डिक्री के रुपये -प्रेमचंद

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

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neem aur kailas mean itani sharirik, manasik, naitik aur samajik abhinnata thi, jitani do praniyoan mean ho sakati hai. neem dirghakay vishal vriksh tha, kailas bag ka komal paudha; neem ko kriket aur phutabal, sair aur shikar ka vyasan tha, kailas ko pustakavalokan ka; neem ek vinodashil, vakchatur, nirdvandv, hasyapriy, vilasi yuvak tha; use kal ki chianta kabhi n satati thi. vidyalay usake lie kri da ka sthan tha; aur kabhi-kabhi beanch par kh de hone ka. isake pratikool kailas ek ekaantapriy, alasi, vyayam se kosoan bhaganevala, amod-pramod se door rahanevala, chiantashil, adarshavadi jiv tha. vah bhavishy ki kalpanaoan se vikal rahata tha. neem ek sukhasampann, uchch padadhikari pita ka ekamatr putr tha. kailas ek sadharan vyavasayi ke kee putroan mean se ek. use pustakoan ke lie kafi dhan n milata tha, maang-jaanchakar kam nikala karata tha. ek ke lie jivan anand ka svapn tha, aur doosare ke lie vipattiyoan ka bojh. par itani vishamataoan ke hote hue bhi un donoan mean ghanishth maitri aur niahsvarth vishuddh prem tha. kailas mar jata, par neem ka anugrah-patr n banata; aur neem mar jata, par kailas se beadabi n karata. neem ki khatir se kailas kabhi-kabhi svachchh nirmal vayu ka sukh utha liya karata. kailas ki khatir se neem bhi kabhi-kabhi bhavishy ke svapn dekh liya karata tha. neem ke lie rajyapad ka dvar khula hua tha, bhavishy koee apar sagar n tha. kailas ko apane hathoan kuaan khodakar pani pina tha; bhavishy ek bhishan sangram tha, jisake smaranamatr se usaka chitt ashaant ho uthata tha.

2

kalej se nikalane ke bad neem ko shasan vibhag mean ek uchch pad prapt ho gaya; yadyapi vah tisari shreni mean pas hua tha. kailas pratham shreni mean pas hua tha; kiantu use barasoan e diyaan rag dane, khak chhanane aur kuean jhaankane par bhi koee kam n mila. yahaan tak ki vivash hokar use apani kalam ka ashray lena p da. usane ek samachar-patr nikala. ek ne rajyadhikar ka rasta liya, jisaka lakshy dhan tha aur doosare ne seva-marg ka sahara liya jisaka parinam khyati aur kasht aur kabhi-kabhi karagar hota hai. neem ko usake daftar ke bahar koee n janata tha, kintu vah bangale mean rahata, hava-ga di par hava khata, thietar dekhata aur garmiyoan mean nainital ki sair karata tha. kailas ko sara sansar janata tha, par usake rahane ka makan kachcha tha, savari ke lie apane paanv. bachchoan ke lie doodh bhi mushkil se milata. sag-bhaji mean kat-kapat karana p data tha. neem ke lie sabase b de saubhagy ki bat yah thi ki usake keval ek putr tha; par kailas ke lie sabase b de durbhagy ki bat usaki santan-vriddhi thi, jo use panapane n deti thi. donoan mitroan mean patr-vyavahar hota rahata tha. kabhi-kabhi donoan mean mulakat bhi ho jati thi. neem kahata tha- yar, tumhian maje mean ho desh aur jati ki kuchh seva to kar rahe ho. yahaan to pet-pooja ke siva aur kisi kam ke n hue. par yah ‘pet-pooja’ usane kee dinoan ki kathin tapasya se hridayangam kar payi thi, aur usake prayog ke lie avasar dhooandhata rahata tha.

kailas khoob samajhata tha ki yah keval neem ki vinayashilata hai. yah meri kudasha se duahkhi hokar mujhe is upay se saantvana dena chahata hai. isalie yah apani vastavik sthiti ko usase chhipane ka viphal prayatn kiya karata tha.

vishnupur ki riyasat mean hahakar macha hua tha. riyasat ka mainejar apane bangale mean, thik dopahar ke samay saik doan adamiyoan ke samane katl kar diya gaya tha. yadyapi khooni bhag gaya tha, par adhikariyoan ko sandeh tha ki kuanvar sahab ki dushprerana se hi yah hatyabhinay hua hai. kuanvar sahab abhi balig n hue the. riyasat ka prabandh kort af vard dvara hota tha. mainejar par kuanvar sahab ki dekh-rekh ka bhar bhi tha. vilasapriy kuanvar ko mainejar ka hastakshep bahut hi bura maloom hota tha. donoan mean barasoan se manamutav tha. yahaan tak ki kee bar pratyaksh katu vakyoan ki naubat bhi a pahuanchi thi. atev kuanvar sahab par sandeh hona svabhavik hi tha. is ghatana ka anusandhan karane ke lie zile ke hakim ne miraz़a neem ko niyukt kiya. kisi pulis karmachari dvara tahakikat karane mean kuanvar sahab ke apaman ka bhay tha.

neem ko apane bhagy nirman ka svarn suyog prapt hua. vah n tyagi tha, n jnani. sabhi usake charitr ki durbalata se parichit the, agar koee n janata tha, to hukkam log. kuanvar sahab ne muanhamaangi murad payi. neem jab vishnupur pahuancha, to usaka asamany adar-satkar hua. bheantean chadhane lagian; aradali se chaparasi, peshakar, saees, babarachi, khidamatagar tak, sabhi ke muanh tar aur mutthiyaan garam hone lagian. kuanvar sahab ke havali-mavali rat-din ghere rahate, mano damad sasural aya ho.

ek din pratahkal kuanvar sahab ki mata akar neem ke samane apana hath baandhakar kh di ho gayian. neem leta hua huqqa pi raha tha. tap, sanyam aur vaidhavy ki yah tejasvi pratima dekhakar uth baitha.

rani usaki or vatsalyapoorn lochanoan se dekhati huee bolian- huzoor; mere bete ka jivan apake hath mean hai. ap hi usake bhagyavidhata haian. apaki usi mata ki saugandh hai, jisake ap suyogy putr haian; mere lal ki raksha kijiega. maian tan, man, dhan apake charanoan par arpan karati hooan.

svarth ne daya ke sanyog se neem ko poorn riti se vashibhoot kar liya.

3

unhian dinoan kailas neem se milane aya. donoan mitr b de tapak se gale mile. neem ne batoan-batoan mean yah sampoorn vrittaant kah sunaya, aur kailas par apane krity ka auchity siddh karana chaha.

kailas ne kaha- mere vichar mean pap sadaiv pap hai, chahe vah kisi avaran mean mandit ho.

neem- aur mera vichar hai ki agar gunah se kisi ki jan bachati ho, to vah ain sabab hai. kuanvar sahab abhi naujavan adami haian. bahut hi honahar, buddhiman, udar aur sahriday haian. ap unase milean, to khush ho jayan. unaka svabhav atyant vinamr hai. mainejar, jo yatharth mean dusht prakriti ka manushy tha, barabas kuanvar sahab ko dik kiya karata tha. yahaan tak ki ek motar kar ke lie rupaye n svikar kiye, n sipharish ki. maian yah nahian kahata ki kuanvar sahab ka yah kary stuty hai, lekin bahas yah hai ki unako aparadhi siddh karake unhean kalepani ki hava khilaee jay, ya niraparadh siddh karake unaki pran-raksha ki jay. aur bhaee, tumase to koee parada nahian hai, poore 20 hazar ru. ki thaili hai. bas, mujhe apani riport mean yah likh dena hoga ki vyaktigat vaimanasy ke karan yah durghatana huee hai, raja sahab ka isase koee sampark nahian. jo shahadatean mil sakian; unhean maianne gayab kar diya. mujhe is kary ke lie niyukt karane mean adhikariyoan ki ek masalahat thi. kuanvar sahab hindoo haian isalie kisi hindoo karmachari ko niyukt n karake jiladhish ne yah bhar mere sir rakha. yah sampradayik virodh mujhe nisprih siddh karane ke lie kafi hai. maianne do-char avasaroan par kuchh to hukkam ki prerana se aur kuchh svechchha se musalamanoan ke sath pakshapat kiya, jisase yah mashahoor ho gaya hai ki maian hianduoan ka kattar dushman hooan. hiandoo log to mujhe pakshapat ka putala samajhate haian. yah bhram mujhe akshepoan se bachane ke lie kafi hai. bataoan takadiravar hooan ki nahian ?

kailas- agar kahian bat khul gayi to ?

neem- to yah meri samajh ka pher, mere anusandhan ka dosh, manav prakriti ke ek atal niyam ka ujjval udaharan hoga. maian koee sarvajn to hooan nahian. meri niyat par aanch n ane payegi. mujh par rishvat lene ka sandeh n ho sakega. ap isase vyavaharik kon par n jaie, keval isake naitik kon par nigah rakhie. yah kary niti ke anukool hai ya nahian ? adhyatmik siddhantoan ko n khianch laiega, keval niti ke siddhaantoan se isaki vivechana kijie.

kailas- isaka ek anivary phal yah hoga ki doosare reesoan ko bhi aise dushkrityoan ki uttejana milegi. dhan se b de-se-b de papoan par parada p d sakata hai, is vichar ke phailane ka phal kitana bhayankar hoga, isaka ap svayan anuman kar sakate haian.

neem- ji nahian, maian yah anuman nahian kar sakata. rishvat ab bhi 90 phisadi abhiyogoan par parada dalati hai. phir bhi pap ka bhay pratyek hriday mean hai.

donoan mitroan mean der tak is vishay par tark-vitark hota raha, lekin kailas ka nyay-vichar neem ke hasy aur vyangy se pesh n pa saka.

4

vishnupur ke hatyakaand par samachar-patroan mean alochana hone lagi. sabhi patr ek svar se rayasahab ko hi laanchhit karate aur gavarnameant ko raja sahab se anuchit pakshapat karane ka dosh lagate the; lekin isake sath yah bhi likh dete the ki abhi yah abhiyog vicharadhin hai, isalie is par tika nahian ki ja sakati.

miraza neem ne apani khoj ko saty ka roop dene ke lie poora ek mahina vyatit kiya. jab unaki riport prakashit huee, to rajanitik kshetr mean viplav mach gaya. janata ke sandeh ki pushti ho gayi.

kailas ke samane ab ek jatil samasya upasthit huee. abhi tak usane is vishay par ekamatr maun dharan kar rakha tha. vah yah nishchay n kar sakata tha ki kya likhooan ? gavarnameant ka paksh lena apani aantaratma ko padadalit karana tha, atmasvatantry ka balidan karana tha. par maun rahana aur bhi apamanajanak tha. aant mean jab sahayogiyoan mean do-char ne usake oopar saanketik roop se akshep karana shuroo kiya ki unaka maun nirarthak nahian hai, tab usake lie tatasth rahana asahy ho gaya. usake vaiyaktik tatha jatiy kartavy mean ghor sangram hone laga. us maitri ko jisake aankur pachis varsh pahale hriday mean aankurit hue the, aur ab jo ek saghan, vishal vriksh ka roop dharan kar chuki thi, hriday se nikalana, hriday ko chirana tha. vah mitr, jo usake duahkh mean duahkhi aur sukh mean sukhi hota tha, jisaka hriday nity usaki sahayata ke lie tatpar rahata tha, jisake ghar mean jakar vah apani chiantaoan ko bhool jata tha, jisake darshanamatr hi se use ashvasan, dridhata tatha manobal prapt hota tha, usi mitr ki j d khodani p degi ! vah buri sayat thi jab maianne sampadakiy kshetr mean padarpan kiya, nahian to aj is dharm-sankat mean kyoan p data ? kitana ghor vishvasaghat hoga. vishvas maitri ka mukhy aang hai. neem ne mujhe apana vishvasapatr banaya hai, mujhase kabhi parada nahian rakha. usake un gupt rahasyoan ko prakash mean lana usake prati ghor anyay hoga ! nahian, maian maitri ko kalankit n karooanga, usaki nirmal kirti par dhabba n lagaooanga, maitri par vajraghat n karooanga. eeshvar vah din n laye ki mere hathoan neem ka ahit ho. mujhe poorn vishvas hai ki yadi mujh par koee sankat p de, to neem mere lie pran tak de dene ko taiyar ho jayaga, usi mitr ko maian sansar ke samane apamanit karooan, usaki garadan par kuthar chalaooan. bhagavanh mujhe vah din n dikhana !

lekin jatiy kartavy ka paksh bhi nirastr n tha. patr ka sampadak paramparagat niyamoan ke anusar jati ka sevak hai. vah jo kuchh dekhata hai, jati ki virath drishti se dekhata hai. vah jo kuchh vichar karata hai us par bhi jatiyata ki chhap lagi hoti hai. nity jati ke vistrit vichar-kshetr mean vicharan karate rahane se vyakti ka mahattvadrishti mean atyant sankirn ho jata hai; vah vyakti ko kshudr, tuchchh, nagany kahane lagata hai. vyakti ko jati par bali dena usaki niti ka pratham aang hai. yahaan tak ki bahudha apane svarth ko bhi jati par var deta hai. usake jivan ka lakshy mahanh atmaoan ka anugami hota hai jinhoanne rashtroan ka nirman kiya hai; unaki kirti amar ho gayi hai jo dalit rashtroan ke uddharak ho gaye haian. vah yathashakti koee kam aisa nahian kar sakata, jisase usake poorvajoan ki ujjval virudavali mean kalima lagane ka bhay ho. kailas rajanitik kshetr mean bahut kuchh yash aur gaurav prapt kar chuka tha. usaki sammati adar ki drishti se dekhi jati thi; usake nirbhik vicharoan ne, usaki nishpaksh tikaoan ne use sampadak-mandali ka pramukh neta bana diya tha. atev is avasar par maitri ka nirvah keval usaki niti aur adarsh hi ke viruddh nahian, usake manogat bhavoan ke bhi viruddh tha. isamean usaka apaman tha, atmapatan tha, bhiruta thi. yah kartavyapath se vimukh hona aur rajanitik kshetr mean sadaiv ke lie bahishkrit ho jana tha. ek vyakti ki, chahe vah mera kitana hi atmiy kyoan n ho, rashtr ke samane kya hasti hai ! neem ke banane ya big dane se rashtr par koee asar n p dega. lekin shasan ki nirankushata aur atyachar par parada dalana rashtr ke lie bhayankar siddh ho sakata hai. use isaki parava n thi ki meri alochana ka pratyaksh koee asar hoga ya nahian. sampadak ki drishti mean apani sammati sianhanad ke saman pratit hoti hai ki meri lekhani shasan ko kampayaman kar degi, vishv ko hila degi. shayad sara sansar meri kalam ki sarasarahat se tharra uthega, mere vichar prakat hote hi yugaantar upasthit kar deange. neem mera mitr hai, kintu rashtr mera isht hai. mitr ke pad ki raksha ke lie kya apane isht par pran-ghatak aghat karooan ?

kee dinoan tak kailas ke vyaktigat aur sampadak ke kartavyoan mean sangharsh hota raha. ant ko jati ne vyakti ko parast kar diya. usane nishchay kiya ki maian is rahasy ka yatharth svaroop dikha dooanga; shasan ke anuttaradayitv ko janata ke samane kholakar rakh dooanga; shasan-vibhag ke karmachariyoan ki svarth-lolupata ka namoona dikha dooanga; duniya ko dikha dooanga ki sarakar kinaki aankhoan se dekhati hai, kinake kanoan se sunati hai. usaki akshamata, usaki ayogyata aur usaki durbalata ko pramanit karane ka isase badhakar aur kaun-sa udaharan mil sakata hai ? neem mera mitr hai to ho, jati ke samane vah koee chiz nahian hai. usaki hani ke bhay se maian rashtriy kartavy se kyoan muanh pherooan, apani atma ko kyoan dooshit karooan, apani svadhinata ko kyoan kalankit karooan ? ah pranoan se priy neem ! mujhe kshama karana, aj tum jaise mitraratn ko maian apane kartavy ki vedi par bali chadhata hooan. magar tumhari jagah agar mera putr hota, to use bhi isi kartavy ki balivedi par bheant kar deta.

doosare din kailas ne is ghatana ki mimaansa shuroo ki. jo kuchh usane neem se suna tha, vah sab ek lekhamala ke roop mean prakashit karane laga. ghar ka bhedi lanka dhahe ! any sampadakoan ko jahaan anuman, tark aur yukti ke adhar par apana mat sthir karana p data tha aur isalie ve kitani hi anargal, apavadapoorn batean likh dalate the, vahaan kailas ki tippaniyaan pratyaksh pramanoan se yukt hoti thian. vah pate-pate ki batean kahata tha aur us nirbhikata ke sath, jo divy anubhav ka nirdesh karati thian. usake lekhoan mean vistar kam, par sar adhik hota tha. usane neem ko bhi n chho da, usaki svarth-lipsa ka khoob khaka u daya. yahaan tak ki vah dhan ki sankhya bhi likh di jo is kutsit vyapar par parada dalane ke lie use di gayi thi. sabase maje ki bat yah thi ki usane neem se ek rashtriy guptachar ki mulakat ka bhi ullekh kiya, jisane neem ko rupaye lete hue dekha tha. aant mean gavarnameant ko bhi chaileanj diya ki jo usamean sahas ho, to mere pramanoan ko jhootha sabit kar de. itana hi nahian, usane vah vartalap bhi aksharashah prakashit kar diya jo usake aur neem ke bich hua tha. rani ka neem ke pas ana, usake pairoan par girana, kuanvar sahab ka neem ke pas nana prakar ke tohaphe lekar ana, in sabhi prasangoan ne usake lekhoan mean ek jasoosi upanyas ka maja paida kar diya.

in lekhoan ne rajanitik kshetr mean halachal macha di. patr-sampadakoan ko adhikariyoan par nishane lagane ke aise avasar b de saubhagy se milate haian. jagah-jagah shasan ki is karatoot ki nianda karane ke lie sabhaean hone lagian. kee sadasyoan ne vyavasthapak-sabha mean is vishay par prashn karane ki ghoshana ki. shasakoan ko kabhi aisi muanh ki n khani p di thi. akhir unhean apani man-raksha ke lie isake siva aur koee upay n soojha ki ve miraza neem ko kailas par manahani ka abhiyog chalane ke lie vivash karean.

5

kailas par istagasa dayar hua. miraza neem ki or se sarakar pairavi karati thi. kailas svayan apani pairavi kar raha tha. nyay ke pramukh sanrakshakoan (vakil-bairistaroan) ne kisi ajnat karan se usaki pairavi karana asvikar kiya. nyayadhish ko harakar kailas ko, qanoon ki sanad n rakhate hue bhi, apane mukadame ki pairavi karane ki ajna deni p di. mahinoan abhiyog chalata raha. janata mean sanasani phail gayi. roj hajaroan adami adalat mean ekatr hote the. bazaroan mean abhiyog ki riport padhane ke lie samachar-patroan ki loot hoti thi. chatur pathak padhe hue patroan se gh di rat jate-jate dugune paise kh de kar lete the; kyoanki us samay tak patr-vikretaoan ke pas koee patr n bachane pata tha. jin batoan ka jnan pahale gine-ginaye patr-grahakoan ko tha, un par ab janata ki tippaniyaan hone lagian. neem ki mitti kabhi itani kharab n huee thi; gali-gali, ghar-ghar usi ki charcha thi. janata ka krodh usi par kendrit ho gaya tha. vah din bhi smaraniy rahega jab donoan sachche, ek-doosare par pran denevale mitr adalat mean amane-samane kh de hue aur kailas ne miraza neem se jirah karani shuroo ki. kailas ko aisa manasik kasht ho raha tha, mano vah neem ki garadan par talavar chalane ja raha hai. aur neem ke lie to agni-pariksha thi. donoan ke mukh udas the; ek ka atmaglani se, doosare ka bhay se. neem prasann banane ki cheshtakarata tha, kabhi-kabhi sookhi hansi bhi hansata tha, lekin kailas- ah, us garib ke dil par jo gujar rahi thi, use kaun jan sakata hai!

kailas ne poochha- ap aur maian sath padhate the, ise ap svikar karate haian ?

neem- avashy svikar karata hooan.

kailas- ham donoan mean itani ghanishthata thi ki ham apas mean koee parada n rakhate the, ise ap svikar karate haian ?

neem- avashy svikar karata hooan.

kailas- kya us samay apane mujhase yah nahian kaha tha ki kuanvar sahab ki prerana se yah hatya huee hai ?

neem- kadapi nahian.

kailas- apake mukh se ye shabd nahian nikale the ki bis hazar ru. ki thaili hai ?

neem jara bhi n jhijhaka, jara bhi sankuchit n hua. usaki jaban mean leshamatr bhi luqanat n huee, vani mean jara bhi tharatharahat n ayi. usake mukh par ashaanti, asthirata ya asamanjas ka koee bhi chihn n dikhaee diya. vah avichal kh da raha. kailas ne bahut darate-darate yah prashn kiya tha. usako bhay tha ki neem isaka kuchh javab n de sakega. kadachith rone lagega. lekin neem ne nishshank bhav se kaha- sambhav hai, apane svapn mean mujhase ye batean suni hoan.

kailas ek kshan ke lie dang ho gaya. phir usane vismay se neem ki or najar dalakar poochha- kya apane yah nahian pharamaya ki maianne do-char avasaroan par musalamanoan ke sath pakshapat kiya hai aur isalie mujhe hindoo-virodhi samajhakar is anusandhan ka bhar sauanpa gaya hai.

neem jara bhi n jhijhaka. avichal, sthir aur shaant bhav se bola- apaki kalpana-shakti vastav mean ashcharyajanak hai. barasoan tak apake sath rahane par bhi mujhe yah vidit nahian hua tha ki ap mean ghatanaoan ka avishkar karane ki aisi chamatkarapoorn shakti hai.

kailas ne aur koee prashn nahian kiya. use apane parabhav ka duahkh n tha, duahkh tha neem ki atma ke patan ka. vah kalpana bhi n kar sakata tha ki koee manushy apane muanh se nikali huee bat ko itani dhithaee se asvikar kar sakata hai; aur vah bhi us adami ke muanh par, jisase vah bat kahi gayi ho. yah manavi durbalata ki parakashtha hai. vah neem, jisaka aandar aur bahar ek tha, jisake vichar aur vyavahar mean bhed n tha, jisaki vani aantarik bhavoan ka darpan thi, vah neem, vah saral, atmabhimani, satyabhakt neem, itana dhoort, aisa makkar ho sakata hai ! kya dasata ke saanche mean dhalakar manushy apana manushyatv kho baithata hai ? kya yah divy gunoan ka roopaantar karane ka yantr hai.

adalat ne neem ko 20 hazar rupayoan ki dikri de di. kailas par vajrapat ho gaya.

6

is nishchay par rajanitik sansar mean phir kuharam macha. sarakari paksh ke patroan ne kailas ko dhoort kaha; jan-pakshavaloan ne neem ko shaitan bataya. neem ke dussahas ne nyay ki drishti mean chahe use niraparadh siddh kar diya ho par janata ki drishti mean to use aur bhi gira diya. kailas ke pas sahanubhooti ke patr aur tar ane lage. patroan mean usaki nirbhikata aur satyanishtha ki prashansa hone lagi. jagah-jagah sabhaean aur jalase hue, aur nyayalay ke nishchay par asantosh prakat kiya gaya; kiantu sookhe badaloan se prithvi ki tripti to nahian hoti ? rupaye kahaan se avean aur vah bhi ekadam se 20 hazar ! adarshapalan ka yahi mooly hai, rashtr-seva mahanga sauda hai. 20 hazar ! itane rupaye to kailash ne shayad svapn mean bhi n dekhe hoan aur jab dene p deange ! kahaan se dega ? itane rupayoan ke sood se hi vah jivika ki chinta se mukt ho sakata tha. use apane patr mean apani vipatti ka rona rokar chanda ekatr karane se ghrina thi. maianne apane grahakoan ki anumati lekar is sher se moracha nahian liya tha. mainejar ki vakalat karane ke lie kisi ne meri garadan nahian dabayi thi. maianne apana kartavy samajhakar hi shasakoan ko chunauti di. jis kam ke lie maian akela zimmedar hooan, usaka bhar apane grahakoan par kyoan dalooan. yah anyay hai. sambhav hai, janata mean aandolan karane se do-char hazar rupaye hath a jayan; lekin yah sampadakiy adarsh ke viruddh hai. isase meri shan mean batta lagata hai. doosaroan ko yah kahane ka avasar dooan ki aur ke matthe phulau diyaan khayian, to kya b da jag jit liya ! tab janate ki apane bal-boote par garajate ! nirbhik alochana ka sehara to mere sir bandha, usaka mooly doosaroan se kyoan vasool karooan ? mera patr band ho jay, maian pak dakar kaid kiya jaooan, mera makan kurk kar liya jay, baratan-bhaande nilam ho jayan, yah sab mujhe manjoor hai. jo kuchh sir p degi bhugat looanga, par kisi ke samane hath n phailaooanga.

sooryoday ka samay tha. poorv disha mean prakash ki chhata aise dau di chali ati thi, jaise aankh se aansuoan ki dhara. thandi hava kaleje par yoan lagati thi, jaise kisi ke karun-krandan ki dhvani. samane ka maidan duahkhi hriday ki bhaanti jyoti ke banoan se biandh raha tha. ghar mean vah nistabdhata chhayi thi, jo grih-svami ke gupt rodan ki soochana deti hai. n balakoan ka shoragul aur n mata ki shantiprasarini shabd-ta dana. jab dipak bujh raha ho, to ghar mean prakash kahaan se aye ? yah asha ka prabhav nahian, shok ka prabhav tha; kyoanki aj hi kurk-zamin kailas ki sampatti ko nilam karane ke lie anevala tha.

usane aantarvedana se vikal hokar kaha- ah ! aj mere sarvajanik jivan ka ant ho jayaga. jis bhavan ka nirman karane mean apane jivan ke 25 varsh laga diye vah aj nasht-bhrasht ho jayaga. patr ki garadan par chhuri phir jayagi, mere pairoan mean upahas aur apaman ki be diyaan p d jayangi, mukh mean kalima lag jayagi, yah shaanti-kutir uj d jayaga, yah shokakul parivar kisi murajhaye hue phool ki pankh diyoan ki bhaanti bikhar jayaga. sansar mean usake lie kahian ashray nahian hai. janata ki smriti chirasthayi nahian hoti; alpakal mean meri sevaean vismriti ke aandhakar mean lin ho jayangi. kisi ko meri sudh bhi n rahegi, koee meri vipatti par aansoo bahanevala bhi n hoga.

sahasa use yad aya ki aj ke lie abhi agralekh likhana hai. aj apane suhridh pathakoan ko soochana dooan ki yah is patr ke jivan ka aantim divas hai, use phir apaki seva mean pahuanchane ka saubhagy n prapt hoga. hamase anek bhoolean huee hoangi, aj ham unake lie apase kshama maangate haian. apane hamare prati jo sahavedana aur suhridayata prakat ki hai, usake lie ham sadaiv apake kritajn raheange. hamean kisi se koee shikayat nahian hai. hamean is akal mrityu ka duahkh nahian hai; kyoanki vah saubhagy unhian ko prapt hota hai, jo apane kartavyapath par avichal rahate haian. duahkh yahi hai ki ham jati ke lie isase adhik balidan karane mean samarth n hue. is lekh ko adi se ant tak soch kar vah kursi se utha hi tha ki kisi ke pairoan ki ahat maloom huee. garadan uthakar dekha, to miraza neem tha. vahi hansamukh chehara, vahi mridu muskan, vahi kri damay netr . ate hi kailas ke gale se lipat gaya.

kailas ne garadan chhu date hue kaha- kya mere ghav par namak chhi dakane, meri lash ko thukarane aye ho ?

neem ne usaki garadan ko aur zor se dabakar kaha- aur kya, muhabbat ke yahi to maje haian !

kailas- mujhase dillagi n karo. bhara baitha hooan, mar baithooanga.

neem ki aankhean sajal ho gayian. bola- ah jalim; maian teri jaban se yahi katu vaky sunane ke lie to vikal ho raha tha. jitana chahe koso, khoob galiyaan do, mujhe isamean madhur sangit ka anand a raha hai.

kailas- aur, abhi jab adalat ka kurk-amin mera ghar-bar nilam karane ayega, to kya hoga ? bolo, apani jan bachakar to alag ho gaye !

neem- ham donoan milakar khoob taliyaan bajayeange, aur use bandar ki tarah nachayeange ?

kailas- tum ab pitoge mere hathoan se jalim, tujhe mere bachchoan par bhi daya n ayi?

neem- tum bhi chale mujhi se zor ajamane. koee samay tha, jab bazi tumhare hath rahati thi. ab meri bari hai. tumane mauka-mahal to dekha nahian, mujh par pil p de.

kailas- sarasar saty ki upeksha karana mere siddhaant ke viruddh tha.

neem- aur saty ka gala ghoantana mere siddhaant ke anukool.

kailas- abhi ek poora parivar tumhare gale madh dooanga, to apani kismat ko rooge. dekhane mean tumhara adha bhi nahian hooan; lekin santanotpatti mean tum jaise tin par bhari hooan. poore sat haian, kam n besh !

neem- achchha lao, kuchh khilate-pilate ho ya takadir ka marasiya hi gaye jaoge ? tumhare sir ki kasam bahut bhookha hooan. ghar se bina khaye hi chal p da.

kailas- yahaan aj solaho dand ekadashi. sab-ke-sab shok mean baithe usi adalat ke jallad ki rah dekh rahe haian. khane-pine ka kya zikr ? tumhari beg mean kuchh ho, to nikalo; aj sath baithakar kha lean, phir to ziandagi bhar ka rona hai hi.

neem- phir to aisi shararat n karoge ?

kailas- vah, yah to apane rom-rom mean vyapt ho gayi hai. jab tak sarakar pashubal se hamare oopar shasan karati rahegi, ham usaka virodh karate raheange. khed yahi hai ki ab mujhe isaka avasar hi n milega. kiantu tumhean 20,000 ru. mean se 20 ru. bhi n mileange. yahaan raddiyoan ke dher ke siva aur kuchh nahian hai.

neem- aji, maian tumase 20 hazar rupaye ki jagah usaka panchaguna vasool kar looanga. tum ho kis pher mean ?

kailas- muanh dho rakhie !

neem- mujhe rupayoan ki zaroorat hai. ao koee samajhauta kar lo.

kailas- kuanvar sahab ke 20 hazar rupaye dakar gaye, phir bhi abhi santosh nahian hua !

neem- sarakari karmachariyoan dvara mamala karane mean aur bhi jerabari hogi.

kailas- are to kya mamala kar looan ? yahaan kagajoan ke siva aur kuchh ho bhi to !

neem- mera rrin chukane-bhar ko bahut hai. achchha, isi bat par samajhauta kar lo ki maian jo chiz chahooan, le looan. phir rona mat.

kailas- aji, tum sara daftar sir par utha le jao, ghar utha le jao, mujhe pak d le jao, aur mithe tuk de khilao. kasam le lo, jo jara bhi chooan karooan.

neem- nahian, maian sirph ek chiz chahata hooan, sirph ek chiz !

kailas ke kautoohal ki koee sima n rahi. sochane laga, mere pas aisi kaun-si bahumooly vastu hai ? kahian mujhase musalaman hone ko to n kahega. yahi ek dharm ek chiz hai, jisaka mooly ek se lekar asankhy tak rakha ja sakata hai. jara dekhooan to hajarat kya kahate haian ?

usane poochha- kya chiz ?

neem- misej kailas se ek minat tak ekaant mean batachit karane ki ajna.

kailas ne neem ke sir par ek chapat jamakar kaha- phir vahi shararat ! saik doan bar to dekh chuke ho, aisi kaun-si iandr ki apsara hai !

neem- vah kuchh bhi ho, mamala karate ho, to karo; magar yad rakhana, ekaant ki shart.

kailas- manjoor hai. phir jo dikri ke rupaye maange gaye, to noanch hi khaooanga.

neem- haan, manjoor hai.

kailas- (dhire se) magar yar, najuk-mizaj stri hai, koee behooda majak n kar baithana.

neem- ji, in batoan mean mujhe apake upadesh ki zaroorat nahian. mujhe unake kamare mean le to chalie !

kailas- sir niche kiye rahana.

neem- aji, aankhoan mean patti baandh do.

kailas ke ghar mean parada n tha. uma chianta-magn baithi huee thi. sahasa neem aur kailas ko dekhakar chauank p di. boli, aie mirazaji. abaki to bahut dinoan mean yad kiya.

kailas neem ko vahian chho dakar kamare se bahar nikal aya; lekin parade ki a d se chhipakar dekhane laga ki inamean kya batean hoti haian. use kuchh bura khayal n tha, keval kautoohal tha.

neem- ham sarakari adamiyoan ko itani phurasat kahaan ? dikri ke rupaye vasool karane the, isilie chala aya hooan.

uma kahaan to muskara rahi thi, kahaan rupaye ka nam sunate hi usaka chehara phak ho gaya. gambhir svar mean boli- ham log svayan isi chianta mean p de hue haian. kahian rupaye milane ki asha nahian hai; aur unhean janata se apil karate sankoch hota hai.

neem- aji, ap kahati kya haian ? maianne sab rupaye paee-paee vasool kar liye.

uma ne chakit hokar kaha- sach ! unake pas rupaye kahaan the ?

neem- unaki hamesha se yahi adat hai. apase kah rakha hoga, mere pas kau di nahian hai. lekin maianne chutakiyoan mean vasool kar liya ! ap uthie, khane ka iantajam kijie.

uma- rupaye bhala kya diye hoange. mujhe etabar nahian ata.

neem- ap saral haian aur vah ek hi kaiyaan. use to maian hi khoob janata hooan. apani daridrata ke dukh de ga-gakar apako chakama diya karata hoga.

kailas muskarate hue kamare mean aye aur bole- achchha, ab nikalie bahar ! yahaan bhi apani shaitani se baj n aye ?

neem- rupaye ki rasid to likh dooan ?

uma- tumane rupaye de diye ? kahaan mile ?

kailas- phir kabhi batala dooanga. uthie hajarat !

uma- batate kyoan nahian, kahaan mile ? mirazaji se kaun parada hai ?

kailas- neem, tum uma ke samane meri tauhin karana chahate ho ?

neem- tumane sari duniya ke samane meri tauhin nahian ki ?

kailas- tumhari tauhin ki, to usake lie 20 hazar rupaye nahian dene p de.

neem- maian bhi usi takasal ke rupaye de dooanga. uma, maian rupaye pa gaya. in bechare ka parada dhaka rahane do.

sanbandhit lekh

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