अँधेरे में (कहानी) -गजानन माधव मुक्तिबोध

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

ek rat ko barah baje, tren se ek yuvak utara. steshan par log ek katar mean kh de the aur jh‍yada nahian the. isalie tren se niche ane mean usako jh‍yada kathinaee nahian huee. sh‍teshan par bijali ki roshani thi; parantu vah rat ke aandhiyare ko chir n sakati thi, aur isalie mano rat apane saghan reshami aandhiyare se tanboonuma ghar ho gee thi, jisamean bijali ke diye jalate hoan. utarate hi yuvak ko ph‍letaph aaurm ki parichit gandh ne, jisamean garam dhuaan aur thandi hava ke jhoanke, garam chay ki bas aur portaroan ke kale lohe mean band mote kaanchoan se surakshit pili jh‍valaoan ke kandile par se ati huee ajib ugr bas, ith‍yadi sari parichit dhh‍vaniyaan aur gandh the, usaki sanjna se bheant ki. yuvak ke hriday mean jaise ek daravaja khul gaya tha, ek dhh‍vani ke sath aur mano vah dhh‍vani kah rahi thi - a gaya, apana a gaya

yuvak jhatapat utara. u‍sake pas kuchh bhi saman nahian tha, koyale ke kanoan se bhare hue lanbe baloan mean hathoan se kanghi karata hua vah chala. paanch sal pahale vah yahian rahata tha. in paanch saloan ki avadhi mean duniya mean kafi parivartan ho gaya; parantu us sh‍teshan par parivartan ana pasand nahian karata tha. yuvak ne apane poorvapriy nagar ki khushi mean ek kap chay pina sh‍vikar kiya. aur vahian sh‍t aaul par khada ho kar kapabashi ki avaj sunata hua idhar-udhar dekhane laga. sab purana vatavaran tha. parantu is nagar ke muhalh‍le mean bis sal bita chukane vala yah pachh‍chis sal ka yuvak purana nahian rah gaya tha. usaki ath‍ma ek ne mahin chashh‍me se sh‍teshan ko dekh rahi thi.

tikit de kar sh‍teshan par age badha to dekhata hai ki taange nirjal alasae badaloan ki bhaanti nishh‍prabh aur sh‍phoortihin ooanghate hue chale ja rahe haian. yuvak ne isi se pahachan liya ki yah visheshata is nagar ki apani chij hai.

dukanean sab band ho chuki thian, jinake pas niche s dak par adami silasilevar so rahe the. unake sathi aur unh‍hian ke saman sabhh‍y pashuoan mean se nirvasit shh‍van-jati dubaki idhar-udhar p di huee thi. yuvak ne pair badhane shuroo kar die. ukh di huee damar ki kali s dak par bijali ki dhuandhali roshani bikhar rahi thi. ek or dukanean, phir saray, phir aphim-godam, phir ek tutapuanjiya mh‍yoonisipal park, phir ek chhota chauraha jahaan danalap t aauyar ke vijnapanavali dukan aur usake samane lal panp, phir usake bad k aaulej! aur is tarah is chhote shahar ki bauni imaratean aur nakali adhunikata isi s dak ke kinare-kinare ek or chali gee thi. doosari or rel ka hish‍sa, jahaan shantiang ka silasila is samay kuchhek ghantoan ke lie chup tha.

yuv‍k ko rat ka yah vatavaran atyant priy maloom hua. garami ke din the. phir bhi hava bahut thandi chal rahi thi. s dak ke khule hish‍se me jahaan rel ke tar ja rahe the, nim aur pipal ke vriksh ke path‍te jhiramir-jhiramir kar saghan am ke b de-b de darakht door se hi dikh rahe the. usi maidan par, ek or, ek navin muhalh‍la, shahar ke amiroan, vh‍yapariyoan, aphasaroan ka upanivesh siku da hua tha.

sab door shaanti thi. rat ka gadha maun tha. yuvak ke rojamarra ke karmapradhan jivan mean roj rat ka ek sone ka samay tha, aur subah ke sadhe ath ke anantar jagane ka samay tha. vaidik rrishi-manishiyoan ke ush:sookh‍t se laga kar to ath‍yadhunik chhayavadiyoan ke 'biti vibhavari jag ri, aanbar panaghat oosha nagari' ka darshan is yuvak ne is ge paanch saloan mean bahut kam kiya hai.

apane us karm-jatil kshetr ko pichhe chho d kar jaise manushh‍y apani aruchikar yadoan se bachana chahata ho - yah yuvak is rat mean pa raha tha ki vatavaran mean pathar-maidan se uth kar ane vali hava ki uth‍phulh‍l aur mithi tajagi ke sath-hi-sath mano manushh‍yoan ki soee huee chupachap ath‍maean apani gadh niravata mean adhik madhur ho kar van ki sugandh aur vriksh ke marmar mean mil gee haian.

rel ki patariyoan ke par - relave yard mean hi vahaan ke madhh‍yamavargiy naukaroan ke kh‍vartars bane hue the. bahar hi, jo usaka aangan kaha ja sakata hai; do khatean samanaantar bichhi huee thian jinake bich mean ek chhota-sa tebal rakha hua tha. us par ek adhunik laianp apani adhh‍yayan samarpit roshani dal raha tha. ek khat par ek purush koee push‍tak padh raha tha aur doosari par ghor nidra thi. laianp ki dhuandhali roshani mean ghar ke samanevale bajoo par ek kala-sa adhakhula daravaja or baans ki chimatiyoan se banae ge band baramade ke lete-se chatushh‍kon saph dikh rahe the. us ghar ki pankti mean hi kee kh‍vartars aur dikh rahe the, usi tarah panktibaddh khatean barabar yathash‍than lagi huee chali gee thian.

yuvak ke man mean ek ph‍yar um d aya! ye ghar use atyant ath‍miy-jaise lage, mano ve usake abhinh‍n aang hoan!

yahi bat usaki samajh mean nahian aee. is ajib anandamay bhavana ne usake man ke santulit tarajoo ko jhatake dene shuroo kar die. vah bhavanaoan se ab itana abhh‍yash‍t nahian rah gaya tha ki unaka adarshikaran kar sake. roj ka kathin, shushh‍k, jivan use ek vishesh tarah ka ath‍mavishh‍vas-sa deta tha. parantu... aj...

vah baithane vala jiv n tha. rash‍te par pair chal rahe the. man kahian ghoom raha tha. doosare use atyant ath‍miy ekaant, jahaan usaki sahaj pravrittiyoan ka khula balish khilava d ho bahut dinoan se nahian mila tha!

usane sochana shuroo kiya ki akhir kh‍yoan yah ajib jal ke nirmalin sahash‍tr srotoan-si bhavana usake man mean a gee!

usako jahaan jana tha, vahaan ka rash‍ta use mil nahian sakata tha. ek to yah ki paanch sal ke bad shahar ki galiyoan ko vah bhool chuka tha. doosare jis sh‍than par use jana tha, vah kisi khas dhang se use aruchikar maloom ho raha tha! isalie lakshh‍yash‍than ki bat hi usake dimag se gayab ho gee thi.

pair chal rahe the ya usake pair ke niche se rash‍ta khisak raha tha, yah k‍hana sanbhav nahian, parantu yah zaroor hai ki kuchh kuth‍te-chir jagrat rakshak ki bhaanti kh de hue - bhooank rahe the.

usake man mean kisi ajan sh‍trot se ek ghar ka nakh‍sha aya. usaka bhi baramada isi tarah baans ki chimatiyoan se bana hua tha. vahaan bhi vasanti ratoan mean nim ke jhirir-mirir ke niche khatean p di rahati thian. yuvak ko ek dhuandhali soorat yad ati hai, usaki bahan ki-aur ate hi phauran chali jati hai. bas chitr itana hi. yah mat samajhie ki usake mata-pita mar ge! usake bhaee haian, mata-pita haian. ve sab vahian rahate haian jis shahar mean vah rahata hai.

yuv‍k hans p da. use samajh mean a gaya ki kh‍yoan un kh‍vartaroan ko dekh kar ek ath‍miyata um d aee. mazadoor chaloan mean, jahaan vah nith‍y jata hai, ya usake amir dosh‍toan ke sh‍vachh‍chh suandar makanoan mean, jahaan se vah chanda i‍kattha karata, chay pita, vad-vivad karata aur man-hi-man apane mahath‍v ko anubhav karata hai - vahaan se to koee ath‍miyata ki phasaphasahat nahian huee. hamara yuvak apane par hi hansane laga. ek sookshh‍m, mitha aur katu hash‍y.

door, ek dukan par sath nanbar ka khas belajiyam ka bijali ka lattoo jal raha tha. s dak par hi kurasiyaan p di thian, bich me tebal tha. ek aramakurasi par lal bhairogadhi tahamat baandhe hue taangevale sahab baithe hue bish‍kut kha rahe the. doosari kurasi par ek nihayat ganda, pichhe se phati huee chaddhi pahane, ugha de badan, ladaka kabhi bish‍kutoan ke choore khane ki taraph ya bhap uthate hue tebal par rakhe chay ke kap‍ ki taraph dekhata hua baitha tha! doosari kurasi par doosare musalaman sajh‍jan roti aur maans ki koee patali vash‍tu kha rahe the aur bahut prasanh‍n maloom ho rahe the. jo hotal ka malik tha vah ek pair par adhik dabav dale - usako khooanta kie kh da tha, sigaret pi raha tha aur kuchh khas buddhimani ki batean karata tha jisako sun kar roti aur maans ki patali vash‍tu ko donoan hathoan ka upayog kar khane vale musalaman sajh‍jan 'alh‍laho akabar' 'alh‍la raham kare, ith‍yadi bhavanaph‍lut udgaroan se usaka samarthan karate jate the. sigaret ka kash vah itani jor se khianchata tha ki usaka jh‍valant bhag bijali ki bhayanak roshani mean bhi chamak raha tha. usaka hath aram se jangha-kshetr mean bhraman kar raha tha.

dukan ke aandar se pani ko jha doo se pheankane ki kriya mean jha doo ki karkash daant pisati-si avaj aur pani ke dhakele jane ke balish dhh‍vani a rahi thi, sath hi usake chhote-chhote kank doan ki bhaanti lagatar bahar unh‍nat-vakr rekha-marg se chale a rahe the. bijali ka lattoo daravaje ke oopar lage hue kavar ke bahut niche latak raha, tha jis par lagatar girane vale chhiante sookh kar dhabh‍be ban rahe the.

itane mean pulis ke ek gashh‍tavan sipahi lal pag di pahane aur khaki poshak mean a kar baith ge! ve bhi musalaman hi the. unaki dadhi par chhah bal the, aur othoan par to the hi nahian. chalis sal ki umr ho chuki thi par baloan ne un par kripa nahian ki thi. nak unaki buddhi se vh‍yapak thi, kale dore ki guandi ki bhaanti cham‍k rahi thi. aankh mean ek chupachap day‍niyata jhaank uthati. vah koee musibatajada prani tha - shayad use soojak tha - ya usaki gharavali doosare ke sath pharar ho gee thi! ya vah kisi abhagi badasoorat-veshh‍ya ka sharir-jat tha. use n jane kaun-si pi da thi jo char adamiyoan mean prakat nahian ki ja s‍kati thi. vah pi da-thi da to doosaroan ke anand aur nirbadh hash‍y ko dekh kar chupachap nibi d aankhoan mean chamak uthati thi! vah is samay bhi chamak rahian thi, kisi ne usaki taraph dhh‍yan nahian diya. usake samane kramanusar chay a gee aur vah phur-phur karate hue pine laga.

taangevale mahashay ka taanga vahian dukan ke samane s dak ke doosare kinare kh da tha. gho da apane malik ki bhaanti b da chadhail aur gush‍sail tha. ek or to vah bijali ki roshani mean chamakanevali hari ghas ko badashah ki bhaanti kha raha tha, to doosari or adh ghante mean ek bar apani taang taange mean mar deta tha. usake ghas khane ki avaj lagatar a rahi thi aur usaka bhavh‍y saphed ganbhir chehara hotal ko apeksha ki drishti se dekh raha tha.

taangevale mahashay ne chay pini shuroo ki. tag da muanh tha. belaus sidhi nak thi aur ujala rang tha. thathadar motiya safa ab bhi bandha hua tha. bolo-chal nihayat shush‍ta aur salike se bhari thi. chehara par mardav tha jo ki kisi akh‍kh d bahadur sipahi mean hi s‍‍kata hai. aj din mean unh‍hoanne kafi kamaee ki thi; isilie rat mean jagane ka uth‍sah bahut adhik maloom ho raha tha.

dukan ke aandar jha doo ki karkash avaj aur pani ki khalakhal dhh‍vani band ho gee. chhoti-chhoti booandean tapakanevali maili jha doo lie ek pandrah sal ka l daka, ek ghutane par se phate pajame ko kamar par ikattha kie kh da tha ki malik ka ab age kh‍ya hukh‍m hota hai. parantu bahar majalis jami thi. lal saphevala sipahi b di ruchi ke sath use sun raha tha. chahata tha ki vah bhi kuchh kahe....

itane mean in logoan ko door se ek chhaya ati huee dikhaee di. sab logoan ne socha ki is bat par dhh‍yan dene ki zaroorat nahian! par dhire-dhire anevali us chhaya ka sirph paiant hi dikhaee diya aur kuchh thaki-si chal! yuvak chupachap unh‍hian ki or aya aur halaki-si avaj mean bola 'chay hai?' uth‍tar mean 'haan' pa kar aur baithane ke lie ek achh‍chhi aramadeh kurasi pa kar vah khush maloom hua. logoan ne jab dekha ki chehare se koee khas a‍karshak ya asadharan adami maloom nahian hota, tab ashh‍vash‍t ho, saans le kar batean karane lage!

lal pag divala dayaniy prani kuchh bolana chahata tha! itane me usake do sathi door se dikhaee die! unh‍‍hean dekh kar vah atyant anichh‍chha se vahaan se uthane laga. usane socha tha ki shayad hai koee, baithane ko kahe. parantu logoan ko maloom bhi nahian hua ki koee aya tha aur ja raha hai!

'madhav maharaj ke jamane mean taangevaloan ko ye aphat nahian thi maulavi s aaub! maianne bahut jamana dekha hai! kee suparadant ae, chale ge, kotaval ae, nikal ge. par ab pulisavala taange mean muft baithega bhi, aur nanbar bhi not karega...' taangevale ne kaha.

hotalavala jo ab tak maulavi sahab se kuchh khas buddhimani ki bat kar raha tha, usane ab jor se bolana shuroo kiya! dhoti ki tahamat baandhe, bahut dubala, nate kad ka ek adhe d hansamukh adami tha. vah bahut batooni, aur bahut khushamijaj adami aur ashh‍lil batoan se ghrina karane vala, ek khas dhang se sansh‍karashil aur mehanati maloom hota tha. usane kaha, 'maulavi s aaub, duniya yoan hi chalati rahegi. maianne kee karobar kie. dekha, sabamean makh‍kari hai. aur karobari ki nigah mean makh‍kari ka nam duniyadari hai. pulisavale bhi makh‍kar haian - taangevale kam makh‍kar nahian haian. vah jainul abedin-mirjava di mean rahane vala... suna hai apane kish‍sa!'

maulavi sahab thahaka mar kar hans p de. 'ya alh‍lah' kahate hue dadhi par do bar hath phera aur apani ukatahat ko chhipate hue - maulavi sahab ko ek kap chay aur bish‍kut muft ya udhar lena tha - aankhoan mean manoranjan vish‍may - kudh kar hotalavale ki bat sunane lage.

hotalavale ne apane jivan ka rahash‍yodghatan karane se dar kar bat ko badalate hue kaha, 'maian apako kish‍sa sunata hooan. duniya mean badamashi hai, badatamiji hai. hai, par karana kh‍ya? galiyoan se to kam nahian chalata, kh‍yoan rahimabakh‍sh (taangevale ki or sanket kar) taangevale bahut galiyaan dete haian! doosare, s dak par se gujarati huee auratoan ko dekh - chahe ve marava diniyaan hi hoan dhilh‍lamadhal petavali, bas inh‍hean phauran laila yad a jati hai! yah dekh kar meri rooh kaanpati hai. maulavi s aaub, mera dil ek sachh‍che saiyad ka dil hai! ek dapha kh‍ya hua ki hajarat ali apane mahal mean baithe hue the. aur raj-kaj dekh rahe the ki itane mean daraban ne kaha ki kuchh mish‍tri saudagar ae haian, apase milana chahate haian. ab unamean ka ek saudagar alim tha.'

maulavi sirph usake chehare ko dekh rahe the jis par anek bhavanaean um d rahian thian, jisase usaka chipaka - kala che‍hara aur bhi vikrit maloom hota tha. doosare vah yah anubhav kar rahe the ki yah apana jnan baghar raha hai aur jnan ka adhikar to unh‍hean hai. tisare, unh‍hoanne yah yogh‍y samay jan kar kaha, 'bhaee, ek kap chay aur bulava do.'

chay ka nam sun kar kurasi par baithe hue yuvak ne kaha, 'ek kap yahaan bhi.'

pichhe se phati chaddhi pahane hue ganda l daka ooangh raha tha! vah ooanghata hua hi chay lane laga. taangevala rahimabakhh‍sh batoan ko gaur se sun raha tha. vah janana chahata tha ki is kahani ka taangevaloan se kh‍ya sanbandh hai!

hotalavale ne kahana shuroo kiya, unamean ka ek saudagar alim tha. usane hajarat ali ka nam sun rakha tha ki gariboan ke ye sabase b de himayati haian. shano-shaukat bilakul pasand nahian karate. aur ab dekhata kh‍ya hai ki mahal ki divarean sangamaramar se bani huee haian, jisamean khh‍vab-kohake hire daravajoan ke meharaboan par j de hue haian aur chabootara kale chikane sangamoose ka bana hua hai. hare-hare bag haian aur phavh‍vare chhoot rahe haian. vah man-hi-man musakaraya. garami p d rahi thi, aur roomal se bandhe hue sir se pasina chhoot raha tha.

hajarat ali ke samane jab mal ki kimat nakh‍ki ho chuki, to saudagar unaki meharaban soorat se khianch kar bola, 'badashah salamat! suna tha ki hajarat ali gariboan ke gulam haian. par maianne kuchh aur hi dekha hai. ho sakata hai, galat dekha ho.'

saudagar apana gattha baandhate-baandhate kah rahe the. hajarat ali ki aankh se ek bilaji-si nikali. saudagar ne dekha nahian, usaki pith udhar thi, vah apane mal ka gattha baandh raha tha!

hajarat ali ne kaha, 'jh‍yada batean maian apase nahian kahana chahata. ap mujhe is vakh‍t mahal mean dekhate haian, par hamesha yahaan nahian rahata. bazar mean anaj ke bore uthate hue mujhe kisi ne nahian dekha hai.' hajarat ali ki aankhean kisi khas bechaini se chamak rahi thian!

ve resham ka lanba shahi labada pahane hue the. unh‍hoanne usake band khole. saudagar ne ashh‍chary se dekha ki hajarat ali mote bore ke kap de aandar se pahane hue haian.

saudagar ne sir nicha kar liya.

saiyad hotalavale ki aankhoan mean aansoo a ge. maulavi sahab ne sir nicha kar liya, mano unh‍hean sau joote p d ge hoan. chay ki garami sab khatam ho gee. taangevale ko isamean khas maja nahian aya. yuvak apani kurasi par baitha hua dhh‍yan se sun raha tha.

hotalavale ne kaha, 'asali majahab ise kahate haian. mere pas muslim ligi ate haian! chanda maangate haian. muslim kaum nihayat garib hai! mujhase pakish‍tan nahian maangate. mujhase pakish‍tan ki batean bhi nahian karate. hiandoo-muslim ith‍tehad par mera vishvas hai. lekin maian zaroor de deta hooan. 'kaumi-jang' akhabar dekha hai apane? usaki p aaulisi mujhe pasand hai. lal bavate valoan ka hai. maian unh‍hean bhi chand deta hooan. mera mamera bhaee 'birala mil' mean hai. khata kameti ka sekretari hai. vah mujhase chanda le jata hai.'

yuvak ab vahaan baithana nahian chahata tha. phir bhi, saiyad sahab ki batoan ko poora sun lene ki ichh‍chha thi. maloom hota tha, aj ve maje mean a rahe haian.

rat kafi age badh chuki thi. hotal ke samane mh‍yunisipal bagiche ke b de-b de darakhh‍t rat ki gaharaee mean ooangh-se rahe the, jinake pichhe adha chaand, muslim navavadhoo ke bhal par latakate hue alankar ke saman lag raha tha.

navayuvak jab aur chalane laga to maloom hua ki usake pichhe bhi koee chal raha hai. un donoan ke pairoan ki avaj gooanj rahi thi. parantu chaand ki taraph (jisaki kali prishh‍thabhoomi bhi kuchh arunh‍y lie thi, mano kisi mugh‍dh ruchir chehare par khili huee lal mithas ho), jo ghane darakhh‍toan ke pichhe se uth raha tha, vah yuvak muanh uthae dekhata ja raha tha. vishal, gahara kala, shukratarakalokit akash aur niche nish‍tabh‍dh shaanti jo darakhh‍toan ki pattiyoan mean bhatakane vale pavan ki kri da mean ga uthati thi.

yuvak aisi lanbi ekaant rat mean ardh-aparichit nagar ki rah mean anubhav kar raha tha ki mano nagh‍n asaman, mukh‍t disha aur (ekaki sh‍vapathachari sauandary ke uth‍sa-sa, vh‍yaktinirapeksh mash‍t ath‍madhara ke khumar-sa) nith‍y navin chaand se lakhoan shakti-dharaean phoot kar navayuvak ke hriday mean mil rahi hoan. nagh‍n, thande pashan-asaman aur chaand ki bhaanti hi - usi prakar, usaka hriday nagh‍n aur shubhr shital ho gaya hai. dravh‍y ki gatimayi dhara hi usake hriday mean bah rahi hai. pashan jis prakar prakriti ka avibhajh‍y aang hai, manushh‍y prakriti par adhikar karake bhi apane roop se usaka avibhajh‍y aang hai.

chaand dhire-dhire asaman mean oopar sarak raha tha. vrikshoan ka marmar rat ke sunasan aandhere mean sh‍vaph‍n ki bhaanti chal raha tha, parash‍par-virodhi vichitragati tal ke sanyog-sa.

jo chhaya do kadam pichhe chal rahi thi, vah navayuvak ke sath ho gee. navayuvak ne dekha ki saphed, najuk, lathi ke hilate trikon par chaand ki chaandani khel rahi hai; lanbi aur surekh nak ki najuk kagar par chaand ka tuk da chamak raha hai, jisase muanh ka qarib-qarib adha bhag chhayachh‍chhanh‍n hai. aur do gahari chhoti aankhean chaandani aur harsh se pratibianbit haian. us vriddh maulabi ke chehare ko dekh kar navayuvak ko di.ech. l aaurenh‍s ka chitr yad a gaya! us arddh-vriddh ne ate hi apani theth prakriti se uth‍suk ho kar poochha, 'ap kahaan rahate hai?'

vriddh ke chehare par sh‍vabhavik achh‍chhaee hans rahi thi. is ne shahar ke (yadyapi navayuvak paanch sal pahale yahian rahata tha) ajanabipan mean use is maulavi ka sh‍vabhavik achh‍chhaee se hansata chehara priy maloom hua. usane kaha, 'maian is shahar se bhalibhaanti vakik nahian hooan. saray mean utara hooan. niand a rahi thi, isalie bahar nikal p da hooan.'

hotal mean baitha hua yah vriddh maulavi saiyad se har gaya tha, mano usaki vidvath‍ta bhi har gee thi. is har se man mean uth‍panh‍n hue abhav aur ath‍malin jalan ko vah shaant karana chahata tha. 'saiyad s aaub bahut achh‍chhe adami haian, ham logoan par unaki b di me‍harabani hai.'

nayuvak ne bat kat kar poochha, 'ap kahaan kam karate haian?'

'maian masjid madarase mean padhata hooan. ji haan, gujar karane ke lie kafi ho jata hai.' usaki aankhean sahasa mh‍lan ho geean aur vah chup ho kar, garadan jhuka kar, niche dekhane laga. phir kaha, 'ji haan, das sal pahale shadi ho chuki thi. maloom nahian tha ki vah gahane samet karake chanpat ho jaegi. ...tab se is masjid mean hooan.'

yuvak ne dekha ki boodha ek aisi bat kah gaya hai jo ek aparichit se kahana nahian chahie. boodhe ne kuchh jh‍yada nahian kaha. parantu itane naikaty ki bat sun kar yuvak ki sahanubhooti ke dvar khul ge. usane boodhe ki soorat se hi kee batean jan lian, vahi du:kh jo kisi-n-kisi roop mean prath‍yek kuchale madhh‍yavargiy ke jivan mean muanh pha de kh da hua hai.

'ji haan, masjid mean paanch sal ho ge, pandhara rupaya milate haian, gujar kar leta hooan. lekin ab man nahian lagata. duniya sooni-sooni-si lagati hai. is l daee ne ek bat aur paida kar di hai - dilachash‍pi! rediyo sunane mean kabhi naga nahian karata. roj kee akhabar tatol leta hooan. ji haan, ek nee dilachash‍pi. kitab padhane ka mujhe shauk zaroor hai. par maian talimayaphta hooan nahian. to, garje ki samajh mean nahian ati.'

boodha apani narm, reshami, sitar ke halake taroan ki gooanj-si avaj mean kahata ja raha tha. batean mamooli tathh‍yath‍mak thian, parantu unake as-pas bhavana ka alokavalay tha. usaki jiandagi mean ahat bhavanaoan ki jo tarkahin shakti thi, vah usaki batoan ki sadharanata mean apoorv vaiyaktik rang bhar deti thi.

yuvak ko yah achh‍chha laga. priy maloom hua. ek kshan mean usane apani sahanubhooti ki jaduee aankh se jan liya ki koee asangat (ajib) masjid hogi, jahaan roj chupachap log yantrachalit-si katar mean prarthana padhate hoange. aur usaki sooni, khali, doosari manjil par yah asantushh‍t aur jivanapoorn arddh-vriddh chhote-chhote maile-kuchaile l dake-l dakiyoan ko dupahar mean padhata hoga. apane l dakoan ki oodham se pareshan maan-bap unh‍hean kam mean jutae rakhane ke lie madarase mean bhej dete hoange, aur y‍h anamane bhav se padhata hoga aur apani jiandagi, duniya aur dupahar ka sara kruddh soonapan isake dil mean bechaini se t dapata hoga....

usane maulavi se poochha, 'apaki umr kh‍ya hogi!'

yuvak ne dekha ki maulavi ko yah saval achh‍chha laga. usaka chehara aur bhi komal hota-sa dikhaee diya. usane kaha, 'sirph chalis. yadyapi maian pachas sal ke oopar maloom hota hooan. aji, in paanch saloan ne mujhako kha dala. phir bhi maian kamazor nahian hooan. kafi hatta-katta hooan.'

maulavi yah siddh karana chahata tha ki abhi vah yuvak hai. jivan ki sh‍vabhavik, sh‍vatantryarn, uchh‍chhriankhal akaanksha-shaktiyaan usake sharir mean taralh‍y bhar deti thian. usake chalane mean, batachit mean vah aantimata nahian thi jo shaithilh‍y aur udasi mean pakh‍vata ka abhas paida kar deti haian. usane chalis thik kaha tha aur navayuvak ko bhi usaki bat par avishh‍vas karane ki ichh‍chha n huee.

'ophpho, to ap javan haian.' yuvak ne tham kar age kaha, 'to apaka dimag l daee par zaroor chalata hoga...'

'are, sahab! kuchh n poochhie, saiyad sahab mujhase pareshan haian.'

'ap 'kaumi jang' padhate haian? apake hotal mean to maianne abhi hi dekha hai.'

'kaumi-jang to hamari masjid mean bhi ata hai! hamare sabase b de maulavi parajamandal ke karyakarta haian. jamiyat-ul-ulema hiand ke muajjij haian. vahian ke ulema haian. sab tarah ke akhabar kharidate haian. yahaan unh‍hoanne muslim-pharavard bh‍l aauk khol rakha hai.'

yuvak ko yahaan ki rajaniti mean ulajhane ki koee zaroorat nahian thi. phir bhi, usase alag rahane ki bhi koee ichh‍chha nahian thi. itane mean ek gali a gee jisamean mu dane ke lie maulavi taiyar dikhaee diya. yuvak ne sirph itana hi kaha, 'kitaboan ke lie ham apaki madad kareange. ab to maian yahaan hooan kuchh dinoan ke lie. kahaan mulakat hogi apase?'

'saiyad sahab ki hotal mean. ji haan, subah aur sham!'

maulavi sahab ke sath yuvak ka kuchh samay achh‍chha kata. vah kritajn tha. usane dhanh‍yavad diya nahian. usaki jiandagi mean n maloom kitane hi aise adami ae haian jinh‍hoanne us par sahaj vishh‍vas kar liya, usaki jiandagi mean ek nirvaiyaktik gilapan pradan kiya. jab kabhi yuvak un par sochata hai. unake jharanoan ne unaki jiandagi ko ek nadi bana diya. unamean se sab ek sarikhe nahian the. aur n un sabako usane apana vh‍yaktith‍v de diya tha. parantu unake vh‍yaktitv ki kali chhayaoan, kantakoan aur jalate hue phash‍phorik dravh‍yoan, unake doshoan se usane nak-bhauan nahian siko di thi. agar vah sh‍vayan kabhi ahat ho jata, to ek bar apana dhuaan ugal chukane ke bad unake vranoan ko choomane aur unaka vish nikal pheankane ke lie taiyar hota. unake vh‍yaktith‍v ki barik se barik batoan ko sahanubhooti ke mayakrosh‍kop (brihaddarshak tal) se b da karake dekhane mean use vahi anand milata tha, jo ki ek d aaukh‍tar ko. aur usaka uddeshh‍y bhi ek d aaukh‍tar ka hi tha. usamean ka chikith‍sak ek aisa sidha-sada hakim tha, jo duniya ki peteant davaiyoan ke chakh‍kar mean n p d kar apane marijoan se roj subah uthane, vh‍yayam karane, dimag ko thanda rakhane aur usako do paise ki do pu diya shahad ke sath chat lene ki salah deta tha. sahanubhooti ki ek kiran, ek sahaj sh‍vash‍thh‍yapoorn nirvikar musakan ka chikith‍sa-sanbandhi mahath‍v sahanubhooti ke lie ph‍yasi, lang di duniya ke lie kitana ho s‍kata hai - yah vah janata tha! isalie vah matabhed aur parash‍par paida hone vali vishishh‍t visanvadi katutaoan ko bacha kar nikal jata tha. vah unh‍hean janata tha aur usaki use zaroorat nahian thi! duniya ki koee aisi kalushata nahian thi jis par ulati ho jay - siva vish‍trit samaji‍k shoshanoan aur unake uth‍panh‍n danbhoan aur adarshavad ke nam par kie ge aandh ath‍yacharoan, yaantrik naitikataoan aur adhh‍yatmik ahantaoan ki tanashahiyoan ko chho d kar! duniya ke madhh‍yavargiy janoan ke anek vishoan ko chupachap vah pi gaya tha, aur rah dekh raha tha sirph kraanti-shakti ki! parantu isase usako ek nukasan bhi hua tha! vh‍yakti usake lie mahath‍vapoorn nahian tha, vh‍yaktith‍v adhik, chahe vah vh‍yaktith‍v mamooli hi ho aur vah bhi tabhi jab tak usaki jijnasa aur ushh‍nata ka talab sookh n jae. usaki ushh‍nata ka drishtikon bhi kafi amoort tha kh‍yoanki usake vh‍yaktith‍v ka uddeshh‍y amoort tha. isalie apane ap mean vh‍yakti usase yada-kada chhoot jata tha, siva unake jo usaki dh dakanoan aur rakh‍t ke sath mil ge haian! hakim marijoan ko phauran bhool jate haian, aur maje ke lie aur marj ke sath-sath ve yad ate hai. parinamat: usaki sahaj ushh‍nata pa kar vh‍yakti usake sath ek ho jate, apane ko nagh‍n kar dete; aur phir usase nana prakar ki apekshaean karane lagate jo sanbhav hona asanbhav tha.

mau‍lavi jab gali mean mu d kar gaya to yuvak ki aankhean us par thian. maulavi ka lanba, dubala aur shh‍vet vash‍travrit sara sharir use ek chalata-phirata itihas maloom hua. usaki dadhi ka trikon, aankhoan ki chapal-chamak aur bhavana-shaktiyoan se hilate kapoloan ka itihas jan lene ki ichh‍chha usamean duguni ho gee.

tab s dak ke adhe bhag par chaandani bichhi thi aur adha bhag chandr ke tirachhe hone ke karan chhayachh‍chhanh‍n ho kar kala ho gaya tha. usaka kalapan chaandani se adhik utha hua maloom ho raha tha.

yuvak ke samane samash‍yaean do thian. ek aram ki, doosari aram ke sh‍than ki. aur do rash‍te the. ek, ki rat-bhar ghooma jae - rat ke samaph‍t hone mean sirph sadhe tin ghante the aur doosare, sh‍teshan par kahian bhi so liya jae!

kuchh soch-vichar kar usane sh‍teshan ka rash‍ta liya.

usake sharir mean tin din ke lagatar shram ki thakan thi. aur usake pair sharir ka bojh dhone se inakar kar rahe the. parantu jis prakar jiandagi mean akele adami ko apani thakan ke bavajood bhojan khud hi taiyar karana p data hai - tabhi to pet bhar sakata hai - usi prakar usake pair chupachap, apane du:kh ki katha apane se hi kahate hue apane kary mean sanlagh‍n the.

usako ek bar mu dana p da. vah ek kam chau da rash‍ta tha jisake donoan or b di-b da attalikaean chupachap khadi thian, jisake pairoan-niche bichha hua rash‍ta do paha diyoan mean se gujare hue rash‍te ki bhaanti gaddhe mean p da hua maloom hota tha. baeean or ki attalikaoan ke oopari bhag par chaandani bichhi huee thi.

thakan se shoonh‍y man mean niand ke jhoanke a rahe the, parantu ek dar tha pulisavale ka jo agar rash‍te mean mil jae jo usake sandehoan ko shaant karana mushkil hai! dar isalie bhi adhik hai ki rash‍ta aandhere se dhanka hua hai, sirph attalikaoan par giri huee chaandani ke kuchh-kuchh prath‍yavartit prakash se rash‍te ka akar soojh raha hai.

man mean shoonh‍yata ki ek aur badh. niand ka ek aur jhoanka. rash‍ta donoan or se band hone ke karan shit se bacha hua hai - usamean adhik garami hai.

yuvak kaise to bhi chal raha hai! niand ke garam lihaph mean sona chahata hai. niand ka ek aur jhoanka! man mean shoonh‍yata ki ek aur badh.

yuvak ke pairoan mean kuchh to bhi naram-naram laga - ajib, samanh‍yat: apraph‍y, manushh‍y ke ushh‍n sharir-sa komal! usane do-tin kadam aur age rakhe. aur usaka sandeh nishh‍chat mean parivartit ho gaya. usaka sharir kaanp gaya. usaki buddhi, usaka vivek kaanp gaya. vah yadi kadam nahian rakhata haian to ek hi sharir par - n jane vah bachh‍che ka hai ya sh‍tri ka, boodhe ka ya javan ka - usaka sara vajan ek hi par ja gire. vah kh‍ya kare? vah bhagane laga ek kinare ki or. parantu kahaan-vahaan tak adami soe hue the usake sharir ki garam komalata usake pairoan se chipak gee thi. vahian ek path‍thar mila; vah us par kh da ho gaya, haanphata hua. usake pair kaanp rahe the. vah aankhe pha d-pha d kar dekh raha tha. parantu aandhere ke us samudr mean use kuchh nahian dikha. yah usake lie aur bhi bura hua. usaka pap yoan hi aandhere mean chhipa rah jaega! usaki vivek-bhavana sitapita kar rah gee; usako aisa dhakh‍ka laga ki vah sanbhalane bhi nahian paya. vah punh‍yath‍ma vivek shakti keval kaanp rahi thi!

yuvak ke man mean ek prashh‍n, bijali ke nrith‍y ki bhaanti mu d kar matak-matak kar, ghoomane laga - kh‍yoan n‍hian itane sab bhookhe bhikhari jag kar, jagrat ho kar, usako dande mar kar choor kar dete haian - kh‍yoan use ab tak jianda rahane diya gaya?

parantu isaka javab kh‍ya ho sakata hai?

vah hara-sa, s dak ke kinare-kinare chalane laga! mano us gahare aandhere mean bhi bhookhi ath‍maoan ki hajar-hajar aankhean usaki bujadili, pap aur kalank ko dekh rahian hoan. sh‍teshan ki or janevali sidhi s dak milate hi yuvak ne patari badal li.

lanbi sidhi s dak par chaandani adhi nahian thi kh‍yoanki donoan or attalikaean nahian thian; keval kinare par kuchh-kuchh dooriyoan se chhote-chhote pe d lage hue the. maun, shital chaandani saphed kafan ki bhaanti rash‍te par bichhati huee do kshitijoan ko chhoo rahi thi. ek vish‍trit, shaant khulapan yuvak ko dhank raha tha aur use sirph apani avaj sunaee de rahi thi - pap, hamara pap, ham dhile-dhale, sush‍t, madhh‍yavargiy ath‍m-santoshiyoan ka ghor pap. bangal ki bhookh hamare charitr-vinash ka sabase b da saboot. usaki yad ate hi, jisako bhulane ki tivr cheshh‍ta kar raha tha, usaka hriday kaanp jata tha, aur vivek-bhavana haanphane lagati thi.

us lanbi sudirgh shh‍vet s dak par vah yuvak ek chhoti-si naganh‍y chhaya ho kar chala ja raha tha.

panne ki pragati avastha

adhar

prarambhik

madhyamik

poornata

shodh

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sanbandhit lekh

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