कर्मभूमि उपन्यास भाग-5 अध्याय-10

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

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idhar sakina janane jel mean pahuanchi, udhar sukhada, pathanin aur renuka ki rihaee ka paravana bhi a gaya. usake sath hi naina ki hatya ka sanvad bhi pahuancha. sukhada sir jhukae moortivath baithi rah gee, mano achet ho gee ho. kitani mahangi vijay thi .

renuka ne lanbi saans lekar kaha-duniya mean aise-aise adami p de hue haian, jo svarth ke lie stri ki hatya kar sakate haian.

sukhada avesh mean akar boli-naina ki usane hatya nahian ki ammaan, yah vijay us devi ke pranoan ka varadan hai.

pathanin ne aansoo poanchhate hue kaha-mujhe to yahi rona ata hai ki bhaiya ko du:kh hoga. bhaee-bahan mean itani mohabbat maianne nahian dekhi.

jelar ne akar soochana di-ap log taiyar ho jaean. sham ki ga di se sukhada, renuka aur pathanin, in mahilaoan ko jana hai. dekhie ham logoan se jo khata huee ho, use muaph kijiega.

kisi ne isaka javab n diya, mano kisi ne suna hi nahian. ghar jane mean ab anand n tha. vijay ka anand bhi is shok mean doob gaya tha.

sakina ne sukhada ke kan mean kaha-jane ke pahale babooji se mil lijiega. yah khabar sunakar n jane dushmanoan par kya gujare- mujhe dar lag raha hai.

balak renukant samane sahan mean kich d se phisalakar gir gaya tha aur pairoan se zamin ko is shararat ki saza de raha tha. sath-hi-sath rota bhi jata tha. sakina aur sukhada donoan use uthane dau dian, aur vriksh ke niche kh di hokar use chup karane lagian.

sakina kal subah aee thi par ab tak sukhada aur usamean mamooli shishtachar ke siva aur bat n huee thi. sakina usase batean karate jheanpati thi ki kahian vah gupt prasang n uth kh da ho. aur sukhada is tarah usase aankheanan churati thi, mano abhi usaki tapasya us kalank ko dhone ke lie kafi nahian huee.

sakina ki salah mean jo sahridayata bhari huee thi, usane sukhada ko parabhoot kar diya. boli-haan, vichar to hai. tumhara koee sandesha kahana hai-

sakina ne aankhoan mean aansoo bharakar kaha-maian kya sandesha kahooangi bahooji- ap itana hi kah dijiega-nainadevi chali geean, par jab tak sakina jianda hai, ap use naina hi samajhate rahie.

sukhada ne nirday muskan ke sath kaha-unaka to tumase doosara rishta ho chuka hai.

sakina ne jaise is var ko kata-tab unhean aurat ki zaroorat thi, aj bahan ki zaroorat hai.

sukhada tivr svar mean boli-maian to tab bhi jianda thi.

sakina ne dekha, jis avasar se vah kaanpati rahati thi, vah sir par a hi pahuancha. ab use apani saphaee dene ke siva aur koee marg n tha.

usane poochha-maian kuchh kahooan, bura to n maniega-

'bilakul nahian.'

'to sunie-tab apane unhean ghar se nikal diya tha. ap poorab jati thian, vah pashchim jate the. ab ap aur vah ek dil haian, ek jan haian. jin batoan ki unaki nigah mean sabase jyada kadr thi, vah apane sab poori kar dikhaeean. vah jo apako pa jaean, to apake kadamoan ka bosa le lean.'

sukhada ko is kathan mean vahi anand aya, jo ek kavi ko doosare kavi ki dad pakar ata hai, usake dil mean jo sanshay tha vah jaise ap-hi-ap usake hriday se tapak p da-yah to tumhara khayal hai sakina unake dil mean kya hai, yah kaun janata hai- maradoan par vishvas karana maianne chho d diya. ab vah chahe meri kuchh ijjat karane lagean-ijjat to tab bhi kam n karate the, lekin tumhean vah dil se nikal sakate haian, isamean mujhe shak hai. tumhari shadi miyaan salim se ho jaegi, lekin dil mean vah tumhari upasana karate raheange.

sakina ki mudra ganbhir ho gee. nahian, vah bhayabhit ho gee. jaise koee shatru use dam dekar usake gale mean phanda dalane ja raha ho. usane mano gale ko bachakar kaha-tum unake sath phir anyay kar rahi ho bahanaji vah un adamiyoan mean nahian haian, jo duniya ke dar se koee kam kare. unhoanne khud salim se meri khat-kitabat karavaee. maian unaki mansha samajh gee. mujhe maloom ho gaya, tumane apane roothe hue devata ko mana liya. maian dil mean kaanpi ja rahi thi ki mujh jaisi ganvarin unhean kaise khush rakh sakegi. meri halat us kangale ki-si ho rahi thi jo khazana pakar baukhala gaya ho ki apani jhoanp di mean use kahaan rakhe, kaise usaki hiphajat kare- unaki yah mansha samajhakar mere dil ka bojh halka ho gaya. devata to pooja karane ki chiz hai vah hamare ghar mean a jay, to use kahaan baithaean, kahaan sulaean, kya khilaean- mandir mean jakar ham ek kshan ke lie kitane dinadar, kitane parahejagar ban jate haian. hamare ghar mean akar yadi devata hamara asali roop dekhe, to shayad hamase napharat karane lage. salim ko maian sanbhal sakati hooan. vah isi duniya ke adami haian, aur maian unhean samajha sakati hooan.

usi vakt janane vard ke dvar khule aur tin kaidi aandar dakhil hue. tinoan ne ghutanoan tak jaanghie aur adhi baanh ke ooanche kurate pahane hue the. ek ke kandho par baans ki sidhi thi, ek ke sir par choone ka bora. tisara choone ki haandiyaan, kooanchi aur baltiyaan lie hue tha. aj se janane jel ki putaee hogi. salana saphaee aur marammat ke din a ge haian.

sakina ne kaidiyoan ko dekhate hi uchhalakar kaha-vah to jaise babooji haian, dol aur rassi lie hue, to salim sidhi uthae hue haian.

yah kahate hue usane balak ko god mean utha liya aur use bhianch-bhianchakar pyar karati huee dvar ki or lapaki. bar-bar usaka muanh choomati aur kahati jati thi-chalo, tumhare babooji ae haian.

sukhada bhi a rahi thi, par mand gati se use rona a raha tha. aj itane dinoan ke bad mulakat huee to is dasha mean.

sahasa munni ek or se dau dati huee aee aur amar ke hath se dol aur rassi chhinati huee boli-are yah tumhara kya hal hai lala, adho bhi nahian rahe, chalo aram se baitho, maian pani khianch deti hooan.

amar ne dol ko mazabooti se pak dakar kaha-nahian-nahian, tumase n banega. chho d do dol. jelar dekhega, to mere oopar daant p degi.

munni ne dol chhinakar kaha-maian jelar ko javab de looangi. aise hi the tum vahaan-

ek taraph se sakina aur sukhada doosari taraph se pathanin aur renuka a pahuanchian par kisi ke muanh se bat n nikalati thi. saboan ki aankheanan sajal thian aur gale bhare hue. chali thian harsh ke avesh mean par har pag ke sath mano jal gahara hote-hote aant ko siroan par a pahuancha.

amar in deviyoan ko dekhakar vismay-bhare garv se phool utha. unake samane vah kitana tuchchh tha, kitana nagany. kin shabdoan mean unaki stuti kare, unaki bheant kya chadhae- usake ashavadi netroan mean bhi rasht' ka bhavishy kabhi itana ujjval n tha. unake sir se paanv tak svadeshabhiman ki ek bijali-si dau d gee. bhakti ke aansoo aankhoan mean chhalak ae.

auroan ki jel-yatra ka samachar to vah sun chuka tha par renuka ko vahaan dekhakar vah jaise unmatta hokar unake charanoan par gir p da.

renuka ne usake sir par hath rakhakar ashirvad dete hue kaha-aj chalate-chalate tumase khoob bheant ho gee beta eeshvar tumhari manokamana saphal kare. mujhe to ae aj paanchavaan din hai, par hamari rihaee ka hukm a gaya. naina ne hamean mukt kar diya.

amar ne dh dakate hue hriday se kaha-to kya vah bhi yahaan aee hai- usake ghar vale to bahut big de hoange-

sabhi deviyaan ro p dian. is prashn ne jaise unake hriday ko masos diya. amar ne chakit netroan se harek ke muanh ki or dekha. ek anisht shanka se usaki sari deh tharathara uthi. in cheharoan par vijay ki dipti nahian, shok ki chhaya aankit thi. adhir hokar bola-kahaan hai naina, yahaan kyoan nahian ati- usaka ji achchha nahian hai kya-

renuka ne hriday ko sanbhalakar kaha-naina ko akar chauk mean dekhana beta, jahaan usaki moorti sthapit hogi. naina aj tumhare nagar ki rani hai. harek hriday mean tum use shradhda ke sianhasan par baithi paoge.

amar par jaise vajrapat ho gaya. vah vahian bhoomi par baith gaya aur donoan hathoan se muanh dhaanpakar ththak-ththatakar rone laga. use jan p da, ab sansar mean usaka rahana vritha hai. naina svarg ki vibhootiyoan se jagamagati, mano use kh di bula rahi thi.

renuka ne usake sir par hath rakhakar kaha-beta, kyoan usake lie rote ho, vah mari nahian, amar ho gee usi ke pranoan se is yajn ki poornahuti huee hai .

salim ne gala saf karake poochha-bat kya huee- kya koee goli lag gee-

renuka ne is bhav ka tiraskar karake kaha-nahian bhaiya, goli kya chalati, kisi se l daee thi- jis vakt vah maidan se juloos ke sath myunisipailiti ke daftar ki or chali, to ek lakh adami se kam n the. usi vakt maniram ne akar us par goli chala di. vahian gir p di. kuchh muanh se n kah paee. rat-din bhaiya hi mean usake pran lage rahate the. vah to svarg gee haan, ham logoan ko rone ke lie chho d gee.

amar ko jyoan-jyoan naina ke jivan ki batean yad ati thian, usake man mean jaise vishad ka ek naya sota khul jata tha. hay us devi ke sath usane ek bhirh kartavh‍y ka palan n kiya. yah soch-sochakar usaka ji kachot uthata tha. vah agar ghar chho dakar n bhaga hota, to lalaji kyoan use lobhi maniram ke gale bandh dete aur kyoan usaka yah karoonajanak aant hota .

lekin sahasa is shok-saphar mean doobate hue use eeshvariy vidhan ki nauka-si mil gee. eeshvariy prerana ke bina kisi mean seva ka aisa anurag kaise a sakata hai- jivan ka isase shubh upayog aur kya ho sakata hai- grihasthi ke sanchay mean svarth ki upasana mean, to sari duniya marati hai. paropakar ke lie marane ka saubhagy to sanskar valoan hi ko prapt hai. amar ki shok-magn atma ne apane charoan or eeshvariy daya ka chamatkar dekha-vyapak, asim, anant.

salim ne phir poochha-bechare lalaji ko to b da ranj hua hoga-

renuka ne garv se kaha-vah to pahale hi giraphtar ho chuke the beta, aur shantikumar bhi.

amar ko jan p da, usaki aankhoan ki jyoti duguni ho gee hai, usaki bhujaoan mean chauguna bal a gaya hai, usane vahian eeshvar ke charanoan mean sir jhuka diya aur ab usaki aankhoan se jo moti gire, vah vishad ke nahian, ullas aur garv ke the. usake hriday mean eeshvar ki aisi nishtha ka uday hua, mano vah kuchh nahian hai, jo kuchh hai, eeshvar ki ichchha hai jo kuchh karata hai, vahi karata hai vahi mangal-mool aur si'yioan ka data hai. sakina aur munni donoan usake samane kh di thian. unaki chhavi ko dekhakar usake man mean vasana ki jo aandhi-si chalane lagati thi, usi chhavi mean aj usane nirmal prem ke darshan pae, jo atma ke vikaroan ko shaant kar deta hai, use saty ke prakash se bhar deta hai. usamean lalasa ki jagah utsarg, bhog ki jagah tap ka sanskar bhar deta hai. use aisa abhas hua, mano vah upasak hai aur ye ramaniyaan usaki upasy deviyaan haian. unake padaraj ko mathe par lagana hi mano usake jivan ki sarthakata hai.

renuka ne balak ko sakina ki god se lekar amar ki or uthate hue kaha-yahi tere babooji haian, beta, inake pas ja.

balak ne amarakant ka vah kaidiyoan ka bana dekha, to chillakar renuka se chipat gaya phir usaki god mean muanh chhipae kanakhiyoan se use dekhane laga, mano mel to karana chahata hai, par bhay to yah hai ki kahian yah sipahi use pak d n lean, kyoanki is bhes ke adami ko apana babooji samajhane mean usake man ko sandeh ho raha tha.

sukhada ko balak par krodh aya. kitana darapok hai, mano ise vah kha jate. ichchha ho rahi thi ki yah bhi d tal jae, to ekaant mean amar se man ki do-char batean kar le. phir n jane kab bheant ho.

amar ne sukhada ki or takate hue kaha-ap log is maidan mean bhi hamase bazi le geean. ap logoan ne jis kam ka bi da uthaya, use poora kar dikhaya. ham to abhi jahaan kh de the, vahian kh de haian. saphalata ke darshan hoange bhi ya nahian, kaun jane- jo tho da-bahut aandolan yahaan hua hai, usaka gaurav bhi munni bahan aur sakina bahan ko hai. in donoan bahanoan ke hriday mean desh ke lie jo anurag aurarh kartavh‍y ke lie jo utsarg hai, usane hamara mastak ooancha kar diya. sukhada ne jo kuchh kiya, vah to ap log mujhase jyada janati haian. aj lagabhag tin sal hue, maian vidroh karake ghar se bhaga tha. maian samajhata tha, inake sath mera jivan nasht ho jaega par aj maian inake charanoan ki dhool mathe par lagakar apane ko dhany samajhooanga. maian sabhi mataoan aur bahanoan ke samane unase kshama maangata hooan.

salim ne muskarakar kaha-yoan jabani nahian, kan pak dakar ek lakh marataba utho-baitho.

amar ne kanakhiyoan se dekha aur bola-ab tum maijitret nahian ho bhaee, bhoolo mat. aisi sajaean ab nahian de sakate .

salim ne phir shararat ki. sakina se bola-tum chupachap kyoan kh di ho sakina- tumhean bhi to inase kuchh kahana hai, ya mauqa talash kar rahi ho-

phir amar se bola-ap apane kaul se phir nahian sakate janab jo vade kie haian, vah poore karane p deange.

sakina ka chehara mare sharm ke lal ho gaya. ji chahata tha jakar salim ke chutaki kat le usake mukh par anand aur vijay ka aisa rang tha jo chhipae n chhipata tha. mano usake mukh par bahut dinoan se jo kalima lagi huee thi, vah aj dhul gee ho, aur sansar ke samane apani nishkanlakata ka dhiandhora pitana chahati ho. usane pathanin ko aisi aankhoan se dekha, jo tiraskar bhare shabdoan mean kah rahi thian-ab tumhean maloom hua, tumane kitana ghor anarth kiya tha apani aankhoan mean vah kabhi itani ooanchi n uthi thi. jivan mean use itani shradhda aur itana samman milega, isaki to usane kabhi kalpana n ki thi.

sukhada ke mukh par bhi kuchh kam garv aur anand ki jhalak n thi. vahaan jo kathorata aur garima chhaee rahati thi, usaki jagah jaise madhury khil utha hai. aj use koee aisi vibhooti mil gee hai, jisaki kamana apratyaksh hokar bhi usake jivan mean ek rikti, ek apoornata ki soochana deti rahati thi. aj us rikti mean jaise madhury bhar gaya hai, vah apoornata jaise pallavit ho gee hai. aj usane purush ke prem mean apane naritv ko paya hai. usake hriday se lipatakar apane ko kho dene ke lie aj usake pran kitane vyakul ho rahe haian. aj usaki tapasya mano phalibhoot ho gee hai.

rahi munni, vah alag virakt bhav se sir jhukae kh di thi. usake jivan ki sooni muander par ek pakshi n jane kahaan se u data hua akar baith gaya tha. use dekhakar vah aanchal mean dana bhare a a kahati, paanv dabati huee use pak d lene ke lie lapakakar chali. usane dana zamin par bikher diya. pakshi ne dana chuga, use vishvas bhari aankhoan se dekha, mano poochh raha ho-tum mujhe sneh se palogi ya char din man bahalakar phir par katakar niradhar chho d dogi lekin usane jyoanhi pakshi ko pak dane ke lie hath badhaya, pakshi u d gaya aur tab door ki ek dali par baitha hua use kapat bhari aankhoan se dekh raha tha, mano kah raha ho-maian akashagami hooan, tumhare pianjare mean mere lie sookhe dane aur kulhiya mean pani ke siva aur kya tha .

salim ne naand mean choona dal diya. sakina aur munni ne ek-ek dol utha liya aur pani khianchane chalian.

amar ne kaha-balti mujhe de do, maian bhare lata hooan.

munni boli-tum pani bharoge aur ham baithe dekheange-

amar ne hansakar kaha-aur kya, tum pani bharogi, aur maian tamasha dekhooanga-

munni balti lekar bhagi. sakina bhi usake pichhe dau di.

renuka jamaee ke lie kuchh jalapan bana lane chali gee thi. yahaan jel mean bechare ko roti-dal ke siva aur kya milata hai. vah chahati thi, saik doan chizean banakar vidhipoorvak jamaee ko khilaean. jel mean bhi renuka ko ghar ke sabhi sukh prapt the. ledi jelar, chaukidarinean aur any karmachari sabhi unake gulam the. pathanin kh di-kh di thak jane ke karan jakar let rahi thi. munni aur sakina pani bharane chali geean. salim ko bhi sakina se bahut-si batean kahani thian. vah bhi banbe ki taraph chala. yahaan keval amar aur sukhada rah ge.

amar ne sukhada ke samip akar balak ko gale lagate hue kaha-yah jel to mere lie svarg ho gaya sukhada jitani tapasya ki thi, usase kahian badhakar varadan paya. agar hriday dikhana sanbhav hota, to dikhata ki mujhe tumhari kitani yad ati thi. bar-bar apani galatiyoan par pachhatata tha.

sukhada ne bat kati-achchha, ab tumane batean banane ki kala bhi sikh li. tumhare hriday ka hal kuchh mujhe bhi maloom hai. usamean niche se oopar tak krodh-hi-krodh hai. kshama ya daya ka kahian nam bhi nahian. maian vilasini sahi par us aparadh ka itana kathor dand yah janate the ki vah mera dosh nahian mere sanskaroan ka dosh tha.

amar ne lajjit hokar kaha-yah tumhara anyay hai sukhada .

sukhada ne usaki tho di ko oopar uthate hue kaha-meri or dekho. mera hi anyay hai tum nyay ke putale ho- thik hai. tumane saik doan patr bheje, maianne ek ka bhi javab n diya, kyoan- maian kahati hooan, tumhean itana krodh aya kaise- adami ko janavaroan se bhi priti ho jati hai. maian to phir bhi adami thi. roothakar aisa bhula diya mano maian mar gee.

amar is akshep ka koee javab n de sakane par bhi bola-tumane bhi to patr nahian likha aur maian likhata bhi to tum javab detian- dil se kahana.

'to tum mujhe sabak dena chahate the?'

amarakant ne jaldi se akshep ko door kiya-nahian, yah bat nahian hai sukhada hajaroan bar ichchha huee ki tumhean patr likhooan, lekin-

sukhada ne vaky ko poora kiya-lekin bhay yahi tha ki shayad maian tumhare patroan ko hath n lagati. agar nari-hriday ka tumhean yahi jnan hai, to maian kahooangi, tumane use bilakul nahian samajha.

amar ne apani har svikar ki-to maianne yah dava kab kiya tha ki maian nari-hriday ka parakhi hooan-

vah yah dava n kare lekin sukhada ne to dharana kar li thi ki use yah dava hai. mithe tiraskar ke svar mean boli-purush ki bahaduri to isamean nahian hai ki stri ko apane pairoan par girae. maianne agar tumhean patr n likha, to isaka yah karan tha ki maian samajhati thi, tumane mere sath anyay kiya hai, mera apaman kiya hai lekin in batoan ko jane do. yah batao, jit kisaki huee, meri ya tumhari-

amar ne kaha-meri.

'aur maian kahati hooan-meri.'

'kaise?'

'tumane vidroh kiya tha, maianne daman se thik kar diya.'

'nahian, tumane meri maangean poori kar dian.'

usi vakt seth dhaniram jel ke adhikariyoan aur karmachariyoan ke sath aandar dakhil hue. log kautoohal se un logoan ki or dekhane lage. seth itane durbal ho ge the ki b di mushkil se lak di ke sahare chal rahe the. pag-pag par khaansate bhi jate the.

amar ne age badhakar sethaji ko pranam kiya. unhean dekhate hi usake man mean unaki or se jo gubar tha, vah jaise dhul gaya.

sethaji ne use ashirvad dekar kaha-mujhe yahaan dekhakar tumhean ashchary ho raha hoga beta, samajhate hoge, bundha abhi tak jita ja raha hai, ise maut kyoan nahian ati- yah mera durbhagy hai ki mujhe sansar ne sada avishvas ki aankhoan se dekha. maianne jo kuchh kiya, us par svarth ka akshep laga. mujhamean bhi kuchh sachchaee hai, kuchh manushyata hai, ise kisi ne kabhi svikar nahian kiya. sansar ki aankhoan mean maian kora pashu hooan, isalie ki maian samajhata hooan, harek kam ka samay hota hai. kachcha phal pal mean dal dene se pakata nahian. tabhi pakata hai jab pakane ke layaq ho jata hai. jab maian apane charoan or phaile hue aandhakar ko dekhata hooan, to mujhe sooryoday ke sivay usake hatane ka koee doosara upay nahian soojhata. kisi daftar mean jao, bina rishvat ke kam nahian chal sakata. kisi ghar mean jao, vahaan dvesh ka rajy dekhoge. svarth, ajnan, alasy ne hamean jak d rakha hai. use eeshvar ki ichchha hi door kar sakati hai. ham apani purani sanskriti ko bhool baithe haian. vah atm-pradhan sanskriti thi. jab tak eeshvar ki daya n hogi, usaka punarvikas n hoga aur jab tak usaka punarvikas n hoga, ham log kuchh nahian kar sakate. is prakar ke aandolanoan mean mera vishvas nahian hai. inase prem ki jagah dvesh badhata hai. jab tak rog ka thik nidan n hoga, usaki thik aushadhi n hogi, keval bahari tim-tam se rog ka nash n hoga.

amar ne is pralap par upeksha-bhav se muskarakar kaha-to phir ham log us shubh samay ke iantazar mean hath-par-hath dhare baithe rahean-

ek vardan dau dakar kee kursiyaan laya. sethaji aur jel ke do adhikari baithe. sethaji ne pan nikalakar khaya, aur itani der mean is prashn ka javab bhi sochate jate the. tab prasann mukh hokar bole-nahian, yah maian nahian kahata. yah alasiyoan aur akarmanyoan ka kam hai. hamean praja mean jagriti aur sanskar utpann karane ki cheshta karate rahana chahie. maian ise kabhi nahian man sakata ki aj adhi malagujari hote hi praja sukh ke shikhar par pahuanch jaegi. usamean samajik aur manasik aise kitane hi dosh haian ki adhi to kya, poori malagujari bhi chho d di jay, tab bhi usaki dasha mean koee aantar n hoga. phir maian yah bhi svikar n karooanga ki phariyad karane ki jo vidhi sochi gee aur jisaka vyavahar kiya gaya, unake siva koee doosari vidhi n thi.

amar ne uttojit hokar kaha-hamane aant tak hath-paanv jo de, akhir majaboor hokar hamean yah aandolan shuroo karana p da.

lekin ek hi kshan mean vah namr hokar bola-sanbhav hai, hamase galati huee ho, lekin us vakt hamean yahi soojh p da.

sethaji ne shaantipoorvak kaha-haan, galati huee aur bahut b di galati huee. saik doan ghar barabad ho jane ke siva aur koee natija n nikala. is vishay par gavarnar sahab se meri batachit huee hai aur vah bhi yahi kahate haian ki aise jatil muamale mean vichar se kam nahian liya gaya. tum to janate ho, unase meri kitani betakalluphi hai. naina ki mrityu par unhoanne matamapurasi ka tar diya tha. tumhean shayad maloom n ho, gavarnar sahab ne khud us ilake ka daura kiya aur vahaan ke nivasiyoan se mile. pahale to koee unake pas ata hi n tha. sahab bahut hans rahe the ki aisi sookhi ak d kahian nahian dekhi. deh par sabit kap de nahian lekin mizaj yah hai ki hamean kisi se kuchh nahian kahana hai. b di mushkil se tho de-se adami jama hue. jaj sahab ne unhean tasalli di aur kaha-tum log daro mat, ham tumhare sath anyay nahian karana chahate, tab bechare rone lage. sahab is jhag de ko jald tay kar dena chahate haian. aur isalie unaki ajna hai ki sare kaidi chho d die jaean aur ek kameti karake nishchay kar liya jay ki hamean kya karana hai- us kameti mean tum aur tumhare dost miyaan salim to hoange hi, tin adamiyoan ko chunane ka tumhean aur adhikar hoga. sarakar ki or se keval do adami hoange. bas, maian yahi soochana dene aya hooan. mujhe asha hai, tumhean isamean koee apatti n hogi.

sakina aur munni mean kanaphusakiyaan hone lagian. salim ke chehare par raunak a gee, par amar usi tarah shaant, vicharoan mean magn kh da raha.

salim ne utsukata se poochha-hamean akhtiyar hoga jise chahean chunean-

'poora.'

'us kameti ka phaisala natik hoga?'

sethaji ne hichakichakar kaha-mera to aisa khayal hai.

'hamean apake khayal ki zaroorat nahian. hamean isaki taharir milani chahie.'

'aur taharir n mile.'

'to hamean muaida manjoor nahian.'

'natija yah hoga, ki yahian p de rahoge aur riaya tabah hoti rahegi.'

'jo kuchh bhi ho.'

'tumhean to koee khas takaliph nahian hai lekin gariboan par kya bit rahi hai, vah socho.'

'khoob soch liya hai.'

'nahian socha.'

'bilakul nahian socha.'

'khoob achchhi tarah soch liya hai.'

'sochate to aisa n kahate.'

'socha hai isilie aisa kah raha hooan.'

amar ne kathor svar mean kaha-kya kah rahe ho salim kyoan hujjat kar rahe ho- isase phayada-

salim ne tej hokar kaha-maian hujjat kar raha hooan- vah ri apaki samajh sethaji maladar haian, hukkamaras haian, isalie vah hujjat nahian karate. maian garib hooan, kaidi hooan isalie hujjat karata hooan-

'sethaji bujurg haian.'

'yah aj hi suna ki hujjat karana bujurgi ki nishani hai.'

amar apani hansi ko rok n saka-yah shayari nahian hai bhaeejan, ki jo muanh mean aya bak ge. aise muamale haian, jin par lakhoan adamiyoan ki ziandagi banati-big dati hai. poojy sethaji ne is samasya ko sulajhane mean hamari madad ki, jaisa unaka dharm tha aur isake lie hamean unaka mashakoor hona chahie . ham isake siva aur kya chahate haian ki garib kisanoan ke sath iansaph kiya jay, aur jab us uddeshy ko karane ke irade se ek aisi kameti banaee ja rahi hai, jisase yah asha nahian ki ja sakati ki vah kisan ke sath anyay kare, to hamara dharm hai ki usaka svagat karean.

sethaji ne mugdh hokar kaha-kitani suandar vivechana hai. vah lat sahab ne khud tumhari tariph ki.

jel ke dvar par motar ka harn sunaee diya. jelar ne kaha-lijie, deviyoan ke lie motar a gee. aie, ham log chalean. deviyoan ko apani-apani taiyariyaan karane dean. bahano, mujhase jo kuchh khata huee ho, use muaph kijiega. meri niyat apako takaliph dene ki n thi haan, sarakari niyamoan se majaboor tha.

sab-ke-sab ek hi lari mean jayan, yah tay hua. renukadevi ka agrah tha. mahilaean apani taiyariyaan karane lagian. amar aur salim ke kap de bhi yahian mangava lie ge. adho ghante mean sab-ke-sab jel se nikale.

sahasa ek doosari motar a pahuanchi aur us par se lala samarakant, haphij halim, d aau. shantikumar aur svami atmanand utar p de. amar dau dakar pita ke charanoan par gir p da. pita ke prati aj usake hriday mean asim shradhda thi. naina mano aankhoan mean aansoo bhare usase kah rahi thi-bhaiya, dada ko kabhi du:khi n karana, unaki riti-niti tumhean buri bhi lage, to bhi muanh mat kholana. vah unake charanoan ko aansuoan se dhoraha tha aur sethaji usake oopar motiyoan ki varsha kar rahe the.

salim bhi pita ke gale se lipat gaya. haphijaji ne ashirvad dekar kaha-khuda ka lakh-lakh shukr hai ki tumhari kurabaniyaan suphal hueean. kahaan hai sakina, use bhi dekhakar kaleja thanda kar looan.

sakina sir jhukae aee aur unhean salam karake kh di ho gee. haphijaji ne use ek najar dekhakar samarakant se kaha-salim ka iantikhab to bura nahian maloom hota.

samarakant muskarakar bole-soorat ke sath dahej mean deviyoan ke jauhar bhi haian.

anand ke avasar par ham apane du:khoan ko bhool jate haian. haphijaji ko salim ke sivil sarvis se alag hone ka, samarakant ko naina ki mrityu ka aur seth dhaniram ko putr-shok ka ranj kuchh kam n tha, par is samay sabhi prasann the. kisi sangram mean vijay pane ke bad yodhdagan marane vale ke nam ko rone nahian baithate. us vakt to sabhi utsav manate haian, shadiyane bajate haian, mahaphilean jamati haian, badhaiyaan di jati haian. rone ke lie ham ekaant dhooandhate haian, hasanne ke lie anekaant.

sab prasann the. keval amarakant man mare hue udas tha.

sab log steshan par pahuanche, to sukhada ne usase poochha-tum udas kyoan ho-

amar ne jaise japhakar kaha-maian udas to nahian hooan.

'udasi bhi kahian chhipane se chhipati hai?'

amar ne ganbhir svar mean kaha-udas nahian hooan, keval yah soch raha hooan ki mere hathoan itani jan-mal ki kshati akaran hi huee. jis niti se ab kam liya gaya, kya usi niti se tab kam n liya ja sakata tha- us zimmedari ka bhar mujhe dabae dalata hai.

sukhada ne shaant-komal svar mean kaha-maian to samajhati hooan, jo kuchh hua, achchha hi hua. jo kam achchhi niyat se kiya jata hai, vah eeshvararth hota hai. natija kuchh bhi ho. yajn ka agar kuchh phal n mile to yajn ka puny to milata hi hai lekin maian to is nirnay ko vijay samajhati hooan, aisi vijay to abhootapoorv hai. hamean jo kuchh balidan karana p da, vah us jagriti ke dekhate hue kuchh bhi nahian hai, jo janata mean aankurit ho gee hai. kya tum samajhate ho, in balidanoan ke bina yah jagriti a sakati thi, aur kya is jagriti ke bina yah samajhauta ho sakata tha- mujhe isamean eeshvar ka hath saf najar a raha hai.

amar ne shradhda-bhari aankhoan se sukhada ko dekha. use aisa jan p da ki svayan eeshvar isake man mean baithe bol rahe haian. vah kshobh aur glani nishtha ke roop mean prajvalit ho uthi, jaise koo de-karakat ka dher ag ki chinagari p date hi tej aur prakash ki rashi ban jata hai. aisi prakashamay shaanti use kabhi n mili thi.

usane prem se-gadgad kanth se kaha-sukhada, tum vastav mean mere jivan ka dipak ho.

usi vakt lala samarakant balak ko kandho par bithae hue akar bole-abhi to kashi hi chalane ka vichar hai n?

amar ne kaha-mujhe to abhi haridvar jana hai.

sukhada boli-to sab vahian chaleange.

amarakant ne kuchh hatash hokar kaha-achchhi bat hai. to jara maian bazar se saloni ke lie sa diyaan leta aooan-

sukhada ne muskarakar kaha-saloni ke lie hi kyoan- munni bhi to hai.

munni idhar hi a rahi thi. apana nam sunakar jijnasa-bhav se boli-kya mujhe kuchh kahati ho bahooji-

sukhada ne usaki garadan mean hath dalakar kaha-maian kah rahi thi ki ab munnidevi bhi hamare sath kashi raheangi .

munni ne chauankakar kaha-to kya tum log kashi ja rahe ho-

sukhada hansi-aur tumane kya samajha tha-

'maian to apane gaanv jaooangi.'

'hamare sath n rahogi?'

'to kya lala bhi kashi ja rahe haian?'

'aur kya- tumhari kya ichchha hai?'

munni ka muanh latak gaya.

'kuchh nahian, yoan hi poochhati thi.'

amar ne use ashvasan diya-nahian munni, yah tumhean chidha rahi haian. ham sab haridvar chal rahe haian.

munni khil uthi.

'tab to b da anand aega. saloni kaki moosaloan dhol bajaegi.'

amar ne poochha-achchha, tum is phaisale ka matalab samajh geean-

'samajhi kyoan nahian- paanch adamiyoan ki kameti banegi. vah jo kuchh karegi use sarakar man legi. tum aur salim donoan kameti mean rahoge. isase achchha aur kya hoga?'

'baki tin adamiyoan ko bhi hamian chuneange.'

'tab to aur bhi achchha hua.'

'gavarnar sahab ki sajjanata aur sahridayata hai.'

'to log unhean vyarth badanam kar rahe the?'

'bilakul vyarth.'

'itane dinoan ke bad ham phir apane gaanv mean pahuancheange. aur log bhi chhoot ae hoange?'

'asha hai. jo n ae hoange, unake lie likha-padhi kareange.'

'achchha, un tin adamiyoan mean kaun-kaun rahega?'

'aur koee rahe ya n rahe, tum avashy rahogi.'

'dekhati ho bahooji, yah mujhe isi tarah chhe da karate haian.'

yah kahate-kahate usane muanh pher liya. aankhoan mean aansoo bhar ae the.

sanbandhit lekh

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