क्लॉड ईथरली -गजानन माधव मुक्तिबोध

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

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maian s dak par kar leta hooan. jangali, bemahak lekin khoobasoorat videshi phooloan ke niche thahar-sa jata hooan ki jo phool, bhit ke pasavale ahate ki adamakad divar ke oopar phaile, s dak ke bajoo par baanhean bichha kar jhuk ge haian. pata nahian kaise, kis sahas se v kh‍yoan usi ahate ke pas bijali ka ooancha khanbha - jo paanch-chhah dishaoan mean janevali sooni s dakoan par taroan ki sidhi lakirean bhej raha hai - mujhe dikhata hai aur ekaek khayal ata hai ki dumanjila makanoan par chadhane ki ek ooanchi nisaini usi se tiki huee hai. shayad, aise makanoan ki lanb-t dang bhitoan ki rachana abhi bhi purane dhang se hoti hai.

sahaj, jijnasavash dekhean, kahaan, kh‍ya hota hai. drishh‍y kaun-se, kaun-se dikhaee dete haian! maian us nisaini par chadh jata hooan aur samanevali pili ooanchi bhit ke nili phremavale roshanadan mean se meri nigahean par nikal jati haian.

aur, maian sh‍tabh‍dh ho uthata hooan.

chhat se tange dhilaee se gol-gol ghoomate pankhe ke niche, do pili sh‍phatik-si tej aankhe aur lanbi shalavatoan-bhara tang motiya chehara hai jo thik unh‍hian ooanche roshanadanoan mean se, bhitar se bahar, par jane ke lie hi mano apani drishti keandrit kar raha hai. aankhoan se aankhe l d p dati haian. dhh‍yan se ek-doosare ki or dekhati hai. sh‍tabh‍dh, ekagr!

ashh‍chary?

saans ke sath shabh‍d nikale! aisi hi koee avaj usane bhi ki hogi!

chehara bahut bura nahian hai, achh‍chha hai, bhala adami maloom hota hai. paiant par shart dhili p d gee hai. lekin yah kh‍ya!

maian niche utar p data hooan. chupachap rash‍ta chalane lagata hooan. kam-se-kam do pharlaang doori par ek adami milata hai. sirph ek adami! itani b di s dak hone par bhi log nahian! kh‍yoan nahian?

poochhane par vah shakhh‍s kahata hai, shahar to is par hai, us or hai; vahian kahian is s dak par bildiang ka pichhava da p data hai. dekhate nahian ho!

maianne usaka chehara dekha dhh‍yan se. baeean aur dahini bhauanhean nak ke shuroo par mil gee thian. khuradura chehara, panjabi kahala sakata tha. vah ni:sandeh janana adami hone ki sanbhavana rakhata hai! nari tulh‍y purush, jinaka vikas kishor kavh‍y mean visheshajnoan ka vishay hai.

itane mean maianne usase sh‍vabhavik roop se, ati sahaj ban kar poochha, 'yah pili bildiang kaun-si hai.' usane mujh par avishh‍vas karate hue kaha, 'janate nahian ho? yah pagalakhana hai - prasiddh pagalakhana!'

'achh‍chha...!' ka ek laharadar daish laga kar maian chup ho gaya aur nichi nigah kie chalane laga.

aur phir ham donoan ke bich dooriyaan chau di ho kar gol hone lagian. hamare sath hamare siphar bhi chalane lage.

apane-apane shoonh‍yoan ki khi dakiyaan khol kar maianne - ham donoan ne ek-doosare ki taraph dekha ki apas mean bat kar sakate haian ya nahian! ki itane mean usane mujhase poochha, 'ap kh‍ya kam karate haian?'

maianne jheanp kar kaha, 'maian? uthaeegira samajhie.'

'samajhean kh‍yoan? jo haian so bataie.'

'pata nahian kh‍yoan, maian bahut eemanadari ki jiandagi jita hooan; jhooth nahian bola karata, par-sh‍tri ko nahian dekhata; rishh‍vat nahian leta; bhrashh‍tachari nahian hooan; daga ya phareb nahian karata; alabath‍ta karj mujh par zaroor hai jo maian chuka nahian pata. phir bhi kamaee ki rakam karj mean jati hai. is par bhi maian yah sochata hooan ki buniyadi taur se beeeman hooan. isilie, maianne apane ko pulis ki jaban mean uthaeegira kaha. maian lekhak hooan. ab bataie, ap kh‍ya haian?'

vah sirph hans diya. kaha kuchh nahian. jara der se usaka muanh khula. usane kaha, 'maian bhi ap hi hooan.'

ekadam dab kar maianne usase shekahaiand kiya (dil mean bhitar se kisi ne kachot liya. hal hi mean nisaini par chadh kar maianne us roshanadan mean se ek adami ki soorat dekhi thi; vah chori nahian to kh‍ya tha. sandigh‍dhavash‍tha mean us sale ne mujhe dekh liya!)

'b di achh‍chhi bat hai. mujhe bhi is dhandhe mean dilachash‍pi hai, ham lekhakoan ka pesha isase kuchh milata-julata hai.'

itane mean bhimakar path‍tharoan ki vikh‍toriyan bildiang ke drishh‍y door se jhalak rahe the. ham kh de ho ge haian. ek b de-se pe d ke niche pan ki dukan thi vahaan. vahaan ek sileti rang ki aurat mish‍si aur kajal lagae hue baithi huee thi.

mere muanh se achanak nikal p da, 'to yahaan bhi pan ki dukan hai?'

usane sirph itana hi kaha, 'haan, yahaan bhi.'

aur maian un adh-vilayati nangi auratoan ki tash‍virean dekhane laga jo us dukan ki shaukat ko badha rahi thian.

dukan mean aeena laga tha. lahar thian dhuandhali, pichhe ke masale ke dosh se. jh‍yoan hi usamean maian apana muanh dekhata, big da najar ata. kabhi mota, lanba, to kabhi chau da. kabhi nak ekadam chhoti, to ekadam lanbi aur moti! man mean vitrishh‍na bhar uthi. rash‍ta lanba tha, sooni dupahar. kap de pasine se bhitar chipachipa rahe the. aise mauke par do batean karane vala adami mil jana samay aur rash‍‍ta katane ka sadhan hota hai.

usase vah aurat kuchh majak karati rahi. itane mean char-paanch adami aur a ge. ve sab ghere kh de rahe. chupachap kuchh batean hueean.

maianne gaur nahian kiya. maian in sab batoan se door rahata hooan. jo sunaee diya usase yah ja‍hir hua ki ve ya to nichale tabake mean pulis ke inaph aaurmars haian ya aise hi kuchh!

ham donoan ne apane-apane aur ek-doosare ke chehare dekhe! donoan kharab najar ae. donoan roop badalane lage! donoan hans p de aur yahi majak chalata raha.

pan kha kar ham log age badhe. pata nahian kh‍yoan mujhe apane ajanabi sathi ke jananepan mean koee eeshh‍variy arth dikhaee diya. jo adami ath‍ma ki avaj dab deta hai, vivek-chetana ko ghutale mean dal deta hai, use kh‍ya kaha jae! vaise, vah shakhh‍s bhala maloom hota tha. phir, kh‍ya karan hai ki usane yah pesha akhtiyar kiya! sahasi, haan, kuchh sahasik log patrakar ya guph‍tachar ya aise hi kuchh ho jate haian, apani aankhoan mean mahath‍vapoorn banane ke lie, astith‍v ki tikhi sanvedanaean anubhav karane aur karate rahane ke lie!

lekin, prashh‍n yah hai ki ve vaisa kh‍yoan karate haian! kisi bhitari nh‍yoonata ke bhav par vijay praph‍t karane ka yah ek tarika bhi ho sakata hai. phir bhi, usake doosare rash‍te bhi ho sakate haian! yahi pesha kh‍yoan? isalie, usamean pet aur pravritti ka samanh‍vay hai! jo ho, is shakhh‍s ka jananapan khas mani rakhata hai!

hamane vah rash‍ta par kar liya aur ab ham phir se phaishanebal rash‍te par a ge, jisake donoan or yukaliph‍tas ke pe d katar baandhe kh de the. maianne poochha, 'yah rash‍ta kahaan jata hai?' usane kaha, 'pagalakhane ki or .' maian jane kh‍yoan sanh‍nate mean a gaya.

vishay badalane ke lie maianne kaha, 'tum yah dhandha kab se kar rahe ho?'

usane meri taraph is tarah dekha mano yah saval use nagavar gujara ho.

maian kuchh nahian bola. chupachap chala, chalata raha. lagabhag paanch minat bad jab ham us bhairoan ke gerooe, sunahale, panh‍ni j de path‍thar tak pahuanch ge, jo is ath‍ya‍dhunik yug mean ek tar ke khanbhe ke pas shraddhapoorvak sh‍thapit kiya gaya tha, usane kaha, 'mera kish‍sa mukhh‍tasar hai. laj-sharam dikhave ki chijean haian. tum mere dosh‍t ho, isalie kah raha hooan. maian ek bahut b de karo dapati seth ka l daka hooan. unake ghar mean jo kam karanevaliyaan hua karati thian, unamean-se ek meri maan hai, jo abhi bhi vahian haian. maian, ghar se door pala-posa gaya, mere pita ke kharche se! maan pilane ati. usi ke kahane se maianne bamushkil tamam maitrik kiya. phir, kisi sipharish se si.aee.di. ki treniang mean chala gaya. tabase yahi kam kar raha hooan. bad mean pata chala ki vahaan ka kharch bhi vahi seth deta hai. usaka hath mujh par abhi tak hai. tum uthaeegire ho, isalie kaha! are! vaise to tum lekhak-vekhak bhi ho. bahut-se lekhak aur patrakar inaph aaurmar haian! to, isalie, maianne socha, chalo achh‍chha hua. ek sathi mil gaya.'

us adami mean meri dilachash‍pi bahut badh gee. dar bhi laga. ghrina bhi huee. kis adami se pala p da. phir bhi, us ahate par chadh kar maian jhaank chuka tha. isalie ek anadikhati janjir se bandh to gaya hi tha.

us janane ne kahana jari rakha, 'us pagalakhane mean kee aise log dal die ge haian jo sachamuch aj ki nigah se b de pagal haian. lekin unh‍hean pagal kahane ki ichh‍chha rakhane ke lie aj ki nigah hona zaroori hai.'

maianne ukasate hue kaha, 'aj ki nigah se kh‍ya matalab?'

usane bhauanhean samet lian. meri aankhoan mean aankhe dal kar usane kahana shuroo kiya, 'jo adami ath‍ma ki avaj kabhi-kabhi sun liya karata hai aur use bayan karake usase chhutti pa leta hai, vah lekhak ho jata hai. ath‍ma ki avaj ko lagatar sunata hai, aur kahata kuchh nahian, vah bhola-bhala sidha-sada bevakooph hai. jo usaki avaj bahut jh‍yada suna karata hai aur vaisa karane lagata hai, vah samaj-virodhi tath‍voan mean yoan hi shamil ho jaya karata hai. lekin jo adami ath‍ma ki avaj zaroorat se jh‍yada sun karake hamesha bechain raha karata hai aur us bechaini mean bhitar ke hukh‍m ka palan karata hai, vah nihayat pagal hai. purane jamane mean sant ho sakata tha. ajakal use pagalakhane mean dal diya jata hai.'

mujhe shak hua ki maian kisi phaiantesi mean rah raha hooan. yah koee aisa-vaisa koee guph‍tachar nahian hai. ya to yah khud pagal hai ya koee pahuancha hua adami hai! lekin vah pagal bhi nahian hai n pahuancha hua hai. vah to sirph janana adami hai ya vaijnanik shabh‍davali prayog karooan to yah kahana hoga ki vah hai to javan-pattha lekin usamean jo lachak hai vah aurat ke chalane ki yad dilati hai!

maianne usase poochha, 'tumane kahian treniang paee hai?'

'sirph tajurbe se sikha hai! mujhe inam bhi mila hai.'

maianne kaha, 'achh‍chha!'

aur maian jijnasa aur kutoohal se prerit ho kar usaki aandhakarapoorn thahoan mean doobane ka prayath‍n karane laga.

kiantu usane sirph mush‍kara diya! tab mujhe vah aisa laga mano vah ajnat saians ke ganitik sootr ki aank-rashi ho, jisaka matalab to kuchh zaroor hota hai lekin samajh mean nahian ata.

man mean vicharoan ki panktiyoan ki panktiyaan banati geean. panktiyoan par panktiyaan. shayad use bhi mahasoos hua hoga! aur jab donoan ke man mean char-char panktiyaan ban geean ki is bich usane kaha, 'tum kh‍yoan nahian yah dhandha karate?'

maian hataprabh ho gaya. yah ek vilakshan vichar tha! mujhe maloom tha ki dhandha paisoan ke lie kiya jata hai. ajakal b de-b de shaharoan ke mamooli hotaloan mean jahaan das-paanch adami tarah-tarah ki gap l date hue baithate haian, unaki batean sun kar, apana aandazajamane ke lie, kee bhitari soochi-bhedak-praveshak aankhe bhi sunati baithati rahati haian. yah maian sab janata hooan. khud ke tajurbe se bata sakata hooan. lekin, phir bhi, us adami ki himh‍mat to dekhie ki usane kaisa pechida saval kiya!

aj tak kisi adami ne mujhase is tarah ka saval n kiya tha. zaroor mujhamean aisa kuchh hai ki jise maian vishesh yogh‍yata kah sakata hooan. maianne apane jivan mean jo shiksha aur ashiksha praph‍t ki, sh‍kooloan-k aaulejoan mean mean jo vidya aur avidya upalabh‍dh ki, jo kaushal aur akaushal praph‍t ki, usane - maian manooan ya n manooan - bhadravarg ka hi aang bana diya hai. haan, maian us bhadravarg ka aang hooan ki jise apani bhadrata ke nirvah ke lie ab arthik kashh‍t ka samana karana p data hai, aur yah bhav man mean jama rahata hai ki nash sannikat hai. sankshep mean, maian sachet vh‍yakti hooan, ati-shikshit hooan, ati-san‍sh‍krit hooan. lekin chooanki apani is atishiksha aur atisan‍sh‍‍kriti ke saushh‍thav ko udghatit karate rahane ke lie, jo snigh‍dh prasanh‍namukh chahie, vah n hone se maian uthaeegira bhi lagata hooan - apane-ap ko!

to meri is mahak ko pahachan us adbhut vh‍yakti ne mere samane jo prash‍tav rakha, usase maian apane-ap se ekadam sachet ho utha! kh‍ya harj hai? inakam ka ek khasa jariya yah bhi to ho sakata hai.

maianne bat palat kar usase poochha, 'to haan, tum us pagalakhane ki bat kah rahe the. usaka kh‍ya?'

maianne garadan niche dal li. kanoan mean aviram shabh‍d-pravah gatiman hua. maian sunata gaya. shayad vah usake vakh‍tavh‍y ki bhoomika rahi hogi. is bich maianne usase tok kar poochha, 'to usaka nam kh‍ya hai?

'kh‍l aaud eetharali!'

'kh‍ya vah roman kaithalik hai - adivasi isaee hai?'

usane naraj ho kar kaha, 'to ab tak tum meri bat hi nahian sun rahe the?'

maianne use vishh‍vas dilaya ki usaki ek-ek bat dil mean utar rahi thi. phir bhi usake chehare ke bhav se pata chala ki use meri bat par yakin nahian hua. usane kaha, 'kh‍l aaud eetharali vah amariki viman chalak hai, jisane hiroshima par bam giraya tha.'

mujhe ashh‍chary ka ek dhakh‍ka laga. ya to vah pagal hai, ya maian! maianne usase poochha, 'to usase kh‍ya hota hai?'

ab usane bahut hi naraj ho kar kaha, 'abe bevakooph! nesh‍tanabood hue hiroshima ki badarang aur badasoorat, udas aur gamagin jiandagi ki saradarat karanevale meyar ko vah har mah chek bhejata raha jisase ki un paisoan se din-hinoan ko sahayata to pahuanche hi; usane jo bhayanak pap kiya hai vah bhi kuchh kam ho!'

maianne usake chehare ka adhyayan karana shuroo kiya. usaki ve khuraduri ghani moti bhauanhean nak ke pas a milati thian. k de baloan ki tej rejar se hajamat kiya hua usaka vah hara-gora chehara, sidhi-moti nak aur majakiya hoth aur gamagin aankhe, jish‍m ki janana lachak, dabal thuddi, jisake bich mean halaka-sa gaddha!

yah kaun shakhh‍s hai, jo mujhase is tarah bat kar raha hai. laga ki maian sachamuch is duniya mean nahian rah raha hooan, usase koee do sau mil oopar a gaya hooan, jahaan akash, chaand-tare, sooraj sabhi dikhaee dete haian. r aauket u d rahe haian. ate haian, jate haian aur prithh‍vi ek chau de-nile gol jagat-si dikhaee de rahi hai, jahaan ham kisi ek desh ke nahian haian, sabhi deshoan ke haian. man mean ek bhayanak udvegapoorn bhavahin chanchalata hai! kul mila kar, pal-bhar yahi halat rahi. lekin vah pal bahut hi ghanaghor tha. bhayavah aur sandigh‍dh! aur usi pal se abhibhoot ho kar maianne usase poochha, 'to kh‍ya hiroshima vala kh‍l aaud eetharali is pagalakhane mean hai.'

vah hath phaila kar uangaliyoan se us pili bildiang ki taraph ishara kar raha tha, jisake ahate ki divar par chadh kar meri aankhoan ne roshanadan par karake un tej aankhoan ko dekha tha, jo usi roshanadan mean se gujar kar bahar jana chahati haian. to, agar maian jas janane lachakadar shakhh‍s par yakin karooan to isaka matalab yah hua ki meri dekhi ve aankhe aur kisi ki nahian, khas kh‍l aaud eetharali ki hi thian. lekin yah kaise ho sakata hai!

usane meri bat ta d kar kaha, 'haan, vah kh‍l aaud eetharali hi tha.'

maianne chidh kar kaha, 'to kh‍ya yah hiandush‍tan nahian hai. ham amerika mean hi rah rahe haian?'

usane mano meri bevakoophi par hansi ka thahaka mara, kaha, 'bharat ke har b de nagar mean ek-ek amerika hai! tumane lal othavali chamakadar, gori-sunahali auratean nahian dekhi, unake kimati kap de nahian dekhe! shanadar motaroan mean ghoomane vale ashikshit log nahian dekhe! naphis kish‍m ki veshh‍yavritti nahian dekhi! seminar nahian dekhe! ek jamane mean ham landan jate the aur iangh‍laiand‍ rirtan kahalate the aur aj vashiangatan jate haian. agar hamara bas chale aur aj ham sachamuch utane hi dhani hoan aur hamare pas utane hi etam bam aur haidrojan bam hoan aur r aauket hoan to phir kh‍ya poochhana! akhabar padhate ho ki nahian?'

maianne kaha, 'haan.'

to tumane maikamilan ki vah takarir bhi padhi hogi jo usane... ko di thi. usane kh‍ya kaha tha? yah desh, hamare sainik gut mean to nahian hai, kiantu sansh‍kriti aur ath‍ma se hamare sath hai. kh‍ya maikamilan saphed jhooth kah raha tha? katee nahian. vah ek mahath‍vapoorn tathh‍y par prakash dal raha tha.

aur agar yah sach hai to yah bhi sahi hai ki unaki sansh‍kriti aur ath‍ma ka sankat hamari sansh‍kriti aur ath‍ma ka sankat hai! yahi karan hai ki ajakal ke lekhak aur kavi amariki, british tatha pashchim yooropiy sahith‍y tatha vicharadharaoan mean gote lagate haian aur vahaan se apani ath‍ma ko shiksha aur sansh‍kriti pradan karate haian! kh‍ya yah jhooth hai. aur hamare tathakathit rashh‍triy akhabar aur prakashan-keandr! ve apani vicharadhara aur drishtikon kahaan se lete haian?'

yah kah kar vah jor se hans p da aur hansi ki laharoan mean usaka jish‍m lachakane laga.

usane kahana jari rakha, 'kh‍ya hamane iando‍neshiyaee ya chini ya aphriki sahith‍y se prerana li hai ya lumuanba ke kavh‍y se? chhi: chhi:! vah janavaroan ka, chaupayoan ka sahith‍y hai! aur roos ka? are! yah to sh‍varth ki bat hai! isaka raj aur hi hai. roos se ham madad chahate haian, lekin darate bhi haian.'

'chho do! to matalab yah hai ki agar unaki sansh‍kriti hamari sansh‍kriti hai, unaki ath‍ma hamari ath‍ma aur unaka sankat hamara sankat hai - jaisa ki siddh hai - jara padho akhabar, karo batachit aangarejidaan pharratebaj logoan se - to hamare yahaan bhi hiroshima par bam giranevala viman chalak kh‍yoan nahian ho sakata aur hamare yahaan bhi sanpradayavadi, yuddhavadi log kh‍yoan nahian ho sakate! mukhh‍tasar kish‍sa yah hai ki hiandush‍tan bhi amerika hi hai.'

mujhe pasina chhootane laga. phir bhi man yah sh‍vikar karane ke lie taiyar nahian tha ki bharat amerika hi hai aur yah ki kh‍l aaud eetharali usi pagalakhane mean rahate haian - usi pagalakhane mean rahata hai! meri aankhoan mean sandeh, avishh‍vas, bhay aur ashanka ki mili-juli chamak zaroor rahi hogi, jisako dekh kar vah buri tarah hans p da. aur usane mujhe ek sigaret di.

ek pe d ke niche kh de ho kar ham donoan bat karate hue niche ek path‍thar par baith ge. usane kaha, 'dekha nahian! british-amariki ya phraansisi kavita mean jo moods, jo manahsthitiyaan rahati haian - bas ve hi hamare yahaan bhi haian, laee jati haian. suruchi aur adhunik bhavabodh ka takaja hai ki unh‍hean laya jaya kh‍yoan? isalie ki vahaan audyogik sabhh‍yata hai, hamare yahaan bhi. mano ki kal-karakhane khole jane se adarsh or kartavh‍y badal jate hoan.'

maianne naraj ho kar sigaret pheank di. usake samane ho liya. shayad, us samay maian use marana chahata tha. hathapaee karana chahata tha. lekin vah vh‍yangh‍y-bhare chehare se hans p da aur usaki aankhe jh‍yada gamagin ho geean.'

usane kaha, 'kh‍l aaud eetharali ek viman chalak tha! usake etamabam se hiroshima nashh‍t hua. vah apani karagujari dekhane us shahar gaya. us bhayanak, badarang, badasoorat kati lothoan ke shahar ko dekh kar usaka dil tuk de-tuk de ho gaya. usako pata nahian tha ki usake pas aisa hathiyar hai aur us hathiyar ka yah aanjam hoga. usake dil mean niraparadh janoan ke pretoan, shavoan, lothoan, lashoan ke kate-pite chehare tairane lage. usake hriday mean karuna um d aee. udhar, amariki sarakar ne use inam diya. vah 'v aaur hiro' ho gaya. lekin usaki ath‍ma kahati thi ki usane pap kiya, jaghanh‍y pap kiya hai. use dand milana hi chahie. nahian. lekin usaka desh to use hiro manata tha. ab kh‍ya kiya jay. usane sarakari naukari chho d di. mamooli se mamooli kam kiya. lekin, phir bhi vah 'v aaur hiro' tha, mahanh tha. kh‍l aaud eetharali mahanata nahian, dand chahata tha, dand!'

'usane varadatean shuroo kian jisase ki vah giraphtar ho sake aur jel mean dala ja sake. kiantu praman ke abhav mean vah har bar chho d diya gaya. usane ghoshit kiya ki vah papi hai, papi hai, use dand milana chahie, usane niraparadh janoan ki hath‍ya ki hai, use dand do. he eeshh‍var! lekin amariki vh‍yavash‍tha use pap nahian, mahanh kary manati thi. desh-bhakti manati thi. jab usane eetharali ki ye harakatean dekhian to use pagalakhane mean dal diya. tekh‍s aaus praant mean vayo nam ki ek jagah hai - vahaan usaka dimag durust karane ke lie use dal diya gaya. vahaan vah char sal tak raha, lekin usaka pagalapan durust nahian ho saka.'

'char sal bad vah vahaan se chhoota to use ray.el. mainatooth nam ka ek guanda mila. usaki madad se usane dakagharoan par dhava mara. akhir may sathi ke vah pak d liya gaya. mukadama chala. koee phayada nahian. jab yah maloom hua ki vah kaun hai aur kh‍ya chahata hai to use turant chho d diya gaya. usake bad, usane dalh‍l aaus nam ki ek jagah ke kaishiyar par sashash‍tr akraman kiya. parinam kuchh nahian nikala, kh‍yoanki b de sainik adhikariyoan ko yah mahasoos hua ki aise 'prakhh‍yat yuddh vir' ko mamooli uchakh‍ka aur chor kah kar usaki badanami n ho. isalie usake us praph‍t pad ki raksha karane ke lie, use phir se pagalakhane mean dal diya gaya.'

'yah hai kh‍l aaud eetharali! eetharali ki eemanadari par avishh‍vas karane ki kisi ko shanka hi nahian rahi. usaki jivan-katha ki philh‍m banane ka adhikar kharidane ke lie kanpani ne use ek lakh rupe dene ka prash‍tav rakha. usane katee inakar kar diya. usake is ash‍vikar se sabake samane yah jahir ho gaya ki vah jhootha aur pharebi nahian hai. vah ban nahian raha.'

'kaun nahian janata ki kh‍l aaud eetharali anu yuddh ka virodh karane vali ath‍ma ki avaj ka doosara nam hai. haan! eetharali manasik rogi nahian hai. adhh‍ya‍tmik ashaanti ka, adhh‍yatmik udvigh‍nata ka jh‍valant pratik hai. kh‍ya isase tum inakar karate ho?'

usake hath ki sigaret kabhi ki niche gir chuki thi. vah janana adami tamatama utha tha. chehare par bechaini ki malinata chhaee thi.

vah kahata gaya, 'is adhh‍yatmik ashaanti, is adhh‍yatmik udvigh‍nata ko samajhane vale log kitane haian! unh‍hean vichitr, vilakshan, vikshiph‍t kah kar pagalakhane mean dalane ki ichh‍chha rakhane vale log n jane kitane haian! isalie purane jamane mean hamare bahutere vidrohi santoan ko bhi pagal kaha gaya. aj bhi bahutoan ko pagal kaha jata hai. agar vah bahut tuchh‍chh hue to sirph unaki upeksha ki jati hai, jisase ki unaki bat prakat n ho aur phail n jae.'

'hamare apane-apane man-hriday-mastishh‍k mean aisa hi ek pagalakhana hai, jahaan ham un uchh‍ch pavitr aur vidrohi vicharoan aur bhavoan ko pheank dete haian, jisase ki dhire-dhire ya to vah khud badal kar samajhautavadi poshak pahan sabhh‍y bhadr ho jae yani durust ho jae ya usi pagalakhane mean p da rahe!'

maian hataprabh to ho hi gaya! sath-hi-sath, usaki is kahani par mugh‍dh bhi. us jivan-katha se ath‍yadhik prabhavit ho kar maianne poochha, 'to kh‍ya yah kahani sachh‍chi hai?'

usane javab diya, bhee vah! amariki sahith‍y padhate ho ki nahian? british bhi nahian! to kh‍ya padhate ho khak!... are bhaee roos par to anek bhashaoan mean kee push‍takean nikal gee haian. to kh‍ya path‍thar janakari rakhate ho. vishh‍vas n ho, to khandan karo, jao tatolo. aur, is bich mean isi pagalakhane ki sair karava lata hooan.'

maianne hath hila kar inakar karate hue kaha, 'nahian mujhe nahian jana.'

kh‍yoan nahian? usane jhi dak kar kaha, 'ajakal hamare avachetan mean hamari ath‍ma a gee hai, chetan mean sh‍v-hit aur adhichetan mean samaj se samanjash‍y ka adarsh bhale hi vah bura samaj kh‍yoan n ho? yahi aj ke jivan-vivek ka rahash‍y hai....'

'tumako vahaan ki sair karani hogi. maian tumh‍hean pagalakhane le chal raha hooan, lekin pichhale daravaje se nahian, khule agale se.'

rash‍te mean maianne usase kaha, 'maian yah manane ke lie taiyar nahian hooan ki bharat amerika hai! tum kuchh bhi kaho! n vah kabhi ho sakata hai, n vah kabhi hoga hi.'

is bat ko usane u da diya. use chahie tha ki vah us bat ka javab deta . usane sirph itana kaha, 'mushkil yah hai ki tum meri bat nahian samajhate.' maianne kaha, 'kaise?'

'kh‍l aaud eetharali hamare yahaan bhale hi deh-roop mean n rahe, lekin ath‍ma ki vaisi bechaini rakhane vale log to yahaan rah hi sakate haian.'

maianne avishh‍vas prakat karake usake prati ghrina bhav vh‍yakh‍t karate hue kaha, 'yah bhi thik nahian maloom hota.'

usane kaha, 'kh‍yoan nahian? desh ke prati eemanadari rakhanevale logoan ke man mean, vh‍yapak papacharoan ke prati koee vh‍yaktigat bhavana nahian rahati kh‍ya?'

'samajha nahian.'

'matalab yah ki aise bahutere log haian jo papachar roopi, shoshan roopi dakuoan ko apani chhati par baitha samajhate haian. vah dakoo n keval bahar ka vh‍yakti hai, vah unake ghar ka adami bhi hai. samajhane ki koshish karo!'

maianne bhauanhean utha kar kaha, 'to kh‍ya hua?'

'yah ki us vh‍yapak anh‍yay ko anubhav karanevale kiantu usaka virodh karanevale logoan ke aant:karan mean vh‍yaktigat pap-bhavana rahati hi hai, rahani chahie. eetharali mean aur unamean yah buniyadi ekata aur abhed hai.'

'isase siddh kh‍ya hua?'

'isase yah siddh hua ki tum-sarikhe sachet jagaruk sanvedanashil jan kh‍l aaud eetharali haian.'

usane mere dil mean khanjar mar diya. haan, yah sach tha! bilakul sach! avachetan ke aandhere tahakhane mean p di huee ath‍ma ka vidroh karati hai. ath‍ma papacharoan ke lie, apane-apako jimh‍medar samajhati hai. hay re! yah mera bhi to rog raha hai.

maianne apane chehare ko sakhh‍t bana liya. ganbhir ho kar kaha, 'lekin ye sab batean tum mujhase kh‍yoan kah rahe ho?'

'isalie ki maian si.aee.di. hooan aur maian tumh‍hari sh‍kriniang kar raha hooan. maian chahata hooan ki tum mere vibhag se sanbaddh raho. tum inakar kh‍yoan karate ho. kaho ki yah tumh‍hari aantarath‍ma ke anukool hai.'

'to kh‍ya tum mujhe tatolane ke lie ye batean kar rahe the. aur, tumh‍hari ye sab batean banavati thian! mere dil ka bhed lene ke lie thian? badamash!'

'maian to sirph tumh‍hare anukool prasangoan ki jo ho sakati thi, vahi kar raha tha.'

panne ki pragati avastha

adhar

prarambhik

madhyamik

poornata

shodh