गोदान उपन्यास भाग-4

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

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hori ko rat-bhar niand nahian aee. nim ke pe d-tale apane baans ki khat par p da bar-bar taroan ki or dekhata tha. gay ke lie naand ga dani hai. bailoan se alag usaki naand rahe to achchha. abhi to rat ko bahar hi rahegi, lekin chaumase mean usake lie koee doosari jagah thik karani hogi. bahar log najar laga dete haian. kabhi-kabhi to aisa tona-totaka kar dete haian ki gay ka doodh hi sookh jata hai. than mean hath hi nahian lagane deti - lat marati hai. nahian, bahar baandhana thik nahian. aur bahar naand bhi kaun ga dane dega? karianda sahab najar ke lie muanh phailaeange. chhoti-chhoti bat ke lie rayasahab ke pas phariyad le jana bhi uchit nahian. aur kariande ke samane meri sunata kaun hai? unase kuchh kahooan, to karianda dusaman ho jae. jal mean rah kar magar se bair karana bu dabakapan hai. bhitar hi baandhooanga. aangan hai to chhota-sa; lekin ek m daiya dal dene se kam chal jayaga. abhi pahala hi byan hai. paanch ser se kam kya doodh degi. ser-bhar to gobar hi ko chahie. rupiya doodh dekh kar kaisi lalachati rahati hai. ab pie jitana chahe. kabhi-kabhi do-char ser malikoan ko de aya karooanga. karianda sahab ki pooja bhi karani hi hogi. aur bhola ke rupe bhi de dena chahie. sagaee ke dhakosale mean use kyoan dalooan. jo adami apane oopar itana vishvas kare, usase daga karana nichata hai. assi rupe ki gay mere vishvas par de di, nahian yahaan to koee ek paise ko nahian patiyata. san mean kya kuchh n milega? agar pachchis rupe bhi de dooan, to bhola ko dhadhas ho jae. dhaniya se nahak bata diya. chupake se gay la kar baandh deta to chakara jati. lagati poochhane, kisaki gay hai? kahaan se lae ho? khoob dik karake tab batata, lekin jab pet mean bat pache bhi. kabhi do-char paise oopar se a jate hai, unako bhi to nahian chhipa sakata. aur yah achchha bhi hai. use ghar ki chianta rahati hai; agar use maloom ho jay ki inake pas bhi paise rahate haian, to phir nakh de bagharane lage. gobar jara alasi hai, nahian maian goo ki aisi seva karata ki jaisi chahie. alasi-valasi kuchh nahian hai. is umir mean kaun alasi nahian hota? maian bhi dada ke samane mataragasti hi kiya karata tha. bechare pahar rat se kutti katane lagate. kabhi dvar par jha doo lagate, kabhi khet mean khad pheankate. maian p da sota rahata. kabhi jaga dete, to maian big d jata aur ghar chho d kar bhag jane ki dhamaki deta tha. l dake jab apane maan-bap ke samane bhi ziandagi ka tho da-sa sukh n bhogeange, to phir jab apane sir p d gee to kya bhogeange? dada ke marate hi kya maianne ghar nahian sanbhal liya? sara gaanv yahi kahata tha ki hori ghar barbad kar dega, lekin sir par bojh p date hi maianne aisa chola badala ki log dekhate rah ge. sobha aur hira alag hi ho ge, nahian aj is ghar ki aur hi bat hoti. tin hal ek sath chalate. ab tinoan alag-alag chalate haian. sab, samay ka pher hai. dhaniya ka kya dosh tha? bechari jab se ghar mean aee, kabhi to aram se n baithi. doli se utarate hi sara kam sir par utha liya. ammaan ko pan ki tarah pherati rahati thi. jisane ghar ke pichhe apane ko mita diya, devaraniyoan se kam karane ko kahati thi, to kya bura karati thi? akhir use bhi to kuchh aram milana chahie. lekin bhagy mean aram likha hota tab to milata. tab devaroan ke lie marati thi, ab apane bachchoan ke lie marati hai. vah itani sidhi, gamakhor, nirchhal n hoti, to aj sobha aur hira jo mooanchhoan par tav dete phirate haian, kahian bhikh maangate hote. adami kitana svarthi ho jata hai. jisake lie maro, vahi jan ka dusaman ho jata hai.

hori ne phir poorv ki or dekha. sait bhinasar ho raha hai. gobar kahe ko jagane laga. nahian, kahake to yahi soya tha ki maian aandhare hi chala jaooanga. ja kar naand to ga d dooan, lekin nahian, jab tak gay dvar par n a jay, naand ga dana thik nahian. kahian bhola badal ge ya aur kisi karan se gay n di, to sara gaanv taliyaan pitane lagega, chale the gay lene! patthe ne itani phurti se naand ga d di, mano isi ki kasar thi. bhola hai to apane ghar ka malik, lekin jab l dake sayane ho ge, to bap ki kaun chalati hai? kamata aur jangi ak d jayan to kya bhola apane man se gay mujhe de deange? kabhi nahian.

sahasa gobar chauank kar uth baitha aur aankhean malata hua bola - are! yah to bhor ho gaya. tumane naand ga d di dada?

hori gobar ke sugathit sharir aur chau di chhati ki or garv se dekh kar aur man mean yah sochate hue ki kahian ise goras milata, to kaisa pattha ho jata, bola - nahian, abhi nahian ga di. socha, kahian n mile, to nahak bhadd ho.

gobar ne tyori chadha kar kaha - milegi kyoan nahian?

'unake man mean koee chor paith jay?'

'chor paithe ya day, gay to unhean deni hi p degi.'

gobar ne aur kuchh n kaha - lathi kandhoan par rakhi aur chal diya. hori use jate dekhata hua apana kaleja thanda karata raha. ab l dake ki sagaee mean der n karani chahie. satrahavaan lag gaya; magar kare kaise? kahian paise ke bhi darasan hoan. jab se tinoan bhaiyoan mean alagaujha ho gaya, ghar ki sakh jati rahi. mahato l daka dekhane ate haian, par ghar ki dasa dekh kar muanh phika karake chale jate haian. do-ek raji bhi hue, to rupe maangate haian. do-tin sau l daki ka dam chukae aur itana hi oopar se kharach kare, tab ja kar byah ho. kahaan se avean itane rupe? ras khalihan mean tul jati hai. khane-bhar ko bhi nahian bachata. byah kahaan se ho? aur ab to sona byahane yogy ho gee. l dake ka byah n hua n sahi. l daki ka byah n hua, to sari biradari mean hansi hogi. pahale to usi ki sagaee karani hai, pichhe dekhi jayagi .

ek adami ne a kar ram-ram kiya aur poochha - tumhari kothi mean kuchh baans hoange mahato?

hori ne dekha, dam di bansor samane kh da hai, nata, kala, khoob mota, chau da muanh, b di-b di mooanchhean, lal aankhean, kamar mean baans katane ki katar khoanse hue. sal mean ek-do bar a kar chikean, kursiyaan, modhe, tokariyaan adi banane ke lie kuchh baans kat le jata tha.

hori prasann ho gaya. mutthi garm hone ki kuchh asha bandhi. chaudhari ko le ja kar apane tinoan kothiyaan dikhaee, mol-bhav kiya aur pachchis rupe saik de mean pachas baansoan ka bayana le liya. phir donoan laute. hori ne use chilam pilaee, jalapan karaya aur tab rahasyamay bhav se bola - mere baans kabhi tis rupe se kam mean nahian jate, lekin tum ghar ke adami ho, tumase kya mol-bhav karata. tumhara vah l daka, jisaki sagaee huee thi, abhi parades se lauta ki nahian?

chaudhari ne chilam ka dam laga kar khaansate hue kaha - us lauande ke pichhe to mar mita mahato! javan bahoo ghar mean baithi thi aur vah biradari ki ek doosari aurat ke sath parades mean mauj karane chal diya. bahoo bhi doosare ke sath nikal gee. b di nakis jat hai mahato, kisi ki nahian hoti. kitana samajhaya ki too jo chahe kha, jo chahe pahan, meri nak n katava, muda kaun sunata hai? aurat ko bhagavan sab kuchh de, roop n de, nahian to vah kaboo mean nahian rahati. kothiyaan to bant gee hoangi?

hori ne akash ki or dekha aur mano usaki mahanata mean u data hua bola - sab kuchh bant gaya chaudhari ! jinako l dakoan ki tarah pala-posa, vah ab barabar ke hissedar haian, lekin bhaee ka hissa khane ki apane niyat nahian hai. idhar tumase rupe mileange, udhar donoan bhaiyoan ko baant dooanga. char din ki ziandagi mean kyoan kisi se chhal-kapat karooan? nahian kah dooan ki bis rupe saik de mean beche haian to unhean kya pata lagega. tum unase kahane tho de hi jaoge. tumhean to maianne barabar apana bhaee samajha hai.

vyavahar mean ham 'bhaee' ke arth ka kitana hi durupayog karean, lekin usaki bhavana mean jo pavitrata hai, vah hamari kalima se kabhi malin nahian hoti.

hori ne apratyaksh roop se yah prastav karake chaudhari ke muanh ki or dekha ki vah svikar karata hai ya nahian. usake mukh par kuchh aisa mithya vinit bhav prakat hua, jo bhiksha maangate samay mote bhikshukoan par a jata hai.

chaudhari ne hori ka asan pa kar chabuk jamaya - hamara tumhara purana bhaee-chara hai, mahato, aisi bat hai bhala, lekin bat yah hai ki eeman adami bechata hai, to kisi lalach se. bis rupe nahian, maian pandrah rupe kahooanga, lekin jo bis rupe ke dam lo.

hori ne khisiya kar kaha - tum to chaudhari aandher karate ho, bis rupe mean kahian aise baans jate haian?

'aise kya, isase achchhe baans jate haian das rupe par, haan, das kos aur pachchhim chale jao. mol baans ka nahian hai, sahar ke nagich hone ka hai. adami sochata hai, jitani der vahaan jane mean lagegi, utani der mean to do-char rupe ka kam ho jayaga.'

sauda pat gaya. chaudhari ne mirjee utar kar chhan par rakh di aur baans katane laga.

ookh ki sianchaee ho rahi thi. hira-bahoo kaleva le kar kuean par ja rahi thi. chaudhari ko baans katate dekh kar ghooanghat ke aandar se boli - kaun baans katata hai? yahaan baans n kateange.

chaudhari ne hath rok kar kaha - baans mol lie haian, pandrah rupe saik de ka bayana hua hai. seant mean nahian kat rahe haian.

hira-bahoo apane ghar ki malakin thi. usi ke vidroh se bhaiyoan mean alagaujha hua tha. dhaniya ko parast karake sher ho gee thi. hira kabhi-kabhi use pitata tha. abhi hal mean itana mara tha ki vah kee din tak khat se n uth saki, lekin apana padadhikar vah kisi tarah n chho dati thi. hira krodh mean use marata tha, lekin chalata tha usi ke isharoan par, us gho de ki bhaanti, jo kabhi-kabhi svami ko lat mar kar bhi usi ke asan ke niche chalata hai.

kaleve ki tokari sir se utar kar boli - pandrah rupe mean hamare baans n jaeange.

chaudhari aurat jat se is vishay mean batachit karana niti-viruddh samajhate the. bole - ja kar apane adami ko bhej do. jo kuchh kahana ho, a kar kahean.

hira-bahoo ka nam tha punni. bachche do hi hue the. lekin dhal gee thi. banav-siangar se samay ke aghat ka shaman karana chahati thi, lekin grihasthi mean bhojan hi ka thikana n tha, siangar ke lie paise kahaan se ate? is abhav aur vivashata ne usaki prakriti ka jal sukha kar kathor aur shushk bana diya tha, jis par ek bar gav da bhi uchat jata tha.

samip a kar chaudhari ka hath pak dane ki cheshta karati huee boli - adami ko kyoan bhej dooan? jo kuchh kahana ho, mujhase kaho n? maianne kah diya, mere baans n kateange.

chaudhari hath chhu data tha aur punni bar-bar pak d leti thi. ek minat tak yahi hatha-paee hoti rahi. aant mean chaudhari ne use zor se pichhe dhakel diya. punni dhakka kha kar gir p di, magar phir sanbhali aur paanv se talli nikal kar chaudhari ke sir, muanh, pith par aandhadhuandh jamane lagi. bansor ho kar use dhakel de? usaka yah apaman! marati jati thi aur roti bhi jati thi. chaudhari use dhakka de kar nari jati par bal ka prayog karake gachcha kha chuka tha. kh de-kh de mar khane ke siva is sankat se bachane ki usake pas aur koee dava n thi.

punni ka rona sun kar hori bhi dau da hua aya. punni ne use dekh kar aur zor se chillana shuroo kiya. hori ne samajha, chaudhari ne puniya ko mara hai. khoon ne josh mara aur alagaujhe ki ooanchi badha ko to data hua, sab kuchh apane aandar sametane ke lie bahar nikal p da. chaudhari ko zor se ek lat jama kar bola - ab apana bhala chahate ho chaudhari, to yahaan se chale jao, nahian tumhari lahas uthegi. tumane apane ko samajha kya hai? tumhari itani majal ki meri bahoo par hath uthao.

chaudhari kasamean kha-kha kar apane saphaee dene laga. talliyoan ki chot mean usaki aparadhi atma maun thi. yah lat use niraparadh mili aur usake phule hue gal aansuoan se bhig ge. usane to bahoo ko chhua bhi nahian. kya vah itana ganvar hai ki mahato ke ghar ki auratoan par hath uthaega?

hori ne avishvas karake kaha - aankhoan mean dhool mat jhoanko chaudhari, tumane kuchh kaha nahian, to bahoo jhooth-mooth roti hai? rupe ki garami hai, to vah nikal di jayagi, alag haian to kya hua, hai to ek khoon. koee tirachhi aankh se dekhe to aankh nikal lean.

punni chandi bani huee thi. gala ga d kar boli - toone mujhe dhakka de kar gira nahian diya? kha ja apane bete ki kasam.

hira ko khabar mili ki chaudhari aur puniya mean l daee ho rahi hai. chaudhari ne puniya ko dhakka diya. puniya ne talliyoan se pita. usane pur vahian chho da aur auangi lie ghatanasthal ki or chala. gaanv mean apane krodh ke lie prasiddh tha. chhota dil, gatha hua sharir, aankhean kau di ki tarah nikal aee thian aur gardan ki nasean tan gee thian, magar use chaudhari par krodh n tha, krodh tha puniya par. vah kyoan chaudhari se l di? kyoan usaki ijjat mitti mean mila di. bansor se l dane-jhag dane ka use kya prayojan tha? use ja kar hira se samachar kah dena chahie tha. hira jaisa uchit samajhata, karata. vah usase l dane kyoan gee? usaka bas hota, to vah puniya ko parde mean rakhata. puniya kisi b de se muanh khol kar batean kare, yah use asahy tha. vah khud jitana uddand tha, puniya ko utana hi shaant rakhana chahata tha. jab bhaiya ne pandrah rupe mean sauda kar liya, to yah bich mean koodane vali kaun.

ate hi usane punni ka hath pak d liya aur ghasitata hua alag le jakar laga latean jamane-haramajadi, too hamari nak katane par lagi huee hai! too chhote-chhote adamiyoan se l dati phirati hai, kisaki pag di nichi hoti hai bata! (ek lat aur jama kar) ham to vahaan kaleoo ki bat dekh rahe haian, too yahaan l daee thane baithi hai. itani besarmi! aankh ka pani aisa gir gaya. khod kar ga d dooanga.

punni hay-hay karati jati thi aur kosati jati thi. 'teri mitti uthe, tujhe haija ho jay, tujhe mari avean, devi maiya tujhe lil jayan, tujhe inphlooeanja ho jae. bhagavan kare, too kodhi ho jae. hath-paanv kat-kat girean.'

aur galiyaan to hira kh da-kh da sunata raha, lekin yah pichhali gali use lag gee. haija, mari adi mean koee vishesh kasht n tha. idhar bimar p de, udhar vida ho ge, lekin kodh! yah ghinauni maut, aur usase bhi ghinauna jivan. vah tilamila utha, daant pisata hua puniya par jhapata aur jhote pak d kar phir usaka sir zamin par rag data hua bola - hath-paanv kat kar gir jaeange to maian tujhe le kar chatooanga. too hi mere bal-bachchoan ko palegi? aian! too hi itani b di girasti chalaegi? too to doosara bhatar karake kinare kh di ho jayagi.

chaudhari ko puniya ki is durgati par daya a gee. hira ko udaratapoorvak samajhane laga - hira mahato, ab jane do, bahut hua. kya hua, bahoo ne mujhe mara. maian to chhota nahian ho gaya. dhany bhag ki bhagavan ne yah din to dikhaya.

hira ne chaudhari ko daanta - tum chup raho chaudhari, nahian mere krodh mean p d jaoge to bura hoga. auratajat isi tarah bahakati hai. aj ko tumase l d gee, kal ko doosaroan se l d jayagi. tum bhale manus ho, hans kar tal ge, doosara to baradas n karega. kahian usane bhi hath chho d diya, to kitani abaroo rah jayagi, batao.

is khayal ne usake krodh ko phir bh dakaya. lapaka tha ki hori ne dau d kar pak d liya aur use pichhe hatate hue bola - are, ho to gaya. dekh to liya duniya ne ki b de bahadur ho. ab kya use pis kar pi jaoge?

hira ab bhi b de bhaee ka adab karata tha. sidhe-sidhe n l data tha. chahata to ek jhatake mean apana hath chhu da leta, lekin itani beadabi n kar saka. chaudhari ki or dekh kar bola - ab kh de kya takate ho? ja kar apane baans kato. maianne sahi kar diya. pandrah rupe saik de mean tay hai.

kahaan to punni ro rahi thi. kahaan jhamak kar uthi aur apana sir pit kar boli - laga de ghar mean ag, mujhe kya karana hai! bhag phoot gaya ki tujh jaise kasaee ke pale p di. laga de ghar mean ag.

usane kaleoo ki tokari vahian chho d di aur ghar ki or chali. hira garaja - vahaan kahaan jati hai, chal kuean par, nahian khoon pi jaooanga.

puniya ke paanv rook ge. is natak ka doosara aank n khelana chahati thi. chupake se tokari utha kar roti huee kuean ki or chali. hira bhi pichhe-pichhe chala.

hori ne kaha - ab phir mar-dha d n karana. isase aurat besaram ho jati hai.

dhaniya ne dvar par a kar haank lagaee - tum vahaan kh de-kh de kya tamasa dekh rahe ho? koee tumhari sunata bhi hai ki yoan hi sichchha de rahe ho. us din isi bahoo ne tumhean ghooanghat ki a d mean dadhijar kaha tha, bhool ge. bahuriya ho kar parae maradoan se l degi, to daanti n jayagi.

hori dvar par a kar natakhatapan ke sath bola - aur jo maian isi tarah tujhe marooan?

'kya kabhi mara nahian hai, jo marane ki sadh bani huee hai.'

'itani bedaradi se marata, to too ghar chho d kar bhag jati! puniya b di gamakhor hai.'

'oho! aise hi to b de daradavale ho. abhi tak mar ka dag bana hua hai. hira marata hai to dularata bhi hai. tumane khali marana sikha, dular karana sikha hi nahian. maian hi aisi hooan ki tumhare sath nibah hua.

'achchha rahane de, bahut apana bakhan n kar! too hi rooth-rooth naihar bhagati thi. jab mahinoan khusamad karata tha, tab ja kar ati thi.'

'jab apane garaj satati thi, tab manane jate the lala! mere dular se nahian jate the.'

'isi se to maian sabase tera bakhan karata hooan.'

vaivahik jivan ke prabhat mean lalasa apane gulabi madakata ke sath uday hoti hai aur hriday ke sare akash ko apane madhury ki sunahari kiranoan se ranjit kar deti hai. phir madhyahn ka prakhar tap ata hai, kshan-kshan par bagule uthate haian aur prithvi kaanpane lagati hai. lalasa ka sunahara avaran hat jata hai aur vastavikata apane nagn roop mean samane a kh di hoti hai. usake bad vishramamay sandhya ati hai, shital aur shaant, jab ham thake hue pathikoan ki bhaanti din-bhar ki yatra ka vrittaant karate aur sunate haian tatasth bhav se, mano ham kisi ooanche shikhar par ja baithe haian, jahaan niche ka jan-rav ham tak nahian pahuanchata.

dhaniya ne aankhoan mean ras bhar kar kaha - chalo-chalo, b de bakhan karane vale! jara-sa koee kam big d jay, to garadan par savar ho jate ho.

hori ne mithe ulahane ke sath kaha - le, ab yahi teri beiansaphi mujhe achchhi nahian lagati dhaniya! bhola se poochh, maianne unase tere bare mean kya kaha tha?

dhaniya ne bat badal kar kaha - dekho, gobar gay le kar ata hai ki khali hath.

chaudhari ne pasine mean lathapath a kar kaha - mahato, chal kar baans gin lo. kal thela la kar utha le jaooanga.

hori ne baans ginane ki zaroorat n samajhi. chaudhari aisa adami nahian hai. phir ekadh baans besi kat hi lega, to kya. roj hi to mangani baans katate rahate haian. sahalagoan mean to mandap banane ke lie log darjanoan baans kat le jate haian.

chaudhari ne sadhe sat rupe nikal kar usake hath mean rakh die. hori ne ginakar kaha - aur nikalo. hisab se dhaee aur hote haian.

chaudhari ne bemurauvati se kaha - pandrah rupe mean tay hue haian ki nahian?

'pandrah rupe mean nahian, bis rupe mean.'

'hira mahato ne tumhare samane pandrah rupe kahe the. kaho to bula laooan?'

'tay to bis rupe mean hi hue the chaudhari ! ab tumhari jit hai, jo chaho kaho. dhaee rupe nikalate haian, tum do hi de do.'

magar chaudhari kachchi goliyaan n khela tha. ab use kisaka dar? hori ke muanh mean to tala p da hua tha. kya kahe, matha thoank kar rah gaya. bas itana bola - yah achchhi bat nahian hai, chaudhari, do rupe daba kar raja n ho jaoge.

chaudhari tikshn svar mean bola - aur tum kya bhaiyoan ke tho de-se paise daba kar raja ho jaoge? dhaee rupe par apana eeman biga d rahe the, us par mujhe upades dete ho. abhi parada khol dooan, to sir nicha ho jae.

hori par jaise saik doan joote p d ge. chaudhari to rupe samane zamin par rakh kar chala gaya, par vah nim ke niche baitha b di der tak pachhatata raha. vah kitana lobhi aur svarthi hai, isaka use aj pata chala. chaudhari ne dhaee rupe de die hote, to vah khushi se kitana phool uthata. apane chalaki ko sarahata ki baithe-baithae dhaee rupe mil ge. thokar kha kar hi to ham savadhani ke sath pag uthate haian.

dhaniya aandar chali gee thi. bahar aee to rupe zamin par p de dekhe, gin kar boli - aur rupe kya hue, das n chahie?

hori ne lanba muanh bana kar kaha - hira ne pandrah rupe mean de die, to maian kya karata.

'hira paanch rupe mean de de. ham nahian dete in damoan.'

'vahaan mar-pit ho rahi thi. maian bich mean kya bolata?'

hori ne apane parajay apane man mean hi dal li, jaise koee chori se am to dane ke lie pe d par chadhe aur gir p dane par dhool jha data hua uth kh da ho ki koee dekh n le. jit kar ap apane dhokhebajiyoan ki diang mar sakate haian, jit mean sab-kuchh maph hai. har ki lajja to pi jane ki hi vastu hai.

dhaniya pati ko phatakarane lagi. aise avasar use bahut kam milate the. hori usase chatur tha, par aj bazi usake hath thi. hath mataka kar boli - kyoan n ho, bhaee ne pandrah rupe kah die, to tum kaise tokate? are, ram-ram! la dale bhaee ka dil chhota ho jata ki nahian! phir jab itana b da anarth ho raha tha ki la dali bahoo ke gale par chhuri chal rahi thi, to bhala tum kaise bolate! us bakhat koee tumhara sarabas loot leta, to bhi tumhean sudha n hoti.

hori chupachap sunata raha. minaka tak nahian. jhuanjhalahat huee, krodh aya, khoon khaula, aankh jali, daant pise, lekin bola nahian. chupake-se kudal uthaee aur ookh go dane chala.

dhaniya ne kudal chhin kar kaha - kya abhi sabera hai jo ookh go dane chale? sooraj devata mathe par a ge. nahane-dhone jav. roti taiyar hai.

hori ne ghunna kar kaha - mujhe bhookh nahian hai.

dhaniya ne jale par non chhi daka - haan, kahe ko bhookh lagegi! bhaee ne bade-b de laddoo khila die haian n. bhagavan aise sapoot bhaee sabako dean.

hori big da. aur krodh ab rassiyaan tu da raha tha? too aj mar khane par lagi huee hai!

dhaniya ne nakali vinay ka natak karake kaha - kya karooan, tum dular hi itana karate ho ki mera sir phir gaya hai.

'too ghar mean rahane degi ki nahian?'

'ghar tumhara, malik tum, maian bhala kaun hoti hooan tumhean ghar se nikalane vali?'

hori aj dhaniya se kisi tarah pesh nahian pa sakata. usaki akl jaise kuand ho gee hai. in vyangy-banoan ke rokane ke lie usake pas koee dhal nahian hai. dhire se kudal rakh di aur gamachha le kar nahane chala gaya. lauta koee adha ghante mean, magar gobar abhi tak n aya tha. akele kaise bhojan kare. lauanda vahaan ja kar so raha. bhola ki vah madamati chhokari hai n jhuniya. usake sath hansi-dillagi kar raha hoga. kal bhi to usake pichhe laga hua tha. nahian gay di, to laut kyoan nahian aya. kya vahaan dhee dega.

dhaniya ne kaha - ab kh de kya ho? gobar saanjh ko aega.

hori ne aur kuchh n kaha - kahian dhaniya phir n kuchh kah baithe.

bhojan karake nim ki chhaanh mean let raha.

roopa roti huee aee. nange badan ek langoti lagae, jhabare bal idhar-udhar bikhare hue. hori ki chhati par lot gee. usaki b di bahin sona kahati hai - gay aegi, to usaka gobar maian pathooangi. roopa yah nahian bardasht kar sakati hai. sona aisi kahaan ki b di rani hai ki sara gobar ap path dale. roopa usase kis bat mean kam hai? sona roti pakati hai, to kya roopa bartan nahian maanjati? sona pani lati hai, to kya roopa kuean par rassi nahian le jati? sona to kalasa bhar kar ithalati chali ati hai. rassi samet kar roopa hi lati hai. gobar donoan sath pathati haian. sona khet go dane jati hai, to kya roopa bakari charane nahian jati? phir sona kyoan akeli gobar pathegi? yah anyay roopa kaise sahe? hori ne usake bholepan par mugdh ho kar kaha - nahian, gay ka gobar too parthana! sona gay ke pas ay to bhaga dena.

roopa ne pita ke gale mean hath dal kar kaha - doodh bhi maian hi duhooangi.

'haan-haan, too n duhegi to aur kaun duhega?'

'vah meri gay hogi.'

'haan, solahoan ane teri.'

roopa prasann ho kar apane vijay ka shubh samachar parajit sona ko sunane chali gee. gay meri hogi, usaka doodh maian duhooangi, usaka gobar maian pathooangi, tujhe kuchh n milega.

sona umr se kishori, deh ke gathan mean yuvati aur buddhi se balika thi, jaise usaka yauvan use age khianchata tha, balapan pichhe. kuchh batoan mean itani chatur ki grejuet yuvatiyoan ko padhae, kuchh batoan mean itani alh d ki shishuoan se bhi pichhe. lanba, rookha, kiantu prasann mukh, tho di niche ko khianchi huee, aankhoan mean ek prakar ki tripti, n keshoan mean tel, n aankhoan mean kajal, n deh par koee abhooshan, jaise grihasthi ke bhar ne yauvan ko daba kar bauna kar diya ho.

sir ko ek jhataka de kar boli - ja, too gobar path. jab too doodh duh kar rakhegi to maian pi jaooangi.

'maian doodh ki haan di tale mean band karake rakhooangi.'

'maian tala to d kar doodh nikal laooangi.'

yah kahati huee vah bag ki taraph chal di. am gadara ge the. hava ke jhoankoan se ekadh zamin par gir p date the, loo ke mare chuchake, pile, lekin bal-vriand unhean tapake samajh kar bag ko ghere rahate the. roopa bhi bahan ke pichhe ho li. jo kam sona kare, vah roopa zaroor karegi. sona ke vivah ki batachit ho rahi thi, roopa ke vivah ki koee charcha nahian karata, isalie vah svayan apane vivah ke lie agrah karati hai. usaka doolha kaisa hoga, kya-kya laega, use kaise rakhega, use kya khilaega, kya pahanaega, isaka vah b da vishad varnan karati, jise sun kar kadachit koee balak usase vivah karane par raji n hota.

saanjh ho rahi thi. hori aisa alasaya ki ookh go dane n ja saka. bailoan ko naand mean lagaya, sani-khali di aur ek chilam bhar kar pine laga. is phasal mean sab kuchh khalihan mean taul dene par bhi koee tin sau karz tha, jis par koee sau rupe sood ke badhate jate the. mangaroo sah se aj paanch sal hue, bail ke lie sath rupe lie the, usamean sath de chuka tha, par vah sath rupe jyoan-ke-tyoan bane hue the. datadin pandit se tis rupe le kar aloo boe the. aloo to chor khod le ge, aur us tis ke in tin barasoan mean sau ho ge the. dulari vidhava sahuain thi, jo gaanv mean non, tel, tanbakoo ki dukan rakhe hue thi. bantavare ke samay usase chalis rupe le kar bhaiyoan ko dena p da tha. usake bhi lagabhag sau rupe ho ge the, kyoanki ane rupe ka byaj tha. lagan ke bhi abhi pachchis rupe baki p de hue the aur dashahare ke din shagun ke rupayoan ka bhi koee prabandh karana tha. baansoan ke rupe b de achchhe samay par mil ge. shagun ki samasya hal ho jayagi, lekin kaun jane. yahaan to ek dhola bhi hath mean a jay, to gaanv mean shor mach jata hai, aur lenadar charoan taraph se nochane lagate haian. ye paanch rupe to vah shagun mean dega, chahe kuchh ho jay, magar abhi ziandagi ke do b de-b de kam sir par savar the. gobar aur sona ka vivah. bahut hath baandhane par bhi tin sau se kam kharch n hoange. ye tin sau kisake ghar se aeange? kitana chahata hai ki kisi se ek paisa karz n le, jisaka ata ho, usaka paee-paee chuka de, lekin har tarah ka kasht uthane par bhi gala nahian chhootata. isi tarah sood badhata jayaga aur ek din usaka ghar-dvar sab nilam ho jayaga usake bal-bachche nirashray ho kar bhikh maangate phireange. hori jab kam-dhandhoan se chhutti pa kar chilam pine lagata tha, to yah chianta ek kali divar ki bhaanti charoan or se gher leti thi, jisamean se nikalane ki use koee gali n soojhati thi. agar santosh tha to yahi ki yah vipatti akele usi ke sir n thi. pray: sabhi kisanoan ka yahi hal tha. adhikaansh ki dasha to isase bhi badatar thi. sobha aur hira ko usase alag hue abhi kul tin sal hue the, magar donoan par char-char sau ka bojh lad gaya tha. jhiangur do hal ki kheti karata hai. us par ek hazar se kuchh besi hi dena hai. jiyavan mahato ke ghar, bhikhari bhikh bhi nahian pata, lekin karaje ka koee thikana nahian. yahaan kaun bacha hai?

sahasa sona aur roopa donoan dau di huee aeean aur ek sath bolian - bhaiya gay la rahe haian. age-age gay, pichhe-pichhe bhaiya haian.

roopa ne pahale gobar ko ate dekha tha. yah khabar sunane ki surkharooee use milani chahie thi. sona barabar ki hissedar huee jati hai, yah usase kaise saha jata?

usane age badh kar kaha - pahale maianne dekha tha. tabhi dau di. bahan ne to pichhe se dekha.

sona is dave ko svikar n kar saki. boli - toone bhaiya ko kahaan pahachana? too to kahati thi, koee gay bhagi a rahi hai. maianne hi kaha - bhaiya haian.

donoan phir bag ki taraph dau dian, gay ka svagat karane ke lie.

dhaniya aur hori donoan gay baandhane ka prabandh karane lage. hori bola - chalo, jaldi se naand ga d dean.

dhaniya ke mukh par javani chamak uthi thi. nahian, pahale thali mean tho da-sa ata aur gu d ghol kar rakh dean. bechari dhoop mean chali hogi. pyasi hogi. tum ja kar naand ga do, maian gholati hooan.

'kahian ek ghanti p di thi. use dhooandh le. usake gale mean baandheange.'

'sona kahaan gee? sahuain ki dukan se tho da-sa kala dora mangava lo, gay ko najar bahut lagati hai.'

'aj mere man ki b di bhari lalasa poori ho gee.'

dhaniya apane hardik ullas ko dabae rakhana chahati thi. itani b di sanpada apane sath koee nee badha n lae, yah shanka usake nirash hriday mean kanpan dal rahi thi. akash ki or dekh kar boli - gay ke ane ka anand to tab hai ki usaka paura bhi achchha ho. bhagavan ke man ki bat hai.

mano vah bhagavan ko bhi dhokha dena chahati thi. bhagavan ko bhi dikhana chahati thi ki is gay ke ane se use itana anand nahian hua kir eershyalu bhagavan sukh ka pal da ooancha karane ke lie koee nee vipatti bhej dean.

vah abhi ata ghol hi rahi thi ki gobar gay ko lie balakoan ke ek juloos ke sath dvar par a pahuancha. hori dau d kar gay ke gale se lipat gaya. dhaniya ne ata chho d diya aur jaldi se ek purani sa di ka kala kinara pha d kar gay ke gale mean baandh diya.

hori shraddha-vihval netroan se gay ko dekh raha tha, mano sakshat devi ji ne ghar mean padarpan kiya ho. aj bhagavan ne yah din dikhaya ki usaka ghar goo ke charanoan se pavitr ho gaya. yah saubhagy! n jane kisake puny-pratap se.

dhaniya ne bhayatur ho kar kaha - kh de kya ho, aangan mean naand ga d do.

'aangan mean jagah kahaan hai?'

'bahut jagah hai.'

'maian to bahar hi ga data hooan'.

'pagal n bano. gaanv ka hal jan kar bhi anajan banate ho?'

'are, bitte-bhar ke aangan mean gay kahaan baandhogi bhaee?'

'jo bat nahian janate, usamean taang mat a daya karo. sansar-bhar ki vidda tumhian nahian padhe ho.'

hori sachamuch ape mean n tha. goo usake lie keval bhakti aur shraddha ki vastu nahian, sajiv sanpatti thi. vah usase apane dvar ki shobha aur apane ghar ka gaurav badhana chahata tha. vah chahata tha, log gay ko dvar par bandhi dekh kar poochhean - yah kisaka ghar hai? log kahean - hori mahato ka. tabhi l daki vale bhi usaki vibhooti se prabhavit hoange. aangan mean bandhi, to kaun dekhega? dhaniya isake viparit sashank thi. vah gay ko sat paradoan ke aandar chhipa kar rakhana chahati thi. agar gay athoan pahar kothari mean rah sakati, to shayad vah use bahar n nikalane deti. yoan har bat mean hori ki jit hoti thi. vah apane paksh par a d jata tha aur dhaniya ko dabana p data tha, lekin aj dhaniya ke samane hori ki ek n chali. dhaniya l dane ko taiyar ho gee. gobar, sona aur roopa, sara ghar hori ke paksh mean tha, par dhaniya ne akele sabako parast kar diya. aj usamean ek vichitr atmavishvas aur hori mean ek vichitr vinay ka uday ho gaya tha.

magar tamasha kaise rook sakata tha? gay doli mean baith kar to aee n thi. kaise sanbhav tha ki gaanv mean itani b di bat ho jay aur tamasha n lage. jisane suna, sab kam chho d kar dekhane dau da. yah mamooli deshi goo nahian hai. bhola ke ghar se assi rupe mean aee hai. hori assi rupe kya deange, pachas-sath rupe mean lae hoange. gaanv ke itihas mean pachas-sath rupe ki gay ka ana bhi abhootapoorv bat thi. bail to pachas rupe ke bhi ae, sau ke bhi ae, lekin gay ke lie itani b di rakam kisan kya kha ke kharch karega? yah to gvaloan hi ka kaleja hai ki aanjuliyoan rupe gin ate haian. gay kya hai, sakshat devi ka roop hai. darshakoan aur alochakoan ka taanta laga hua tha, aur hori dau d-dau d kar sabaka satkar kar raha tha. itana vinamr, itana prasann-chitt vah kabhi n tha.

sattar sal ke boodhe pandit datadin lathiya tekate hue ae aur popale muanh se bole - kahaan ho hori, tanik ham bhi tumhari gay dekh lean! suna, b di suandar hai.

hori ne dau d kar palagan kiya aur man mean abhimanamay ullas ka anand uthata hua, b de samman se panditaji ko aangan mean le gaya. maharaj ne goo ko apane purani anubhavi aankhoan se dekha, siangean dekhian, than dekha, putta dekha aur ghani saphed bhauanhoan ke niche chhipi huee aankhoan mean javani ki umang bhar kar bole - koee dosh nahian hai beta, bal-bhauanri, sab thik. bhagavan chaheange, to tumhare bhag khul jaeange, aise achchhe lachchhan haian ki vah! bas ratib n kam hone pae. ek-ek bachha sau-sau ka hoga.

hori ne anand ke sagar mean dubakiyaan khate hue kaha - sab apaka asirabad hai, dada!

datadin ne surati ki pik thookate hue kaha - mera asirabad nahian hai beta, bhagavan ki daya hai. yah sab prabhu ki daya hai. rupe nagad die?

hori ne be-par ki u daee. apane mahajan ke samane bhi apane samriddhi-pradarshan ka aisa avasar pa kar vah kaise chho de. take ki nee topi sir par rakh kar jab ham ak dane lagate haian, jara der ke lie kisi savari par baith kar jab ham akash mean u dane lagate haian, to itani b di vibhooti pa kar kyoan n usaka dimag asaman par chadhe? bola - bhola aisa bhalamanas nahian hai maharaj! nagad ginae, poore chaukas.

apane mahajan ke samane yah diang mar kar hori ne nadani to ki thi, par datadin ke mukh par asantosh ka koee chihn n dikhaee diya. is kathan mean kitana saty hai, yah unaki un bujhi aankhoan se chhipa n rah saka, jinamean jyoti ki jagah anubhav chhipa baitha tha.

prasann ho kar bole - koee haraj nahian beta, koee haraj nahian. bhagavan sab kalyan kareange. paanch ser doodh hai isamean, bachche ke lie chho d kar.

dhaniya ne turant toka - are nahian maharaj, itana doodh kahaan. budhiya to ho gee hai. phir yahaan ratib kahaan dhara hai.

datadin ne marm-bhari aankhoan se dekh kar usaki satarkata ko svikar kiya, mano kah rahe hoan, grihini ka yahi dharm hai, sitana maradoan ka kam hai, unhean sitane do.' phir rahasy-bhare svar mean bole - bahar n baandhana, itana kahe dete haian.

dhaniya ne pati ki or vijayi aankhoan se dekha, mano kah rahi ho. lo, ab to manoge.

datadin se boli - nahian maharaj, bahar kya baandhege, bhagavan dean to isi aangan mean tin gaean aur bandha sakati haian.

sara gaanv gay dekhane aya. nahian ae to sobha aur hira, jo apane sage bhaee the. hori ke hriday mean bhaiyoan ke lie ab bhi komal sthan tha. vah donoan a kar dekh lete aur prasann ho jate to usaki manokamana poori ho jati. saanjh ho gee. donoan pur le kar laut ae. isi dvar se nikale, par poochha kuchh nahian.

hori ne darate-darate dhaniya se kaha - n sobha aya, n hira. suna n hoga?

dhaniya boli - to yahaan kaun unhean bulane jata hai.

'too bat to samajhati nahian. l dane ke lie taiyar rahati hai. bhagavan ne jab yah din dikhaya hai, to hamean sir jhuka kar chalana chahie. adami ko apane sagoan ke muanh se apane bhalaee-buraee sunane ki jitani lalasa hoti hai, bahar valoan ke muanh se nahian. phir apane bhaee lakh bure hoan, haian to apane bhaee hi. apane hisse-bakhare ke lie sabhi l date haian, par isase khoon tho de hi bant jata hai. donoan ko bula kar dikha dena chahie, nahian kaheange gay lae, hamase kaha, tak nahian.'

dhaniya ne nak siko d kar kaha - maianne tumase sau bar, hazar bar kah diya, mere muanh par bhaiyoan ka bakhan n kiya karo, unaka nam sun kar meri deh mean ag lag jati hai. sare gaanv ne suna, kya unhoanne n suna hoga? kuchh itani door bhi to nahian rahate. sara gaanv dekhane aya, unhian ke paanvoan mean meanhadi lagi huee thi, magar aean kaise ? jalan ho rahi hogi ki isake ghar gay a gee. chhati phati jati hogi.

diya-batti ka samay a gaya tha. dhaniya ne ja kar dekha, to botal mean mitti ka tel n tha. botal utha kar tel lane chali gee. paise hote to roopa ko bhejati, udhar lana tha, kuchh muanh dekhi kahegi, kuchh lallo-chappo karegi, tabhi to tel udhar milega.

hori ne roopa ko bula kar pyar se god mean baithaya aur kaha - jara ja kar dekh, hira kaka a ge ki nahian. sobha kaka ko bhi dekhati ana. kahana, dada ne tumhean bulaya hai. n aean, hath pak d kar khianch lana.

roopa thunak kar boli - chhoti kaki mujhe daantati hai.

'kaki ke pas kya karane jayagi! phir sobha-bahoo to tujhe pyar karati hai?'

'sobha kaka mujhe chidhate haian? maian n kahooangi.'

'kya kahate haian, bata?'

'chidhate haian.'

'kya kah kar chidhate haian?'

'kahate haian, tere lie moos pak d rakha hai. le ja, bhoon kar kha le.'

hori ke aantastal mean gudagudi huee.

'too kahati nahian, pahale tum kha lo, to maian khaooangi.'

'ammaan mane karati haian. kahati haian, un logoan ke ghar n jaya karo.'

'too ammaan ki beti hai ki dada ki?'

roopa ne usake gale mean hath dal kar kaha - ammaan ki aur hansane lagi.

'to phir meri god se utar ja. aj maian tujhe apane thali mean n khilaooanga.'

ghar mean ek hi phool ki thali thi. hori usi thali mean khata tha. thali mean khane ka gaurav pane ke lie roopa hori ke sath khati thi. is gaurav ka parityag kaise kare? humak kar boli - achchha, tumhari.

'to phir mera kahana manegi ki ammaan ka?

'tumhara.'

'to ja kar hira aur sobha ko khianch la.'

'aur jo ammaan big dean?'

'ammaan se kahane kaun jayaga.'

roopa koodati huee hira ke ghar chali. dvesh ka mayajal b di-b di machhaliyoan ko hi phansata hai. chhoti machhaliyaan ya to usamean phansati hi nahian ya turant nikal jati haian. unake lie vah ghatak jal kri da ki vastu hai, bhay ki nahian. bhaiyoan se hori ki bolachal band thi, par roopa donoan gharoan mean ati-jati thi. bachchoan se kya bair.

lekin roopa ghar se nikali hi thi ki dhaniya tel lie mil gee. usane poochha - saanjh ki bela kahaan jati hai, chal ghar.

roopa maan ko prasann karane ke pralobhan ko n rok saki.

dhaniya ne daanta - chal ghar, kisi ko bulane nahian jana hai.

roopa ka hath pak de hue vah ghar aee aur hori se boli - maianne tumase hazar bar kah diya, mere l dakoan ko kisi ke ghar n bheja karo. kisi ne kuchh kar-kara diya, to maian tumhean le kar chatooangi? aisa hi b da parem hai, to ap kyoan nahian jate? abhi pet nahian bhara jan p data hai.

hori naand jama raha tha. hathoan mean mitti lapete hue ajnan ka abhinay karake bola - kis bat par big dati hai bhaee? yah to achchha nahian lagata ki aandhe kookur ki tarah hava ko bhooanka kare.

dhaniya ko kuppi mean tel dalana tha. is samay jhag da n badhana chahati thi. roopa bhi l dakoan mean ja mili.

pahar rat se zyada ja chuki thi. naand g d chuki thi. sani aur khali dal di gee thi. gay man mare udas baithi thi, jaise koee vadhoo sasural aee ho. naand mean muanh tak n dalati thi. hori aur gobar kha kar adhi-adhi rotiyaan usake lie lae, par usane sooangha tak nahian. magar yah koee nee bat n thi. janavaroan ko bhi bahudha ghar chhoot jane ka du:kh hota hai.

hori bahar khat par baith kar chilam pine laga, to phir bhaiyoan ki yad aee. nahian, aj is shubh avasar par vah bhaiyoan ki upeksha nahian kar sakata. usaka hriday yah vibhooti pa kar vishal ho gaya tha. bhaiyoan se alag ho gaya hai, to kya hua. unaka dushman to nahian hai. yahi gay tin sal pahale aee hoti, to sabhi ka us par barabar adhikar hota. aur kal ko yahi gay doodh dene lagegi, to kya vah bhaiyoan ke ghar doodh n bhejega ya dahi n bhejega? aisa to usaka dharam nahian hai. bhaee usaka bura chetean, vah kyoan unaka bura chete? apani-apani karani to apane-apane sath hai.

usane nariyal khat ke pae se laga kar rakh diya aur hira ke ghar ki or chala. sobha ka ghar bhi udhar hi tha. donoan apane-apane dvar par lete hue the. kafi aandhera tha. hori par unamean se kisi ki nigah nahian p di. donoan mean kuchh batean ho rahi thian. hori thithak gaya aur unaki batean sunane laga. aisa adami kahaan hai, jo apane charcha sun kar tal jay?

hira ne kaha - jab tak ek mean the, ek bakari bhi nahian li. ab pachhaeean gay li jati hai. bhaee ka hak mar kar kisi ko phalate-phoolate nahian dekha.

sobha bola - yah tum anyay kar rahe ho hira! bhaiya ne ek-ek paise ka hisab de diya tha. yah maian kabhi n manooanga ki unhoanne pahale ki kamaee chhipa rakhi thi.

'tum mano chahe n mano, hai yah pahale ki kamaee.'

'achchha, to yah rupe kahaan se a ge? kahaan se hun baras p da? utane hi khet to hamare pas bhi haian. utani hi upaj hamari bhi hai. phir kyoan hamare pas kafan ko kau di nahian aur unake ghar nee gay ati hai?'

'udhar lae hoange.'

'bhola udhar dene vala adami nahian hai.'

'kuchh bhi ho, gay hai b di suandar. gobar lie jata tha, to maianne raste mean dekha.'

'beeemani ka dhan jaise ata hai, vaise hi jata hai. bhagavan chaheange, to bahut din gay ghar mean n rahegi.'

hori se aur n suna gaya. vah biti batoan ko bisar kar apane hriday mean sneh aur sauhard-bhare, bhaiyoan ke pas aya tha. is aghat ne jaise usake hriday mean chhed kar diya aur vah ras-bhav usamean kisi tarah nahian tik raha tha. latte aur chith de thooans kar ab us pravah ko nahian rok sakata. ji mean ek ubal aya ki usi kshan is akshep ka javab de, lekin bat badh jane ke bhay se chup rah gaya. agar usaki niyat saf hai, to koee kuchh nahian kar sakata. bhagavan ke samane vah nirdosh hai. doosaroan ki use paravah nahian. ulate paanv laut aya. aur vah jala hua tanbakoo pine laga. lekin jaise vah vish pratikshan usaki dhamaniyoan mean phailata jata tha. usane so jane ka prayas kiya, par niand n aee. bailoan ke pas ja kar unhean sahalane laga, vish shaant n hua. doosari chilam bhari, lekin usamean bhi kuchh ras n tha. vish ne jaise chetana ko akraant kar diya ho. jaise nashe mean chetana ekaangi ho jati hai, jaise phaila hua pani ek disha mean bah kar vegavan ho jata hai, vahi manovritti usaki ho rahi thi. usi unmad ki dasha mean vah aandar gaya. abhi dvar khula hua tha. aangan mean ek kinare chataee par leti huee dhaniya sona se deh dabava rahi thi aur roopa jo roj saanjh hote hi so jati thi, aj kh di gay ka muanh sahala rahi thi. hori ne ja kar gay ko khooante se khol liya aur dvar ki or le chala. vah isi vakt gay ko bhola ke ghar pahuanchane ka dridh nishchay kar chuka tha. itana b da kalank sir par le kar vah ab gay ko ghar mean nahian rakh sakata. kisi tarah nahian.

dhaniya ne poochha - kahaan lie jate ho rat ko?

hori ne ek pag badha kar kaha - le jata hooan bhola ke ghar. lauta dooanga.

dhaniya ko vismay hua, uth kar samane a gee aur boli - lauta kyoan doge? lautane ke lie hi lae the?

'haan, isake lauta dene mean hi kusal hai.'

'kyoan bat kya hai - itane araman se lae aur ab lautane ja rahe ho? kya bhola rupe maangate haian?

'nahian, bhola yahaan kab aya.'

'to phir kya bat huee.'

'kya karogi poochh kar?'

dhaniya ne lapak kar pagahiya usake hath se chhin li. usaki chapal buddhi ne jaise u dati huee chi diya pak d li. boli - tumhean bhaiyoan ka dar ho, to ja kar unake pairoan par giro. maian kisi se nahian darati. agar hamari badhati dekh kar kisi ki chhati phatati hai, to phat jay, mujhe paravah nahian hai.

hori ne vinit svar mean kaha - dhire-dhire bol maharani! koee sune, to kahe, ye sab itani rat ge l d rahe haian! maian apane kanoan se kya sun aya hooan, too kya jane! yahaan characha ho rahi hai ki maianne alag hote samay rupe daba lie the aur bhaiyoan ko dhokha diya tha, yahi rupe ab nikal rahe haian.'

'hira kahata hoga?'

'sara gaanv kah raha hai. hira ko kyoan badanam karooan.'

'sara gaanv nahian kah raha hai, akela hira kah raha hai. maian abhi ja kar poochhati hooan n ki tumhare bap kitane rupe chho d kar mare the? dadhijaroan ke pichhe ham barabad ho ge. sari ziandagi mitti mean mila di, pal-pos kar sanda kiya, aur ab ham beeeman haian. maian kah deti hooan, agar gay ghar ke bahar nikali, to anarth ho jayaga. rakh lie hamane rupe, daba lie, bich khet daba lie. danke ki chot kahati hooan, maianne hande bhar asarphiyaan chhipa lian. hira aur sobha aur sansar ko jo karana ho, kar le. kyoan n rupe rakh lean? do-do sandoan ka byah nahian kiya, gauna nahian kiya?'

hori sitapita gaya. dhaniya ne usake hath se pagahiya chhin li, aur gay ko khooante se baandh kar dvar ki or chali. hori ne use pak dana chaha, par vah bahar ja chuki thi. vahian sir tham kar baith gaya. bahar use pak dane ki cheshta karake vah koee natak nahian dikhana chahata tha. dhaniya ke krodh ko khoob janata tha. big dati hai, to chandi ban jati hai. maro, kato, sunegi nahian, lekin hira bhi to ek hi gussevar hai, kahian hath chala de to paralai hi ho jae. nahian, hira itana moorakh nahian hai. maianne kahaan-se-kahaan yah ag laga di! use apane ap par krodh ane laga. bat man mean rakh leta, to kyoan yah tanta kh da hota. sahasa dhaniya ka karkash svar kan mean aya. hira ki garaj bhi sun p di. phir punni ki paini pik bhi kanoan mean chubhi. sahasa use gobar ki yad aee. bahar lapak kar usaki khat dekhi. gobar vahaan n tha. gajab ho gaya. gobar bhi vahaan pahuanch gaya. ab kushal nahian. usaka naya khoon hai, n jane kya kar baithe, lekin hori vahaan kaise jay? hira kahega, ap to bolate nahian, ja kar is dain ko l dane ke lie bhej diya. kolahal pratikshan prachand hota jata tha. sare gaanv mean jag p d gee. maloom hota tha, kahian ag lag gee hai, aur log khat se uth-uth bujhane dau de ja rahe haian.

itani der tak to vah jabt kie baitha raha. phir n raha gaya. dhaniya par krodh aya. vah kyoan chadh kar l dane gee? apane ghar mean adami n jane kisako kya kahata hai. jab tak koee muanh par bat n kahe, yahi samajhana chahie ki usane kuchh nahian kaha. hori ki krishak prakriti jhag de se bhagati thi. char batean sun kar gam kha jana isase kahian achchha hai ki apas mean tanaja ho. kahian mar-pit ho jay to thana-pulis ho, bandhe-bandhe phiro, sabaki chirauri karo, adalat ki dhool phaanko, kheti-bari jahannum mean mil jae. usaka hira par to koee bas n tha, magar dhaniya ko to vah jabaradasti khianch la sakata hai. bahut hoga, galiyaan de legi, ek-do din ruthi rahegi, thana-pulis ki naubat to n aegi. ja kar hira ke dvar par sabase door divar ki a d mean kh da ho gaya. ek senapati ki bhaanti maidan mean ane ke pahale paristhiti ko achchhi tarah samajh lena chahata tha. agar apane jit ho rahi hai, to bolane ki koee zaroorat nahian, har ho rahi hai, to turant kood p dega. dekha to vahaan pachasoan adami jama ho ge haian. pandit datadin, lala pateshvari, donoan thakur, jo gaanv ke karata-dharata the, sabhi pahuanche hue haian. dhaniya ka palla halka ho raha tha. usaki ugrata janamat ko usake viruddh kie deti thi. vah rananiti mean kushal n thi. krodh mean aisi jali-kati suna rahi thi ki logoan ki sahanubhooti usase door hoti jati thi.

vah garaj rahi thi - too hamean dekh kar kyoan jalata hai? hamean dekh kar kyoan teri chhati phatati hai? pal-pos kar javan kar diya, yah usaka inam hai? hamane n pala hota to aj kahian bhikh maangate hote. eekh ki chhaanh bhi n milati.

hori ko ye shabd zaroorat se zyada kathor jan p de. bhaiyoan ka palana-posana to usaka dharm tha. unake hisse ki jayadad to usake hath mean thi. kaise n palata-posata? duniya mean kahian muanh dekhane layaq rahata?

hira ne javab diya - ham kisi ka kuchh nahian janate. tere ghar mean kuttoan ki tarah ek tuk da khate the aur din-din bhar kam karate the. jana hi nahian ki l dakapan aur javani kaisi hoti hai. din-din bhar sookha gobar bina karate the. us par bhi too bina das gali die roti n deti thi. teri-jaisi rachchhasin ke hath mean p d kar ziandagi talakh ho gee.

dhaniya aur bhi tej huee - jaban sanbhal, nahian jibh khianch looangi. rachchhasin teri aurat hogi. too hai kis pher mean mooan di-kate, tuk de-khor, namak-haram.

datadin ne toka - itana katu vachan kyoan kahati hai dhaniya? nari ka dharam hai ki gam khay. vah to ujadd hai, kyoan usake muanh lagati hai?

lala pateshvari patavari ne usaka samarthan kiya - bat ka javab bat hai, gali nahian. toone l dakapan mean use pala-posa, lekin yah kyoan bhool jati hai ki usaki jayadad tere hath mean thi?

dhaniya ne samajha, sab-ke-sab mil kar mujhe nicha dikhana chahate haian. chaumukh l daee l dane ke lie taiyar ho gee - achchha, rahane do lala! maian sabako pahachanati hooan. is gaanv mean rahate bis sal ho ge. ek-ek ki nas-nas pahachanati hooan. maian gali de rahi hooan, vah phool barasa raha hai, kyoan?

dulari sahuain ne ag par ghi dala - baki b di gal-daraj aurat hai bhaee! marad ke muanh lagati hai. hori hi jaisa marad hai ki isaka nibah hota hai. doosara marad hota to ek din n patati.

agar hira is samay jara narm ho jata to usaki jit ho jati, lekin ye galiyaan sun kar ape se bahar ho gaya. auroan ko apane paksh mean dekh kar vah kuchh sher ho raha tha. gala pha d kar bola - chali ja mere dvar se, nahian jootoan se bat karooanga. jhoanta pak d kar ukha d looanga. gali deti hai dain! bete ka ghamand ho gaya hai. khoon...

paansa palat gaya. hori ka khoon khaul utha. barood mean jaise chinagari p d gee ho. age a kar bola - achchha bas, ab chup ho jao hira, ab nahian suna jata. maian is aurat ko kya kahooan! jab meri pith mean dhool lagati hai, to isi ke karan. n jane kyoan isase chup nahian raha jata.

charoan or se hira par bauchhar p dane lagi. datadin ne nirlajj kah - pateshvari ne guanda banaya, jhiangurisianh ne shaitan ki upadhi di. dulari sahuain ne kapoot kaha - ek uddhand shabd ne dhaniya ka palla halka kar diya tha. doosare ugr shabd ne hira ko gachche mean dal diya. us par hori ke sanyat vaky ne rahi-sahi kasar bhi poori kar di.

hira sanbhal gaya. sara gaanv usake viruddh ho gaya. ab chup rahane mean hi usaki kushal hai. krodh ke nashe mean bhi itana hosh use baki tha.

dhaniya ka kaleja doona ho gaya. hori se boli - sun lo kan khol ke. bhaiyoan ke lie marate ho. yah bhaee haian, aise bhaee ko muanh n dekhe. yah mujhe jootoan se marega. khila-pila..........

hori ne daanta - phir kyoan bak-bak karane lagi too! ghar kyoan nahian jati?

dhaniya zamin par baith gee aur art svar mean boli - ab to isake joote kha ke jaooangi. jara isaki maradumi dekh looan, kahaan hai gobar? ab kis din kam aega? too dekh raha hai beta, teri maan ko joote mare ja rahe haian!

yoan vilap karake usane apane krodh ke sath hori ke krodh ko bhi kriyashil bana dala. ag ko phooank-phooank kar usamean jvala paida kar di. hira parajit-sa pichhe hat gaya. punni usaka hath pak d kar ghar ki or khianch rahi thi. sahasa dhaniya ne sianhani ki bhaanti jhapat kar hira ko itane zor se dhakka diya ki vah dham se gir p da aur boli - kahaan jata hai, joote mar, mar joote, dekhooan teri maradumi!

hori ne dau d kar usaka hath pak d liya aur ghasitata hua ghar le chala.

sanbandhit lekh

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