श्रीकांत उपन्यास भाग-6

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

us din phir mera ji n chaha ki niche jaooan, isalie, nand aur tagar ke yuddh ka ant kis tarah hua- sandhi-patr mean kaun-kaun-si shartean nishchit hueean, so maian kuchh nahian jan paya. parantu, bad mean dekha ki shartean chahe jo hoan, vipatti ke samay vah 'skaip aauph pepar' (kagaz ka raddi tuk da) kisi kam nahian ata. jab jise zaroorat hoti hai, khilava d ki tarah use pha d pheankata hai aur doosare ka byooh bhed kar dalata hai. bis baras se ye donoan yahi karate ae haian tatha aur bhi bis baras tak aisa n karate raheange, isaki shapath svayan vidhata bhi nahian le sakeange.

sare din to akash mean badaloan ke tuk de yahaan se vahaan ghoomate rahe; parantu, ab sham ke lagabhag ek gahara kala badal sare kshitij ko dhankakar dhire-dhire sir uthakar, oopar ane laga. maloom hua ki khalasiyoan ke muanh aur aauankhoan par mano ghabarahat ki chhaya a p di hai. unake chalane-phirane mean bhi mano ek prakar ke ghabarahat ke chihn najar ane lage haian jo isake pahale nahian the.

ek boodhe-se khalasi ko bulakar poochha, "aji chaudhari, aj rat ko bhi kya kal hi ke saman aauandhi avegi?"

vinay se chaudhariji vash mean ho gaye. kh de hokar bole, "malik, niche chale jaie; kaptan ne kaha hai, saiklon (= banndar) uth sakata hai."

pandrah minat bad hi dekha ki usaka kathan nirmal nahian hai. oopar jitane bhi yatri the un sabako khalasi log ek tarah se jabaran 'holdar' mean utarane lage. do-char logoan ke apatti karane par sekand aauphisar ne khud akar unhean dhakke marakar utha diya aur unake bistar vagairah latoan se hatana shuroo kar diya. mera trank, bistar adi to khalasi log jhatapat niche utha le gaye; kintu, maian khud ek taraph khisak gaya. maianne suna ki sabako- arthath jo hatabhage das rupaye se adhik kiraya nahian de sakate the unhean- us jahaz ke garbh-grih mean bhar ke usaka muanh band kar diya jayega. unaki khairiyat ke lie yahi ek upay tha.

kintu, mujhe khud apane lie khairiyat ki yah vyavastha kisi tarah pasand nahian aee. isake pahale saiklon namak vastu ko samudr mean to kya, zamin par bhi nahian dekha tha. kaisa isaka upadrav hota hai, kaisa isaka svaroop hai aur amangal karane ki kitani isaki shakti hai, maian bilkuhal nahian janata tha. man hi man sochane laga ki mere bhagy se yadi aisi vastu ka avirbhav hona sannikat hi hai, to phir use bagair achchhi tarah dekhe nahian chhodooanga. bhagy mean jo bada ho so ho. aur toofan mean yadi jahaz doobana hi hai, to is tarah pleg ke choohe ki tarah pianjare mean kaid hokar aur sir patak-patakakar khare pani mean kyoan marooan? isaki apeksha jab tak bane, hath-paanv hilakar, laharoan ke hiandole par jhoolate-utarate hue ek gota lagakar patal ke rajamahal ka atithi hona achchha. kintu, yah us samay mujhe maloom n tha ki raja ka jahaz age-pichhe lakhoan-karo doan hiansr anucharoan ke bagair kale pani mean ek dag bhi nahian chalata aur unhean logoan ka kaleva kar dalane mean gh di-bhar ki der nahian lagati.

bahut samay se tho di-tho di vrishti ho rahi thi. sham ke lagabhag hava aur vrishti donoan ka hi veg badh gaya. yah halat ho gayi ki bhag nikalane ki bhi koee jugat n rahi. jahaan bhi mile suvidhanusar ek ashray-sthan khoje bagaire kam nahian chal sakata. sham ke aandhere mean jab maian apane sthan par vapis aya tab oopar ka dek nirjan ho gaya tha. mastool ke pas uchakakar dekha ki thik samane hi boodha kaptan hath mean doorabin liye brij ke oopar yahaan se vahaan dau d raha hai. is dar se ki ekaek usaki shubh drishti mean p dakar phir se, itane kasht ke bad bhi, dubara usi gavh mean n ghusana p de, ek aisi jagah khojane laga jahaan subhite se baith sakooan. khojate-khojate akhir ek jagah mil gayi jisaki ki maianne pahale kabhi kalpana bhi nahian ki thi. ek kinare bahut-si bhe doan, murgiyoan aur battakhoan ke pianj de ek ke oopar ek ganje hue the. uchhalakar manb unhian ke oopar baith gaya. jan p da, aisi nirapad jagah shayad jahaz bhar mean aur kahian nahian hai. kintu, tab bhi bahut-si batean janana baki thian.

vrishti, hava andhakar aur jahaz ka jhoolana- ye sabhi dhire-dhire adhikadhik badhane lage. samudr ki laharoan ka akar dekhakar maianne man hi man socha, yahi hai shayad vah saiklon; kintu vah sagar ke samip sirph gau ke khur ke gadhe ke saman hi tha, is bat ko achchhi tarah hridayangam karane ke lie mujhe aur bhi tho di der thaharana p da.

ekaek chhati ke bhitar tak kanpakanpi paida karata hua jahaz ka bhoanpoo baj utha. oopar ki or taka to jan p da, mano kisi mantr ke bal se akash ka chehara hi badal gaya hai. ve badal ab nahian rahe- maloom hua ki sab taraph se chhinn-bhinn hokar jaise sampoorn akash halaka hokar kahian oopar ki or u da ja raha hai. doosare hi kshan samudr ke ek prant se ek aisa vikat shabd tezise akar kanoan mean paith gaya ki maian nahian janata, usaki kisake sath tulana karooan.

lak dapan mean aandheri ratoan mean dadi ki chhati se lagakar ek kahani suna karata tha. kisi rajapootr ne dubaki lagakar talab ke bhitar se ek chaandi ki dibiya nikali thi aur usamean band sat sau rakshasiyoan ke pranaroop ek sone ke bhauanre ko chutaki se masalakar mar dala tha. phir ve sat-sau rakshasiyaan mrityu yantrana se chikhati chillati hueean sari prithvi ko pairoan ke bojh-se kuchalatian choorn-vichoorn karatian dau d aee thian. vaisa hi yah bhi kahian koee viplv-sa ho raha hai, aisa jan p da; parantu, is daphe sat sau karo d rakshasiyaan haian- ve unmatt bhav se kolahal karati huee isi or dau di a rahi haian. a bhi p dian- rakshasiyaan nahian, parantu, toofani havaean. tab maianne socha ki inaki apeksha to un rakshasiyoan ka ana hi kahian achchha tha.

is durjey vayu ki shakti ka varnan karana to bahut door ki bat hai, samagr chetana se anubhav karana bhi mano manushy ke samarthy ke bahar hai. sampoorn jnan-buddhi ko lupt karake keval ek hi dharana mere man ke bhitar aspasht aur nissandigdh roop se jagati rah gayi, ki duniya ki miyad ekabaragi khatm hone mean ab aur kitani-si der hai. pas mean hi jo ek lohe ka khooanta tha, gale ki chadar se maianne apane apako usi se baandh rakkha tha. pratyek kshan mere man mean yahi khayal uthane laga ki bas mujhe yah hava is daphe hi khooante se chhu da degi aur u da le jakar samudr mean ja patakegi.

ekaek jan b da ki kala pani mano bhitar ke dhakkoan se gharagharata hua kram-kram se jahaz ke oopar chadh raha hai. door ko aauankh uthaee to us taraph se drishti ko pun: vapas n lauta saka. ek daphe jan p da vah to koee p dav hai, kintu doosare hi kshan jab bhram bhang hua tab hath jo dakar maianne kaha, "bhagavan, jaise tumane ye donoan netr die the, vaise hi aj inhean sarthak bhi kar diya. itane dinoan tak to sansar mean sarvatr hi aauankhean khole ghoomata phira hooan. kintu, tumhari is srishti ki tulana to kahian bhi nahian dekhi thi. jahaan tak drishti pahuanchati hai ek achintaniy viratkay mahatarang sir par chaandi-sa shubhr kirit dharan kiye tej chal se age badhati huee a rahi hai. jagat mean aur bhi kya koee itana b da vismay hai?"

samudr mean n jane kitane log aya-jaya karate haian; maian khud bhi to kitani hi daphe is raste gaya-aya hooan; kintu aisa drishy to pahale kabhi kahian nahian dekha tha. isake sivay, jis manushy ne aauankhoan nahian dekha, use samajhakar yah batana kalpana ke bap ke lie bhi sambhav nahian ki pani ki lahar kisi tarah itani b di ho sakati hai!

man hi man bola, he tarang-samrat! tumhari takkar se hamara jo kuchh hoga, use to ham janate hi haian, kintu, ab bhi to tumhean yahaan tak a pahuanchane mean akhir adha minat ki der hai, tab kam se kam utane samay tak to maian achchhi tarah ji-bharakar tumhare kalevar ko dekh looan.

yah bhav kisi vastu ki suvipul ooanchaee aur usase bhi adhik vistar dekhakar hi is tarah man mean utpann nahian hua karata, kyoanki yadi aisa ho to isake lie himalay ka koee bhi aang-pratyang yathesht hai. kintu, jo yah virat vyapar sajiv ke saman dau da a raha hai, usaki aparimey shakti ki anubhooti ne hi mujhe abhibhoot kar dala.

kintu, samudr-jal ke takarane se jo ek tarah ki jvala si bar-bar chamak uthati hai vah jvala vichitr rekhaoan mean yadi isake sir par n khelati hoti to gambhir krishna jal-rashi ki vipulata ko maian is andhakar mean shayad us tarah n dekh pata. is samay jitani bhi door tak meri drishti jati hai utani hi door tak is alok-mala ne mano chhote-chhote pradipoan ko jalakar is bhayankar saundary ka chehara meri aauankhoan ke samane khol diya hai.

jahaz ka bhoanpoo asim vayu-veg se tharathar kaanpata hua lagatar bajane laga aur bhayartt khalasiyoan ka dal allah ke kanoan tak apana akul avedan pahuancha dene ke lie gala pha d-pha dakar ek sath chillane laga.

jisake shubhagaman ke nimitt itana bhay, itani chikh-pukar- itana udyog-ayojan ho raha tha, vah mahatarang akhir a pahuanchi. ek prakand prakar ki ulat-palat ke bich haravallabh ke saman mujhe bhi pahale jan p da ki nishchay se hi ham doob gaye haian; isalie, durga ka nam japane se ab aur kya ho sakata hai. as-pas oopar-niche, charoan or kala jal hi jal hai! jahaz samet sab log patal ke rajamahal mean nimantran khane ja rahe haian, isamean ab koee sandeh nahian raha. is samay chinta keval yahi hai ki khana-pina adi vahaan n jane kis kism ka hoga.

kintu, qarib minat-bhar bad hi dikhaee diya-nahian, doobe nahian haian, jahaz samet ham sab keval jal ke oopar utara rahe haian. isake sivay lahar ke oopar lahar ana bhi khatm nahian hua hai, isalie ham logoan ka hiandola jhoolana bhi samapt nahian hua hai. itani der ke bad ab pata laga ki kyoan kaptan-sahab ne logoan ko janavaroan ke saman gadhe mean dalakar tala lagava diya hai. dek ke oopar se bich-bich mean mano jal ki dhara bah jane lagi. mere niche ki battakhean aur murgiyaan kitani hi daphe ph daph dakar aur bhe dean kee bar 'maian-maian' karake bhav-lila samapt kar gayian. sirph maian hi unake oopar ashray grahan kiye, lohe ke khruante ko zor se pak de hue, apani bhav-lila surakshit banae raha.

kintu, isi samay ek aur prakar ki aphat a juti. keval jal ke chhiante hi mere sharir mean suee ki tarah chhid rahe hoan so bat nahian- samast kap de aur dhoti ke bhig jane se aur prachand vayu se itani thand lagane lagi ki daant katakat bajane lage. khayal aya, ki hal jal mean doobane se to kisi tarah bach bhi sakata hooan, kintu nimoniya ke hath se kis tarah paritran paooanga? aur, yah to maianne ni:sanshay anubhav kiya ki isi tarah yadi aur bhi kuchh der baitha rahooanga to paritran pana sachamuch hi asambhav ho jayega. isalie jis tarah bhi ho, is sthan ka parityag karake kisi aisi jagah ashray lena chahie jahaan ki jal ke chhiante barchhi ke phal ki tarah sharir mean n chubhean. ek bar socha ki bhe doan ke pianjare mean ghus jaooan to kaisa ho! kintu vah bhi kitana surakshit hai? usake bhitar yadi khare jal ki dhara pravesh kar jay to thik 'maian-maian' karake n sahi, par 'maan-maan' karake ant mean avashy hi ih-lila samapt karani p degi.

sirph ek upay hai. jahaz jab parshv-parivartan karata hai tab bhagane ka kuchh mauqa mil jata hai; isalie, us samay yadi kahian jakar ghus sakooan to shayad jan bach jay. jo socha, vahi kiya. kintu pianjaroan par se niche utarakar, tin bar dau dakar, aur tin bar baithakar, kisi tarah jab maian sekand klas ke kebin ke dvar par pahuancha, tab dekha, dvar band hai. lohe ke kiva doan ne hazar dhakka-mukki karane par bhi rasta nahian diya. isalie, vahi rasta phir usi tarah tay karake maian pharst klas ke daravaze par a upasthit hua. is daphe bhagy devata ne suprasann hokar ek nirale kamare mean ashray de diya; aur jara bhi duvidha n karake maian kiva d band karake palang par ja soya.

rat ke barah baje ke bhitar toofan to tham gaya, kintu samudr ka gussa doosare din bhor tak bhi shant n hua.

mere saman ka aur sathi musaphiroan ka kya hal hua, aur, khas taur se sapatnik misriji ne kis tarah rat bitee, yah janane ke lie subah maian niche utar gaya. kal nand misri ne jara dillagi karate hue kaha tha ki "babooji, sadhe battis prakar ke chabene ke saman ham log apas mean gaddamadd ho gaye the aur abhi hi kuchh der huee, sab koee apani-apani jagah akar baithe haian." aj ka gaddamadd sadhe battis prakar mean gina ja sakata hai ya nahian, so mujhe nahian maloom; kintu, is samay tak koee bhi apane niji sthan par lautakar n ane paya tha yah maianne apani aauankhoan dekha.

un logoan ki vyavastha dekhane par sachamuch hi rulaee ane lagi. in tin-char-sau yatriyoan mean se kisi ke samarth rahane ki bat to door-shayad, akshat bhi koee nahian bacha tha.

auratean sil par jis tahar lodhe se masala baantati haian, kal ka saiklon in tin-char sau logoan ka thik usi tarah sari rat masala baantata raha. sare mal-asabab ke sahit-baks-petiyoan adi ke sahit ye sab log rat-bhar jahaz ke is kinare se us kinare tak ludhakate phire haian. vaman tatha any do kriyaean itani adhik ki gayi haian ki durgandh ke mare kh da hona bhi bhari ho raha hai aur is samay d aauktar baboo jahaz ke mehatar aur khalasiyoan ko sath liye in logoan ka 'pankoddhar' karane ki vyavastha kar rahe haian.

d aauktar baboo oopar se niche tak mera bar-bar nirikshan karake shayad mujhe sekand klas ka musaphir samajh baithe the, phir bhi, atyant ashchary ke sath bole, "mahashay to khoob taje dikh rahe haian; jan p data hai ki aram karane ke lie koee haim aauk (bhhuuvaba= jahaz par rahanevala ek tarah ka ek jhulan-khatola) pa gaye the, kyoan n?"

"haim aauk kahaan se pata mahashay, paya tha ek bhe doan ka pianjara. isilie taro-taja dikh raha hooan."

d aauktar baboo muanh pha dakar meri or takate rah gaye. maian bola, "d aauktar baboo, yah adham bhi isi narak-kund ka yatri hai. kintu, kamazor hone ke sabab yahaan ghus n saka- shuroo se hi dek ke oopar raha aya. kal saiklon ki khabar pakar kuchh der bhe doan ke pianjaroan ke oopar baithakar, aur rat ko pharst klas ke ek kamare mean anadhikar pravesh karake atmaraksha kar saka hooan. kya kahate haian ap, maianne kuchh anuchit to nahian kiya?"

sara itihas sunakar d aauktar baboo itane prasann hue ki usi kshan unhoanne mujhe apane niji kamare mean baki do din katane ke lie sadar nimantran de diya. avashy hi us nimantran ko maian svikar nahian kar saka- keval ek cheyar maianne unase le li.

dopahar ko bhookh ki mar se murde ki tarah cheyar par p da hua brahmand ki samast khady-vastuoan ka dhya n kar raha tha- kahaan jakar kya kaushal karooan ki kuchh khane ko mil jay. isi samay, jab ki maian is dushchinta mean dooba hua tha, khidirapur ke musalaman darjiyoan mean se ek ne akar kaha, "baboo sahab, ek bangali aurat apako bula rahi hai."

"aurat?" samajha ki tagar hogi. kyoan bula rahi hai so bhi anuman kar lena mere lie kathin nahian tha. nishchay hi misri ke sath svami aur stri ke svatv siddh karane ke vyapar mean phir matabhed upasthit ho gaya hai. kintu, meri zaroorat kyoan a p di? jtapans il vatakamans (agni-pariksha ke) sivay bahar ke kisi adami ne akar kisi din isaki mimaansa kar di ho, yah sochana bhi kathin hai.

maianne kaha, "ghante-bhar bad aooanga, kah dena."

us manushy ne kunthit hokar kaha, "nahian baboo sahab, b di minnat karake bula rahi hai..."

"minnat karake?" kintu tagar to minnat karane vali aurat nahian hai. poochha "usake sath ka mard kya kar raha hai?"

vah bola, "usi ki bimari ke karan to apako bula rahi hai."

bimari hona bilku'l hi acharaj ki bat nahian thi, isalie maian uth kh da hua. vah mujhe apane sath niche le gaya. kafi door par ek kone mean kundali kiye hue mote-mote rasse rakhe hue the. unhian ki a d mean ek baees-teees varsh ki bangali stri baithi thi. pahale kabhi us par meri najar nahian p di thi. pas mean hi ek maili shataranji ke oopar qarib-qarib isi umr ka ek atyant kshinakay yuvak murde ki tarah aauankhoan mooandakar p da hua hai- vahi bimar hai.

mere nikat ate hi us aurat ne dhire-dhire apane sir ka vastr age khianch liya, kintu maian usaka muanh dekh chuka tha.

vah mukh sandar kaha jay to bahas uth sakati hai, kintu phir bhi upeksha karane yogy nahian tha. ooancha kapal striyoan ki saundary-talika mean koee sthan nahian rakhata, yah mujhe maloom hai; phir bhi, is taruni ke chau de mastak par buddhi aur vichar-shakti ki ek aisi chhap lagi huee dekhi jise maianne kadachith hi dekha hai. meri annada jiji ka kapal bhi prashast tha. isaka bhi bahut kuchh usi tarah ka tha. maang mean sindoor jhalak raha tha, hath mean lohe ki choo diyaan¹ aur shankh ke valayoan ko chho dakar aur koee alankar nahian tha. aauang mean ek sidhi-sadi rangin sa di thi.

parichay n hone par bhi itane svabhavik dhang se usane bat ki ki maian vismit ho gaya. vah boli, "apake sath d aauktar baboo ka to parichay hai, kya ek daphe ap bula sakate haian?"

maianne kaha, "aj hi unase parichay hua hai. phir bhi, jan p data hai, d aauktar baboo bhale adami haian. kintu, unhean kyoan bulati ho?"

vah boli, "yadi bulane par vijit deni p dati ho, to phir zaroorat nahian hai; n hoga, ye hi tho da kasht karake oopar chale chaleange." itana kahakar usane us rogi adami ko dikha diya.

maianne sochakar kaha, "jahaz ke d aauktar ko shayad kuchh bhi dena nahian hota. kintu, inhean ho kya gaya hai?"

maianne socha tha ki rogi inaka pati hai; kintu, batachit se kuchh sandeh hua. us manushy ke muanh ke oopar kuchh jhukakar usane poochha, "ghar se chalate samay se hi tumhean pet ki bimari thi n?"

us manushy ne sir hila diya, tab isane sir oopar uthakar kaha, "haan, inhean pet ki bimari desh mean hi huee thi, kintu kal se bukhar a gaya. is samay dekhati hooan ki bukhar tej ho aya hai, kuchh davaee die bina kam n chalega."

maianne bhi svayan hath dalakar usake sharir ka tap dekha, vastav mean bukhar khoob tej tha. d aauktar ko bulane maian oopar chala gaya.

d aauktar baboo niche ae, rog-pariksha karake aur davaee ka puraja dekar bole, "chalo shrikant baboo, kamare mean chalakar gap-shap karean."

d aauktar baboo khoob rangile the. apane kamare mean le jakar bole, "chay pite haian?" maianne kaha, "haan, pita hooan."

"aur biskut?"

"so bhi khata hooan?"

"achchha."

khana-pina samapt hone ke bad donoan amane-samane kursiyoan par baith gaye. d aauktar baboo bole, "aj kaise ja bhi de us aurat se?"

maianne kaha, "usane hi mujhe bula bheja tha."

d aauktar baboo is tarah sir hilakar ki mano sab kuchh janate hoan, bole, "bulana hi chahie- shadi-vadi ki hai ya nahian?"

maianne kaha, "nahian."

d aauktar baboo bole, "to bas, bhi d jao. aisi kuchh buri nahian hai. us adami ka chehara dekha, us par taeephaid ke lakshan najar ate haian. kuchh bhi ho, vah adhik din n tikega, yah nishchit hai. is bich us par najar banae rakhana. kahian aur koee sala n bhi d jay."

maian avakh hokar bola, "ap yah sab kah kya rahe haian, d aauktar baboo?"

d aauktar baboo jara bhi apratibh hue bina bole, "achchha, vah chhokara hi use ghar se nikal laya hai ya usi ko vah bahar nikal laee hai- tumhean kya maloom hota hai, shrikant baboo? khoob pharavard hai. batachit to bahut achchhi karati hai."

maianne kaha, "is tarah ka khayal apake man mean kyoan aya?"

d aauktar baboo bole, "har ek trip mean to dekhata hooan ki ek n ek hai hi. pichhali daphe bhi belaghar ki ek aisi hi jo di thi. ek bar barma mean jakar qadam to rakkho, tab dekhoge ki meri bat sach hai ya nahian."

unaki barma ki bat bahut kuchh sach hai, yah maianne bad mean avashy dekha; kintu us samay to oopar se niche tak mera sara man aruchi se tikha ho utha. d aauktar baboo se bida lekar nand misri ki khabar lene niche gaya. gharavali sahit misri us samay phalahar ki taiyari kar raha tha. namaskar karane ke bad sabase pahale usane yah prashn kiya, "yah aurat kaun hai, baboo?..."

tagar sir dard ke karan apane sir par ek kap da pag di ki tarah baandh rahi thi. ekadam phusakarakar bol uthi, "yah janane ki tumhean kya garaj p di hai, batao to sahi?"

misri ne mujhe madhyayasth manakar kaha, "dekhi mahashay, is aurat ki ochhi tabiyat? kaun bangali aurat rangoon ja rahi hai, yah poochhana bhi jaise pap ho!"

tagar apana sir-dard bhool gayi aur pag di ko pheankakar meri or takane lagi. usane apani donoan gol-gol aauankhean pha dakar kaha, "mahashay, tagar vaishnavi ke hath ke niche se in sarikhe se n jane kitane misri adami banakar nikal gaye haian- ab bhi kya yah meri aauankhoan mean dhool jhoank sakate haian? are, tum d aauktar ho ki vaidy, jo maian jara-sa pani lene gayi, ki itani hi der mean, chat se dau dakar vahaan dekhane ja pahuanche? kyoan, kaun hai vah? yah achchha nahian hoga, so kahe deti hooan, misri. yadi dubara phir kabhi vahaan jate dekhooangi to phir ek din ya to tum hi ho ya maian hi."

nand misri ne garm hokar kaha, "tera kya maian palatoo bandar hooan jo too jis taraph saankal pak dakar le jayegi usi tarah jaooanga? meri ichchha hogi to phir jakar us bechare ko dekhane jaooanga. tere man mean ave so kar." itana kahakar usane phalahar mean chitt lagaya.

tagar ne bhi sirph 'achchha' kahakar apani pag di baandhana shuroo kar diya. maian bhi vahaan se chal diya. chalate-chalate maian sochata gaya- isi tarah in donoan ne bis baras kat die haian. anek daphe hath jalakar tagar itana sikhi hai ki jahaan par saty ka bandhan nahian hai vahaan ras ko jara bhi dhila karana achchha nahian hota. thagana hi p data hai. ya to rat-din satark bane rahakar jor-jabaradasti se apana dakhal jamae rakhana p dega, nahian to, javani ki tarah nand misri bhi ek din anajan mean khisak jayega.

kintu, jisako lakshy karake tagar ke man mean yah vidvesh utpann hua aur d aauktar baboo ne kutsit tivr kataksh kiya, vah hai kaun? tagar ne kaha tha- yahi kary karate hue maianne apane bal pakae haian. aisi aurat hai kahaan jo meri aauankhoan mean dhool jhoank sake? d aauktar baboo ne apana mantavy zahir kiya tha ki aisi ghatanaean nity hi dekhate rahane ke karan unaki aauankhoan mean divyadrishti utpann ho gayi hai. isamean yadi bhool ho, to ve aisi aauankhoan ko nikal pheankane ke lie taiyar haian.

aisa hi hota hai. doosare ka vichar karate samay kisi manushy ko kabhi yah kahate nahian suna ki vah antaryami nahian haian, athava kahian bhi usaka koee bhram ya pramad ho sakata hai. sabhi kahate haian ki manushy ko chinhane mean ham bejo d haian aur is vishay mean ham ek pakke jauhari haian. phir bhi, sansar mean maian nahian janata ki kabhi kisi ne apane khud ke bhi man ko thik tarah se pahichana ho. magar haan, mere saman jisane bhi kahian koee kathin chot khaee hai, use avashy hi savadhan hona p da hai. yah bat use man hi man manjoor karani hi p dati hai ki sansar mean jab annada jiji sarikhi striyaan bhi haian, tab buddhi ke ahankar se doosare ko hin aur nasamajh samajhakar khud buddhiman banane ki apeksha, sab-kuchh achchhi tarah janate hue bhi, nasamajh banane mean hi ek tarah se adhik buddhimani hai. isalie, in do param vijn stri-purushoan ke upadesh ki maian abhrant n man saka. kintu d aauktar baboo ne jo kaha tha ki atyant 'ph aauravard' hai, so thik maloom hua. aur, keval yahi bat mujhe rah-rahakar chubhane lagi.

bahut rat gaye maian phir bulaya gaya. is daphe is aurat ka mujhe parichay prapt hua. nam tha abhaya. uttararadhi kayasth hai, ghar hai baloochar ke nikat. jo vyakti bimar p da hai vah gaanv ke rishte se bhaee hota hai, nam hai usaka rohini sianh. "dava se rohini baboo ko kafi labh pahuancha hai", is tarah kahana arambh karake tho de hi samay mean abhaya ne mujhe apana atmiy bana liya. kintu mujhe yah to svikar karana hi chahie ki mere man mean, anichchha hote hue bhi, ek kathor samalochana ka bhav barabar jagrat ho gaya tha. phir bhi, is stri ki sari batachit aur alochana ke daramyayan kahian bhi maian jara-si bhi asangati ya anuchit pragalbhata nahian pak d paya.

abhaya mean manushy ko vash karane ki adbhut shakti hai. is bich mean hi usane mera keval nam-dham hi nahian jan liya, varanh 'maian usake lapata pati ko, jis tarah ho sake, khoj dooanga', yah vachan bhi usane mere muanh se nikalava liya. usaka pati ath varsh pahale barma mean naukari ke lie aya tha. do varsh tak usaki chitthi-patri ati rahi thi; kintu in chhah varshoan se usaka koee pata nahian hai. desh mean kutumb-kabile ka aur koee nahian hai. maan thian; parantu ve bhi qarib mahine-bhar pahale gujar gayian. bap ke ghar abhibhavakahin hokar rahana asambhav ho jane se rohini bhaee ko raji kar barma aee hai.

kuchh der chup rahakar ekaek vah bol uthi, "achchha, itani-si bhi koshish n karake yadi kisi tarah desh mean hi p di rahati to kya yah mere hak mean achchha hota? isake sivay is umr mean badanami mol lete kitani-si der lagati hai?"

maianne poochha, "kya ap janati haian ki itane din tak kyoan apaki unhoanne kuchh khabar nahian li?"

"nahian, kuchh nahian janati."

"isake pahale ve kahaan the, so maloom hai?"

"janati hooan. rangoon mean hi the, barma relave mean kam karate the; kintu, kitani hi chitthiyaan dian, koee uttar nahian mila. aur, kabhi koee chitthi lautakar vapis bhi nahian aee."

pratyek patr abhaya ke pati ko mila hai, yah to nishchit tha. kintu, kyoan usane javab nahian diya, isaka sambhavy karan hal hi maianne d aauktar baboo ke nikat suna tha. bahut-se bangali vahaan jakar kisi brahmadesh ki sundari ko ghar bithakar nayi girasti basa lete haian aur unamean aise anek haian jo sari zindagi phir lautakar desh nahian gaye.

mujhe chup dekhakar abhaya ne poochha, "ve jivit nahian haian, yahi kya apako jan p data hai?"

maianne sir hilakar kaha, "balki, thik isase ulta. ve jivit haian, yah to maian shapathapoorvak kah sakata hooan."

chat se abhaya ne mere paire chhookar pranam kiya aur kaha, "apake muanh mean phool-chandan p dean. shrikant baboo, maian aur kuchh nahian chahati. ve jivit haian, bas itana hi mere lie kafi hai."

maian phir maun ho raha. abhaya khud bhi kuchh der maun rahakar boli, "ap kya soch rahe haian, so maian janati hooan."

"janati ho?"

"janati nahian to? ap purush hokar jisaka khayal kar rahe haian, stri hokar bhi kya mujhe vah bhay nahian hoga? so hone do, mujhe usaka dar nahian hai- maian apani saut ke sath maje se girasti chala sakati hooan."

phir bhi maian chup hi bana raha. kintu, mere man ki bat ka anuman karane mean is buddhimati stri ko jara-sa bhi vilamb nahian hua. boli, "ap soch rahe haian ki mere giristi chalane ke lie raji hone se hi to kam nahian chalega; meri saut ko bhi to raji hona chahie?-yahi n soch rahe haian?"

darasal maian avakh ho gaya aur bola, "thik yadi aisa hi ho to kya kareangi?"

is daphe abhaya ki donoan aauankhean chhalachhala uthian. vah mere muanh ki or apani sajal drishti nibaddh karake boli, "us vipatti mean ap meri tho di-si sahayata kar sakeange, shrikant baboo, mere rohini bhiya b de sidhe-sade bhole adami haian, isalie us samay to inake dvara mera koee upakar n hoga."

raji hokar maianne kaha, "ban p dega to zaroor sahayata karooanga; kintu in sab kamoan mean bahar ke logoan ke dvara pray: kam hota to kuchh nahian, ulata big d hi jata hai."

"yah bat sach hai" kahakar abhaya chupachap kuchh sochane lagi.

doosare din gyarah-barah baje ke bich jahaz rangoon pahuanchane vala tha; kintu bhor hone ke pahale se hi sab logoan ki aauankhoan aur cheharoan par bhay aur chanchalata ke chihn najar ane lage. charoan or se ek asphut shabd kanoan mean ane laga, 'kereantin, kereanthin.' pata lagane se maloom hua ki thik shabd 'kareantain' ;phanantandapajapadamaddh hai. us samay barma ki sarakar pleg ke dar se atyant savadhan thi. shahar se ath-das mil door par ret mean kaantedar taroan se tho da-sa sthan gherakar usamean bahut-si jhop diyaan kh di kar di gayi thian- isamean hi dek ke samast yatriyoan ko bina kuchh vichar kiye utar diya jata tha. yahaan par das din thaharane ke bad unhean shahar mean jane diya jata tha. haan, yadi kisi ka koee atmiy shahar mean hota aur vah port helth aauphisar ke pas jakar kisi kaushal se 'chho dapatr' juta sakata to bat judi thi.

d aauktar baboo mujhe apane kamare mean bulakar bole, "shrikant baboo, ek 'chho dapatr' jutae bagair apaka yahaan ana uchit nahian hua; kareantain mean le jakar ve log manushy ko itana kasht dete haian ki kasaeekhane ke gay-bail-bhe d adi janavaroan ko bhi utana kasht nahian sahana p data. sadharan adami to use kisi tarah sah lete haian, marmaanntik kasht to keval bhale adamiyoan ko hi sahana p data hai. ek to yahaan koee majoor nahian milata-apana sab mal-asabab apane hi kandhoan par ladakar ek sidhi jarjar sidhi par se chadhana-utarana hota hai, aur utani door le jana p data hai. isake bad, sara mal-asabab vahaan kholakar bikher diya jata hai aur stim mean ubalakar barbad kiya jata hai. aur mahashay, aisi k di dhoop mean to kasht ka koee par hi nahian rahata."

atyant bhayabhit hokar maianne kaha, "isaka koee pratikar nahian hai kya d aauktar baboo?"

unhoanne sir hilakar kaha, "nahian-haan, jab d aauktar sahab jahaz ke oopar chadh aveange tab maian unase kah dekhooanga. unaka klark yadi apaki zimmedari apane oopar lene ko raji hoga to..."

kintu, unaki bat achchhi tarah poori n hone paee thi ki bahar ek aisa kand ghatit hua jisaki yad karake maian khud bhi laj ke mare mar jata hooan. kuchh golamal sunakar donoan janean kamare se bahar nikale. dekha ki jahaz ka sekand aauphisar chhah-sat khalasiyoan ko bedh dak chahe jis tarah latean mar raha hai, aur, usake boot ki thokarean khakar ve jahaan ban p data hai vahaan bhag rahe haian. yah aangarej yuvak atyant uddhat tha, isalie d aauktar baboo ke sath isaki pahale bhi kaha-suni ho chuki thi, aur aj phir ek jhapat ho gayi.

d aauktar gussa hokar bole, "tumhara is tarah ka kam atyant nindaniy hai, kisi din isake lie tumhean du:kh uthana p dega, yah maian kahe deta hooan."

vah palatakar kh da ho gaya aur bola, "kyoan?"

d aauktar baboo bole, "is tarah latean marana b da bhari anyay hai."

usane javab diya, "mar khae bina kya dhor sidhe hote haian?"

d aauktar baboo kuchh 'svadeshi khayal' ke adami the; ve uttejit hokar kahane lage, "ye log janavar nahian haian, garib manushy haian! hamare deshi adami namr aur shant hone ke karan kaptan sahab ke pas jakar tumhari shikayat nahian karate; aur isilie, tum atyachar karane ka sahas karate ho!"

ekaek sahab ka muanh akritrim hansi se bhar gaya. d aauktar ka hath khianchakar usane aanguli se dikhate hue kaha, Look, Doctor, theres your country-men, you ought to be proud of them? (dekho d aauktar, vah dekho tumhare desh ke adami, tumhean avashy hi in par phakr hona chahie.)

maianne najar uthakar dekha, kuchh ooanche pipoan ki a d mean kh de hokar ve khianse bahar nikal kar hans rahe haian aur sharir ki dhool jha d rahe haian. sahab tho da-sa hansakar, d aauktar baboo ke muanh par donoan hathoan ke aangoothe hilakar daean-baean jhoomata siti deta hua chal diya. vijay ka garv jaise usake sare sharir se phoot p dane laga.

d aauktar baboo ka muanh lajja se, kshobh se aur apaman se kala ho gaya. tezise qadam age rakhate hue kruddh svar se ve bol uthe, "behaya salo, khianse bahar nikalakar hans rahe ho!"

is daphe, itani der bad, deshi logoan ka atm samman shayad laut aya. sab logoan ne ek sath hansana band karake tezise javab diya, "tum d aauktar baboo, 'sala' kahane vale kaun hote ho? kisi ka karz khakar to ham log nahian hansate?"

"jabardasti se d aauktar baboo ko khianchakar unake kamare mean vapis le aya. kursi par dhamm se girate hue unake muanh se sirph 'oo:-!' nikala.

aur koee doosari bat unake muanh se bahar nikalana bhi asambhav thi. gyarah baje ke lagabhag k aaurentain ke pas ek chhota-sa stimar akar jahaz se satakar kh da ho gaya. samast dek ke yatriyoan ko yahi us bhayanak sthan mean le jaega. mal-asabab baandhane-chhorane ki dhoom mach gayi. mujhe jaldi nahian thi; kyoanki, d aauktar baboo ka adami abhi hi kah gaya tha ki mujhe vahaan nahian jana p dega. nishchiant hokar yatriyoan aur khalasiyoan ki chillahat aur dau d-dhoop kuchh anyamanask-sa hokar dekh raha tha. hathath pichhe se ek shabd sun p da, palatakar dekha ki abhaya kh di hai. ashchary ke sath poochha, "ap yahaan kaise?"

abhaya boli, "kyoan, kya ap apani chij-bast baandhoge nahian?"

maianne kaha, "nahian, mujhe abhi kafi der hai, mujhe vahaan nahian jana p dega. ekadam shahar mean jakar utarooanga."

abhaya boli, "nahian, shighr saman thik kar lijie."

maianne kaha, "mujhe ab bhi bahut samay hai...."

abhaya ne prabal veg se sir hilakar kaha, "nahian, so nahian ho sakata, mujhe chho dakar ap kisi tarah nahian jane paeange."

maian avakh hokar bola, "yah kya? mera to vahaan jana nahian ho sakega."

abhaya boli, "to phir, mera bhi nahian ho sakega. maian pani mean bhale hi phaand poo dooan, parantu, nirashray hokar is jagah kisi tarah nahian jaooangi. vahaan ki sab batean sun chuki hooan." yah kahate-kahate usaki aauankhean chhalachhala aeean. maian hatabuddhi-sa hokar baitha raha. "yah kaun hai jo mujhe is tarah dhire-dhire zor dalakar apane jivan ke sath jak d rahi hai?

vah aauanchal se aauankhean poanchhakar boli, "mujhe akeli chho dakar chale javeange? maian nahian soch sakati ki ap itane nishthur ho sakate haian. uthie, niche chalie. ap n hoange to us bimar adami ko sath lekar maian akeli aurat-jat kya karooangi, ap hi bataie?"

apana mal-asabab lekar jab maian chhote stimar par chadha tab d aauktar baboo oopar ke dek par kh de the. hathath mujhe is avastha mean dekhakar ve hath hilate hue chillakar kahane lage, "nahian nahian, apako n jana hoga. laut aie, laut aie- apake lie hukm ho gaya hai, ap..."

maianne bhi hath hilate hue chillakar kaha, "asankhy dhanyavad, kintu ek aur hukm se mujhe jana p d raha hai."

sahasa unaki drishti abhaya aur rohini par ja p di. ve musakarate hue bole, "tab mujhe bekar hi kasht diya?"

"usake lie kshama chahata hooan."

"nahian nahian, usaki zaroorat nahian, maian pahale se hi janata tha, gud baee." yah kahakar d aauktar baboo hansate chehare se chale gaye.

000

'k aaurantain' namak jelakhane mean bhejane ka qanoon keval 'kuliyoan' ke lie hai- shariphoan ke lie nahian; aur jo jahaz ka kiraya das rupaye se adhik nahian deta vahi 'kuli' hai. chay ke bagichoan ka kayada kya kahata hai so nahian maloom; par jahaji qanoon to yahi hai. aur adhikari ya aphasar pratyaksh jnan se kya janate haian, yah to ve hi janean; kintu aauphishiyal isase adhik janane ki riti nahian hai. isalie, is yatra mean ham sab 'kuli' the. aur, sahab log yah bhi samajhate haian ki kuli ki jivan-yatra ke lie mal-asabab aisa kuchh adhik nahian ho sakata- aur n hona uchit hi hai, ki jise ek sthan se doosare sthan tak kandhoan par rakhakar vah n le ja sakata ho. isalie, utarane ke ghat par kerintin-yatriyoan ka mal-asabab le jane ke lie yadi koee vyavastha nahian hai to isake lie kshubdh hone ka koee karan nahian. yah sab sach hai; phir bhi, yah keval hamare hi bhagy ka dosh samajhie ki ham tin prani, sir ke oopar prachand soory aur pairoan ke niche usase bhi adhik ugr baluka-rashi se jalate hue, ek aparichit nadi ke kinare b de-b de gatthar samane rakhakar kiankartavyavi‍‍moodh bhav se ek doosare ka muanh dekhate kh de hue haian. sath ke yatriyoan ka parichay pahale hi de chuka hooan. ve log apane lote-kambal pith par rakhakar, aur apekshakrit adhik bojh apani grihalakshmiyoan ke sir par ladakar, maje se gantavy sthan par chale gaye. dekhate-dekhate rohini bhiya bistaroan ke ek bandal par kaanpate-kaanpate dham se baith gaye. bukhar, pet ka dard aur bhari thakavat- in sab karanoan ke ekatr hone se unaki avastha aisi thi ki unake lie, chalana bahut door ki bat hai; baithana bhi asambhav ho gaya. let jane mean hi unaki raksha thi. abhaya thahari aurat-jat. bacha sirph maian aur meri tatha paraee chhoti-moti gathariyaan. meri dasha ekabaragi sochakar dekhane yogy thi. ek to akaran hi ek ajnat apritikar sthan mean ja raha tha; doosare, ek kandhoan par to ek ajnat nirupay stri ka bojh tha aur doosare kandhoan par jhool raha tha utana hi aparichit ek bimar purush aur oopar se ghate mean thian gathariyaan. in sabake bich mean maian atyant ugr pyas ko liye, jo ki sare gale ko sukhae deti thi, ek ajnat jagah mean kiankartavyavimoodh hokar kh da tha. mere is chitr ki kalpana karake bataur path ke logoan ko khoob anand a sakata hai- kuchh sahriday pathak, shayad, meri is ni:svarth paropakar-vritti ki prashansa bhi kar sakate haian; kintu, mujhe yah kahate jara bhi sharm nahian ki us us samay is hatabhagi ka man jhuanjhalahat aur pashchattap se ekabaragi paripoorn ho gaya tha. apane apako saik doan dhikkar deta hua man hi man kah raha tha, ki itana b da gadha trilok mean kya aur bhi koee hoga! kintu, b de acharaj ki bat hai, ki yadyapi yah parichay mere sharir par likha hua nahian tha, phir bhi, jahaj-bhar ke itane logoan ke bich mean bhar-vahan karane ke lie abhaya ne mujhe hi kyoan aur kis tarah ekadam se pahichanakar chhaant liya?

kintu, mera vismay door hua usaki hansi se. usane muanh uthakar jara-sa hans diya. usake hansi bhare chehare ko dekhakar mujhe keval vismay hi nahian hua-usake bhayanak du:kh ki chhaya bhi is daphe mujhe dikh gayi. kintu sabase adhik acharaj to mujhe us gramin stri ki bat sunakar hua. kahaan to lajja aur kritajnata se dharati mean g dakar use bhiksha maangana chahie tha, aur kahaan usane hansakar kaha, "kahian yah khayal n kar baithana, ki khoob thagae gaye! anayas hi ja sakate the phir bhi gaye nahian, isi ka nam hai dan. par, maian yah kahe rakhati hooan ki itana b da dan karane ka suyog jivan mean, shayad, kam hi milega. kintu, jane do in batoan ko. mal-asabab isi jagah p da rahane do, aur chalo, dekhean, inhean kahian chhaya mean sulaya ja sakata hai ya nahian."

akhir, gatthar-gathariyoan ki mamata chho dakar maian rohini bhiya ko pith par ladakar kerintin ki or ravana hua. abhaya ne keval ek chhota-sa hath-b aauks lekar mera anusaran kiya aur saman vahaan hi p da raha. avashy hi vah sab khoya nahian gaya- koee do ghante bad use le ane ka prabandh ho gaya.

adhikaansh sthanoan mean dekha jata hai ki sachamuch ki vipatti kalpanik vipatti ki apeksha adhik sahaj aur sahy hoti hai. pahile se hi is bat ka khayal rakhane se anek dushchintaoan ke hath se chhutakara mil sakata hai. isalie, yadyapi kuchh-kuchh klesh aur asuvidhaean nishchay se mujhe bhogani p dian, phir bhi, yah bat to svikar karani hi p dati hai ki ham logoan ke kerintin ki miyad ke din ek tarah se aram se hi kat gaye. isake sivay, paisa kharch kar sakane par yamaraj ke ghar bhi jab sasural jaisa adar prapt kiya ja sakata hai, tab to yah kerintin hi thi!

jahaz ke d aauktar baboo ne kaha tha ki stri khoob 'pharavard' hai, kintu, zaroorat ke samay yah stri kahaan tak 'pharavard' ho sakati hai, isaki shayad unhoanne kalpana bhi nahian ki hogi. rohini baboo ko jab pith par se maianne utar diya tab abhaya boli, "bas, ab apako aur kuchh bhi nahian karana hoga shrikant baboo, ap vishram karean, aur jo kuchh karane ka hai maian kar looangi."

vishram ki mujhe vastav mean zaroorat thi- donoan pair thakavat ke karan toote jate the; phir bhi maianne acharaj ke sath poochha, "ap kya kareangi?"

abhaya ne javab diya, "kam kya kuchh kam hai? chijean-bastean lani hoangi ek achchha-sa kamara talash karake ap donoan ke lie bistar taiyar kar dene hoange, rasoee karake jo kuchh ho donoan ko khila dena hoga- tab jakar mujhe chhutti milegi, aur tab hi to tho da-sa baithakar maian aram kar sakooangi. nahian-nahian, mere sir ki kasam, uthiega nahian, maian abhi-abhi sab thik-thak kiye deti hooan." phir tho da-sa hansakar kaha, "sochate hooge ki aurat hokar yah akeli sab prabandh kis tarah karegi, yahi n? par kyoan n kar sakooangi? achchha, apako hi khoj nikalane vala kaun tha? maian hi thi n, ki aur koee?" itana kahakar usane chhote b aauks ko khola aur usamean se kuchh rupaye nikalakar aauanchal mean baandh liye tatha kerentin ke aauphis ki or chal di.

vah kuchh kar sake chahe n kar sake, kisi tarah baithane ko mil jane se meri to jan bach gayi. adhe ghante ke bhitar hi ek chaparasi mujhe bulane aya. rohini ko sath lekar usake pichhe-pichhe gaya. dekha, rahane ka kamara to achchha hi hai. mem d aauktarin sahiba khud kh de hokar naukar se sab saf kara rahi haian, zaroori chizean a pahuanchi haian aur do khatoan par do adamiyoan ke lie bistar tak bichha die gaye haian. ek or nayi haan diyaan, chaval, dal, aloo, ghi, maida, lak di adi sab maujood haian. madrasi d aauktarin ke sath abhaya tooti-phooti hindi mean batachit kar rahi hai. mujhe dekhate hi boli, "tab tak ap tho di niand n le lo, maian sir par do gh da jal dalakar is vakt ke lie chaval-dal milakar tho di-si khich di raandh deti hooan. us vakt ke lie phir dekha jayega." itana kahakar gamachha-kap da lekar mem sahiba ko salam kar, ek khalasi ko sath lekar vah nahane chali gayi. is tarah, usake sanrakshan mean ham logoan ke din achchhi tarah se kat gaye, yah kahane mean maian nishchay se jara bhi atyukti nahian kar raha hooan.

is abhaya mean maian do batean ant tak lakshy kar raha tha. aisi avastha mean aise stri-purushoan mean jinamean paraspar koee rishta nahian hota hai, ghanishthata svat: hi b di tezise badhane lagati hai. kintu isaka usane kabhi mauqa hi nahian diya. usake vyavahar mean aisa kuchh tha jo pratyek kshan yad dila diya karata tha ki ham log keval yatri haian jo ek jagah thahar gaye haian- kisi ke sath kisi ka sachamuch ka koee sambandh nahian hai; do din bad shayad jivan-bhar phir kahian kisi ki kisi se mulakat hi n ho. doosari bat yah thi ki aisa anandayukt parishram bhi maianne kahian nahian dekha. din-bhar vah ham logoan ki seva mean lagi rahati aur kam khud hi karana chahati. sahayata karane ki koshish karate hi vah hansakar kahati, "yah to sab mera khud ka kary hai. nahian to, rohini bhiya ko hi kya zaroorat thi ki ve itana kasht uthate, aur apako hi kya p di thi is jelakhane mean ane ki? mere lie hi to ap logoan ko itani sab takaliphean uthani p dati haian."

aksar aisa hota ki khane-pine ke bad tho di-si gapashap chal rahi hoti aur aauphis ki gh di mean do baj jate. bas, vah ekadam kh di ho jati aur kahane lagati, "jati hooan ap logoan ke lie chay taiyar kar laooan- do baj gaye." man hi man maian kahata, "tumhara pati chahe kitana hi papi kyoan n ho, manushy to zaroor hoga. yadi kabhi use pa logi, to vah tumhara mooly avashy samajhega.

isake bad ek din miyad khatm huee. rohini bhi achchha ho gaya. ham log bhi sarakari 'chho d-patr' pakar gatthar-gathariyaan baandh rangoon ko chal p de. nishchay kiya tha ki shahar ke musaphirakhane mean do-ek din ke lie thahar kar, aur in logoan ke lie thaharane ka koee sthan thik karake, maian apane sthan par chala jaooanga; aur phir jahaan-kahian bhi rahooanga vahaan se usake pati ka pata maloom karake use samachar bhejane ki bharasak koshish karooanga.

shahar mean jis din ham logoan ne qadam rakhe vah barmavasiyoan ka ek tyohar ka din tha. aur, tyohar to unake lage hi rahate haian. dal ke dal stri-purush reshami poshak pahane apane mandiroan ko ja rahe haian. stri-svatantray ka desh hai; isalie, vahaan ke anand-utsav mean striyoan ki sankhya bhi adhik hoti hai. boodhi, yuvati, balika- sab umr ki striyaan apoorv poshak-parichchhad mean sajjit hokar hansati-bolati-gati sare raste ko mukharit karati huee chali ja rahi haian. unamean adhikaansh ka rang khoob gora hai. megh ki tarah ghane baloan ka bojha sau mean se nabbe striyoan ka ghutanoan ke niche tak latakata hai. joo de mean phool, kanoan me phool aur gale mean phooloan ki mala. ghooanghat ki jhanjhat nahian, purushoan ko dekhakar tezise jane ki vyagrata se thokar khakar girane ka andesha nahian, duvidha ya laj ka lesh nahian- mano jharane ke mukt pravah ke saman svachchhand berok gati se bahi ja rahi haian. pahali hi drishti se ekadam mugdh ho gaya. apane yahaan ki tulana mean man hi man unaki ashesh prashansa karake bola, yahi to hona chahie! isake bina jivan hi kya hai! unaka saubhagy sahasa mano eershyai ke saman mere hriday mean chhid gaya. maianne kaha, charoan dishaoan mean ye jis anand ki srishti karati ja rahi haian, vah kya avahelana ki vastu hai? ramaniyoan ko itani svadhinata dekar is desh ke purush kya thage gaye haian? aur, ham log kya unako niche se oopar tak jak d rakhakar aur unake jivan ko lang da banakar labh mean rahe haian? hamari striyaan bhi yadi kisi aise hi din- ekaek golamal sunakar maianne lautakar jo kuchh dekha vah aj bhi mere man par saph-saph aankit hai. jhag da ho raha tha gho da-ga di ke kirae ke sambandh mean. ga divan hamare yahaan ka hindustani musalaman tha. vah kah raha tha ki ath ane kiraya tay hua hai aur tin bhale ghar ki barmi striyaan ga di par se utarakar ek sath chilh‍lakar kah rahi thian ki nahian, paanch ana hua hai. do-tin minat kaha-suni hone ke bad hi bas, 'balan balan bahubalan.' raste ke kinare ek adami mote-mote gannoan ke tuk de karake bech raha tha. akasmath tinoan ne jhapatakar usake tin tuk de utha liye aur ek sath ga divan par akraman kar diya. oh! vah kaisi bedh dak mar thi. bechara striyoan ke sharir par hath bhi nahian laga sakata tha, atmaraksha karane ke lie yadi ek ko atakata tha to doosari ki chot sir par p dati, usako atakata to tisari ki chot a p dati. charoan aur log jama ho gaye- kintu keval tamasha dekhane. us abhage ka kahaan gaya topi-safa aur kahaan gaya hath ka chabuk! aur adhik n sah sakane ke karan akhir vah maidan chho dakar 'pulis! pulis! sipahi! sipahi!' chillata hua bhag kh da hua.

maian hal hi bangal se a raha tha aur so bhi dehat se. kalakatte mean stri-svadhinata hai- kanoan se avashy suni hai, par aauankhoan nahian dekhi. kintu, kya svadhinata prapt karake bhale ghar ki 'abalaean' bhi ek javan mard par khule am s dak par akraman karake latthabaji kar sakati haian! kramash: unake itani adhik 'sabala' ho uthane ki sambhavana meri kalpana ke bhi pare ki vastu thi. bahut der tak hatabuddhi ki tarah kh de rahane ke bad maianne apane kary ke lie prasthan kiya. man hi man kahane laga ki stri-svadhinata bhali hai ya buri, samaj ke anand ki matra isase ghategi ya badhegi- yah vichar to kisi aur din karooanga; kintu, aj apani aauankhoan jo kuchh dekha usase to mera sara chitt ekadam udbhrant ho gaya.

000

abhaya aur rohini ko unake naye vas-sthan mean- nayi ghar-giristi mean pratishthit karake jis din maian apane jin ke lie ashray khojane rangoon ke raj-marg par nikal p da, us din yah maian nahian kahana chahata ki un donoan ke parasparik sambandh ke vishay mean mere man mean bilkual kisi tarah ki glani chhoo bhi nahian gayi thi. kintu, is apavitr vichar ko door karane mean bhi mujhe adhik der nahian lagi. kyoanki, do khas umr ke stri-purushoan ko kisi khas avastha mean dekhane-matr se hi unake bich mean kisi sambandh-vishesh ki kalpana kar lena kitani bhari bhranti hai, yah shiksha mujhe pahale hi mil chuki thi. aur bhavishyath ki jatil samasya ko bhi bhavishyath ke hi hath sauanp dene mean mujhe kisi tarah ki hichak nahian hoti, isalie, keval apana hi bhar apane kandhoan par ladakar us din prabhat ke samay unake naye vas-sthan se bahar nikala.

ajakal ki tarah us samay kisi bhi naye bangali ke barma mean qadam rakhate hi pulis ke prakat aur aprakat karmachariyoan ka dal unase saval par saval karake, un par vyangy kasake aur apaman karake tatha bina kasoor thane mean khianch le jakar aur dar dikhakar had darje ki takaliph nahian deta tha. man mean kisi tarah ka pap n ho, to un dinoan pratyek parichit-aparichit ko nirbhayata se ghoomane-phirane ka adhikar tha aur ajakal ki tarah apane apako nirdosh pramanit karane ka atyant guru bhar bhi navagat bangavasi ke kandhoan par nahian lada gaya tha. isalie, mujhe khoob yad hai ki svachchhand chitt se kisi ashray-sthan ki khoj mean us din subah se dopahar tak rah-rah khoob ghoomata phira. rah mean ek bangali se bheant huee. vah mazadoor ke sir par tarakari ka bojha liye hue pasina poanchhate-poanchhate tezi se chala ja raha tha; maianne poochha, "mahashay, nand misri ka ghar kahaan hai, kya ap batala sakate haian?"

vah adami rukakar kh da ho gaya, "kaun nand? kya ap ribit-ghar ke nand pagadi ko khoj rahe haian?"

maianne kaha, "so to janata nahian mahashay, ki ve kis ghar ke haian. unhoanne keval yahi parichay diya tha ki ve rangoon ke vikhyat nand misri haian."

us adami ne ek prakar ka asamman-soochak muanh ka bhav banakar kaha, "o:-mistari! aise to sabhi apane ko mistari kahalavate haian mahashay, par mistari hona sahaj nahian hai. markat sahab ne jab mujhase kaha tha ki haripad, tumako chho dakar mistari hone layaq adami mujhe aur koee nahian dikh p data, tab kya ap janate haian ki b de sahab ke samip kitani anishchit arjiyaan p di huee thian? qarib ek sau ke. ari aur basoole ka zor ho, to arjiyoan ki zaroorat hi kya hai? katakar jo jo d de sakata hooan! kintu mahashay, ap janate haian..."

maianne dekha, anajan mean hi maianne is adami ke aisi jagah par chot pahuancha di hai jisaki mimaansa hona kathin hai. isalie, chat se maianne rukavat dalakar kaha, "phir, nand nam ke kisi bhi adami ko ap nahian janate?"

"yah apane khoob kaha! chalis varsh se rangoon mean rah raha hooan, maian janata kise nahian? nand kya ek hai? tin-tin nand haian! apane nand mistari kaha n? kahaan se a rahe haian ap? shayad bangal se, n? oh, tab kaho n ki tagar ke mard ko poochh rahe haian?"

maianne sir hilakar kaha, "haan, haan, zaroor vahi!"

vah bola, "to phir yah kahie. parichay pae bagair pahichanooan kaise? aie mere sath takadir ke zor se nand kama kha raha hai mahashay, nahian to nand pag di bhi kya koee mistari hai? mahashay, ap kaun haian?"

yah sunakar ki maian brahman hooan, us adami ne raste par hi jhukakar mujhe pranam kiya. bola, "vah apaki naukari laga dega? sahab se kahakar apaki tajabij lagava sakata hai zaroor; kintu, do mahine ki tanakhvah use pahale hi ghooans mean deni hogi. de sakeange kya? de sakean to atharah-bis ane roj ki naukari laga sakata hai. isase adhik ki nahian."

maianne use bataya ki philahal to maian naukari ki ummedavari mean nahian ja raha hooan- tho de se ashray ki tajavij ki garaj se hi bahar nikala hooan, aur, isaki asha nand misri ne jahaz par dilaee thi.

yah sunakar haripad misri ne ashchary se poochha, "mahashay, ap bhale adami haian, to phir, bhale adamiyoan ke 'mes' mean kyoan nahian jate?"

maianne kaha, "mes kahaan hai, so to janata hi nahian."

use bhi nahian maloom, yah usane svikar kiya. kintu, us joon khoj karake batane ki asha dekar vah bola, "kintu, is samay to nand se mulakat ho n sakegi; vah kam par gaya hai, tagar saankal die so rahi hai aur pukar kar usaki niand bhang karane mean khair nahian!"

yah to khoob janata tha. isalie raste ke bich mujhe vahaan karate dekhakar usane himmat dekar kaha, "n gaye vahaan to kya! dada thakur ka badhiya hotal samane hi hai. vahaan snan-bhojan karake niand le lijie, us bela phir dekha jayega."

haripad ke sath batean karate-karate jab maian dada thakur ke hotal mean pahuancha tab hotal ke dayaniang room mean (=bhojan ke kamare mean) qarib pandrah adami bhojan karane baithe the.

aangareji mean daro shabd haian 'instikt' aur "prejyudis', kintu, hamare yahaan, keval ek hi shabd hai 'sanskar'. yah samajhana kathin nahian hai ki ek jo hai so doosara nahian. arthath donoan shabd aangareji mean bhinn-bhinn bhavavachi haian. kintu dada thakur ke ukt hotal ke sampark mean akar yah bat aj pahale hi pahal mujhe maloom huee ki ham logoan ka jati-bhed, khan-pan adi vastuean 'instikt' ke hisab se 'sanskar' nahian hai, aur yadi ye 'sanskar' hoan bhi to kitane tuchchh haian- inake bandhan se mukt hona kitana sahaj hai, yah sab pratyaksh dekhakar maian ashchary se chakit ho gaya. hamare desh mean yah jo asankhy jati-bhed ki shrriankhala hai, ise donoan pairoan mean pahinakar jhanajhanate hue vicharan karane mean kitana gaurav aur mangal hai, isaki alochana to is samay rahane dooanga; kintu yah bat maian nissandeh kah sakata hooan ki jo log ise apane chhote-chhote-se gaanvoan mean bilkunal bekhatake jame hue purakhoan se chala ata hua sanskar batakar sthir rakhe hue haian, aur isake shasan-jal ko to dane ki duroohata ke sambandh mean jinhean leshamatr bhi avishvas nahian hai, un logoan ne is b de bhari bhram ko jan-boojhakar hi pal rakkha hai. vastav mean jis desh mean khane-pine mean chhuachhoot ka vichar prachalit nahian hai us desh mean qadam rakhate hi yah achchhi tarah dekha jata hai ki yah chhappan pushtoan ki khane-pine mean chhuachhoot rakhane ki saankal n jane kaise ratoan-rat khulakar alag ho jati hai. vilayat jane se jati chali jati hai isaka ek mukhy karan yah batalaya jata hai ki vahaan nishiddh maans khana p data hai. yahaan tak ki jo log apane desh mean bhi kabhi maans khana p data hai. yahaan tak ki jo log apane desh mean bhi kabhi maans nahian khate, unaki bhi chali jati hai; karan, jinhoanne jati marane ka ijara le rakha hai ve panch log kahate haian ki vahaan maans n khane par bhi samajh lena chahie ki 'khaya hi hai'.

aur unaka yah kahana nihayat galat bhi nahian hai. barma to tin-char din ka hi rasta hai; phir bhi maianne dekha hai ki pandrah ane bangali bhale adami jinamean shayad brahman hi adhik hoange- kyoanki is yug mean unhian ke lobh ne sabako mat kar diya hai- jahaz ke hotal mean hi saste damoan mean pet bhar lete haian tab kahian sookhi zamin par padarpan karate haian. us hotal mean musalaman aur goanij bavarchi kya raandhakar 'sarv' karate haian, yah saval apriy ho sakata hai; kintu, ve log havishyann pakakar kele ke pattoan mean nahian parosate hoange, yah anuman karana to bhatapa de ke bhattacharyoan ke lie bhi shayad kathin nahian hai- phir maian to thahara sath ka musaphir. jo log kam se kam yah sab nahian khana chahate ve bhi har manakar ant mean chah-roti, phal phooladi to khate hi haian! maianne dekha hai ki ekadam nishiddh maans se lekar mattaman aur rambha (kele ki do jatiyaan) tak sab kuchh ek mean hi gaddamadd karake jahaz ke kold-room mean rakkha jata hai aur yah kam kisi ki najar se chhupakar karane ki paddhati bhi maianne jahaz ke niyam-kanoonoan mean nahian dekhi. haan, phir bhi, aram ki bat yah hai ki barma- jane vale yatri ki jati jane ka qanoon, shayad, kisi tarah shastrakaroan ki 'sivil kod' ki najar bacha gaya hai. nahian to shayad phir ek chhoti-moti brahman-sabha ki zaroorat hoti! jane do, bhale logoan ki bat aj yahian tak rahe. hotal mean jo log panktibaddh hokar bhojan karane baithe the ve bhale adami nahian the- kam se kam ham log unhean 'bhala' nahian manate. sab log karigar the, sadhe das baje ki chhutti mean bhojan karane ae the. shahar ke is hisse mean ek b da maidan hai jisake tin taraph nana akar aur prakar ke karakhane haian, aur is basti ke bich ek taraph ko dada thakur ka yah hotal hai. ek vichitr basti hai. ek katar mean, ek se ek sati huee, jirn kath ki chhoti-chhoti kothariyaan bani huee haian. inamean chini, barmi, madrasi, u diya, tailangi, chatagaanv ke hindoo aur musalaman adi sabhi rahate haian; aur, rahate haian hamari jati ke bangali bhi. inake samip maianne pahale hi pahal yah sikha hai ki kisi ko bhi chhoti jati ka kahakar ghrina karake use door rakhane ki buri adat ka parityag karana koee b da kathin kam nahian hai. jo nahian karate ve ashakyata ke karan n karate hoan so bat nahian hai; kintu, jis karan ve nahian karate use prakashit kar dene se jhag da badh kh da hoga.

dada thakur ne akar yatnapoorvak mera svagat kiya aur ek chhota-sa kamara dikhakar kaha, "jitane din apaki ichchha ho is kamare mean rahean aur hamare yahaan bhojan karean. naukari-chakari lagane ki bad dam chuka dena."

maianne kaha, "mujhe to ap pahichanate nahian haian, ek mahine rahakar aur kha-pikar bina dam diye bhi to chala ja sakata hooan."

dada thakur ne apana kapal dikhate hue hansakar kaha, "ise to ap sath mean le nahian ja sakate mahashay!"

maianne kaha, "ji nahian, us par mujhe jara bhi lobh nahian hai."

dada thakur sir hilate-hilate is daphe param gambhir bhav banakar bole, "dekhie, takadir bhi hai mahashay! isake sivay aur koee rasta hi nahian, yahi maian sab logoan se kaha karata hooan."

vastav mean keval unaka jabani jamakharch nahian tha. is saty par ve svayan kis qadar akapat roop se vishvas karate the yah hathoan-hath pramanit karane ke lie char-paanch mahine ke bad, ek din ve prat:kal bahutoan ki dharohar-rupaye-paise aangoothi, gh di ityadi sath lekar keval unake nirat kapaloan ko barma mean us shoony hotal ke bhej par zor se patakane ke lie chho dakar apane desh chale gaye.

jo bhi ho, us samay dada thakur ki bat sunane mean buri nahian lagi aur maian bhi unaka ek naya muvakkil banakar ek toota-sa kamara dakhal karake baith gaya. rat ko ek kachchi umr ki bangalin dasi mere kamare mean asan bichhakar bhojan ke lie jagah karane aee; pas mean hi dayaniang room mean se logoan ke bhojan ka shor sunaee de raha tha. maianne poochha, "mujhe bhi vahaan hi n karake yahaan bhojan karane kyoan laee?"

vah boli, "ve log to hal ke darje ke loha katane-pitanevale mazadoor haian baboo, unake sath apako kaise khilaya ja sakata hai?"

arthath ve the 'varkamen' aur maian tha 'bhala adami'. maianne hansakar kaha, "mujhe bhi yahaan kya-kya katana-pitana p dega so to ab bhi nishchit nahian hua hai. jo bhi ho, aj khilati ho to khila jao, kintu, kal se mujhe bhi unhian ke sath usi kamare mean khilana."

dasi boli, "ap bamhan haian, apako vahaan khane ki zaroorat nahian."

"kyoan? ve sab bangali to haian?"

dasi ne gale ko jara dhima karake kaha, "bangali zaroor haian, kintu unamean ek dom bhi hai."

dom! desh mean yah jati asprishy-achhoot hai. chhoo jane par snan karana 'kampalasari' (=anivary) hai ya nahian so to nahian maloom; kintu yah janata hooan ki kap de badalakar gangajal sir par chhi dakana p data hai. atyant acharaj se maianne poochha, "aur sab?"

dasi boli, "aur sab achchhi jati ke haian. kayath haian, kaivart (=kevat) haian, ahir haian, luhar..."

"ye log koee apatti nahian karate?"

dasi ab kuchh hansakar boli, "is par desh mean sat samundar par akar kya itani bamahanayi chal sakati hai baboo? ve kahate haian, desh lautakar ganga-snan karake ek aang-prayashchit kar leange.

bhale hi kar lean kintu, mujhe maloom hai ki jo do-char adami bich-bich mean desh jate haian ve chalate-chalate kalakatte ki ganga mean ekadh daphe ganga-snan to shayad kar lete hoan; kintu, aang-prayashchit kabhi koee nahian karata. paradesh ki ab-hava ke prabhav se ye log us par vishvas nahian rakhate.

dekha ki hotal mean sirph do hukke haian. ek to brahmanoan ke lie, doosara jo brahman nahian haian unake lie. bhojanadi ke bad kaivart ke hath se dom aur dom ke hath se luhar mahashay ne hath badhakar huqqa grahan kiya aur svachchhandata se piya. duvidha ka lesh bhi nahian. do din bad us luhar ke sath batachit karate hue maianne poochha, "achchha, is tarah tumhari jati nahian jati?"

luhar bola, "jati kyoan nahian mahashay, jati to hai hi!"

"tab?"

"usane pahile dom kahakar apana parichay tho de hi diya tha; kaha tha ki maian kaivart hooan. isake bad hi sab maloom p da."

"tab tum logoan ne kuchh nahian kaha?"

"kahate aur kya mahashay, kam to bahut hi bura hua, yah to manjoor karana hi p data hai. lekin kahian use sharmindagi n uthani p de, yah sochakar sabane jan-boojhakar mamale ko daba diya."

"kintu desh mean hote to kya hota?"

vah adami jaise sihar utha. bola, "to, kya phir kisi ki raksha ho sakati thi?" isake bad jara-sa chup rahakar vah khud hi bolane laga, "kintu ap janate haian baboo maian brahmanoan ki bat nahian kahata- ve thahare varnoan ke guru, unaki bat hi alahada hai. nahian to, baki aur sab jat saman haian. chahe teli, mali, tamoli, ahir, naee, badhee, luhar, kumhar aur gandhi in nau shakhaoan ke hindoo hoan, chahe ha di-dom adi hoan- kisi ke sharir par kuchh likha to hai nahian; sabhi bhagavan ke banae haian, sab ek haian, sabhi pet ki jvala se jalakar paradesh mean ae haian aur loha pit rahe haian. aur sochie to baboo, hari modal dom hai to kya hua? sharab pita nahian, gaanja chhoota nahian- achar-vichar ko dekhakar kaun kah sakata hai ki vah achchhi jat ka nahian hai- dom ka l daka hai! aur lakshman- vah to bhale kayath ka l daka hai, par usake achar-vichar ko dekho n ek bar, bachchoo do-do bar jel jate-jate bache haian. ham sab nahian hote to ab tak jel mean p de-p de mehatar ke hath ki rotiyaan khate hote."

n to mujhe lakshman ke sambandh mean hi kisi tarah ka kutoohal hua aur n hari modal ne apane domatv ko chhipakar kitana b da anyay kiya isaki mimaansa karane ki hi meri pravritti huee. maian sirph yahi sochane laga ki jis desh mean bhale adami tak jasoos lagakar apane janm ke p dosi ke chhidr dhooandhakar aur usake pitri-shraddh ko biga dakar atm-tushti labh karate haian, usi desh ke akshikshit, nich jatiy hone par bhi in logoan ne ek aparichit bangali ka itana b da bhayankar aparadh bhi maph kar diya! aur- keval itana hi nahian, pichhe se is paradesh mean kahian use lajjit aur din hokar n rahana p de, is ashanka se us prasang ko uthaya tak nahian! yah sab asambhav kary kis tarah sambhav hua, videshi adami bhale hi n samajh sakean, parantu, ham to samajh sakate haian ki hriday ki kitani vishalata aur man ki kitani b di udarata isake lie avashyak hai! yah keval unake desh chho dakar videsh ane ka phal hai, isamean koee sandeh nahian hai. khayal hua ki isi shiksha ki hamare desh ko is samay sabase adhik zaroorat hai. sari zindagi apane chhote se gaanv mean hi baithakar bita dene se badhakar manushyoan ko sab vishayoan mean chhota, sankuchit kar dene vala b da shatru aur koee nahian hai. khair, jane do is bat ko.

in logoan ke sath maian bahut dinoan tak raha. kintu jab tak unhean yah n maloom hua ki maian padha-likha hooan, keval tab tak hi mujhe inake sath ghanishthata se milane-julane ka suyog milata raha- unake sab tarah ke sukh-du:khoan mean maian bhi hissedar banata raha, kintu jis kshan hi unhean maloom hua ki maian bhala adami hooan aur mujhe aangareji ati hai, usi kshan se unhoanne mujhe gair samajhana shuroo kar diya. aangareji janane vale shikshit bhale adamiyoan ke samip ye log apadh-vipadh ke samay jate zaroor haian, unase salah-mashavira bhi karate haian- yah bhi sach hai, parantu, ye log n to un par vishvas hi karate haian aur n unhean apana adami hi samajhate haian. desh ke is kusanskar ko ve aj bhi door nahian kar pae haian ki maian unhean chhota samajhakar man hi man ghrina nahian karata haian,- pichhe-pichhe unaka upahas nahian karata hooan. keval isi karan mere kitane satsankalp in logoan ke bich viphal ho gaye haian. maian samajhata hooan, unaki koee sima nahian. kintu khair, aj is bat ko jane do.

maianne dekha ki bangali striyoan ki sankhya bhi is or kuchh kam nahian hai. yadyapi unake kuloan ka parichay n dena hi achchha hai; kintu, aj ve kisi aur doosare hi roop mean parivartit hokar ekadam shuddh grihasthoan ki dharmapatniyaan ban gayi haian. purushoan ke manoan mean to shayad aj bhi 'jati' ki purani smriti baki bani huee hai. kintu, striyaan to n kabhi desh ati haian aur n desh ke sath koee sampark hi rakhati haian. unake bachche-bachchiyoan se poochha jay to ve yahi kahate haian ki "ham bangali haian'- arthath musalaman, kristan, barmi adi nahian haian- bangali hindoo haian. apas mean vivahadi, adan-pradan, svachchhandata se hota hai- keval 'bangali' hona hi yathesht hai, aur chatagaanv ke kisi bangali brahman dvara mantr padhakar donoan ke hath milakar ek kar diya jana hi bas hai. vidhava ho jane par vidhava-vivah ka rivaj nahian hai- so shayad isalie ki purohit mantr padhane ko raji nahian hota. parantu vaidhavy bhi ye pasand nahian karatian aur phir ek nayi grihasthi bana leti haian. unake l dake-bachche hote haian aur ve bhi kahate haian ki 'ham bangali haian', tatha unake vivah mean vahi purohit akar vaidik mantr padhakar vivah kara jate haian- is daphe unhean til-bhar bhi apatti nahian hoti. pati ke dvara atyant du:kh-yantrana pane par ye doosare ka ashray bhi grahan karati haian zaroor, kintu, yah atyant lajja ki bat samajhi jati hai aur isake lie du:kh-yantrana ka pariman bhi atyadhik hona chahie. parantu phir bhi, ye vastav mean hindoo haian aur durga-pooja se shuroo karake shashti mahakali adi koee bhi pooja nahian chho datian.