गोदान उपन्यास भाग-22

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

idhar kuchh dinoan se rayasahab ki kanya ke vivah ki batachit ho rahi thi. usake sath hi elekshan bhi sir par a pahuancha tha, magar in saboan se avashyak unhean divani mean ek mukadama dayar karana tha, jisaki kort-phis hi pachas hazar hoti thi, oopar ke kharch alag. rayasahab ke sale jo apani riyasat ke ekamatr svami the, ain javani mean motar l d jane ke karan gat ho ge the, aur rayasahab apane kumar putr ki or se us riyasat par adhikar pane ke lie qanoon ki sharan lena chahate the. unake chachere saloan ne riyasat par qabza jama liya tha aur rayasahab ko usamean se koee hissa dene par taiyar n the. rayasahab ne bahut chaha ki apas mean samajhauta ho jae aur unake chachere sale mayal gujara le kar hat jaean, yahaan tak ki vah us riyasat ki adhi amadani chho dane par taiyar the, magar saloan ne kisi tarah ka samajhauta svikar n kiya, aur keval lathi ke zor se riyasat mean tahasil-vasool shuroo kar di. rayasahab ko adalat ki sharan mean jane ke siva koee marg n raha. mukadame mean lakhoan ka kharch tha, magar riyasat bhi bis lakh se kam ki jayadad n thi. vakiloan ne nishchay roop se kah diya tha ki apaki shartiya digari hogi. aisa mauqa kaun chho d sakata tha? mushkil yahi thi ki yah tinoan kam ek sath a p de the aur unhean kisi tarah tala n ja sakata tha. kanya ki avastha atharah varsh ki ho gee thi aur keval hath mean rupe n rahane ke karan ab tak usaka vivah talata jata tha. kharch ka anuman ek lakh ka tha. jisake pas jate, vahi b da-sa muanh kholata, magar hal mean ek b da achchha avasar hath mean a gaya tha. kuanvar digvijay sianh ki patni yakshma ki bheant ho chuki thi, aur kuanvar sahab apane uj de ghar ko jald se jald basa lena chahate the. sauda bhi vare se tay ho gaya aur kahian shikar hath se nikal n jae, isalie isi lagn mean vivah hona paramavashyak tha.

kuanvar sahab durvasanaoan ke bhandar the. sharab, gaanja, aphim, madak, charas, aisa koee nasha n tha, jo vah n karate hoan. aur aiyashi to rees ki shobha hi hai. vah rees hi kya, jo aiyash n ho. dhan ka upabhog aur kiya hi kaise jay? magar in sab durgunoan ke hote hue bhi vah aise pratibhavan the ki achchhe-achchhe vidvanh unaka loha manate the. sangit, natayakala, hastarekha, jyotish, yog, lathi, kushti, nishanebaji adi kalaoan mean apana jo d n rakhate the. isake sath hi b de dabang aur nirbhik the. rashtriy aandolan mean dil khol kar sahayog dete the, haan gupt roop se. adhikariyoan se yah bat chhipi n thi, phir bhi unaki b di pratishtha thi aur sal mean ek-do bar garvanar sahab bhi unake mehaman ho jate the. aur abhi avastha tis-battis se adhik n thi aur svasthy to aisa tha ki akele ek bakara kha kar hajam kar dalate the. rayasahab ne samajha, billi ke bhagoan chhianka toota. abhi kuanvar sahab shodashi se nivritt bhi n hue the ki rayasahab ne batachit shuroo kar di. kuanvar sahab ke lie vivah keval apana prabhav aur shakti badhane ka sadhan tha. rayasahab kauansil ke meanbar the hi, yoan bhi prabhavashali the. rashtriy sangram mean apane tyag ka parichay de kar shraddha ke patr bhi ban chuke the. shadi tay hone mean koee badha n ho sakati thi. aur vah tay ho gee.

raha elekshan. yah sone ki hansiya thi, jise n ugalate banata tha, n nigal. ab tak vah do bar nirvachit ho chuke the aur donoan hi bar un par ek-ek lakh ki chapat p di thi, magar abaki ek raja sahab usi ilake se kh de ho ge the aur danke ki chot ailan kar diya tha ki chahe har ek votar ko ek-ek hazar hi kyoan n dena p de, chahe pachas lakh ki riyasat mitti mean mil jay, magar ray amarapalasianh ko kauansil mean n jane dooanga. aur unhean adhikariyoan ne apane sahayata ka ashvasan bhi de diya tha. rayasahab vicharashil the, chatur the, apana napha-nukasan samajhate the, magar rajapoot the aur pot doan ke rees the. vah chunauti pa kar maidan se kaise hat jayan? yoan inase raja sooryapratap sianh ne a kar kaha hota, bhaee sahab, ap do bar kauansil mean ja chuke, abaki mujhe jane dijie, to shayad rayasahab ne unaka svagat kiya hota. kauansil ka moh ab unhean n tha, lekin is chunauti ke samane tal thokane ke siva aur koee rah hi n thi. ek masalahat aur bhi thi. mistar tankha ne unhean vishvas diya tha ki ap kh de ho jayan, pichhe raja sahab se ek lakh ki thaili le kar baith jaiega. unhoanne yahaan tak kaha tha ki raja sahab b di khushi se ek lakh de deange, meri unase batachit ho chuki hai, par ab maloom hua, raja sahab rayasahab ko parast karane ka gaurav nahian chho dana chahate aur isaka mukhy karan tha, rayasahab ki l daki ki shadi kuanvar sahab se thik hona. do prabhavashali gharanoan ka sanyog vah apani pratishtha ke lie hanikarak samajhate the. udhar rayasahab ko sasurali jayadad milane ki bhi asha thi. raja sahab ke pahaloo mean yah kaanta bhi buri tarah khatak raha tha. kahian vah jayadad inhean mil gee - aur qanoon rayasahab ke paksh mean tha hi - tab to raja sahab ka ek pratidvandvi kh da ho jayaga isalie unaka dharm tha ki rayasahab ko kuchal dalean aur unaki pratishtha dhool mean mila dean.

bechare rayasahab b de sankat mean p d ge the. unhean yah sandeh hone laga tha ki keval apana matalab nikalane ke lie mistar tankha ne unhean dhokha diya. yah khabar mili thi ki ab vah raja sahab ke pairokar ho ge haian. yah rayasahab ke ghav par namak tha. unhoanne kee bar tankha ko bulaya tha, magar vah ya to ghar par milate hi n the, ya ane ka vada karake bhool jate the. akhir khud unase milane ka irada karake vah unake pas ja pahuanche. sanyog se mistar tankha ghar par mil ge, magar rayasahab ko poore ghante-bhar unaki pratiksha karani p di. yah vahi mistar tankha haian, jo rayasahab ke dvar par ek bar roj hajiri diya karate the. aj itana mizaj ho gaya hai. jale baithe the. jyoan hi mistar tankha saje-sajae, muanh mean sigar dabae kamare mean ae aur hath badhaya ki rayasahab ne bamagola chho d diya - maian ghante bhar se yahaan baitha hua hooan aur ap nikalate-nikalate ab nikale haian. maian ise apane tauhin samajhata hooan.

mistar tankha ne ek sophe par baith kar nishchiant bhav se dhuaan u date hue kaha - mujhe isaka khed hai. maian ek zaroori kam mean laga tha. apako phon karake mujhase samay thik kar lena chahie tha.

ag mean ghi p d gaya, magar rayasahab ne krodh ko dabaya. vah l dane n ae the. is apaman ko pi jane ka hi avasar tha. bole - haan, yah galati huee. ajakal apako bahut kam phurasat rahati hai shayad.

'ji haan, bahut kam, varana maian avashy ata.'

'maian usi muamale ke bare mean apase poochhane aya tha. samajhaute ki to koee asha nahian maloom hoti. udhar to jang ki taiyariyaan b de joroan se ho rahi haian.'

'raja sahab ko to ap janate hi haian, jhakk d adami haian, poore sanaki. koee n koee dhun un par savar rahati hai. ajakal yahi dhun hai ki rayasahab ko nicha dikha kar raheange. aur unhean jab ek dhun savar ho jati hai, to phir kisi ki nahian sunate, chahe kitana hi nukasan uthana p de. koee chalis lakh ka bojh sir par hai, phir bhi vahi dam-kham hai, vahi alalle-talalle kharch haian. paise ko to kuchh samajhate hi nahian. naukaroan ka vetan chh:-chh: mahine se baki p da hua hai, magar hira-mahal ban raha hai. sangamaramar ka to pharsh hai. pachchikari aisi ho rahi hai ki aankhean nahian thaharatian. aphasaroan ke pas roj daliyaan jati rahati haian. suna hai, koee aangrez mainejar rakhane vale haian.'

'phir apane kaise kah diya tha ki ap koee samajhauta kara deange?'

'mujhase jo kuchh ho sakata tha, vah maianne kiya. isake siva maian aur kya kar sakata tha? agar koee vyakti apane do-char lakh rupe phansane hi par tula hua ho, to mera kya bas?'

rayasahab ab krodh n sanbhal sake - khas kar jab un do-char lakh rupe mean se das-bis hazar apake hatthe chadhane ki bhi asha ho.

mistar tankha ab kyoan dabate? bole - rayasahab, saph-saph n kahalavaie. yahaan n maian sannyasi hooan, n ap. ham sabhi kuchh n kuchh kamane hi nikale haian. aankh ke aandhoan aur gaanth ke pooroan ki talash apako bhi utani hi hai, jitani mujhako. apase maianne kh de hone ka prastav kiya. ap ek lakh ke lobh se kh de ho ge, agar goti lal ho jati, to aj ap ek lakh ke svami hote aur bina ek paee karz lie kuanvar sahab se sanbandh bhi ho jata aur mukadama bhi dayar ho jata, magar apake durbhagy se vah chal pat p d gee. jab ap hi thath par rah ge, to mujhe kya milata. akhir maianne jhakh mar kar unaki pooanchh pak di. kisi n kisi tarah yah vaitarani to par karani hi hai.

rayasahab ko aisa avesh a raha tha ki is dusht ko goli mar dean. isi badamash ne sabj bag dikha kar unhean kh da kiya aur ab apani saphaee de raha hai. pith mean dhool bhi nahian lagane deta, lekin paristhiti jaban band kie hue thi.

'to ab apake kie kuchh nahian ho sakata?'

'aisa hi samajhie.'

'maian pachas hazar par bhi samajhauta karane ko taiyar hooan.'

'raja sahab kisi tarah n maneange.'

'pachchis hazar par to man jaeange?'

'koee asha nahian. vah saf kah chuke haian.'

'vah kah chuke haian ya ap kah rahe haian?'

'ap mujhe jhootha samajhate haian?'

rayasahab ne vinamr svar mean kaha - maian apako jhootha nahian samajhata, lekin itana zaroor samajhata hooan ki ap chahate, to muamala ho jata.'

'to apaka khayal hai, maianne samajhauta nahian hone diya?'

'nahian, yah mera matalab nahian hai. maian itana hi kahana chahata hooan ki ap chahate to kam ho jata aur maian is jhamele mean n p data.'

mistar tankha ne gh di ki taraph dekh kar kaha - to rayasahab, agar ap saf kahalana chahate haian, to sunie - agar apane das hazar ka chaik mere hath par rakh diya hota, to aj nishchay ek lakh ke svami hote. ap shayad chahate hoange, jab apako raja sahab se rupe mil jate, to ap mujhe hajar-do-hazar de dete. to maian aisi kachchi goli nahian khelata. ap raja sahab se rupe le kar tijori mean rakhate aur mujhe aangootha dikha dete. phir maian apaka kya bana leta batalaie? kahian nalish-phariyad bhi to nahian kar sakata tha.

rayasahab ne ahat netroan se dekha - ap mujhe itana beeeman samajhate haian?

tankha ne kurasi se uthate hue kaha - ise beeemani kaun samajhata hai! ajakal yahi chaturaee hai. kaise doosaroan ko ulloo banaya ja sake, yahi saphal niti hai, aur ap isake achary haian.

rayasahab ne mutthi baandh kar kaha - maian?

'ji haan, ap! pahale chunav mean maianne ji-jan se apaki pairavi ki. apane b di mushkil se ro-dho kar paanch sau rupe die, doosare chunav mean apane ek s di-si tooti-phooti kar de kar apana gala chhu daya. doodh ka jala chhachh bhi phooank-phooank kar pita hai.'

vah kamare se nikal ge aur kar lane ka hukm diya.

rayasahab ka khoon khaul raha tha. is ashishtata ki bhi koee had hai! ek to ghante-bhar iantazar karaya aur ab itani bemurauvati se pesh a kar unhean jabaradasti ghar se nikal raha hai. agar unhean vishvas hota ki vah mistar tankha ko patakani de sakate haian, to kabhi n chookate, magar tankha dil-daul mean unase savae the. jab mistar tankha ne harn bajaya, to vah bhi a kar apani kar par baithe aur sidhe mistar khanna ke pas pahuanche.

nau baj rahe the, magar khanna sahab abhi mithi niand ka anand le rahe the. vah do baje rat ke pahale kabhi n sote the aur nau baje tak sona svabhavik hi tha. yahaan bhi rayasahab ko adha ghanta baithana p da, isilie jab koee sadhe nau baje mistar khanna muskarate hue nikale to rayasahab ne daant bataee-achchha! ab sarakar ki niand khuli hai to sadhe nau baje. rupe jama kar lie haian n, jabhi bephikri hai. meri tarah tallukedar hote, to ab tak ap bhi kisi dvar par kh de hote. baithe-baithe sir mean chakkar a jata.

mistar khanna ne sigaret-kes unaki taraph badhate hue prasann mukh se kaha - rat sone mean b di der ho gee. is vakt kidhar se a rahe haian.

rayasahab ne tho de shabdoan mean apani sari kathinaiyaan bayan kar dian. dil mean khanna ko galiyaan dete the, jo unaka sahapathi ho kar bhi sadaiv unhean thagane ki fikr kiya karata tha, magar muanh par usaki khushamad karate the.

khanna ne aisa bhav banaya, mano unhean b di chianta ho gee hai, bole - meri to salah hai, ap elekshan ko goli marean, aur apane saloan par mukadama dayar kar dean. rahi shadi, vah to tin din ka tamasha hai. usake pichhe jerabar hona munasib nahian. kuanvar sahab mere dostoan mean haian, len-den ka koee saval n uthane paega.

rayasahab ne vyang karake kaha - ap yah bhool jate haian mistar khanna ki maian baiankar nahian, tallukedar hooan. kuanvar sahab dahej nahian maangate, unhean eeshvar ne sab kuchh diya hai, lekin ap janate haian, yah meri akeli l daki hai aur usaki maan mar chuki hai. vah aj jianda hoti, to shayad sara ghar luta kar bhi use santosh n hota. tab shayad maian use hath rok kar kharch karane ka adesh deta, lekin ab to maian usaki maan bhi hooan aur bap bhi hooan. agar mujhe apane hriday ka rakt nikal kar bhi dena p de, to maian khushi se de dooanga. is vidhur-jivan mean maianne santan-prem se hi apani atma ki pyas bujhaee hai. donoan bachchoan ke pyar mean hi apane patnivrat ka palan kiya hai. mere lie yah asanbhav hai ki is shubh avasar par apane dil ke araman n nikalooan. maian apane man ko to samajha sakata hooan, par jise maian patni ka adesh samajhata hooan, use nahian samajhaya ja sakata. aur elekshan ke maidan se bhagana bhi mere lie sanbhav nahian hai. maian janata hooan, maian harooanga. raja sahab se mera koee mukabala nahian, lekin raja sahab ko itana zaroor dikha dena chahata hooan ki amarapalasianh narm chara nahian hai.

'aur mudakama dayar karana to avashyak hi hai?'

'usi par to sara daromadar hai. ab ap batalaie, ap meri kya madad kar sakate haian!'

'mere dairektaroan ka is vishay mean jo hukm hai, vah ap janate hi haian. aur raja sahab bhi hamare dairektar haian, yah bhi apako maloom hai. pichhala vasool karane ke lie bar-bar takid ho rahi hai. koee naya muamala to shayad hi ho sake.'

rayasahab ne muanh lataka kar kaha - ap to mera doanga hi dubae dete haian mistar khanna!

'mere pas jo kuchh nij ka hai, vah apaka hai, lekin baiank ke muamale mean to mujhe svamiyoan ke adeshoan ko manana hi p dega.'

'agar yah jayadad hath a gee, aur mujhe isaki poori asha hai, to paee-paee ada kar dooanga.'

'ap batala sakate haian, is vakt ap kitane pani mean haian?'

rayasahab ne hichakate hue kaha - paanch-chh: lakh samajhie. kuchh kam hi hoange.

khanna ne avishvas ke bhav se kaha - ya to apako yad nahian hai, ya ap chhipa rahe haian.

rayasahab ne zor de kar kaha - ji nahian, maian n bhoola hooan, aur n chhipa raha hooan. meri jayadad is vakt kam-se-kam pachas lakh ki hai aur sasural ki jayadad bhi isase kam nahian hai. itani jayadad par das-paanch lakh ka bojh kuchh nahian ke barabar hai.

'lekin yah ap kaise kah sakate haian ki sasurali jayadad par bhi karz nahian hai?'

'jahaan tak mujhe maloom hai, vah jayadad be-dag hai.'

'aur mujhe yah soochana mili hai ki us jayadad par das lakh se kam ka bhar nahian hai. us jayadad par to ab kuchh milane se raha, aur apaki jayadad par bhi mere khayal mean das lakh se kam dena nahian hai. aur yah jayadad ab pachas lakh ki nahian, mushkil se pachis lakh ki hai. is dasha mean koee baiank apako karz nahian de sakata. yoan samajh lijie ki ap jvalamukhi ke mukh par kh de haian. ek halki-si thokar apako patal mean pahuancha sakati hai. apako is mauke par bahut sanbhal kar chalana chahie.'

rayasahab ne unaka hath apani taraph khianch kar kaha - yah sab maian khoob samajhata hooan, mitravar! lekin jivan ki traijedi aur isake siva kya hai ki apaki atma jo kam karana nahian chahati, vahi apako karana p de. apako is mauke par mere lie kam-se-kam do lakh ka iantajam karana p dega.

khanna ne lanbi saans le kar kaha - maee g aaud. do lakh. asanbhav, bilakul asanbhav!

'maian tumhare dvar par sar patak kar pran de dooanga khanna, itana samajh lo. maianne tumhare hi bharose yah sare program baandhe haian. agar tumane nirash kar diya, to shayad mujhe zahar kha lena p de. maian sooryapratapasianh ke samane ghutane nahian tek sakata. kanya ka vivah abhi do-char mahine tal sakata hai. mukadama dayar karane ke lie abhi kafi vakt hai, lekin yah elekshan sir par a gaya hai, aur mujhe sabase b di fikr yahi hai.'

khanna ne chakit ho kar kaha - to ap elekshan mean do lakh laga deange?

'elekshan ka saval nahian hai bhaee, yah ijjat ka saval hai. kya apaki ray mean meri ijjat do lakh ki bhi nahian hai! meri sari riyasat bik jay, gam nahian, magar sooryapratap sianh ko maian asani se vijay n pane dooanga.'

khanna ne ek minat tak dhuaan nikalane ke bad kaha - baiank ki jo sthiti hai, vah maianne apake samane rakh di. baiank ne ek tarah se len-den ka kam band kar diya hai. maian koshish karooanga ki apake sath khas riayat ki jay, lekin business is business yah ap janate haian. mera kamishan kya rahega? mujhe apake lie khas taur par sipharish karani p degi. raja sahab ka any dairektaroan par kitana prabhav hai, yah bhi ap janate haian. mujhe unake khilaf gutabandi karani p degi. yoan samajh lijie ki meri zimmedari par hi muamala hoga.

rayasahab ka muanh gir gaya. khanna unake aantarang mitroan mean the. sath ke padhe hue, sath ke baithane vale. aur vah unase kamishan ki asha rakhate haian, itani bemuravvati? akhir vah jo itane dinoan se khanna ki khushamad karate ate haian, vah kis din ke lie? bag mean phal nikalean, shak-bhaji paida ho, sabase pahale khanna ke pas dali bhejate haian. koee utsav ho, koee jalasa ho, sabase pahale khanna ko nimantran dete haian. usaka yah javab hai? udas man se bole-apaki jo ichchha ho, lekin maian apako bhaee samajhata tha.

khanna ne kritajnata ke bhav se kaha - yah apaki kripa hai. maianne bhi sadaiv apako apana b da bhaee samajha hai aur ab bhi samajhata hooan. kabhi apase koee parda nahian rakha, lekin vyapar ek doosara hi kshetr hai. yahaan koee kisi ka dost nahian, koee kisi ka bhaee nahian. jis tarah maian bhaee ke nate apase yah nahian kah sakata ki mujhe doosaroan se zyada kamishan dijie, usi tarah apako bhi mere kamishan mean riayat ke lie agrah n karana chahie. maian apako vishvas dilata hooan, ki maian jitani riayat apake sath kar sakata hooan, utani karooanga. kal ap daftar ke vakt aean aur likha-padhi kar lean. bas, bisanej khatm. apane kuchh aur suna. mehata sahab ajakal malati par be-tarah rijhe hue haian. sari philasaphi nikal gee. din mean ek-do bar zaroor hajiri de ate haian, aur sham ko aksar donoan sath-sath sair karane nikalate haian. yah to meri hi shan thi ki kabhi malati ke dvar par salami karane n gaya. shayad ab usi ki kasar nikal rahi hai. kahaan to yah hal tha ki jo kuchh haian, mistar khanna haian. koee kam hota, to khanna ke pas dau di atian. jab rupayoan ki zaroorat p dati, to khanna ke nam puraja ati. aur kahaan ab mujhe dekh kar muanh pher leti haian. maianne khas unhian ke lie phraans se ek gh di mangavaee thi. b de shauq se le kar gaya, magar nahian li. abhi kal seboan ki dali bheji thi - kashmir se mangavae the - vapas kar di. mujhe to ashchary hota hai ki adami kaise itani jald badal jata hai.

rayasahab man mean to usaki bekadri par khush hue, par sahanubhooti dikha kar bole - agar yah bhi mane lean ki mehata se usaka prem ho gaya hai, to bhi vyavahar to dane ka koee karan nahian hai.

khanna vyathit svar mean bole - yahi to ranj hai bhaee sahab! yah to maian shuroo se janata tha, vah mere hath nahian a sakati. maian apase saty kahata hooan, maian kabhi is dhokhe mean nahian p da ki malati ko mujhase prem hai. prem-jaisi chiz unase mil sakati hai, isaki maianne kabhi asha hi nahian ki. maian to keval unake roop ka pujari tha. saanp mean vish hai, yah janate hue bhi ham use doodh pilate haian, tote se zyada nithur jiv aur kaun hoga, lekin keval usake roop aur vani par mugdh ho kar log use palate haian. aur sone ke pianjare mean rakhate haian. mere lie bhi malati usi tote ke saman thi. afasos yahi hai ki maian pahale kyoan n chet gaya? isake pichhe maianne apane hajaroan rupe barabad kar die bhaee sahab! jab usaka rookka pahuancha, maianne turant rupe bheje. meri kar aj bhi usaki savari mean hai. usake pichhe maianne apana ghar chaupat kar diya bhaee sahab! hriday mean jitana ras tha, vah oosar ki or itane veg se dau da ki doosari taraph ka udyan bilakul sookha rah gaya. barasoan ho ge, maianne goviandi se dil khol kar bat bhi nahian ki. usaki seva aur sneh aur tyag se mujhe usi tarah aruchi ho gee thi, jaise ajirn ke rogi ko mohanabhog se ho jati hai. malati mujhe usi tarah nachati thi, jaise madari bandar ko nachata hai. aur maian khushi se nachata tha. vah mera apaman karati thi aur maian khushi se hansata tha. vah mujh par shasan karati thi aur maian sir jhukata tha. usane mujhe kabhi muanh nahian lagaya, yah maian svikar karata hooan. usane mujhe kabhi protsahan nahian diya, yah bhi saty hai, phir bhi maian patange ki bhaanti usake mukh-dip par pran deta tha. aur ab vah mujhase shishtachar ka vyavahar bhi nahian kar sakati. lekin bhaee sahab! maian kahe deta hooan ki khanna chup baithane vala adami nahian hai. usake puraje mere pas surakshit haian, maian usase ek-ek paee vasool kar looanga, aur daktar mehata ko to maian lakhanoo se nikal kar dam looanga. unaka rahana yahaan asanbhav kar dooanga?

usi vakt harn ki avaz aee aur ek kshan mean mistar mehata a kar kh de ho ge. gora chitta rang, svasthy ki lalima galoan par chamakati huee, nichi achakan, choo didar pajama, sunahari ainak. saumyata ke devata-se lagate the.

khanna ne uth kar hath milaya - aie mistar mehata, ap hi ka zikr ho raha tha.

mehata ne donoan sajjanoan se hath mila kar kaha - b di achchhi sait mean ghar se chala tha ki ap donoan sahaboan se ek hi jagah bheant ho gee. apane shayad patroan mean dekha hoga, yahaan mahilaoean ke lie vyayamashala ka ayojan ho raha hai. mis malati us kameti ki sabhanetri haian. anuman kiya gaya hai ki shala mean do lakh rupe lageange. nagar mean usaki kitani zaroorat hai, yah ap log mujhase zyada janate haian. maian chahata hooan, ap donoan sahaboan ka nam sabase oopar ho. mis malati khud ane vali thian, par aj unake phadar ki tabiyat achchhi nahian hai, isalie n a sakian.

unhoanne chande ki soochi rayasahab ke hath mean rakh di. pahala nam raja sooryapratap sianh ka tha, jisake samane paanch hazar rupe ki rakam thi. usake bad kuanvar digvijay sianh ke tin hazar rupe the. isake bad kee rakamean itani ya isase kuchh kam thian. malati ne paanch sau rupe die the aur daktar mehata ne ek hazar rupe.

rayasahab ne apratibh ho kar kaha - koee chalis hazar to ap logoan ne phatakar lie. mehata ne garv se kaha - yah sab ap logoan ki daya hai. aur yah keval tinek ghantoan ka parishram hai. raja sooryapratap sianh ne shayad hi kisi sarvajanik kary mean bhag liya ho, par aj to unhoanne be-kahe-sune chaik likh diya. desh mean jagriti hai. janata kisi bhi shubh kam mean sahayog dene ko taiyar hai. keval use vishvas hona chahie ki usake dan ka sadvyay hoga. apase to mujhe b di asha hai, mistar khanna!

khanna ne upeksha-bhav se kaha - maian aise phajool ke kamoan mean nahian p data. n jane ap log pachchhim ki gulami mean kahaan tak jaeange. yoan hi mahilaoan ko ghar se aruchi ho rahi hai. vyayam ki dhun savar ho gee, to vah kahian ki n raheangi. jo aurat ghar ka kam karati hai, usake lie kisi vyayam ki zaroorat nahian. aur jo ghar ka koee kam nahian karati aur keval bhog-vilas mean rat hai, usake vyayam ke lie chanda dena maian adharm samajhata hooan.

mehata jara bhi nirutsah n hue - aisi dasha mean maian apase kuchh maangooga bhi nahian. jis ayojan mean hamean vishvas n ho, usamean kisi tarah ki madad dena vastav mean adharm hai. ap to mistar khanna se sahamat nahian haian rayasahab?

rayasahab gahari chianta mean doobe hue the. sooryapratap ke paanch hazar unhean hatotsah kie dalate the. chauank kar bole - apane mujhase kuchh kaha?

'maianne kaha - ap to is ayojan mean sahayog dena adharm nahian samajhate?'

'jis kam mean ap sharik haian, vah dharm hai ya adharm, isaki maian paravah nahian karata.'

'maian chahata hooan, ap khud vichar karean aur agar ap is ayojan ko samaj ke lie upayogi samajhean, to usamean sahayog dean. mistar khanna ki niti mujhe bahut pasand aee.'

khanna bole - maian to saf kahata hooan aur isilie badanam hooan.

rayasahab ne durbal muskan ke sath kaha - mujhamean to vichar karane ki shakti hi nahian. sajjanoan ke pichhe chalana hi maian apana dharm samajhata hooan.

'to likhie koee achchhi rakam.'

'jo kahie, vah likh dooan.'

'jo apaki ichchha.'

'ap jo kahie, vah likh dooan.'

'to do hazar se kam kya likhiega?'

rayasahab ne ahat svar mean kaha - apaki nigah mean meri yahi haisiyat hai?

unhoanne kalam uthaya aur apana nam likh kar usake samane paanch hazar likh die. mehata ne soochi unake hath se le li, magar unhean utani glani huee ki rayasahab ko dhanyavad dena bhi bhool ge. rayasahab ko chande ki soochi dikha kar unhoanne b da anarth kiya, yah shool unhean vyathit karane laga.

mistar khanna ne rayasahab ko daya aur upahas ki drishti se dekha, mano kah rahe hoan, kitane b de gadhe ho tum!

sahasa mehata rayasahab ke gale lipat ge aur unmukt kanth se bole- Three cheers for Rai sahib, Hip Hip Hurrah!

khanna ne khisiya kar kaha - yah log raje-maharaje thahare, yah in kamoan mean dan n dean, to kaun de?

mehata bole - maian to apako rajaoan ka raja samajhata hooan. ap un par shasan karate haian. unaki choti apake hath mean hai.

rayasahab prasann ho ge - yah apane b de marke ki bat kahi mehata ji! ham nam ke raja haian. asali raja to hamare baiankar haian.

mehata ne khanna ki khushamad ka pahaloo akhtiyar kiya - mujhe apase koee shikayat nahian hai khanna ji! ap abhi is kam mean nahian sharik hona chahate, n sahi, lekin kabhi n kabhi zaroor aeange. lakshmipatiyoan ki badaulat hi hamari b di-b di sansthaean chalati haian. rashtriy aandolan ko do-tin sal tak kisane itani dhoom-dham se chalaya. itani dharmashale aur pathashale kaun banava raha hai? aj sansar ka shasan-sootr baiankaroan ke hath mean hai. sarakarean unake hath ka khilauna haian. maian bhi apase nirash nahian hooan. jo vyakti rashtr ke lie jel ja sakata hai, usake lie do-char hazar kharch kar dena koee b di bat nahian hai. hamane tay kiya hai, is shala ka buniyadi patthar goviandi devi ke hathoan rakha jae. ham donoan shighr hi gavarnar sahab se bhi mileange aur mujhe vishvas hai, hamean unaki sahayata mil jayagi. ledi vilasan ko mahila-aandolan se kitana prem hai, ap janate hi haian. raja sahab ki aur any sajjanoan ki bhi ray thi ki ledi vilasan se hi buniyad rakhavaee jae, lekin aant mean yah nishchay hua ki yah shubh kary kisi apani bahan ke hathoan hona chahie. ap kam-se-kam us avasar par aeange to zaroor?

khanna ne upahas kiya - haan, jab lard vilasan aeange to mera pahuanchana zaroori hi hai. is tarah ap bahut-se reesoan ko phaans leange. ap logoan ko latake khoob soojhate haian. aur hamare rees haian bhi is layak. unhean ulloo bana kar hi mooan da ja sakata hai.

'jab dhan zaroorat se zyada ho jata hai, to apane lie nikas ka marg khojata hai. yoan n nikal paega to jue mean jayaga, ghu dadau d mean jayaga eeant-patthar mean jayaga ya aiyashi mean jayaga.'

gyarah ka amal tha. khanna sahab ke daftar ka samay a gaya. mehata chale ge. rayasahab bhi uthe ki khanna ne unaka hath pak d baitha liya - nahian, ap jara baithie. ap dekh rahe haian, mehata ne mujhe is buri tarah phooanka hai ki nikalane ko koee rasta hi nahian raha. goviandi se buniyad ka patthar rakhavaeange. aisi dasha mean mera alag rahana hasyaspad hai ya nahian? goviandi kaise raji ho gee, meri samajh mean nahian ata aur malati ne kaise use sahan kar liya, yah samajhana aur bhi kathin hai. apaka kya khayal hai, isamean koee rahasy hai ya nahian?

rayasahab ne atmiyata jataee - aise muamale mean stri ko hamesha purush se salah le leni chahie!

khanna ne rayasahab ko dhanyavad ki aankhoan se dekha - inhian batoan par goviandi se mera ji jalata hai, aur us par mujhi ko log bura kahate haian. ap hi sochie, mujhe in jhag doan se kya matalab? inamean to vah p de, jisake pas falatoo rupe hoan falatoo samay ho aur nam ki havas ho. hona yahi hai ki do-char mahashay sekretari aur aandar sekretari aur pradhan aur upapradhan ban kar aphasaroan ko davatean deange, unake kripapatr baneange aur yoonivarsiti ki chhokariyoan ko jama karake bihar kareange. vyayam to keval dikhane ke daant haian. aisi sanstha mean hamesha yahi hota hai aur yahi hoga aur ulloo baneange ham, aur hamare bhaee, jo dhani kahalate haian aur yah sab goviandi ke karan.

vah ek bar kurasi se uthe, phir baith ge. goviandi ke prati unaka krodh prachand hota jata tha. unhoanne donoan hath se sir ko sanbhal kar kaha - maian nahian samajhata, mujhe kya karana chahie.

rayasahab ne thakurasohati ki - kuchh nahian, ap goviandi devi se saf kah dean, tum mehata ko iankari khat likh do, chhutti huee. maian to lag-daant mean phans gaya. ap kyoan phansean?

khanna ne ek kshan is prastav par vichar karake kaha - lekin sochie, kitana mushkil kam hai. ledi vilasan se zikr a chuka hoga, sare shahar mean khabar phail gee hogi aur shayad aj patroan mean bhi nikal jae. yah sab malati ki shararat hai. usi ne mujhe jich karane ka yah dhang nikala hai.

'haan, maloom to yahi hota hai.'

'vah mujhe jalil karana chahati hai.'

'ap shilanyas ke din bahar chale jaiega.'

'mushkil hai rayasahab! kahian muanh dikhane ki jagah n rahegi. us din to mujhe haija bhi ho jae to vahaan jana p dega.'

rayasahab asha baandhe hue kal ane ka vada karake jyoan hi nikale ki khanna ne aandar ja kar goviandi ko a de hathoan liya - tumane is vyayamashala ki nianv rakhana kyoan svikar kiya?

goviandi kaise kahe ki yah samman pa kar vah man mean kitani prasann ho rahi thi. us avasar ke lie kitane manoyog se apana bhashan likh rahi thi aur kitani ojabhari kavita rachi thi. usane dil mean samajha tha, yah prastav svikar karake vah khanna ko prasann kar degi. usaka samman to usake pati ka hi samman hai. khanna ko isamean koee apatti ho sakati hai, isaki usane kalpana bhi n ki thi. idhar kee din se pati ko kuchh saday dekh kar usaka man badhane laga tha. vah apane bhashan se, aur apani kavita se logoan ko mugdh kar dene ka svapn dekh rahi thi.

yah prashn suna aur khanna ki mudra dekhi, to usaki chhati dhak-dhak karane lagi. aparadhi ki bhaanti boli - daktar mehata ne agrah kiya, to maianne svikar kar liya.

'daktar mehata tumhean kuean mean girane ko kahean, to shayad itani khushi se n taiyar hogi!'

goviandi ki jaban band.

'tumhean jab eeshvar ne buddhi nahian di, to kyoan mujhase nahian poochh liya? mehata aur malati donoan yah chal chal kar mujhase do-char hazar aianthane ki fikr mean haian. aur maianne than liya hai ki kau di bhi n dooanga. tum aj hi mehata ko inakari khat likh do.'

goviandi ne ek kshan soch kar kaha - to tumhian likh do n.

'maian kyoan likhooan? bat ki tumane, likhooan maian?'

'daktar sahab karan poochheange, to kya bataooangi?'

'batana apana sir aur kya! maian is vyabhicharashala ko ek dhela bhi nahian dena chahata.'

'to tumhean dene ko kaun kahata hai?'

khanna ne hoanth chaba kar kaha - kaisi besamajhoan ki-si batean karati ho? tum vahaan nianv rakhogi aur kuchh dogi nahian, to sansar kya kahega?

goviandi ne jaise sangin ki nok par kaha - achchhi bat hai, likh dooangi.

'aj hi likhana hoga.'

'kah to diya likhooangi.'

khanna bahar ae aur dak dekhane lage. unhean daftar jane mean der ho jati thi, to chaparasi ghar par hi dak de jata tha. shakkar tej ho gee. khanna ka chehara khil utha. doosari chitti kholi. ookh ki dar niyat karane ke lie jo kameti baithi thi, usane tay kar diya ki aisa niyantran nahian kiya ja sakata. dhat teri ki. vah pahale yahi bat kar rahe the, par is agnihotri ne gul macha kar jabaradasti kameti baithaee. akhir bacha ke muanh par thapp d laga. yah mil valoan aur kisanoan ke bich ka muamala hai. sarakar isamean dakhal dene vali kaun?

sahasa mis malati kar se utarian. kamal ki bhaanti khili, dipak ki bhaanti damakati, sphoorati aur ullas ki pratima-si-nishshank, nirdvandv mano use vishvas hai ki sansar mean usake lie adar aur sukh ka dvar khula hua hai. khanna ne baramade mean a kar abhivadan kiya.

malati ne poochha - kya yahaan mehata ae the?

'haan, ae to the.'

'kuchh kaha - kahaan ja rahe haian?'

'yah to kuchh nahian kaha.'

'jane kahaan dubaki laga ge. maian charoan taraph ghoom aee. apane vyayamashala ke lie kitana diya?'

khanna ne aparadhi-svar mean kaha - maianne abhi is muamale ko samajha hi nahian.

malati ne b di-b di aankhoan se unhean tarera, manoan soch rahi ho ki un par daya kare ya rosh.

'isamean samajhane ki kya bat thi, aur samajh lete age-pichhe, is vakt to kuchh dene ki bat thi. maianne mehata ko thel kar yahaan bheja tha. bechare dar rahe the ki ap n jane kya javab dean. apaki is kanjoosi ka kya phal hoga, ap janate haian? yahaan ke vyapari samaj se kuchh n milega. apane shayad mujhe apamanit karane ka nishchay kar liya hai. sabaki salah thi ki ledi vilasan buniyad rakhean. maianne goviandi devi ka paksh liya aur l d kar sabako raji kiya aur ab ap pharmate haian, apane is muamale ko samajha hi nahian. ap baiankiang ki gutthiyaan samajhate haian, par itani moti bat apaki samajh mean n aee. isaka arth isake siva aur kuchh nahian hai, ki tum mujhe lajjit karana chahate ho. achchhi bat hai, yahi sahi.'

malati ka mukh lal ho gaya. khanna ghabarae, hek di jati rahi, par isake sath hi unhean yah bhi maloom hua ki agar vah kaantoan mean phans ge haian, to malati daladal mean phans gee hai, agar unaki thailiyoan par sankat a p da hai to malati ki pratishtha par sankat a p da hai, jo thailiyoan se zyada moolyavan hai. tab unaka man malati ki duravastha ka anand kyoan n uthae? unhoanne malati ko aradab mean dal diya tha aur yadyapi vah use rusht kar dene ka sahas kho chuke the, par do-char khari-khari batean kah sunane ka avasar pa kar chho dana n chahate the. yah bhi dikha dena chahate the ki maian nira bhoandoo nahian hooan. usaka rasta rok kar bole - tum mujh par itani kripalu ho gee ho, is par mujhe ashchary ho raha hai malati!

malati ne bhavean siko d kar kaha - maian isaka ashay nahian samajhi!

'kya ab mere sath tumhara vahi bartav hai, jo kuchh din pahale tha?'

'maian to usamean koee aantar nahian dekhati.'

'lekin maian to akash-patal ka aantar dekhata hooan.'

'achchha man lo, tumhara anuman thik hai, to phir? maian tumase ek shubh-kary mean sahayata maangane aee hooan, apane vyavahar ki pariksha dene nahian aee hooan. aur agar tum samajhate ho, kuchh chanda de kar tum yash aur dhanyavad ke siva aur kuchh pa sakate ho, to tum bhram mean ho.'

khanna parast ho ge. vah ek aise sankare kone mean phans ge the, jahaan idhar-udhar hilane ka bhi sthan n tha. kya vah usase yah kahane ka sahas rakhate haian ki maianne ab tak tumhare oopar hajaroan rupe luta die, kya usaka yahi puraskar hai? lajja se unaka muanh chhota-sa nikal aya, jaise siku d gaya ho. jheanpate hue bole - mera ashay yah n tha malati, tum bilakul galat samajhian.

malati ne parihas ke svar mean kaha - khuda kare, maianne galat samajha ho, kyoanki agar maian use sach samajh looangi to tumhare sae se bhi bhagooangi. maian roopavati hooan. tum bhi mere anek chahane valoan mean se ek ho. vah meri kripa thi ki jahaan maian auroan ke upahar lauta deti thi, tumhari samany-se-samany chizean bhi dhanyavad ke sath svikar kar leti thi, aur zaroorat p dane par tumase rupe bhi maang leti thi. agar tumane apane dhanonmad mean isaka koee doosara arth nikal liya, to maian tumhean kshama karooangi. yah purush-prakriti hai apavad nahian, magar yah samajh lo ki dhan ne aj tak kisi nari ke hriday par vijay nahian paee, aur n kabhi paega.

khanna ek-ek shabd par mano gaj-gaj bhar niche dhansate jate the. ab aur zyada chot sahane ka unamean jivat n tha. lajjit ho kar bole - malati, tumhare pairoan p data hooan, ab aur jalil n karo. aur n sahi to mitr-bhav to bana rahane do.

yah kahate hue unhoanne daraj se chekabuk nikali aur ek hazar likh kar darate-darate malati ki taraph badhaya.

malati ne chaik le kar nirday vyang kiya - yah mere vyavahar ka mooly hai ya vyayamashala ka chanda?

khanna sajal aankhoan se bole - ab meri jan bakhsho malati, kyoan mere muanh mean kalikh pot rahi ho.

malati ne zor se kahakaha mara - dekho, daant bataee aur ek hazar rupe bhi vasool kie. ab to tum kabhi aisi shararat n karoge?

'kabhi nahian, jite ji kabhi nahian.'

'kan pak do.'

'kan pak data hooan, magar ab tum daya karake jao aur mujhe ekaant mean baith kar sochane aur rone do. tumane aj mere jivan ka sara anand……...'

malati aur zor se hansi - dekho, tum mera bahut apaman kar rahe ho aur tum janate ho, roop apaman nahian sah sakata. maianne to tumhare sath bhalaee ki aur tum use buraee samajh rahe ho.

khanna vidroh-bhari aankhoan se dekh kar bole - tumane mere sath bhalaee ki hai ya ulati chhuri se mera gala reta hai?

'kyoan, maian tumhean loot-loot kar apana ghar bhar rahi thi. tum us loot se bach ge.'

'kyoan ghav par namak chhi dak rahi ho malati! maian bhi adami hooan.'

malati ne is tarah khanna ki or dekha, mano nishchay karana chahati thi ki vah adami hai ya nahian?

'abhi to mujhe isaka koee lakshan nahian dikhaee deta.'

'tum bilakul paheli ho, aj yah sabit ho gaya.'

'haan, tumhare lie paheli hooan aur paheli rahooangi.'

yah kahati huee vah pakshi ki bhaanti phurr se u d gee aur khanna sir par hath rakh kar sochane lage, yah lila hai ya isaka sachcha roop.

sanbandhit lekh

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