दासी -जयशंकर प्रसाद

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

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yah khel kisako dikha rahe ho balaraj?-kahate hue phiroza ne yuvak ki kalaee pak d li. yuvak ki muththi mean ek bhayanak chhura chamak raha tha. usane jhuanjhala kar phiroza ki taraph dekha. vah khilakhilakar hans p di. phiroza yuvati se adhik balika thi. alh dapan, chanchalata aur hansi se bani huee vah turk bala sab hridayoan ke sneh ke samip thi. nili nasoan se jak di huee balaraj ki pusht kalaee un komal uangaliyoan ke bich mean shithil ho gee. usane kaha-phiroza, tum mere sukh mean badha de rahi ho!

sukh jine mean hai balaraj! aisi hari-bhari duniya, phool-beloan se saje hue nadiyoan ke sundar kinare, sunahala savera, chaandi ki ratean in saboan se muanh mo dakar aankhe band kar lena! kabhi nahian! sabase badhaqar to isamean ham logoan ki uchhal-kood ka tamasha hai. maian tumhean marane n dooangi.

kyoan?

yoan hi bekar mar jana! vah, aisa kabhi nahian ho sakata. jihoon ke kinare turkoan se l date hue mar jana doosari bat thi. tab maian tumhari qabr banavati, us par phool chadhati; par is gajani nadi ke kinare apana chhura apane kaleje mean bhoank kar mar jana bachapana bhi to nahian hai.

balaraj ne dekha, sultan masood ke shilpakala-prem ki gambhir pratima, gajani nadi par ek kamani vala pul apani udas chhaya jaladhara par dal raha hai. usane kaha-vahi to, n jane kyoan maian usi din nahian mara, jis din mere itane vir sathi katar se lipat kar isi gajani ki god mean sone chale gaye. phiroza! un vir atmaoan ka vah shochaniy ant! tum us apaman ko nahian samajh sakati ho.

sultan ne siljooko se hare hue turk aur hindoo donoan ko hi naukari se alag kar diya. par turkoan ne to marane ki bat nahian sochi?

kuchh bhi ho, turk sultan ke apane logoan mean haian aur hindoo begane hi haian. phiroza! yah apaman marane se badh kar hai.

aur aj kisaliye marane ja rahe the?

vah sunakar kya karogi?-kahakar balaraj chhura pheankakar ek lambi saans lekar chup ho raha. phiroza ne usaka kandha pak dakar hilate hue kaha-

sunooangi kyoan nahian. apani....haan, usi ke lie! kaun hai vah! kaisi hai? balaraj! gori si hai, meri tarah vah bhi patali-dubali hai n? kanoan mean kuchh pahanati hai? aur gale mean?

kuchh nahian phiroza, meri hi tarah vah bhi kangal hai. maianne usase kaha tha ki l daee par jaooanga aur sultan ki loot mean mujhe bhi chaandi-sone ki dheri milegi, jab amir ho jaooanga, tab akar tumase byah karooanga.

tab bhi marane ja rahe the! khali hi laut kar bheant karane ki, use ek bar dekh lene ki, tumhari ichchha n huee! tum b de paji ho. jao, maro ya jiyo, maian tumase n bolooangi.

sachamuch phiroza ne muanh pher liya. vah jaise rooth gee thi. balaraj ko usake is bholepan par hansi n a saki. vah sochane laga, phiroza ke hriday mean kitana sneh hai! kitana ullas hai? usane poochha-phiroza, tum bhi to l daee mean pak di gee gulami bhugat rahi ho. kya tumane kabhi apane jivan par vichar kiya hai? kis bat ka ullas hai tumhean?

maian ab gulami mean nahian rah sakooangi. ahamad jab hindustan jane laga tha, tabhi usane raja sahab se kaha tha ki maian ek hazar sone ke sikke bhejanooga. bhaee tilak! tum use lekar phiroza ko chho d dena aur vah hindustan ana chahe to use bhej dena. ab vah thaili ati hi hogi. maian chhutakara pa jaooangi aur gulam hi rahane par rone ki kaun-si bat hai? mar jane ki itani jaldi kyoan? tum dekh nahian rahe ho ki turkoan mean ek nayi lahar aee hai. duniya ne usake lie jaise chhati khol di hai. jo aj gulam hai; vahi kal sultan ho sakata hai. phir rona kis bat ka, jitani der hans sakati hooan, us samay ko rone mean kyoan bitaooan?

tumhara sukhamay jivan aur bhi lamba ho, phiroza; kintu aj tumane jo mujhe marane se rok diya, yah achchha nahian kiya.

kahati to hooan, bekar n maro. kya tumhare marane ke lie koee....?

kuchh bhi nahian, phiroza! hamari dharmik bhavanaean bati huee haian, samajik jivan dambh se aur rajanitik kshetr kalah aur svarth se jak da hua hai. shaktiyaan haian, par unaka koee kendr nahian. kis par abhiman ho, kisake lie pran dooan?

dutt, chale jao hindustan mean marane ke lie kuchh khojo. mil hi jayaga, jao n....kahian vah tumhari....mil jay to kisi jhop di hi mean kat lena. n sahi amiri, kisi tarah to kategi. jitane din jine ke hoan, un par bharosa rakhana.

‘....’

balaraj! n jane kyoan maian tumhean marane dena nahian chahati. vah tumhari rah dekhati huee kahian ji rahi ho, tab! ah! kabhi use dekh pati to usaka muanh choom leti. kitana pyar hoga usake chhote se hriday mean? lo, ye paanch diram, mujhe kal raja sahab ne inam ke diye haian. inhe lete jao! dekho, usase jakar bheant karana.

phiroza ki aankhoan mean aansoo bhare the, tab bhi vah jaise hans rahi thi. sahasa vah paanch dhatu ke tuk doan ko balaraj ke hath par rakhakar jha diyoan mean ghus gee. balaraj chupachap apane hath par ke un chamakile tuk doan ko dekh raha tha. hath kuchh jhuk raha tha. dhire-dhire tuk de usake hath se khisak p de. vah baith gaya-samane ek purush kh da hua muskara raha tha.

balaraj!

raja sahab! -jaise aankh kholate hue balaraj ne kaha, aur uthakar kh da ho gaya.

maian sab sun raha tha. tum hindustan chale jao. maian bhi tumako yahi salah dooanga. kintu, ek bat hai.

vah kya raja sahab?

maian tumhare du:kh ka anubhav kar raha hooan. jo batean tumane abhi phiroza se kahian haian, unhean sunakar mera hriday vichalit ho utha hai. kintu kya karooan? maianne akaanksha ka nasha pi liya hai. vahi mujhe bebas kiye hai. jis du:kh se munashy chhati pha dakar chillane lagata ho, sir pitane lagata ho, vaisi pratikool paristhitiyoan mean bhi maian keval sir-nicha kar chup rahana achchha samajhata hooan. kya hi achchha hota ki jis sukh mean anandatirek se manushy unmatt ho jata hai, use bhi muskara kar tal diya karooan. so nahian hota. ek sadharan sthiti se maian sultan ke salahakaroan ke pad tak to pahuanch gaya hooan. maian bhi hindustan ka hi ek kangal tha. pratidin ki maryada-vriddhi, rajakiy vishvas aur usamean sukh ki anubhooti ne mere jivan ko paheli banakar... jane do. maianne sultan ke darabar se jitana sikha hai, vahi mere lie bahut hai. ek banavati gambhirata! chhal-poorn vinay! oh, kitana bhishan hai, yah vichar! maian dhire-dhire itana ban gaya hooan ki meri sahridayata ghooanghat ulatane nahian pati. logoan ko meri chhati mean hriday hone ka sandeh ho chala hai. phir maian tumase apani sahridayata kyoan prakat karooan? tab bhi aj tumane mere svabhav ki dhara ka baandh to d diya hai. aj maian.....

bas raja sahab, aur kuchh n kahie. maian jata hooan. maian samajh gaya ki......

thaharo, mujhe adhik avakash nahian hai. kal yahaan se kuchh vidrohi gulam, ahamad niyaltagin ke pas lahaur janevale haian, unhian ke sath tum chale jao. yah lo-kahate hue sultan ke vishvasi raja tilak ne balaraj ke hathoan mean thaili rakh di. balaraj vahaan se chupachap chal p da.

tilak sultan mahamood ka atyant vishvasapatr hindoo karmachari tha. apane buddhi-bal se kattar yavanoan ke bich mean apani pratishtha dridh rakhane ke karan sultan masood ke shasan-kal mean bhi vah upeksha ka patr nahian tha. phir bhi vah apane ko hindoo hi samajhata tha, chahe any log use kuchh samajhate rahe hoan. balaraj ki batean vah sun chuka tha. aj usaki manovrittiyoan mean bhayanak halachal thi. sahasa usane pukara-phiroza!

jha diyoan se nikalakar phiroza ne usake samane sir jhuka diya. tilak ne usake sir par hath rakhate hue komal svar mean poochha-phiroza, tum ahamad ke pas hindustan jana chahati ho?

phiroza ke hriday mean kampan hone laga. vah kuchh n boli. tilak ne kaha-daro mat, saph-saph kaho.

kya ahamad ne apake pas dinarean bhej dian-kahakar phiroza ne apani utkantha-bhari aankhe uthaeean. tilak ne hansakar kaha-so to usane nahian bhejian, tab bhi tum jana chahati ho, to mujhase kaho.

maian kya kah sakati hooan? jaisi meri....-kahate-kahate usaki aankhoan mean aansoo chhalachhala uthe. tilak ne kaha-phiroza, tum ja sakati ho. kuchh sone ke tuk doan ke lie maian tumhara hriday nahian kuchalana chahata.

sach! -ashchary-bhari kritajnata usaki vani mean thi.

sach phiroza! ahamad mera mitr hai, aur bhi ek kam ke lie tumako bhej raha hooan. use jakar samajhao ki vah apani sena lekar panjab ke bahar idhar-udhar hindustan mean loot-pat n kiya kare. maian kuchh dinoan mean sultan se kahakar khazane aur malagujari ka adhikar bhi usi ko dila dooanga. tho da samajhakar dhire-dhire kam karane se sab ho jayaga. samajhi n, darabar mean is par garmagarmi hai ki ahamad ki niyat kharab hai. kahian aisa n ho ki mujhi ko sultan is kam ke lie bhejean.

phiroza, maian hindustan nahian jana chahata. meri ek chhoti bahan thi, vah vahaan hai? kya du:kh usane paya? mari ya jiti hai, in kee barasoan se maianne ise janane ki cheshta bhi nahian ki. aur bhi.... maian hindoo hooan, phiroza! aj tak apani akaanksha mean bhoola hua, apane aram mean mast, apani unnati mean vismrit, gajani mean baitha hindustan ko, apani janmabhoomi ko aur usake du:kh-dard ko bhool gaya hooan. sultan mahamood ke lootoan ki ginati karana, us rakt-ranjit dhan ki talika banana, hindustan ke hi shoshan ke lie sultan ko nayi-nayi tarakibean batana, yahi to mera kam tha, jisase aj meri itani pratishtha hai. door rah kar maian sab kuchh kar sakata tha; par hindustan kahian mujhe jana p da-usaki god mean phir rahana p da-to maian kya karooanga! phiroza, maian vahaan jakar pagal ho jaooanga. maian chir-nirvasit, vismrit aparadhi! iravati meri bahan! ah, maian use kya muanh dikhalaooanga. vah kitane kashtoan mean jiti hogi! aur mar gee ho to... phiroza! ahamad se kahana, meri mitrata ke nate mujhe is du:kh se bacha le.

maian jaooangi aur iravati ko khoj nikalooangi-raja sahab! apake hriday mean itani tis hai, aj tak maian n janati thi. mujhe yahi maloom tha ki anek any turk saradaroan ke saman ap bhi rang-raliyoan mean samay bita rahe haian, kintu baraph se dhaki huee chotiyoan ke niche bhi jvalamukhi hota hai.

to jao phiroza! mujhe bachane ke lie, us bhayanak ag se, jisase mera hriday jal uthata hai, meri raksha karo!-kahate hue raja tilak usi jagah baith gaye. phiroza kh di thi. dhire-dhire raja ke mukh par ek snigdhata a chali. ab andhakar ho chala. gajani ke laharoan par se shital pavan un jha diyoan mean bharane laga tha. samane hi raja sahab ka mahal tha. usaka shubhr gumbad us andhakar mean abhi apani ujjvalata se sir ooancha kiye tha. tilak ne kaha-phiroza, jane ke pahale apana vah gana sunati jao.

phiroza gane lagi. usake git ki dhvani thi-maian jalati huee dipashikha hooan aur tum hriday-ranjan prabhat ho! jab tak dekhati nahian, jala karati hooan aur jab tumhe dekh leti hooan, tabhi mere astitv ka ant ho jata hai-mere priyatam! sandhya ki aandheri jha diyoan mean git ki gunjar ghoomane lagi.

yadi ek bar use phir dekh pata; par yah hone ka nahian. nishthur niyati! usaki pavitrata pankil ho gee hogi. usaki ujjvalata par sansar ke kale hathoan ne apani chhap laga di hogi. tab usase bheant karake kya karooanga? kya karooanga? apane kalpana ke svarn-mandir ka khandahar dekh kar! -kahate-kahate balaraj ne apane balishth panjoan ko pattharoan se jak de hue mandir ke prachir par de mara. vah shabd ek kshan mean vilin ho gaya. yuvak ne arakt aankhoan se us vishal mandir ko dekha aur vah pagal-sa uth kh da hua. parikrama ke ooanche-ooanche khambhoan se dhakke khata hua ghoomane laga.

garbh-grih ke dvarapaloan par usaki drishti p di. ve tel se chup de hue kale-kale doot apane bhishan trishool se jaise yuvak ki or sanket kar rahe the. vah thithak gaya. samane devagrih ke samip ghrit ka akhand-dip jal raha tha. keshar, kastoori aur agaru se mishrit phooloan ki divy sugandh ki jhakor rah-rahakar bhitar se a rahi thi. vidrohi hriday pranat hona nahian chahata tha, parantu sir samman se jhuk hi gaya.

dev! maianne apane jivan mean jan-boojh kar koee pap nahian kiya hai. maian kisake lie kshama maangooan? gajani ke sultan ki naukari, vah mere vash ki nahian; kintu maian maangata hooan.....ek bar us, apani prem-pratima ka darshan! kripa karo. mujhe bacha lo.

prarthana karake yuvak ne sir uthaya hi tha ki use kisi ko apane pas se khisakane ka sandeh hua. vah ghoom kar dekhane laga. ek stri kaushey vasan pahane hath mean phooloan se saji dali lie chali ja rahi thi. yuvak pichhe-pichhe chala. parikrama mean ek sthan par pahuanch kar usane sandigdh svar se pukara-iravati! vah stri ghoom kar kh di ho gee. balaraj apane donoan hath pasarakar use alingan karane ke lie dau da. iravati ne kaha-thaharo. balaraj thithak kar usaki gambhir mukhakriti ko dekhane laga. usane poochha-kyoan ira! kya tum meri vagdatta patni nahian ho? kya ham logoan ka vahnivedi ke samane parinay nahian hone hone vala tha? kya...?

haan, hone vala tha kintu hua nahian, aur balaraj! tum meri raksha nahian kar sake. maian atatayi ke hath se kalankit ki gayi. phir tum mujhe patni-roop mean kaise grahan karoge? tum vir ho! purush ho! tumhare purusharth ke lie bahut-si mahatvakaankshaean haian. unhean khoj lo, mujhe bhagavanh ki sharan mean chho d do. mera jivan, anutap ki jvala se jhulasa hua mera man, ab sneh ke yogy nahian.

prem ki, pavitrata ki, paribhasha alag hai ira! maian tumako pyar karata hooan. tumhari pavitrata se mere man ka adhik sambandh nahian bhi ho sakata hai. chalo, ham.... aur kuchh bhi ho, mere prem ki vahni tumhari pavitrata ko adhik ujjval kar degi.

bhag chalooan, kyoan? so nahian ho sakata. maian krit dasi hooan. mlechchhoan ne mujhe mulatan ki loot mean pak d liya. maian unaki kathorata mean jivit rahakar barabar unaka virodh hi karati rahi. nity ko de lagate. baandh kar maian latakaee jati. phir bhi maian apane hath se n digi. ek din kannauj ke chatushpath par gho doan ke sath hi bechane ke lie un atatayiyoan ne mujhe bhi kh da kiya. maian biki paanch sau diram par, kashi ke hi ek mahajan ne mujhe dasi bana liya. balaraj! tumane n suna hoga, ki maian kin niyamoan ke sath biki hooan. maianne likhakar svikar kiya hai, is ghar kutsit se bhi kutsit karm karooangi aur kabhi vidroh n karooangi,-n kabhi bhagane ki cheshta karooangi; n kisi ke kahane se apane svami ka ahit sochooangi. yadi maian atmahatya bhi kar dalooan, to mere svami ya unake kutumb par koee dosh n laga sakega! ve ganga-snan kiye-se pavitr haian. mere sambandh mean ve sada hi shuddh aur nishpap haian. mere sharir par unaka ajivan adhikar rahega. ve mere niyam-viruddh acharan par jab chahean rajapath par mere baloan ko pak d kar mujhe ghasit sakate haian. mujhe dand de sakate haian. maian to mar chuki hooan. mera sharir paanch sau diram par ji kar jab tak sahega, khatega. ve chahean to mujhe kau di ke mol bhi kisi doosare ke hath bech sakate haian. samajhe! sir par trin rakhakar maianne svayan apane ko bechane mean svikriti di hai. us saty ko kaise to d dooan?

balaraj ne lal hokar kaha-iravati, yah asaty hai, saty nahian. pashuoan ke saman manushy bhi bik sakate haian? maian yah soch bhi nahian sakata. yah pakhand turki gho doan ke vyapariyoan ne phailaya hai. tumane anajan mean jo pratijna kar li hai, vah aisa saty nahian ki palan kiya jaye. tum nahian janati ho ki tumako khojane ke lie hi maianne yavanoan ki seva ki.

kshama karo balaraj, maian tumhara tark nahian samajh saki. meri svamini ka rath door chala gaya hoga, to mujhe batean sunani p deangian kyoanki aj-kal mere svami nagar se door svasthy ke lie upavan mean rahate haian. svamini dev-darshan ke lie aee thian.

tab mera itana parishram vyarth hua! phiroza ne vyarth hi asha di thi. maian itane dinoan bhatakata phira. iravati! mujh par daya karo.

phiroza kaun?-phir sahasa rukakar iravati ne kaha-kya karooan! yadi maian vaisa karati, to mujhe is jivan ki sabase b di prasannata milati; kintu vah mere bhagy mean hai ki nahian, ise bhagavanh hi janate hoange? mujhe ab jane do.-balaraj is uttar se khinn aur chakaraya hua kath ke kiva d ki tarah iravati ke samane se alag hokar mandir ke prachir se lag gaya. iravati chali gee. balaraj kuchh samay tak stabdh aur shoony-sa vahian kh da raha. phir sahasa jis or iravati gee thi, usi or chal p da.

yuvak balaraj kee din tak pagaloan-sa dhanadatt ke upavan se nagar tak chakkar lagata raha. bhookh-pyas bhoolakar vah iravati ko ek bar phir dekhane ke lie vikal tha; kintu vah saphal n ho saka. aj usane nishchay kiya tha ki vah kashi chho dakar chala jayaga. vah jivan se hatash hokar kashi se pratishthan janevale path par chalane laga. usaki paha d ke dhoke-si kaya, jisamean asur-sa bal hone ka log anuman karate, nirjiv-si ho rahi thi. anahar se usaka mukh vivarn tha. yah soch raha tha-us din, vishvanath ke mandir mean n jakar maianne atmahatya kyoan n kar li! vah apani udhe d-bun mean chal raha tha. n jane kab tak chalata raha. vah chauank utha-jab kisi ke daantane ka shabd sunaee p da-dekh kar nahian chalata! balaraj ne chauankakar dekha, ashvarohiyoan ki lambi pankti, jisamean adhikatar apane gho doan ko pak de hue paidal hi chal rahe the. ve sab turk the. gho doan ke vyapari-se jan p date the. gajani ke prasiddh mahamood ke akramanoan ka ant ho chuka tha. masood sianhasan par tha. panjab to gajani ke senapati niyaltagin ke shasan mean tha. madhy-pradesh mean bhi turk vyapari adhikatar vyaparik prabhutv sthapit karane ke lie prayatn kar rahe the. vah rah chho d kar hat gaya. ashvarohi ne poochha-banaras kitani door hoga? balaraj ne kaha-mujhe nahian maloom.

tum abhi udhar se chale a rahe ho aur kahate ho, nahian maloom! thik-thik batao, nahian to .....

nahian to kya? maian tumhara naukar hooan.-kahakar vah age badhऩe laga. akasmath pahale ashvarohi ne kaha-pak d lo isako!

kaun! niyaltagin! -sahasa balaraj chilla utha.

achchha, yah tumhian ho balaraj! yah tumhara kya hal hai, kya sultan ki sarakar mean ab tum kam nahian karate ho?

nahian, sultan masood ka mujh par vishvas nahian hai. maian aisa kam nahian karata, jisamean sandeh meri pariksha leta rahe; kintu idhar tum log kyoan?

suna hai, banaras ek sundar aur dhani nagar hai. aur.....

aur kya?

kuchh nahian, dekhane chala aya hooan. qazinahian chahata ki kannauj ke poorab bhi kuchh hath-paanv badhaya jay. tum chalo n mere sath. maian tumhari talavar ki kimat janata hooan. bahadur log is tarah nahian rah sakate. tum abhi tak hindoo bane ho. purani lakir pitane vale, jagah-jagah jhukane vale, sabase dabate hue, banate hue, katarakar chalane vale hindoo! kyoan? tumhare pas bahut-sa koo da-kach da ikattha ho gaya hai, unaka puranepan ka lobh tumako pheankane nahian deta? man mean nayapan tatha duniya ka ullas nahian ane pata! itane din ham loango ke sath rahe, phir bhi.....

balaraj soch raha tha, iravati ka vah sookha vyavahar. sidha-sidha uttar! krodh se vah apana oth chabane laga. niyaltagin balaraj ko parakh raha tha! usane kaha-tum kahaan ho? bat kya hai? aisa bujha hua man kyoan?

balaraj ne prakritisth hokar kaha-kahian to nahian. ab mujhe chhutti do, maian jaooan. tumhara banaras dekhane ka man hai-is par to mujhe vishvas nahian hota, to bhi mujhe isase kya? jo chaho karo. sansar bhar mean kisi par daya karane ki avashyakata nahian-looto, kato, maro. jao, niyaltagin.

niyaltagin ne hansakar kar kaha-pagal to nahian ho. in tho de-se adamiyoan se bhala kya ho sakata hai. maian to ek bahane se idhar aya hooan. phiroza ka banarasi jari ke kap doan ka....

kya phiroza bhi tumhare sath hai?

chalo, p dav par sab ap hi maloom ho jayaga!-kahakar niyaltagin ne sanket kiya. balaraj ke man mean n-jane kaisi prasannata um di. vah ek turki gho de par savar ho gaya.

donoan or javaharat, jari kap doan, bartan tatha sugandhit dravyoan ki saji huee dookanoan se; desh-videsh ke vyapariyoan ki bhi d aur bich-bich mean gho de ke rathoan se, banaras ki patthar se bani huee chau di galiyaan apane dhang ki nirali dikhati thian. prachiroan se ghira hua nagar ka pradhan bhag trilochan se lekar rajaghat tak vistrit tha. toranoan par gaangey dev ke sainikoan ka jamav tha. kannauj ke pratihar samrath se kashi chhin li gee thi. tripuri us par shasan karati thi. dhyan se dekhane par yah to prakat ho jata tha ki nagarikoan mean avyavastha thi. phir bhi oopari kam-kaj, kray-vikray, yatriyoan ka avagaman chal raha tha.

phiroza kamakhvab dekh rahi thi aur niyaltagin mani-muktaoan ki dheri se apane lie achchhe-achchhe nag chun raha tha. pas hi donoan dookanean thian! balaraj bich mean kh da tha. anyamanask phiroza ne kee than chhaant liye the. usane kaha-balaraj! dekho to, inhean tum kaisa samajhate ho, haian n achchhe? udhar se niyaltagin ne poochha-kap de dekh chuki ho, to idhar ao. inhe bhi dekh n lo! phiroza udhar jane lagi thi ki dukanadar ne kaha-lena n dena, jhooth-mooth tang karana. kabhi dekha to nahian. kangaloan ki tarah jaise aankhoan se dekh kar hi kha jayagi. phiroza ghoom kar kh di ho gee. usane poochha-kya bakate ho?-ja-ja turkistan ke jangaloan mean bhe d chara. in kap doan ka lena tera kam nahian-sati huee dookanoan se jauhari abhi kuchh bolana hi chahata tha ki balaraj ne kaha-

chup rah, nahian to jibh khianch looanga.

oho! turki gulam ka das, too bhi ..... abhi itana hi kap de vale ke muanh se nikala tha ki niyaltagin ki talavar usake gale tak pahuanch gee. bazar mean halachal machi. niyaltagin ke sathi idhar-udhar bikhare hi the. kuchh to vahian a gaye. auroan ko samachar mil gaya. jhag da badhऩe laga, niyaltagin ko kuchh logoan ne gher liya tha; kintu turkoan ne use chhin lena chaha. rajakiy sainik pahuanch gaye. niyaltagin ko yah maloom ho gaya ki p dav par samachar pahuanch gaya hai. usane nirbhikata se apani talavar ghumate hue kaha-achchha hota ki jhag da yahian tak rahata, nahian to ham log turk haian.

turkoan ka atank uttari bharat mean phail chuka tha. kshan bhar ke lie sannata to hua, parantu vanik ke pratirodh ke lie nagarikoan ka rosh ubal raha tha. rajakiy sainikoan ka sahayog milate hi yuddh arambh ho gaya, ab aur bhi turk a pahuanche the. niyaltagin hansane laga. usane turki mean sanket kiya. banaras ka rajapath turkoan ki talavar se pahali bar alokit ho utha.

niyaltagin ke sathi sanghatit ho gaye the. ve keval yuddh aur atmaraksha hi nahian kar rahe the, bahumooly padarthoan ki loot bhi karane lage. balaraj stabdh tha. vah jaise ek svapn dekh raha tha. akasmath usake kanoan mean ek parichit svar sunaee p da. usane ghoom kar dekha-jauhari ke gale par talavar p da hi chahati hai aur iravati ‘inhean chho d do, n maro’ kahati huee talavar ke samane a gee thi. balaraj ne kaha-thaharo, niyaltagin. doosare hi kshan niyaltagin ki kalaee balaraj ki mutthi mean thi. niyaltagin ne kaha-dhokhabaj kaphir, yah kya?-kee turk pas a gaye the! phiroza ka bhi mukh tamatama gaya tha. balaraj ne sabal hone par bhi b di dinata se kaha-phiroza, yahi iravati hai. phiroza hansane lagi. iravati ko pak d kar usane kaha-niyaltagin! balaraj ko isake sath lekar maian chalati hooan, tum ana. aur is jauhari se tumhara nukasan n ho, to n maro! dekho, bahut se ghu dasavar a rahe haian. ham saboan ka chalana hi achchha hai.

niyaltagin ne paristhiti ek kshan mean hi samajh li. usane jauhari se poochha-tumhare ghar mean doosari or se bahar jaya ja sakata hai?

haan!-kanpe kanth se uttar mila.

achchha chalo, tumhari jan bach rahi hai. maian iravati ko le jata hooan.-

kah kar niyaltagin ne ek turk ke kan mean kuchh kaha! aur balaraj ko age chalane ka sanket karake iravati aur phiroza ke pichhe dhanadatt ke ghar mean ghusa. idhar turk ekatr hokar pratyavartan kar rahe the. nagar ki rajakiy sena pas a rahi thi.

chandrabhaga ke tat par shiviroan ki ek shreni thi. usake samip hi ghane vrikshoan ke jhuramut mean iravati aur phiroza baithi huee sayankalin gambhirata ki chhaya mean ek-doosare ka muanh dekh rahi haian. phiroza ne kaha-

balaraj ko tum pyar karati ho?

maian nahian janati. -ek akasmik uttar mila!

aur vah to tumhare lie gajani se hindustan chala aya.

to kyoan ane diya, vahian rok rakhati.

tumako kya ho gaya hai?

maian-maian nahian rahi; maian hooan dasi; kuchh dhatu ke tuk doan par biki huee ha d-maans ka samooh, jisake bhitar ek sookha hriday-pind hai.

ira! vah mar jayaga-pagal ho jayaga.

aur maian kya ho jaooan, phiroza?

achchha hota, tum bhi mar jati! -tikhepan se phiroza ne kaha.

iravati chauank uthi. usane kaha-balaraj ne vah bhi n hone diya. us din niyaltagin ki talavar ne yahi kar diya hota; kintu manushy b da svarthi hai. apane sukh ki asha mean vah kitanoan ko dukhi banaya karata hai. apani sadh poori karane mean doosaroan ki avashyakata thukara di jati hai. tum thik kah rahi ho phiroza, mujhe...

thaharo, ira! tumane man ko k dava banakar meri bat suni hai. utani hi teji se use bahar kar dena chahati ho.

mere dukhi hone par jo mere sath rone ata hai, use maian apana mitr nahian jan sakati, phiroza. maian to dekhooangi ki vah mere du:kh ko kitana kam kar saka hai. mujhe du:kh sahane ke lie jo chho d jata hai, keval apane abhiman aur akaanksha ki tushti ke lie. mere du:kh mean hath batane ka jisaka sahas nahian, jo meri paristhiti mean sathi nahian ban sakata, jo pahale amir banana chahata hai, phir apane prem ka dan karana chahata hai, vah mujhase hriday maange, isase badh kar dhrishtata aur kya hogi?

maian tumhari bahut-si batean samajh nahian saki, lekin maian itana to kahooangi ki du:khoan ne tumhare jivan ki komalata chhin li hai.

phiroza....maian tumase bahas nahian karana chahati. tumane mera pran bachaya hai sahi, kintu hriday nahian bacha sakati. use apani khoj-khabar ap hi leni p degi. tum chahe jo mujhe kah lo. maian to samajhati hooan ki manushy doosaroan ki drishti mean kabhi poorn nahian ho sakata! par use apani aankhoan se to nahian hi girana chahie.

phiroza ne sandeh se pichhe ki or dekha. balaraj vriksh ki a d se nikal aya. usane kaha-phiroza, mai jab gajani ke kinare marana chahata tha, to kya bhool kar raha tha? achchha, jata hooan.

iravati soch rahi thi, ab bhi kuchh bolooan-

phiroza soch rahi thi, donoan ko marane se bacha kar kya sachamuch maianne koee bura kam kiya?

balaraj ki or kisi ne n dekha. vah chala gaya.

ravi ke kinare ek sundar mahal mean ahamad niyaltagin panjab ke senani ka avas hai. us mahal ke charoan or vrikshoan ki door tak phaili huee hariyali hai, jisamean shiviroan ki shreni mean turk sainikoan ka nivas hai.

vasant ki chaandani rat apani matavali ujjvalata mean mahal ke minaroan aur gumbadoan tatha vrikshoan ki chhaya mean ladakh da rahi hai, ab jaise sona chahati ho. chandrama pashchim mean dhire-dhire jhuk raha tha. ravi ki or ek sangamaramar ki dalan mean khali sej bichhi thi. jari ke parade oopar ki or bandhe the. dalan ki sidhi par baithi huee iravati ravi ka pravah dekhate-dekhate sone lagi thi-us mahal ki jaise sajavat gulabi patthar ki achal pratima ho.

shayan-kaksh ki seva ka bhar aj usi par tha. vah ahamad ke agaman ki pratiksha karate-karate so gee thi. ahamad in dinoan gajani se mile hue samachar ke karan adhik vyast tha. sultan ke rosh ka samachar use mil chuka tha. vah phiroza se chhipakar, apane antarang sathiyoan se, jin par use vishvas tha, nistabdh ratri mean mantrana kiya karata. panjab ka svatantr shasak banane ki abhilasha usake man mean jag gee thi, phiroza ne use mana kiya tha, kintu ek sadharan turk dasi ke vichar rajakiy kamoan mean kitane mooly ke haian, ise vah apani mahatvakaanksha ki drishti se parakhata tha. phiroza kuchh to roothi thi aur kuchh usaki tabiyat bhi achchhi n thi. vah band kamare mean jakar so rahi. anek dasiyoan ke rahate bhi aj iravati ko hi vahaan thaharane ke lie usane kah diya tha. ahamad sidhiy़oan se chadhaqar dalan ke pas aya. usane dekha ek vedana-vimandit supt saundary! vah aur bhi samip aya. gumbad ke bagal chandrama ki kiranean thik iravati ke mukh par p d rahi thian. ahamad ne varunivilasit netroan se dekha, us roopamadhuri ko, jisamean svabhavikata thi, banavat nahian. taravat thi, pramad ki garmi nahian. ek bar sashank drishti se usane charoan or dekha, phir iravati ka hath pak dakar hilaya. vah chauank uthi. usane dekha-samane ahamad! iravati kh di hokar apane vastr sanbhalane lagi. ahamad ne sankoch bhari dhithaee se kaha-

tum yahaan kyoan so rahi ho, ira?

thak gayi thi. kahie, kya laooan?

tho di shiraji-kahate hue vah palang par jakar baith gaya aur iravati ka sphatik-patr mean shiraji uan delana dekhane laga. ira ne jab patr bharakar ahamad ko diya, to ahamad ne satrishn netroan se usaki or dekh kar poochha-phiroza kahaan hai?

sir mean dard hai, bhitar so rahi hai.

ahamad ki aankhoan mean pashuta nach uthi. sharir mean ek sanasani ka anubhav karate hue usane iravati ka hath pak d kaha- baitho n, ira! tum thak gee ho.

ap sharbat lijiye. maian jakar phiroza ko jaga dooan.

phiroza! phiroza ke hath maian bik gaya hooan kya, iravati! tum-ah!

iravati hath chhu dakar hatanevali hi thi ki samane phiroza kh di thi! usaki aankhoan mean tivr jvala thi. usane kaha-maian biki hooan, ahamad! tum bhala mere hath kyoan bikane lage? lekin tumako maloom hai ki tumane abhi rajatilak ko mera dam nahian chukaya; isalie maian jati hooan.

ahamad hat-buddhi! nishprabh! aur phiroza chali. iravati ne gi dagi da kar kaha-bahan, mujhe bhi n leti chalogi....?

phiroza ne ghoomakar ek bar sthir drishti se iravati ki or dekha aur kaha-to phir chalo.

donoan hath pak de sidhi se utar geean.

bahut dinoan tak videsh mean idhar-udhar bhatakane par balaraj jab se laut aya hai, tab se chandrabhaga-tat ke jatoan mean ek nayi lahar a gee hai. balaraj ne apane sajatiy logoan ko paradhinata se mukt hone ka sandesh sunakar unhean sultan-sarakar ka abadhy bana diya hai. uddand jatoan ko apane vash mean rakhana, un par sada fauji shasan karana, sultan ke karmachariyoan ke lie bhi b da kathin ho raha tha.

idhar phiroza ke jate hi ahamad apani komal vrittiyoan ko bhi kho baitha. ek or usake pas masood ke rosh ke samachar ate the, doosari or vah jatoan ki halachal se khazana bhi nahian bhej sakata tha. vah jhuanjhala gaya. dikhave mean to ahamad ne jatoan ko ek bar hi nasht karane ka nishchay kar liya, aur apani dridh sena ke sath vah jatoan ko ghere mean dalate hue badhऩe laga; kintu usake hriday mean ek doosari hi bat thi. use maloom ho gaya tha ki gajani ki sena tilak ke sath a rahi hai; usaki kalpana ka samrajy chhinn-bhinn kar dene ke lie! usane antim prayatn karane ka nishchay kiya. antarang sathiyoan ki sammati huee ki yadi vidrohi jatoan ko is samay mila liya jay, to gajani se panjab aj hi alag ho sakata hai. is chadhaee mean donoan matalab the.

ghane jangal ka arambh tha. vrikshoan ke hare atrchal ki chhaya mean thaki huee do yuvatiyaan unaki j doan par sir dhare hue leti thian. patharile tiloan par p dati huee gho doan ki tapoan ke shabd ne unhean chauanka diya. ve abhi uthakar baith bhi nahian paee thian ki unake samane ashvarohiyoan ka ek jhund a gaya. bhayanak bhaloan ki nok sidhe kiye hue svasthy ke tarun tej se uddipt jat-yuvakoan ka vah vir dal tha. striyoan ko dekhate hi unake saradar ne kaha-maan, tum log kahaan jaogi?

ab phiroza aur iravati samane kh di ho gayian. saradar ne gho de par se utarate hue poochha-phiroza, yah tum ho bahan!

haan bhaee, balaraj! maian hooan -aur yah hai iravati! poori bat jaise n sunate hue balaraj ne kaha-phiroza, ahamad se yuddh hoga. is jangal ko par kar lene par turk sena jatoan ka nash kar degi, isalie yahian unhean rokana hoga. tum log is samay kahaan jaogi?

jahaan kaho, balaraj. ahamad ki chhaya se to mujhe bhi bachana hai. phiroza ne adhir hokar kaha.

daro mat phiroza, yah hindustan hai, aur yah ham hinduoan ka dharm-yuddh hai. gulam banane ka bhay nahian.-balaraj abhi yah kah hi raha tha ki vah chauankakar pichhe dekhata hua bol utha-achchha, ve log a hi gaye. samay nahian hai. balaraj doosare hi kshan mean apane gho de ki pith par tha. ahamad ki sena samane a gee. balaraj ko dekhate hi usane chillakar kaha-balaraj! yah tumhian ho.

haan, ahamad.

to hamalog dost bhi ban sakate haian. abhi samay hai-kahate-kahate sahasa usaki drishti phiroza aur iravati par p di. usane samast vyavastha bhoolakar, turant lalakara-pak d lo in auratoan ko?-usi samay balaraj ka bhala hil utha. yuddh arambh tha.

jatoan ki vijay ke sath yuddh ka ant hone hi vala tha ki ek naya parivartan hua. doosari or se turk-sena jatoan ki pith par thi. ghayal balaraj ka bhishan bhala ahamad ki chhati mean par ho raha tha. nirash jatoan ki ran-pratijna apani poorti kara rahi thi. marate hue ahamad ne dekha ki gajani ki sena ke sath tilak samane kh de the. sabake astr to ruk gaye, parantu ahamad ke pran n ruke. phiroza usake shav par jhuki huee ro rahi thi. aur iravati moorchchhit ho rahe balaraj ka sir apani god mean liye thi. tilak ne vismit hokar yah drishy dekha.

balaraj ne jal ka sanket kiya. iravati ke hathoan mean tilak ne jal ka patr diya. jal pite hi balaraj ne aankhe kholakar kaha-iravati, ab maian n marooanga?

tilak ne ashchary se poochha-iravati?

phiroza ne rote hue kaha-haan raja sahab, iravati.

meri dukhiya iravati? mujhe kshama kar, maian tujhe bhool gaya tha. tilak ne vinit shabdoan mean kaha.

bhaee! -iravati age kuchh n kah saki, usaka gala bhar aya tha. usane tilak ke pair pak d liye.

balaraj jatoan ka saradar hai, iravati rani. chanab ka vah prant iravati ki karuna se hara-bhara ho raha hai; kintu phiroza ki prasannata ki vahian samadhi ban gee-aur vahian vah jha doo deti, phool chadhati aur dip jalati rahi. us samadhi ki vah ajivan dasi bani rahi.