahian ata. ab to jo ichchha ho vah, aur jab chahooan tab, khaooan. sirph ratan ki bar-bar ki uttejana aur maharaj ki sakhed atm-bhartsana se alpahar ka mauqa nahian milata- vah bechara mlan mukh se barabar yahi socha karata hai ki usake banane ke dosh se hi mera khana nahian hua. kisi tarah inhean santusht karake bistar par jakar baithata hooan. samane vahi khula jangala, aur vahi oosar prant ki tivr tapt hava. dopahar ka samay jab sirph is chhaya-hin shushkata ki or dekhate-dekhate katana hi nahian chahata tab ek prashn mujhe sabase zyada yad aya karata hai, ki akhir ham donoan ka sambandh kya hai? pyar vah aj bhi karati hai, is lok mean maian usaka atyant apana hooan, parantu lokantar ke lie maian usaka utana hi adhik paraya hooan. usake dharm-jivan ka maian sathi nahian hooan- hindoo gharane ki l daki hokar is bat ko vah nahian bhooli hai ki vahaan mujh par dava karane ke lie usake pas koee dalil nahian, sirph yah prithvia hi nahian- isake pare bhi jo sthan hai, usake lie pathey sirph mujhe pyar karane se nahian mil sakega- yah sandeh shayad usake man mean khoob b de roop mean ho utha hai.

vah rahi un batoan ko lekar aur mere din katane lage is tarah. karmahin, uddeshyahin jivan ka divarambh hota hai shranti mean, aur avasan hota hai avasann glani mean. apani ayu ki apane hi hath se pratidin hatya karate chalane ke siva mano duniya mean mere lie aur koee kam hi nahian hai. ratan akar bich-bich mean huqqa de jata hai, samay hone par chay pahuancha deta hai- bolata-chalata kuchh nahian. magar usaka muanh dekhane se maloom hota hai ki vah bhi ab mujhe kripa ki drishti se dekhane laga hai. kabhi sahasa akar kahata, "babooji, jangala band kar dijie, loo ki lapat ati hai." maian kah deta, "rahane de." maloom hota, n jane kitane logoan ke sharir ke sparsh aur kitane aparichitoan ke tapt shvasoan ka mujhe hissa mil raha hai. ho sakata hai ki mera vah bachapan ka mitr indranath aj bhi zinda ho, aur yah ushn vayu abhi turant hi use chhookar aee ho. sambhav hai ki vah bhi meri hi tarah bahut dinoan ke bichhu de hue apane sukh-du:kh ke baly sathi ki yad karata ho. aur ham donoan ki vah anh‍nada- jiji! sochata, shayad itane dinoan mean use samast du:khoan ki samapti ho gayi ho. kabhi-kabhi aisa maloom hota ki isi kone mean hi to barma desh hai, hava ke lie to koee rukavat hai nahian, phir kaun kah sakata hai tak samudr par hokar abhaya ka sparsh bhi vah mere pas tak bahati huee nahian le a rahi hai? abhaya ki bat yad ate hi kuchh aisa ho jata hai ki sahaj mean vah mere man se nikalana hi nahian chahati. rohini bhiya shayad is vakt kam par gaye haian aur abhaya apane makan ka sadar daravaza band karake silaee ke kam mean lagi huee hai. din mean meri tarah vah so nahian sakati, shayad kisi bachche ke lie chhoti kanth di, ya usaki tarah ki kisi takiye ki khol, ya aisa hi koee apani grihasthi ka chhota-mota kam kar rahi hai.

chhati ke bhitar jaise tir-sa chubh jata. yug-yugantar se sanchit sanskar aur yug-yugantar ke bhale-bure vicharoan ka abhiman mere rakt ke andar bhi to dol-phir raha hai- phir kaise maian ise nishkapat bhav se 'dirghayu ho' kahakar ashirvad dooan! parantu, man to sharam aur sankoch ke mare ekabaragi chhota hua jata hai.

kam mean lagi huee abhaya ki shant prasann chhavi maian apane hiye ki aauankhoan se dekh sakata hooan. usake pas hi nishkalank sota hua balak hai. mano hal ke khile hue kamal ke saman shobha aur sampad se, gandh aur madhu se, chhalak raha hai. is amrit vastu ki kya jagat mean sachamuch hi zaroorat n thi? manav-samaj mean manav-shishu ka samman nahian, nimantran nahian, sthan nahian, isi se kya ghrina bhav se usako door kar dena hoga? kalyan ke dhan ko hi chir-akalyan mean nirvasit kar dene ki apeksha manav-hriday ka b da dharm kya aur hai hi nahian?

abhaya ko maian pahachanata hooan. itana-bhar pane ke lie usane apane jivan ka kitana diya hai, so aur koee n jane, maian to janata hooan. hriday ki barbarata ke sath sirph ashraddha aur upahas karane se hi sansar mean sab prashnoan ka javab nahian ho jata. bhog! atyant sthool aur lajjajanak deh ka bhog! ho bhi sakata hai! abhaya ko dhikkar dene ki bat zaroor hai!

bahar ki garam hava se meri aauankhoan ke garam aauansoo palak marate hi sookh jate. barma se chale ane ki bat yad ati. tab ki bat jab ki rangoon mean maut ke dar se bhaee bahan ko aur l daka bap ko bhi thaur n deta tha, mrityu-utsav ki uddand mrityu-lila shahar-bhar mean chaloo thi- aise samay jab maian mrityu-doot ke kandhoan par chadhakar usake ghar jakar upasthit hua, tab, nayi jamaee huee ghar-grihasthi ki mamata ne to use ek kshan ke lie bhi duvidha mean nahian dala. us bat ko sirph meri akhyayika ki kuchh panktiyaan padhakar hi nahian samajha ja sakata. magar, maian to janata hooan ki vah kya hai! aur bhi bahut zyada janata hooan. maian janata hooan, abhaya ke lie kuchh bhi kathin nahian hai. mrityu!- vah bhi usake age chhoti hi hai. deh ki bhookh, yauvan ki pyas- in sab purane aur mamooli shabdoan se us abhaya ka javab nahian ho sakata. sansar mean sirph bahari ghatanaoan ko agal-bagal lambi sajakar usase sabhi hridayoan ka pani nahian napa ja sakata.

kam-dhandhe ke lie purane malik ke pas arji bheji hai, bharosa hai ki vah namanjoor n hogi. lihaza phir ham logoan ki mulakat hogi. is arase mean donoan taraph bahut-sa aghatan ghat gaya hai. usaka bhar bhi mamooli nahian, parantu us bhar ko usane ikattha kiya hai apani asadharan saralata se aur apani ichchha se. aur, mera bhar ikattha hua hai utani hi balahinata se aur ichchha-shakti ke abhav se. maloom nahian, isaka rang aur chehara us din amane-samane kaisa dikhaee dega.

akele din-bhar mean jab mera ji haanphane lagata, tab din utarane ke bad jara tahalane nikal jata. paanch-sat din se yah tahalana ek adat mean shumar ho gaya tha. jis dhool-bhare raste se ek din gangamati mean aya tha, use raste se kisi-kisi din bahut door tak chala jata tha. anyamanask bhav se aj bhi usi tarah ja raha tha, sahasa-samane dekha ki dhool ka paha d-sa u data hua koee ghu dasavar dau da chala a raha hai. darakar maian rasta chho dakar kinare ho gaya. savar kuchh age badh jane ke bad ruka aur lautakar mere samane kh da hokar bola, "apaka hi nam shrikant baboo hai n? mujhe pahichana apane?"

maianne kaha, "nam mera yahi hai, magar apako to maian n pahichan saka."

vah gho de se utar p da. maili-kuchaili phati sahabi poshak pahane hue usane apana purana sole ka hait utarate hue kaha, "maian satish bharadvaj hooan. thard klas se pramoshan milane par sarve skool mean padhane chala gaya tha, yad nahian?"

yad a gayi. maianne khush hokar kaha, "kahate kyoan nahian, tum hamare vahi meandhak ho! yahaan sahab bane kahaan ja rahe ho?"

meandhak ne hansakar kaha, "sahab kya apane vash bana hooan bhaee! relave kanstrakshan mean sab-ovarasiyari ka kam karata hooan, kuli charane mean hi zindagi biti ja rahi hai, hait-kot ke bina gujar kahaan? nahian to, ek din ve hi mujhe charakar alag kar dean. sopalapur mean jara kam tha, vahian se laut raha hooan- qarib ek mil par mera tamboo hai, saanithiya se jo nayi lain nikal rahi hai, usi par mera kam hai. chaloge mere dere par? chay pikar chale ana."

namanjoor karate hue maianne kaha, "aj nahian, aur kisi din mauqa mila to aooanga."

usake bad meandhak bahut-si batean poochhane laga. tabiyat kaisi rahati hai, kahaan rahate ho, yahaan kis kam se ay ho, bal-bachche kitane haian, kaise haian, vagairah-vagairah.

javab mean maianne kaha, tabiyat thik nahian rahati, rahata hooan gangamati mean, yahaan ane ke bahut se karan haian, jo atyant jatil haian. bal-bachcha koee nahian hai, lihaza yah prashn hi nirarthak hai.

meandhak sidha-sadha adami hai. mera javab thik n samajh sakane par bhi, aisa dridh sankalp usamean nahian hai ki doosare ki sab batean samajhani hi chahie. vah apani hi bat kahane laga. jagah svasthyakar hai, sag-sabji milati hai, machhali aur doodh bhi koshish karane par mil jata hai, par yahaan adami nahian haian, sathi-sangi koee nahian. phir bhi vishesh takaliph nahian, karan sham ke bad jara nasha-vasha kar lene se kam chal jata hai. sahab log kaise bhi hoan, par bangaliyoan se bahut achchhe haian- tempareri taur par ek ta di ka shed khola gaya hai-jitani tabiyat ave, pio. paise to ek tarah se lagate hi nahian samajh lo- sab achchha hi hai- kanstrakshan mean oopari amadani bhi hai, aur chahooan to tumhare lie bhi sahab se kah-sunakar asani se ek naukari dilava sakata hooan- isi tarah ki apane-saubhagy ki chhoti-b di bahut-si batean vah kahata raha. phir apane gathiyavale gho de ki lagam pak de mere sath-sath vah bahut door tak bakata hua chala. bar-bar poochhane laga ki maian kab tak usake dere par padharooanga, aur mujhe bharosa diya ki po dapati mean use akasar apane kam se jana p data hai, lautate vakt vah kisi din mere yahaan gangamati mean zaroor hajir hoga.

is din ghar lautane mean mujhe jara rat ho gayi. rasoie ne akar mujhase kaha ki bhaujan taiyar hai. hath-muanh dhokar kap de badalakar khane baitha hi tha ki itane mean rajalakshmi ki avaz sunaee di. vah ghar mean akar chaukhat par baith gayi, hansati huee boli, "maian pahale se kahe deti hooan, tum kisi bat par etaraj n kar sakoge."

maianne kaha, "nahian, mujhe zara bhi etaraj nahian."

"kis bat par, bina sune hi?"

maianne kaha, "zaroorat samajho to kah dena kisi vakt."

rajalakshmi ka hansata chehara gambhir ho gaya, boli, "achchha." sahasa usaki nigah p d gayi meri thali par. boli, "are, bhat kha rahe ho? janate ho ki rat ko tumhean bhat jhilata nahian- tum kya apani bimari n achchhi karane doge mujhe, yahi tay kiya hai kya?"

bhat mujhe achchhi tarah hi jhil raha tha, magar is bat ke kahane se koee labh nahian. rajalakshmi ne tivr svar mean avaz di, "maharaj!" daravaze ke pas maharaj ke ate hi use thali dikhate hue rajalakshmi ne pahale se bhi adhik tivr svar mean kaha, "yah kya hai? tumhean shayad hazar bar mana kar diya hai ki rat mean baboo ko bhat n diya karo- jao, juramane mean ek mahine ki tanakha kat jayegi." magar, is bat ko sabhi naukar-chakar janate the ki rupayoan ke roop mean jurmane ke kuchh mani nahian hote, lekin phatakar ke lihaz se to usake mani haian hi. maharaj ne gusse mean akar kaha, "ghi nahian hai, maian kya karooan?"

"kyoan nahian hai, so maian sunana chahati hooan."

usane javab diya, "do-tin bar kaha hai apase ki ghi nibat gaya hai, adami bhejie. ap n bhejean to isamean mera kya dosh?"

ghar-kharch ke lie mamooli ghi yahian mil jata hai, par mere lie ata hai saanithiya ke pas ke kisi gaanv se. adami bhejakar mangana p data hai. ghi ki bat ya to anyamanaskata ke karan rajalakshmi ne suni nahian, ya phir vah bhool gayi. usase poochha, "kab se nahian hai maharaj?"

"ho gaye paanch-sat din."

"to paanch-sat din se inhean bhat khila rahe ho?"

ratan ko bulakar kaha, "maian bhool gayi to kya too nahian manga sakata tha? kya is tarah sabhi milakar mujhe tang kar daloge?"

ratan bhitar se apani maanji par bahut khush n tha. din-rat ghar chho dakar anyatr rahane aur khasakar meri taraph se udasin ho jane se usaki narajagi had tak pahuanch chuki thi. malakin ke ulahane ke uttar mean usane bhale adami ka sa manh banakar kaha, "kya janooan maanji, tumane suni-anasuni kar di to maianne socha ki badhiya kimati ghi ki shayad ab zaroorat n ho. tabhi to bhala paanch-chhah din se maian kamazor adami ko bhat khane deta?"

rajalakshmi ke pas isaka javab hi n tha, isalie naukar se itani b di chubhane vali bat sunakar bhi vah bina kuchh javab diye chupake se uthakar chali gayi?

rat ko bistar par p de-p de bahut der tak chhatapatate rahane ke bad shayad kuchh jhapaki-si lagi hogi, itane mean rajalakshmi daravaza kholakar bhitar aee aur mere paanyate ke pas bahut der tak chupachap baithi rahi; phir boli, "so gaye kya?"

maianne kaha, "nahian to."

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "tumhean pane ke lie maianne jitana kiya hai, usase adha bhi agar bhagavan ke pane ke lie karati to ab tak shayad ve bhi mil jate. magar maian tumhean n pa saki."

maianne kaha, "ho sakata hai ki adami ko pana aur bhi kathin ho."

"adami ko pana?" rajalakshmi kshan-bhar sthir rahakar boli, "kuchh bhi ho, prem bhi to ek tarah ka bandhan hai, shayad yah bhi tumase nahian saha jata-aauansata hai."

is abhiyog ka koee javab nahian, yah abhiyog shashvat aur sanatan hai. adim manav-manavi se uttaradhikar-sootr mean mile hue is kalah ki mimaans koee nahian hai- yah vivad jis din mit jayega us din sansar ka sara ras aur sari madhurata titi zahar ho jayegi isi se maian uttar dene ki koshish n karake chup ho raha.

parantu ashchary ki bat yah hai ki, jivan ke lie rajalakshmi ne koee agrah ya jabaradasti nahian ki, jivan ke itane b de sarvavyapi prashn ko bhi vah mano ek nimesh mean apane ap hi bhool gayi. boli, "nyayaratn maharaj kisi ek vrat ke lie kah rahe the-par jara kathin hone se sab use kar nahian sakate, aur itani suvidha bhi kitanoan ke bhagy mean jutati hai?"

asamapt prastav ke bich mean maian maun raha; vah kahane lagi, "tin din ek tarah se upavas hi karana p data hai, sunanda ki bhi b di ichchha hai- donoan ka vrat ek hi sath ho jata- par..." itana kahakar vah khud hi jara hansakar boli, "par tumhari ray hue bina kaise..."

maianne poochha, "meri ray n hone se kya hoga?"

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "to phir nahian hoga."

maianne kaha, "to isaka vichar chho d do, meri ray nahian hai."

"rahane do- majak mat karo."

"mazak nahian, sachamuch hi meri ray nahian hai- maian manahi karata hooan."

meri bat sunakar rajalakshmi ke chehare par badal ghir ay. kshan-bhar stabdh rahakar vah boli, "par ham logoan ne to sab tay kar liya hai. chij-vastu mangane ke lie adami bhej diye haian, kal havishy karake parasoan se- vah ab manahi karane se kaise hoga? sunanda ke samane maian muanh kaise dikhaooangi chhote maharaj? vah! yah sirph tumhari chalaki hai. mujhe jhoothamooth khijhane ke lie- so nahian hoga, tum batao, tumhari ray hai?"

maianne kaha, "hai. magar tum kisi din bhi to meri ray gair-ray ki paravah nahian karati lakshmi, phir aj hi kyoan achanak majak karane chali aeean? mera adesh tumhean manana hi hoga, yah dava to maianne tumase kabhi kiya nahian."

rajalakshmi ne mere pairoan par hath rakhakar kaha, "ab kabhi n hoga, sirph abaki bar khushi man se mujhe hukm de do."

maianne kaha, "achchha. lekin t dake hi shayad tumhean jana p dega. ab aur rat mat badhao, sone jao."

rajalakshmi nahian gayi, dhire-dhire mere pairoan par hath pherane lagi. jab tak so n gaya, ghoom-phirakar bar-bar sirph yahi maloom hone laga ki vah sneh-sparsh ab nahian raha. vah bhi to koee zyada din ki bat nahian hai, ara steshan se jis din vah uthakar apane ghar laee thi tab isi tarah paanvoan par hath pherakar mujhe sulana pasand karati thi. thik isi tarah nirav rahati thi, par mujhe maloom hota tha ki usaki dasoan uangaliyaan mano dasoan indriyoan ki sampoorn vyakulata se nari-hriday ka jo kuchh hai sabaka sab mere in pairoan par hi uan dele de rahi hai. halaanki maianne chaha nahian tha, maanga nahian tha, aur ise lekar kaise kya karooanga, so bhi sochakar tay nahian kar paya tha. badh ke pani ke saman ate samay bhi usane ray nahian li, aur shayad jate sayam bhi, usi tarah muanh n takegi. meri aauankhoan se sahaj mean aauansoo nahian girate, aur prem ke lie bhikhamangapan bhi mujhase karate nahian banata. sansar mean mera kuchh bhi nahian hai, kisi se kuchh paya bhi nahian hai, 'de do' kahakar hath phailate hue bhi mujhe sharam ati hai. kitaboan mean padha hai, isi bat par kitana virodh, kitani jalan, kitani kasak aur man-abhiman-n jane kitana pramatt pashchattap hua karata hai- sneh ki sudha garal ho uthane ki n jane kitani vikshubdh kahaniyaan haian. janata hooan ki ye sab batean jhoothi nahian haian, parantu mere man ka jo vairagi tandrarachchhann p da tha, sahasa vah chauankakar uth kh da hua, bola, "chhi chhi chhi!"

bahut der bad mujhe so gaya samajhakar, rajalakshmi jab savadhani ke sath dhire se uthakar chali gayi tab vah jan bhi n paee ki mere nidrahin nimilit netroan se aauansoo jhar rahe haian. aauansoo barabar girate hi rahe, kintu aj ki vah ayattatit sampada ek din meri hi thi, is vyarth ke hahakar se ashanti paida karane ki meri pravritti n huee.

000

sabere uthakar suna ki bahut t dake hi rajalakshmi naha-dhokar ratan ko sath lekar chali gayi hai. aur yah bhi khabar mili ki tin din tak usaka ghar ana n hoga. hua bhi yahi. vahaan koee virat kand ho raha ho so bat nahian- par haan, das-paanch brahman sajjanoan ka avagaman ho raha hai, aur kuchh-kuchh khane-pine ka bhi ayojan hua hai, is bat ka abhas mujhe yahian baithe-baithe apane jangale mean se mil raha tha. kaun-sa vrat hai, usaka kaisa anushthan hai, usake sampann karane se svarg ka marg kitana sugam hota hai, yah maian kuchh bhi n janata tha, aur janane ke lie aisa kuchh kutahool bhi n tha. ratan roj sham ke bad aya karata aur

kahata, "ap ek bar bhi gaye nahian babooji?"

maian poochhata, "isaki kya koee zaroorat hai?"

ratan kuchh musibat mean p d jata. vah is dhang se javab deta- mera bilkuhl n jana logoan ki nigah mean kaisa lagata hoga! ho sakata hai ki koee samajh baithe ki isamean meri ichchha nahian hai. kaha to nahian ja sakata?

nahian, kaha kuchh bhi nahian ja sakata. maian poochhata, "tumhari malakin kya kahati haian?"

ratan kahata, "unaki ichchha to ap janate hi haian, ap nahian rahate haian to unhean kuchh bhi achchha nahian lagata hai. lekin kya karean, koee poochhata hai to kah deti haian, kamazor sharir hai, itani door paidal ane-jane se tabiyat kharab hone ka dar hai. aur a ke kareange hi kya!"

maianne kaha, "so to thik bat hai. isake alava tum to janate ho ratan, ki in sab pooja-path, vrat-upavas, dharm-karmoan ke bich maian bilkual hi ashobhan-sa dikhaee deta hooan. yog-yajn ke mamaloan mean mera jara door-door hi rahana achchha hai. thik hai n?"

ratan haan mean haan milata hua kahata, "so to thik hai!" magar maian rajalakshmi ki taraph se samajhata tha ki meri upasthiti vahaan... kintu jane do us bat ko.

sahasa ek jabaradast khabar sunane mean ayi. malakin ko aram aur sahooliyat pahuanchane ke bahane gumashta kashinath kushari mahashay sastrik vahaan upasthit hue haian.

"kahata kya hai ratan, ekadam sastrik?"

"ji haan. so bhi bina nimantran ke."

samajh gaya ki bhitar-hi-bhitar rajalakshmi ka koee kaushal chal raha hai. sahasa aisa bhi maloom hua ki shayad isilie usane apane ghar n karake doosaroan ke ghar yah intazam kiya hai.

ratan kahane laga, "b di bahoo ka vinoo ko god mean lekar rona agar ap dekhate! chhoti bahoo ne khud apane hath se unake paanv dho diye, khana nahian chahati thian so apane hath se asan bichhakar chhote bachchoan ki tarah unhean svayan khilaya baithakar. maanji ki aauankhoan se aauansoo girane lage. yah hal dekhakar boodhe kushari maharaj to phoot-phootakar rone lage- mujhe to aisa maloom hota hai baboo, kam-kaj khatam ho jane par chhoti bahoo ab us khandahar ki mamata chho d-chha dakar apane makan mean jakar rahegi. yah agar ho gaya to gaanvabhar ke sabhi log b de khush hoange. aur yah karamat hai apani maanji ki hi, so maian batae deta hooan babooji."

sunanda ko jahaan tak maianne pahichana hai, usase itani b di asha maian n kar saka; parantu rajalakshmi ke oopar se mera bahut-sa abhiman, sharat ke meghachchhann akash ki bhaanti, dekhate-dekhate hatakar n jane kahaan bila gaya aur aauankhoan ke samane bilkual svachchh ho gaya.

in donoan bhaiyoan aur bahuoan ka vichchhed jis tarah saty nahian, usi tarah svabhavik bhi nahian. man ke bhitar jara-si khauanp n hone par bhi jahaan bahar se itani b di phatan dikhaee de rahi hai, us phate ko jo d dene layaq hriday aur kaushal jisamean hai, us jaisa kalakar aur hai kahaan? isi uddeshy se kitane dinoan se vah gupt roop se udyog karati a rahi hai, koee thik hai! maianne ekagr hriday se ashirvad diya ki usaki yah sadichchha poorn ho. kuchh dinoan se mere hriday ke ekant kone mean jo bhar sanchit ho raha tha, aj usake bahut-kuchh halaka ho jane se, aj ka din mera bahut achchhi tarah bita. kaun-sa shastriy vrat rajalakshmi ne liya hai, maian nahian janata; parantu aj usaki tin din ki miyad poori ho jayegi aur kal usase bheant hogi, yah bat bahut dinoan bad phir mano mujhe naye roop mean yad a gayi.

doosare din sabere rajalakshmi a n saki, par bahut du:kh ke sath ratan ke muanh se khabar bhijavaee ki aisa bhagy hai mera ki ek bar a ke soorat dikha jane tak ki phurasat nahian- din-muhoort bit jayega. pas hi kahian vakreshvar nam ka tirth hai, vahaan jagrat devata aur garam jal ka kund hai, usamean avagahan snan karane se sirph vahi nahian, usake pitri-kul matri-kul aur shvashur-kul ke tin karo d janmoan ke jo koee jahaan hoange, un sabaka uddhar ho jayega. sathi mil gaye haian, daravaze par bailaga di taiyar hai, yatra ka muhoort ho hi raha hai. do-ek bahut zaroori chizean ratan ne daraban ke hath bhej dian. vah bechara ji chho dakar dau da chala gaya. suna ki lautane mean paanch-sat din lageange.

aur bhi paanch-sat din! shayad abhyas ke karan hi ho, aj use dekhane ke lie maian man-hi-man unmukh ho utha tha. parantu ratan ke muanh se akasmath usaki tirthayatra ka samachar sunakar nirasha ke abhiman ya krodh ke badale, sahasa mera hriday karuna aur vyatha se bhar utha. pyari sachamuch hi sampoornataya ni:shesh hokar mar gayi hai, usake kritakarm ke du:sah bhar se aj rajalakshmi ke sampoorn deh-man mean jo vedana ka artanad uchchhvasit ho utha hai, use rokane ka rasta use dhooandhe nahian mil raha hai. yah jo ashrant vikshobh hai-apane jivan se dau dakar nikal bhagane ki yah jo digvihin vyakulata hai, isaka kya koee ant nahian? pianj de mean band pakshi ki tarah hi kya yah din-rat avishram sir dhun-dhunakar mar mitegi? aur us pianjade qi lauh-shalaka ke saman maian hi kya chirakal usaka mukti ka dvar ghere rahooanga? sansar jise kisi bhi chiz se kisi din baandh n saka, usi mere bhagy se hi kya bhagavan ne antatogatva itana b da durbhog likh diya hai? mujhe vah sampoorn hriday se chahati hai. mera moh usase chhutae nahian chhootata. isi ka puraskar dene ke lie kya maian usaki samast bhavi sukriti ke pairoan ki be di banakar rahooanga?

maianne man-hi-man kaha, "maian use chhutti dooanga- us bar ki tarah nahian- abaki bar, ekagr chitt se, ant:karan ke sampoorn ashirvad ke sath hamesha ke lie use mukti dooanga. aur ho saka to usake lautane ke pahale hi maian is desh ko chho dakar chala jaooanga. kisi bhi avashyakata par, kisi bhi bahane, sampada aur vipada ke kisi bhi chakkar mean ab usake samane n aooanga. ek din mere apane hi adrisht ne mujhe apane is sankalp mean dridh nahian rahane diya, parantu, ab maian usake age kisi bhi tarah parajay svikar n karooanga."

man-hi-man bola, "adrisht isi ka nam hai. ek din jab maian patane se bida hua, tab pyari apane oopar ke baramade mean chupachap kh di thi. us samay usake muanh mean jaban n thi, nirav thi; phir bhi kya usake viruddh ant:karan se nikali huee mujhe vapas bulane vali aauansoobhari pukar raste-bhar mere kanoan mean bar-bar nahian gooanjati rahi thi? parantu, maian lauta nahian. desh chho dakar sudoor videsh mean chala gaya tha, parantu vah jo roopahin, bhasharahit, durnivar akarshan mujhe rat-din apani or khianchane laga, usake nikat yah desh-videsh ka vyavadhan kitana-sa tha? phir ek din vapas ana p da. bahar vale mere us parajay ki glani ko hi dekh sake, par mere kanth ki amlan kanti jayamala par unaki nigah n p di."

aisa hi hota hai. maian janata hooan, nikat-bhavishy mean hi phir ek din meri bidaee ki gh di a pahuanchegi. us din bhi shayad vah usi tarah nirav hi bani rahegi, parantu meri us antim bida ki yatra mean sampoorn marg-vyapi vah abhootapoorv nivi d ahnan shayad ab n sunaee dega.

man-hi-man sochane laga, "yah jo rahane ka nimantran samapt ho jana hi sirph baki bach rahata hai, so kaisi vyatha ki vastu hai! phir bhi, is vyatha ka koee bhagidar nahian, sirph mere hi hriday mean gadha khodakar is nindit vedana ko hamesha ke lie akela rahana hoga. rajalakshmi se prem karane ka adhikar sansar ne mujhe nahian diya; yah ekagr prem, yah hansana-rona aur man-abhiman yah tyag, yah nivi d milan- sab kuchh lok-samaj ki drishti se jaise vyarth hai. usi tarah apaka mera yah asann vichchhed ka asahy antardah bhi bahar valoan ki drishti se arthahin hai." aj yahi bat mujhe sabase zyada chubhane lagi ki ek ka marmantik du:kh jab ki doosare ke lie upahas ki vastu ho jati hai, to isase badhakar trejidi sansar mean aur kya ho sakati hai? phir bhi, hoti yahi hai. lokasamaj mean rahate hue bhi jis adami ne lokachar ko nahian mana- vidroh kiya hai, vah phariyad bhi kare to kisase? yah samasya sanatan hai, shashvat aur prachin hai. srishti ke din se lekar aj tak yah ek hi prashn bar-bar ghoomata hua chala a raha hai, aur bhavishy ke garbh mean bhi jahaan tak drishti jati hai, isaka koee samadhan dikhaee nahian deta. yah anyay hai-avaanchhaniy hai. to bhi, itani b di sampada- itana b da aishvary, kya manushy ke pas aur kuchh hai? abadhyai nar-nari ke is avaanchhit hriday veg ki n jane kitani nirav vedanaoan ke itihas ko bich mean rakhakar yug-yug mean kitane puranoan, kitani kathaoan aur kitane kavyoan ke abhrabhedi saudh kh de kiye gaye haian, koee thik hai!

parantu aj agar yah ruk jay? man-hi-man kaha, jane do. rajalakshmi ki dharm mean ruchi ho, usake vakreshvar ka marg sugam ho, usaka mantrochcharan shuddh ho, ashirvad karata hooan ki usaka punyoparjan ka marg nirantar nirvighn aur nishkantak hota jay. apane du:kh ka bhar maian akela hi dhota rahooanga.

doosare din niand khulane ke sath hi sath aisa maloom hua, mano gangamati ke is ghar se, yahaan ke gali-koochoan aur khule maidan se-sabase mere sabhi bandhan ek sath hi shithil ho gaye haian. rajalakshmi kab lautegi, koee thik nahian, magar mera man hi ab ek kshan bhi yahaan rahana nahian chahata. nahane ke lie ratan ne takid karana shuroo kar diya. karan, jate samay rajalakshmi sirph k da hukm dekar hi nishchint n ho saki thi, ratan se usane apane pair chhuakar saugandh le li thi ki usaki anupasthiti mean meri taraph se jara bhi laparavahi ya aniyam n hone payega. khane ka vakt sabere gyarah baje aur rat ko ath baje ke bhitar tay hua hai, aur isake lie ratan ko roj gh di dekhakar samay likh rakhana hoga. kah gayi hai ki lautane par isake lie vah har ek ko ek-ek mahine ki tanakha inam mean degi. maian bistar par p da-p da hi jan raha tha ki rasoiya apani rasoee ka kam khatam karake idhar-udhar dol raha hai, aur kushari mahashay sabera hote n hote naukar ke sir par sag-sabji, machhali, doodh vagairah lade svayan a pahuanche haian. utsukata ab kisi bhi vishay mean nahian thi- achchhi bat hai, gyarah baje aur ath baje hi sahi. mere karan, ek mahine ke atirikt vetan se tum log vanchit n hoge, yah nishchit hai.

kal rat ko bilkutal hi niand nahian aee thi, shayad isilie aj kha-pikar bistar par p date hi so gaya.

niand khuli qarib char baje. kuchh dinoan se maian niyamit roop se ghoomane nikal jata tha, aj bhi hath-muanh dhokar chay pikar nikal p da.

daravaze ke bahar ek adami baitha tha, usane mere hath mean ek chitthi di. satish bharadvaj ki chitthi thi, kisi ne bahut mushkil se ek pankti likhakar jataya ki vah bahut bimar hai. maian n jaooanga to vah mar jayega.

maianne poochha, "kya hua hai use?"

us adami ne kaha, "haiza."

maian khush hokar bola, "chalo." khush isalie nahian hua ki use haiza hua hai; balki is bat ki khushi huee ki kam-se-kam kuchh der ke lie to ghar se sambandh chhootane ka mauqa hath laga aur ise maianne bahut b da labh samajha.

ek bar socha ki ratan ko bulakar kam-se-kam use kah to jaooan, par usaki anupasthiti se aisa n kar saka. jaisa kh da tha vaisa hi chal diya, ghar ke kisi bhi adami ko kuchh maloom n hua.

lagabhag tin kos rasta tay karane ke bad sandhyaa ke samay satish ke kaimp par pahuancha. socha tha ki relave kanstrakshan ke incharj 'es.si. baradaj' ke yahaan bahut kuchh aishvary dikhaee dega, magar vahaan pahuanchakar dekha ki eershya karane layaq koee bhi bat nahian hai. chhote-se ek chholadari dere mean vah rahata hai, usake pas hi pual aur dali-pattoan se chhaee huee ek jhoanp di hai, usamean rasoee banati hai. ek hrisht-pusht bauri ki l daki ag jalakar kuchh ubal rahi thi. vah mujhe apane sath tamboo ke bhitar le gayi.

is bich mean ramapur hat se ek chhokara-sa panjabi d aauktar a pahuancha tha. mujhe satish ka baly-bandhu janakar mano vah ji-sa gaya. rogi ke bare mean bola, "kes siriyas nahian hai, jan ka koee khatara nahian." phir kahane laga, "meri trali taiyar hai, abhi ravana n hone se hed-kvartars se pahuanchane mean bahut zyada rat ho jayegi- takaliph ka thikana n rahega." mera kya hoga, yah usake sochane ka vishay nahian. kab kya karana hoga, is bat ka bhi upadesh diya; aur apani thelaga di par ravana hote samay baig mean se do-tin dibbi aur shishiyaan mere hath mean dete hue usane kaha, "haiza chhoot ki bimari hai. us talaiya ka pani kam mean lane ke lie mana kar dijiega." kahate-kahate usane samane ke ek mitti nikale hue gadhe ki aur ishara kiya, aur phir kaha, "aur agar apako khabar mile ki kuliyoan mean se kisi ko haiza ho gaya hai- ho bhi sakata hai, to in davaoan ko kam mean laiega."

itana kahakar rog ki kis avastha mean kaun-si dava deni hogi, yah sab bhi usane samajha diya.

adami bura nahian hai, aur daya-maya bhi hai. mujhe bar-bar samajhakar savadhan kar gaya hai ki apane baly-bandhu ki tabiyat ka hal kal use zaroor mil jay, aur kuliyoan par bhi nigah rakhane mean bhool n ho.

yah achchha hua. rajalakshmi gayi vakreshvar ki yatra karane, aur naraj hokar maian nikala bahar phirane. raste mean ek adami se bheant ho gayi. bachapan ka parichay tha usase, isalie baly-bandhu to hai hi. haan, itana zaroor hai ki pandrah-solah varsh se usase bheant nahian huee thi, isalie sahasa use pahichan n saka tha. magar in do hi char dinoan ke andar yah kaisi ghor ghanishthata ho gayi ki usake haije ke ilaj ka bhar, timaradari ki jimmevari, aur sath hi usake sau-dedh sau mitti khodane vale kuliyoan ki rakhavari ka bhar- vah tamam aphat mujh par hi a tooti! bach raha sirph usaka sole ka hait aur tattoo gho da- aur shayad vah mazadoor ki l daki bhi. usaki manabhoomi‍ ki anirvachaniy bauri bhasha ka adhikaansh mujhe khatakane laga. sirph ek bat mujhe nahian khataki, vah yah ki in das hi pandrah minatoan ke darmyan, mujhe pakar use bahut kuchh tasalli ho gayi. jaooan, ab itani kami kyoan rakkhooan, jakar gho de ko ek bar dekh aooan.

socha ki meri takadir hi aisi hai. nahian to usamean rajalakshmi hi kyoan kar ati, aur abhaya hi mere jarie apane du:kh ka bojh kaise dhuati? aur yah meandhak aur usake kuliyoan ka jhund- aur kisi vyakti ko to yah sab jha d-pheankane mean kshan-bhar ki bhi der n lagati. tab phir maian hi kyoan zindagi-bhar dhota phirooan?

tamboo rel-kampani ka hai. satish ki niji sampatti ki soochi maianne man-hi-man bana li. kuchh enamel ke bartan, ek stovh, ek lohe ki peti, ek chi d ka b aauks, aur usake sone ki kaimbis ki khat- jisane bahut zyada istemal hone se daangi ka roop dharan kar liya tha. satish hoshiyar adami hai, is khat ke lie bistar ki zaroorat nahian p dati, koee bichhaune jaisi chiz hone se hi kam chal jata hai, isi se sirph rangin dari ke siva usane aur kuchh nahian kharida. bhavishy mean haija hone ki use koee ashanka nahian thi. kaimbis ki khat par timaradari karane mean bahut hi asuvidha maloom huee; aur jo ekamatr dari thi, so bahut hi gandi ho chuki thi, isalie use niche zamin par sulane ke siva aur koee chara hi nahian tha.

maian yatparonasti chintit ho utha. us l daki ka nam tha kalidasi. maianne usase poochha, "kali kahian kisi se ek-do bichhaune mil sakate haian?"

kali ne javab diya, "nahian."

maianne kaha, "tho da-sa payal-ayal la sakati ho?"

kali ne chat se hansakar jo kaha, usaka matalab yah tha ki yahaan gay-bhaiansean tho de hi bandhi haian!

maianne kaha, "to baboo ko sulaooan kis par?"

kali ne bina kisi dar ke zamin dikhakar kaha, "yahaan. ye kya bachane vale haian?"

usake chehare ki taraph dekhane mean maloom hua ki aisa nirvikalp prem sansar mean sudurlabh hai. man-hi-man bola, tum bhakti ki patr ho. tumhari batean sun lene par phir 'moh-mudgar' padhane ki zaroorat nahian rahati. parantu meri vaisi vijnanamay avastha nahian hai. abhi to yah zinda hai, isalie kuchh to bichhane ko chahie hi.

maianne poochha, "baboo ke pahinane ke ek-adh dhoti-oti bhi nahian hai kya?"

kali ne sir hila diya. usamean kisi tarah ki dubidha ya sankoch ka bhav n tha. vah 'shayad' nahian kahati thi. boli, "dhoti nahian hai, pataloon hai."

mana ki paint sahabi chiz hai, kimati vastu hai; par usase bistar ka kam liya ja sakata hai ya nahian, meri samajh mean n aya. sahasa yad aya, ate vakt najadik hi kahian ek phata tirapal dekha tha; maianne kaha, "chalo chalean, donoan milakar us tirapal ko utha lavean. pataloon bichhane ki bajay vah achchha rahega."

kali raji ho gayi. saubhagyavash vah vahian p da tha, lakar usi par satish ko sula diya. usi ke ek kinare par kali ne atyant vinay ke sath asan jama liya, aur dekhate-dekhate hi vah vahian so gayi. meri dharana thi ki striyoan ki nak nahian bajati par kali ne use galat sabit kar diya.

maian akela us chi d ke b aauks par baitha raha. idhar satish ke hath-pair bar-bar aianth rahe the, seankane-tapane ki zaroorat thi. bahut bulane-pukarane par kali ki niand tooti, lekin usane karavat badalakar jataya ki lak di-vak di kuchh hai nahian, vah ag jalae to kaise? khud koshish karake dekh sakata tha, magar prakash ke nam pooanji vahi ek hariken thi. phir bhi usaki rasoee mean jakar dekha to maloom hua ki kali ne jhooth nahian kaha. us ek jhoanp di ke siva vahaan aur koee aisi chiz nahian thi jo jalaee ja sake. magar sahas n hua kahian pran nikalane se pahale hi usaka agni sanskar n kar baithooan! kaimp-khat aur chi d ka b aauks nikalakar usi mean diya salaee lagakar ag jalaee, aur apana kurata kholakar usaki potali-si bana ke, usase kuchh-kuchh seank dene ki koshish karata raha, par apane ko santvana dene ke siva rogi ko usase kuchh bhi fayada n pahuanch saka.

rat ke do baje hoange ya tin, khabar aee ki kuliyoan ko kai-dast shuroo ho gaye haian. un logoan ne mujhe d aauktar-sahab samajh liya tha. unhian ki batti ki sahayata se dava-daroo lekar kuli-lain tak pahuancha. ve malaga di mean rahate the, chhat nadarat, khuli ga diyaan lain par kh di haian- mitti khodane ki zaroorat p dane par ianjan unhean gantavy sthan par khianch le jata hai aur vahian ve kam par jate haian.

baans ki nasaini ke sahare ga di par chadha. ek tarah vah boodha-sa adami p da hua tha. usake chehare par batti ka prakash p date hi samajh gaya ki usaka rog asan nahian hai, bahut door age badh gaya hai. aur doosari or paanch-sat adami the, stri aur purush donoan. koee sote se uth baitha hai to kisi ki niand jyoan ki tyoan bani huee hai.

itane mean unaka jamadar a pahuancha. vah bangala bhasha achchhi bol leta tha. maianne poochha, "aur ek rogi kahaan hai?"

usane aandhere ki or aanguli uthakar doosara dibba dikhate hue kaha, "vahaan."

phir nasaini ke sahare chadhana p da, dekha ki vah stri hai. umar pachis-tis se zyada n hogi, do bachche usake pas p de so rahe haian. pati nahian hai- vah pichhali sal arakati ke pher mean p dakar, doosari kisi apekshakrit kam umar ki aurat ke sath, asam ke chay ke bagiche mean kam karane chala gaya hai.

is ga di mean aur bhi paanch-chhai stri-purush maujood the, unhoanne usake pashan-hriday pati ki ninda karane ke siva rogi ki koee bhi sahayata nahian ki. panjabi d aauktar ke upadeshanusar maianne donoan rogiyoan ko dava de di aur bachchoan ko sthanantarit karane ki bhi koshish ki, parantu kisi ko bhi maian unaka bhar sanbhalane ke lie raji n kar saka.

sabere tak aur ek l dake ko haija shuroo ho gaya, udhar satish bharadvaj ki avastha bhi uttarottar kharab ho rahi thi. bahut khushamad-baramad ke bad ek adami ko saanithiya steshan par panjabi d aauktar ko khabar dene ke lie bheja. usane sham tak akar khabar di ki ve kahian rogi dekhane chale gaye haian.

mere lie sabase b di pareshani yah thi ki sath mean rupaye nahian the. aur khud kal se upavas hi kar raha tha. sona nahian, aram nahian- khair, yah nahian to n sahi, par pani vagair piye kaise jiooan? samane ki talaiya ka pani pine ke lie sabako mana kar diya tha, par kisi ne bat nahian mani. auratoan ne mand musakan ke sath bataya ki isake siva pani aur hai kahaan d aauktar sahab? kuchh doori par gaanv mean pani tha, par jay kaun? ye log mar sakate haian, par bina paise ke yah vyarth ka kam karane ko raji nahian.

isi tarah, inhian logoan ke sath, mujhe malaga di par hi do din aur tin rat rahana p da. kisi ko bhi bacha n saka, sabhi rogi mar gaye, magar marana hi is sthiti mean sabase b di bat nahian. manushy janm lega to use marana to p dega hi; koee do din pahale to koee do din pichhe- is bat ko maian b di asani se samajh sakata hooan. balki meri samajh mean to yah bat nahian ati ki is moti-si bat ke samajhane ke lie manushy ko itane vairagy-sadhan aur itane prakar ke tatv-vichar ki zaroorat akhir kyoan hoti hai? lihaza, manushy ka marana mujhe utana chot nahian pahuanchata jitana ki manushyatv ki maut. is bat ko mano maian kah hi nahian sakata.

doosare din bharadvaj ka dehant ho gaya. adamiyoan ki kami se dah-kriya n ho saki, mata dharitri ne hi use apani god mean sthan diya.

udhar ka kam mitakar phir malaga di ki taraph laut aya. n ata to achchha hota, magar aisa kar n saka. janarany ke bich rogiyoan ko lekar maian bilkuhal akela baitha tha. sabhyata ke bahane dhani ka dhan-lobh manushy ko kitana hridayahin push bana sakata hai, is bat ka anubhav, in do hi dinoan mean, mano jivan-bhar ke lie maianne ikattha kar liya.

pratham soory ke tap se charoan or jaise ag-si barasane lagi, usi mean tirapal ki chhaya ke niche rogiyoan ke sath baitha hooan. chhota bachcha kaisi bhayanak takaliph se t dapane laga, usaki koee had nahian- ek ghooant pani tak dene vala koee nahian. sarakari kam thahara, mitti khodana band nahian ho sakata, aur maja yah ki unhian ki jat ka unhian ka l daka hai yah. gaanvoan mean dekha hai ki haragij ye aise nahian ho sakate. magar, yahaan jo inhean apane samaj se, ghar se, sab tarah ke svabhavik bandhanoan se alag karake sooryoday se lekar sooryast tak sirph ek mitti khodane ke lie hi ikattha karake laya gaya hai aur mal-ga di mean ashray diya gaya hai, yahian unaki manav-hriday vritti aisi nestanabood ho gayi hai ki usaka ek kan bhi baki nahian raha. sirph mitti khodana, mitti dhona aur mazadoori lena. sabhy samaj ne shayad is bat ko achchhi tarah samajh liya hai. ki manushy ko vagair pashu banae usase pashuoan ka kam thik taur se nahian liya ja sakata.

bharadvaj chala gaya, par usaki amar-kirti ta di ki dookan jyoan ki tyoan akshay bani hai. sham ke vakt kya aurat aur kya mard, sabhi koee jhund baandhakar, ta di pikar ghar laute. dopahar ka bhat pani mean bhigokar rakh diya gaya tha, lihaza auratean rasoee banane ke jhanjhat se bhi pharig thian. ab bhala kaun kisaki sunata hai? jamadar ki ga di se dhol aur manjire ke sath sangit-dhv.ni sunaee dene lagi. kab tak vah khatm hogi, so meri samajh mean n aya. aur, kisi ke lie unhean koee phikar nahian, jo sochate-sochate sir mean dard hone lage. mere thik pas ke hi ek dabbe mean ek aurat ke shayad do pranayi a jute the; rat-bhar unaki uddam premalila, bina kisi vishram ke, saman gati se chalati rahi. idhar, is dabbe mean ek hajarat kuchh zyada chadha gaye the; vah aise ooanche shoragul ke sath apani stri se pranay ki bhikh maangane lage ki mare sharam ke maian g d-g d gaya. door ke ek dabbe mean ek stri rah-rahakar aur karah-karah kar vilap kar rahi thi. usaki maan jab dava lene aee, to pata laga ki kamini ke bachcha hone vala hai. lajja nahian, sharam nahian, chhipane layaq inake yahaan kahian bhi kuchh nahian, sab khula hua, sab anadhanka, anavritt. jivan-yatra ki abadh gati bibhats prakatata mean apratihat veg se chali ja rahi hai. sirph maian hi ek alag tha. mrityulok ke asann yatri maan aur usake bachche ko liye is gambhir andhakaramay ratri mean akela baitha hua hooan.

l dake ne maanga, "pani."

maianne usake muanh par jhukakar kaha, "pani nahian hai beta, sabera hone do."

bachche ne garadan hilakar kaha, "achchha." usake bad vah aauankhean mianchakar chup ho gaya.

pyas bujhane ko pani nahian tha, par meri aauankhean apane ko pha d-pha dakar pani bahane lagian. hay re hay! sirph manav ki sukumar hriday-vritti hi nahian, apani sudu:sah yatana ke prati bhi yah kaisi bhayanak aur asim udasinata hai! yahi to pashuta hai! yah dhairy-shakti nahian, balki j data hai! yah sahishnuta manavata se bahut niche ke star ki vastu hai!

hamare dabbe ke aur sabhi log bephikr so rahe the. kalikh-lagi hariken ke atyant malin prakash mean bhi maian spasht dekha raha tha ki maan aur l dake donoan ki hi sari deh ak di ja rahi hai. magar mere karane layaq ab aur tha hi kya?

samane kale akash ka bahut-sa hissa saptarshimandal ke tej se chamak raha hai. us tarah dekhakar maian vedana, kshobh aur nishphal pashchattap se bar-bar shap dene laga, "adhunik sabhyata ke vahan ho tum log- tum mar jao. magar jis nirmam sabhyata ne tum logoan ko aisa bana dala hai, use tum log haragij kshama n karana. agar dhona hi ho, to tum use dhote-dhote, khoob tezike sath, rasatal tak pahuancha do."

000

sabere khabar mili ki aur bhi do janean bimar p de haian. maianne dava di, aur jamadar ne saanithiya khabar bheji. asha thi ki is bar adhikariyoan ka asan digega.

nau baje ke qarib l daka mar gaya. achchha hi hua. yahi to inaka jivan hai.

samane ke maidan ki pagadandi se do bhale adami chhatari lagaye ja rahe the. maianne unake pas jakar poochha, "yahaan se gaanv kitani door hai?"

jo vriddh the, unhoanne sir ko jara ooancha karake kaha, "vah raha."

maianne poochha, "vahaan khane-pine ki chiz kuchh milati hai?"

doosare adami ne ashchary prakat karate hue kaha, "milati nahian kaise! shariphoan ka gaanv hai, chaval-dal, ghi, tel, tarakari jo chahie, lijie. kahaan se a rahe haian ap? apaka nivas? mahashay, apaki..."

sankshep mean unaka kutoohal mitakar, satish bharadvaj ka nam lete hi ve rusht ho uthe, vriddh ne kaha, "sharabi, badamash, juari chor!"

usake sathi ne kaha, "rel ke adami aur kitane achchhe hoange! kachcha paisa ata tha kaphi; isi se n!

pratyuttar mean satish ki taji qabr ka tila dikhalate hue maianne kaha, "ab usake vishay mean alochana karana vyarth hai. kal vah mar gaya, adamiyoan ki kami se usaki dah-kriya nahian ki ja saki, yahian ga d dena p da hai."

"kahate kya haian! brahman ki santan ko..."

"magar upay kya tha?"

sunakar donoan ne kshubdh hokar kaha ki, "shariphoan ka gaanv hai, jara khabar milati to kuchh-n-kuchh-koee-n-koee, upay ho hi jata." ek ne prashn kiya, "ap unake kaun haian?"

maianne kaha, "koee nahian. mamooli parichay tha unase. itana kahakar, sankshep mean maianne sara qissa kah sunaya aur kaha ki do din se kuchh khaya-piya nahian hai, aur udhar kuliyoan mean haija phail raha hai, isalie unhean chho dakar bhi jaya nahian jata."

khana-pina nahian hua, sunakar ve atyant udvign hue, aur sath chale-chalane ke lie bar-bar agrah karane lage. aur ek ne yah bhi jata diya ki is bhayanak vyadhi mean khali pet rahana b da hi khataranak hai.

zyada kahane ki zaroorat n huee- kahane ki zaroorat thi bhi nahian- bhookh-pyas ke mare murada-sa ho raha tha, lihaza unake sath ho liya. raste mean isi vishay mean batachit hone lagi. ganvee-gaanv ke adami the; shahar ki shiksha jise kahana chahie, vah inamean nahian thi; magar maja yah ki aangareji rajy ki khalis p aaulitiks ya kootaniti inase chhipi n thi. is bat ko to mano desh ke logoan ne yahaan ki mitti, pani, akash aur hava se hi achchhi tarah sangrah karake apani nas-nas mean mila liya hai.

donoan ne hi kaha, "satish bharadvaj ka isamean koee dosh nahian; ham hote to ham bhi thik aise hi ho jate. kampani-bahadur ke sansarg mean jo ayega, vah chor hue bina rah hi nahian sakata. yah to inaki chhoot ki karamat hai."

bhookhe-pyase aur bahut hi thake hue sharir mean zyada bat karane ki shakti nahian thi, isalie maian chup bana raha. ve kahane lage, "kya zaroorat thi sahab, desh ki chhati chirakar phir ek rel-lain nikalane ki? koee bhi adami kya ise chahata hai? nahian chahata. magar phir bhi honi hi chahie. bav di nahian, talab nahian, kuean nahian, kahian bhi ek booand pani pine ko nahian- mare garami ke bachh de bechare pani ki kami se t dap-t dapakar mare jate haian- kahian bhi jara pine ko achchha pani milata to kya satish baboo is tarah bemaut mare jate? haragij nahian. maleriya, haija, har tarah ki bimariyoan se log uja d ho gaye, magar, kakasy parivedana. kanoan par jooan tak nahian reangati. sarakar to sirph relaga di chalakar-kahaan kisake kisi ke ghar kya anaj paida hua hai, use choosakar, chalan kar dena chahati hai. kyoan sahab, apaki kya ray hai? thik hai n?"

mere gale mean alochana karane layaq zor n tha, isalie sirph chupake se garadan hilakar haan mean haan milata hua maian man-hi-man hajaroan bar kahane laga-yahi bat hai, yahi bat hai, yahi bat hai! sirph isilie hi taiantis karo d nar-nariyoan ka kanth dabakar videshi shasan-tantr bharat mean bana hua hai. sirph ek isi vajah se hi bharat ke kone-kone aur sangh-sangh mean rel-lain phailane ki koshishean chal rahi haian. vyapar ke nam par dhanikoan ke dhan-bhandaroan ko vipul se vipulatar bana dalane ki aviram cheshta se kamazoroan ka sukh gaya, shanti gayi, roti gayi, dhan gaya- unake jine ka rasta din par din sankirn hota jata hai, unaka bojh asahy hota jata hai- saty ko to kisi ki drishti se chhipaya nahian ja sakata.

vriddh sajjan ne meri is man ki bat mean hi mano vaky jo dakar kaha, "mahashay, bachapan mean apane nanihal mean pala hooan, pahale yahaan bis kos ke ird-gird relaga di nahian thi, tab chiz-bast itani sasti thi, aur itani zyada thi ki apase kya bataooan! tab koee chiz paida hoti to pa d-p dosi sabhi ko usamean se kuchh-n-kuchh mila karata tha, aur ab to akela 'tho d' aur 'mocha¹' tak-aauangan mean lage hue shak ki do pattiyaan bhi, koee kisi ko nahian dena chahata. kahate haian, rahane do, sadhe ath baje ki ga di se kharidadaroan ke hath bech dene se do paise to bhi a jaanyage. ab to dene ka nam hi ho gaya hai phijoolakharchi. are sahab, kahaan tak dukh da roya jay, du:kh ki bat kahane mean kya hai, paise banane ke nashe mean stri-purush sabake sab bilkutal hi nich ho gaye haian.

"aur khud bhi kya ji bhar ke kuchh bhog sakate haian? sirph atmiy-svajan aur p dosiyoan ki hi bat nahian, khud apane ko bhi sab taraph se thag-thagakar rupaye pane ko hi mano sabane apana paramarth samajh liya hai.

"in sab anishtoan ki j d hai yah relaga di. nasoan ki tarah desh ki sangh-sangh mean rel ke raste agar n ghus pate aur khane-pine ki chizean chalan karake paisa kamane ki itani sahooliyatean n hotian, aur us lobh se adami agar pagal n hua hota, to itani buri durdasha desh ki n hoti."

rel ke viruddh meri shikayatean bhi kam nahian haian. vastav mean, jis vyavastha se manushy ke jivit rahane ke lie atyant avashyak khady vastu pratidin chhini jakar shaukini koo de-karakat se sara desh bhar uthata hai, usake prati tivr ghrina bhav paida hue bagair rahi hi nahian sakata. khasakar garib adamiyoan ka jo du:kh aur jo hinata maian apani aauankhoan se dekh aya hooan, kisi bhi yukti-tark se usaka uttar nahian milata; phir bhi maianne kaha, "zaroorat se zyada bach rahane vali chijoan ko barabad n karake agar bechakar paisa paida kar liya jae, to kya vah bahut kharab bat hogi?"

un sajjan ne ranchamatr oohapoh n karake ni:sankoch bhav se kaha, "haan, nihayat hi kharab bat hai, khalis akalyan hai."

unaka krodh aur ghrina meri apeksha bahut zyada prachand thi. bole, "apaki yah barabadi ki dharana vilayat ki amad hai, dharm sthan bharatavarsh ki bhoomi mean isaka janm nahian hua- yahaan ho hi nahian sakata. mahashayaji, sirph apani avashyakata hi kya ekamatr saty hai? jisake pas nahian hai, usaki zaroorat mitane ka kya koee mooly hi nahian duniya mean? agar utana bahar bhejakar rupaye ikatthe n kiye jaany to vah barabadi huee, aparadh hua? yah nirmam aur nishthur bat ham logoan ke muanh se nahian nikali, yah nikali hai unake muanh se jo videsh se akar kamazoroan ke

muanh ka kaur chhinane ke lie apane deshavyapi jal mean phande par phande dalate chale

¹ 'tho d'=kele ke pe d ke kand ka bhitar ka komal hissa.

'mocha'=kele ki chhoti-chhoti phaliyoan ka gobhi-sa dhaka hua samooh.

ja rahe haian."

maianne kaha, "dekhie, desh ka ann videsh le jane ka maian pakshapati nahian hooan; parantu, maian poochhata hooan ki ek ke bache hue ann se doosare ki bhookh mitati rahe, yah kya amangal ki bat hai? isake siva, vastav mean videsh mean akar to ve jabaradasti chhin nahian le jate? paise dekar hi to kharid le jate haian?"

un sajjan ne tikhe kanth se javab diya, "haan, kharidate to haian hi! vaise hi, jaise kaante mean khurak lagakar pani mean machhaliyoan ko sadar nimantran dena."

is vyangyokti ka maianne kuchh javab nahian diya. karan, ek to bhookh-pyas aur thakavat ke mare vad-vivad ki shakti nahian thi; doosare, unake vaktavy ke sath moolat: mera koee matabhed bhi n tha.

parantu, mujhe chup rahate dekh ve akasmath hi atyant uttejit ho uthe, aur mujhe hi pratipakshi samajhakar atyant saragarmi ke sath kahane lage, "mahashayaji, unaki uddam vanikbuddhi ke tatv ko hi ap sar saty samajh rahe haian, parantu asal mean, itani b di asath vastu sansar mean doosari hai hi nahian. ve to sirph solah ane ke badale chauansath paise gin lena janate haian- sirph den-len ki bat samajhate haian, aur unhoanne sikh rakkha hai sirph bhog ko hi manav-jivan ka ekamatr dharm manana. isi se to unake duniya bhar ke sangrah aur sanchay ke vyasan ne sansar ke samast kalyan ko dhak rakkha hai. mahashayaji, yah rel huee; kalean hueean; lohe ki bani s dake hueean- yahi to sab pavitr tamejamak padajamatamej haian- inhian ke bhari bhar se hi to duniya mean kahian bhi garib ke lie dam lene ko jagah nahian."

jara thaharakar ve phir kahane lage, "ap kah rahe the ki ek ki zaroorat poori hone ke bad jo bach rahe, use agar bahar ne bheja jata to, ya to vah nasht hota, ya phir use abhav-grast log mukt kha jate. isi ko barabadi kah rahe the n ap?"

maianne kaha, "haan, usaki taraph se vah barabadi to hai hi."

vriddh mere javab se aur bhi asahishnu ho uthe. bole, "ye sab vilayati boliyaan haian, nayi roshani ke adharmik chhokaroan ke hile-havale haian. karan, jab ap aur bhi jara zyada vicharana sikh jaanyage, tab ap hi ko sandeh hoga ki vastav mean yah barabadi hai, yah desh ka anaj videsh bhejakar baiankoan mean rupaye jama karana sabase b di barabadi hai. dekhie sahab, hamesha se hi hamare yahaan gaanv-gaanv mean kuchh log udyam-hin, uparjan-udasin prakriti ke hote ae haian. unaka kam hi tha- modi ya mithaee ki dukan par baithakar shataranj khelana, murade jalane jana, b de adamiyoan ki baithak mean jakar gana-bajana, panchayati pooja adi mean chaudharaee karana adi. aise hi kary-akaryoan mean unake din kat jaya karate the. un sabake ghar khane-pine ka poora intazam rahata ho, so bat nahian; phir bhi bahutoan ke bache hue hisse mean se kisi tarah sukh-du:kh mean unaki gujar ho jaya karati thi. ap logoan ka, arthath aangareji shikshitoan ka, sara-ka-sara krodh unhian par to hai? khair jane dijie, chinta ki koee bat nahian. jo alasi, thalue aur parashrit log the, un saboan ka lop ho chuka. karan, 'bacha hua' nam ki chiz ab kahian bach hi nahian rahi, lihaza, ya to ve annabhav se mar gaye haian, ya phir kahian jakar kisi chhoti-moti vritti mean bharati hokar jivanmrit ki bhaanti p de hue haian. achchha hi hua. mehanat-mazadoori ka gaurav badha, 'jivan-sangram' ki satyata pramanit ho gayi- parantu is bat ko to ve hi janate haian jinaki meri-si kafi umar ho chuki hai, ki unaki kitani b di chiz uth gayi! unaka kya chala gaya! is 'jivan-sangram' ne unaka lop kar diya hai- par gaanvoan ka anand bhi mano unhian ke sath sahamaran ko prapt ho gaya hai."

is antim bat se chauankakar maianne unake muanh ki or dekha. khoob achchhi tarah gaur ke sath dekhane par bhi unako maianne alpashikshit sadharan gramin bhale adami ke siva aur kuchh nahian paya- phir bhi unaki bat mano akasmath apane ko atikraman karake bahut door pahuanch gayi.

unaki sabhi batoan ko maian abhrant samajhakar asvikar kar saka hooan so bat nahian, parantu aangikar karanean mean bhi mujhe vedana ka anubhav hone laga. n jane kaisa sanshay hone laga ki ye sab batean unaki apani nahian haian, mano yah aur kisi n dikhane vale ki jaban bandi hai.

bahut hi sankoch ke sath maianne poochha, "aur kuchh khayal n karean..."

"nahian-nahian, khayal kis bat ka? kahie?"

maianne poochha, "achchha, yah sab kya apaki apani abhijnata hai, apane niji chintan ka phal hai?"

bhale adami naraj ho gaye. bole, "kyoan ye kya jhoothi batean haian? isamean ek akshar bhi jhootha nahian- samajh lijiega."

"nahian nahian, jhoothi to maian batata nahian, par..."

"phir 'par' kaisi? hamare svamiji kabhi jhooth nahian bolate. unake saman jnan aur hai koee?"

maianne poochha, "svamiji kaun?"

unake sathi ne isaka javab diya. bole, "svami vajranand. umar kam hai to kya agadh pandit haian, agadh..."

"unhean ap log pahichanate haian kya?"

"pahichanate nahian? khoob. unhean to apana hi adami kaha ja sakata haian. inhian ke ghar to unaka mukhy avahai." yah kahate hue unhoanne sath ke bhale adami ko dikha diya.

vriddh mahashay ne usi vakt sanshodhan karate hue kaha, "avamat kaho naren, kaho, ashram. mahashay, maian garib adami hooan, jitani banati hai, utani seva kar deta hooan. magar haan, haian aise jaise vidur ke ghar shrikrishna. manushy to nahian, manushy ki akriti mean devata haian."

maianne poochha, "philahal ve haian kitane roj se apake gaanv mean?"

narendr ne kaha, "qarib do mahine hue hoange. is taraph n to koee d aauktar-vaidy hi aur n skool. isi ke lie ve itana udyog kar rahe haian. aur phir khud bhi ek bhari d aauktar haian."

ab saf meri samajh mean a gaya ki majara kya hai. ye apane vahi anand haian, saanithiya steshan par bhojanadi karakar rajalakshmi jinhean param adar ke sath gangamati le aee thi. bidaee ki ve gh diyaan yad a gayian. rajalakshmi kaisi ro rahi thi. parichay to do hi din ka tha, par maloom aisa hota ki mano vah n jane kitane bhari sneh ki vastu ko aauankhoan se ojhal karake kisi bhayankar vipatti ke gras ki or badhae de rahi hai- aisi hi usaki vyatha ki. vapas ane ke lie usaki vah kaisi vyakul vinay thi! parantu anand hai sannyasi.- usamean mamata bhi nahian, aur moh bhi nahian. nari-hriday ki vedana ka rahasy usake lie mithya ke siva aur kuchh nahian. isi se itane din itane pas rahakar bhi bina prayojan ke dikhaee dene ki zaroorat usane pal-bhar ke lie bhi mahasoos nahian ki, aur bhavishy mean bhi shayad is prayojan ka karan n aega. parantu rajalakshmi ko yah bat maloom hote hi kitani gahari chot pahuanchegi, so maian hi janata hooan!

apani bat yad a gayi. mera bhi vida ka muhoort najadik a raha hai- jana hi hoga, is bat ko pratikshan mahasoos kar raha hooan. rajalakshmi ke lie meri zaroorat samapt ho rahi hai. sirph itana hi meri samajh mean nahian ata ki rajalakshmi ke us din ke dinant ka kahaan aur kaise avasan hoga!

gaanv mean pahuancha. gaanv ka nam hai mahamoodapur. vriddh yadav chakravarti ne usi ka ullekh karake garv ke sath kaha, "nam sun ke chauankiyega nahian sahab, gaanv ke charoan taraph kahian musalamanoan ki chhaya tak nahian paeange ap. jidhar dekhie udhar brahman, kayasth aur bhali jat. aisi jat ki yahaan basti hi nahian jisake hath ka pani n chal sake. kyoan naren, koee hai?"

naren ne bar-bar haan mean haan milate hue sir hilakar kaha- "ek bhi nahian, ek bhi nahian. aise gaanv mean ham log rahate hi nahian."

ho sakata hai ki yah sach ho, par isamean itane khush hone ki kaun-si bat hai, meri samajh mean nahian aya.

chakravarti ke ghar vajranand se bheant huee. haan, ve hi haian. mujhe dekhakar unhean jitana ashchary hua, utana hi anand.

"aha bhaee sahab! achanak yahaan kaise?" itana kahakar anand ne hath uthakar namaskar kiya. is nar-dehadhari devata ko samman ke sath mera abhivadan karate dekh chakravarti vigalit ho uthe. agal-bagal aur bhi bahut-se bhakt the, ve bhi uth ke kh de ho gaye. maian koee bhi kyoan n hoooan, is vishay mean to kisi ko sandeh hi n rah gaya ki maian mamooli adami nahian hooan.

anand ne kaha, "ap pahale se kuchh lute-lute se dikhaee dete haian, bhaee sahab?"

isaka javab diya chakravarti ne. do din se mujhe ahar nahian mila, sone ka koee thikana nahian raha, aur kisi b de puny se maian zinda a gaya hooan tatha kuliyoan mean mahamari adi ka aisa sundar aur savistar varnan kiya ki sunakar maian bhi dang rah gaya.

anand ne koee khas vyakulata prakat nahian ki. jara kuchh musakarakar auroan ke kan bachakar kaha, "do din mean itana nahian hota bhaee sahab, isake lie jara kuchh samay chahie. kya hua tha? bukhar?"

maianne kaha, "tajjub nahian. maleriya to hai hi."

chakravarti ne atithy mean koee truti nahian ki, khana-pina aj khoob achchhi tarah hi hua.

bhojan ke bad chalane ki taiyari karane par anand ne poochha, "ap achanak kuliyoan mean kaise pahuanch gaye?"

maianne kaha, "daiv ke chakkar se."

anand ne hansate hue kaha, "chakkar to hai hi. gusse mean akar ghar par khabar bhi n di hogi shayad?"

maianne kaha, "nahian- magar vah gusse mean akar nahian. dena phijool hai, samajhakar hi nahian di. isake siva adami hi kahaan the jo bhejata?"

anand ne kaha, "yah ek bat zaroor hai. parantu apaki bhalaee-buraee jiji ke lie phijool kab se ho uthi? ve shayad dar aur fikr se adhamari ho gayi hoangi."

bat badhane se koee labh nahian. is prashn ka maianne phir kuchh uttar hi nahian diya. anand ne aisa samajh liya ki jirah mean unhoanne mera ekadam muanh band kar diya. isi se, snigdh mridu musakarahat ke sath kuchh der tak atm-gaurav anubhav karake ve bole, "apake lie rath taiyar hai, maian samajhata hooan sham ke pahale hi ghar pahuanch jaanyage. chalie, apako vida kar aooan."

maianne kaha, "par ghar jane se pahale mujhe jara kuliyoan ki khabar lene jana hai."

anand ne ashchary prakat karate hue kaha, "isake mani- abhi gussa utara nahian hai. par maian to kahooanga ki daiv ke chakkar se durbhog jo bhagy mean bada tha vah to phal chuka. ap d aauktar bhi nahian, sadhu-baba bhi nahian, grihasth adami haian. ab, sachamuch hi agar khabar lene layaq koee bat rah gayi ho, to usaka bhar mujh par sauanpakar ap nishchint man se ghar chale jaie. par jate hi mera namaskar jatakar kahiega ki unaka anand achchhi tarah hai."

daravaze par bailaga di taiyar thi. grihasvami chakravarti mahashay ne hath jo dakar anurodh kiya ki phir kabhi idhar ana ho to is ghar mean pad-dhooli zaroor p dani chahie. unake antarik atithy ke lie maianne sahasr dhanyavad diya; parantu durlabh pad-dhooli ki asha n de saka. mujhe bangal prant shighr hi chho d jana hoga, is bat ko maian bhitar hi bhitar mahasoos kar raha tha; lihaza kisi din kisi bhi karan se is prant mean vapas ane ki sambhavana mere lie bahut door chali gayi thi.

ga di mean baith jane par anand ne bhitar ko muanh badhakar dhire se kaha, "bhaee sahab, idhar ki ab-hava apako maphik nahian ati. meri taraph se ap jiji se kahiega ki pachhaanh ke adami thahare ap, apako ve vahian le jaany."

maianne kaha, "is taraph kya adami jite nahian anand?"

pratyuttar mean anand ne ranchamatr itastat: n karake phauran hi kaha, "nahian. magar is vishay mean tark karake kya hoga bhaee sahab? ap sirph mera hath jo dakar anurodh unase kah dijiega. kahiega, anand sannyasi ki aauankhoan se dekhe bina isaki satyata samajh mean nahian a sakati."

maian maun raha. karan, rajalakshmi ko unaka yah anurodh jatana mere lie kitana kathin hai, ise anand kya jane!

ga di chal dene par anand ne phir kaha, "kyoan bhaee sahab, mujhe to apane ek bar bhi ane ka nimantran nahian diya?"

maianne muanh se kaha, "tumhare kamoan ka kya thik hai, tumhean nimantran dena kya asan kam hai bhaee?"

magar man hi man ashanka thi ki isi bich mean kahian ve svayan hi kisi din pahuanch n jaany. phir to is tikshn-buddhi sannyasi ki drishti se kuchh bhi chhupane ka upay n rahega. ek din aisa tha jab isase kuchh bhi banata-big data n tha, tab man hi man hansata hua kaha karata, "anand, is jivan ka bahut kuchh visarjan de chuka hooan, is bat ko asvikar n karooanga, parantu mere nukasan ke us sahaj hisab ko hi tum dekh sake aur tumhare dekhane ke bahar jo mere sanchay ka aank ekabaragi sankhyatit ho raha hai so! mrityu-par ka vah pathey agar mera jama rahe, to maian idhar ki kisi bhi hani ki paravah n karooanga." lekin aj kahane ke lie bat hi kya thi? isi se chupachap sir nicha kiye baitha raha. pal-bhar mean maloom hua ki aishvary ka vah aparimey gaurav agar sachamuch hi aj mithya marichika mean vilupt ho gaya, to is gal-grah, bhagn-svasthy, avaanchhit grihasvami ke bhagy mean atithi-ahnan karane ki vidambana ab n ghate.

mujhe nirav dekhakar anand ne usi tarah hansate hue kaha, "achchhi bat hai, naye taur se n kahie to bhi koee harj nahian, mere pas purane nimantran ki pooanji maujood hai, maian usi ke bal-boote par hajir ho sakooanga."

maianne poochha, "magar yah kam kab tak ho sakega?"

anand ne hansate hue kaha, "daro mat bhaee sahab, ap logoan ke gussa utarane ke pahale hi pahuanchakar maian apako tang n karooanga- usake bad hi pahuanchooga."

sunakar maian chup ho raha. gussa hokar nahian aya, yah kahane ki bhi ichchha n huee.

rasta kam nahian tha, ga divan jaldi kar raha tha. ga di haankane se pahale phir unhoanne ek bar namaskar kiya aur muanh hata liya.

is taraph ga di vagairah ka chalan nahian aur isilie usake lie kisi ne rasta banakar bhi nahian rakkha. bailaga di, maidan aur khali khetoan mean hokar, oob d-khab d oosar ko par karati huee apana rasta tay karane lagi. bhitar adhaleti halat mean p de-p de mere kanoan mean anand sannyasi ki batean hi gooanjane lagian. gussa hokar maian nahian aya- aur yah koee labh ki chiz nahian aur lobh ki bhi nahian; parantu, barabar khayal hone laga, kahian yah bhi agar sach hota? kintu sach nahian, aur sach hone ka koee rasta hi nahian. man hi man kahane laga, gussa maian kis par karooanga? aur kisalie? usane kusoor kya kiya hai? jharane ki jaladhara ke adhikar ke bare mean jhag da ho sakata hai, kintu uts-mukh mean hi agar pani khatm ho gaya ho, to sookhe jal-marg ke viruddh sir dhun ke jan de dooan kis bahane?

is tarah kitana samay bit gaya, mujhe hosh nahian. sahasa nale mean ga di ruk jane se usake dhakkoan-dachakoan se maian uthakar baith gaya. samane ko tat ka parada uthakar dekha ki sham ho aee hai. ga di chalane vala l daka-sa hi hai, umar shayad chaudah-pandrah sal se zyada n hogi. maianne kaha, "aur too itani jagah rahate nale mean kyoan a p da?"

l dake ne apani ganvee gaanv ki boli mean usi vakt javab diya, "maian kyoan p dane laga, bail apane ap hi utar p de haian."

"apane ap hi kaise utar p de re? too bail sanbhalana bhi nahian janata?"

'nahian. bail jo naye haian."

"bahut thik! par idhar to aandhera hua ja raha hai, gangamati hai kitani door yahaan se?"

"so maian kya janooan! gangamati maian kabhi gaya tho de hi hooan!"

maianne kaha, "kabhi agar gaya hi nahian, to mujh par hi itana prasann kyoan hua bhee? kisi se poochh kyoan nahian leta re- maloom to ho, kitani door hai."

usane javab mean kaha, "idhar adami haian kahaan? koee nahian hai."

l dake mean aur chahe jo dosh ho, par javab usake jaise sankshipt vaise hi praanjal haian, isamean koee shak nahian.

maianne poochha, "too gangamati ka rasta to janata hai?"

vaisa hi spasht javab diya. bola, "nahian!"

"to too aya kyoan re?"

"mama ne kaha ki baboo ko pahuancha de. aise sidha jakar poorab ko mu d jane se hi gangamati mean ja p dega. jayega aur chala ayega."

samane aandheri rat hai, aur ab zyada der bhi nahian hai. ab tak to aauankhean mianchakar apani chinta mean hi magn tha. par l dake ki batoan se ab mujhe dar-sa maloom hone laga. maianne kaha, "aise sidhe dakshin ki bajay uttar ko jakar pashchim ko to nahian mu d gaya re?"

l dake ne kaha, "so maian kya janooan?"

maianne kaha, "nahian janata to chal donoan jane aandhere mean maut ke ghar chale chalean. abhaga kahian ka, rasta nahian janata tha to aya hi kyoan too? tera bap hai?"

"nahian."

"maan hai?"

"nahian, mar gayi."

"aphat chuki. chal, to phir aj rat ko unhian ke pas chala chal. tere mama mean akeli akal hi zyada nahian, daya-maya bhi kafi hai."

aur kuchh age badhane ke bad l daka rone laga, usane jata diya ki ab vah age nahian ja sakata.

maianne poochha, "phir thaharega kahaan?"

usane javab diya, "ghar laut jaooanga."

"par aise bevakt mere lie kya upay hai?"

pahale hi kah chuka hooan ki l daka atyant spashtavadi hai. bola, "tum baboo utar jao. mama ne kah diya hai, kiraya sava rupaya le lena. kamati lene se ve mujhe mareange."

maianne kaha, "mere lie tum mar khaoge, yah kaisi bat!"

ek bar socha ki isi ga di se yathasthan laut jaooan. magar n jane kaisi tabiyat huee, lautane ka man nahian hua. rat ho rahi hai, aparichit sthan hai, gaanv-basti kahaan aur kitani door hai, so bhi janane ka koee upay nahian. sirph samane ek b da-sa am-katahal ka bag dekhakar anuman kiya ki gaanv shayad bahut zyada door n hoga. koee n koee ashray to mil hi jayega aur agar nahian mila, to usase kya? n ho to is bar ki yatra aise hi sahi.

utarakar kiraya chuka diya. dekha ki l dake ki koram-kor bat hi nahian, apani bat par amali karravaee karane ka bhi bilkul spasht hai. palak marate hi usane ga di ka muanh pher diya, aur bail bhi ghar lautane ka ishara pate hi pal-bhar mean aauankhoan se ojhal ho gaye.