गोदान उपन्यास भाग-7
chitr:Icon-edit.gif | is lekh ka punarikshan evan sampadan hona avashyak hai. ap isamean sahayata kar sakate haian. "sujhav" |
yah abhinay jab samapt hua, to udhar rangashala mean dhanush-yajn samapt ho chuka tha aur samajik prahasan ki taiyari ho rahi thi, magar in sajjanoan ko usase vishesh dilachaspi n thi. keval mistar mehata dekhane ge aur adi se aant tak jame rahe. unhean b da maja a raha tha. bich-bich mean taliyaan bajate the aur phir kaho, phir kaho' ka agrah karake abhinetaoan ko protsahan bhi dete jate the. rayasahab ne is prahasan mean ek mukadame baj dehati zamiandar ka khaka u daya tha. kahane ko to prahasan tha, magar karuna se bhara hua. nayak ka bat-bat mean qanoon ki dharaoan ka ullekh karana, patni par keval isalie mukadama dayar kar dena ki usane bhojan taiyar karane mean jara-si der kar di, phir vakiloan ke nakhare aur dehati gavahoan ki chalakiyaan aur jhaanse, pahale gavahi ke lie chat-pat taiyar ho jana, magar ijalas par talabi ke samay khoob manavan karana aur nana prakar ki garmaishean karake ulloo banana, ye sabhi drishy dekh kar log hansi ke mare lot jate the. sabase suandar vah drishy tha, jisamean vakil gavahoan ko unake bayan rata raha tha. gavahoan ka bar-bar bhoolean karana, vakil ka big dana, phir nayak ka dehati boli mean gavahoan ka samajhana aur aant mean ijalas par gavahoan ka badal jana, aisa sajiv aur saty tha ki mistar mehata uchhal p de aur tamasha samapt hone par nayak ko gale laga liya aur sabhi natoan ko ek-ek medal dene ki ghoshana ki. rayasahab ke prati unake man mean shraddha ke bhav jag uthe. rayasahab stej ke pichhe drame ka sanchalan kar rahe the. mehata dau d kar unake gale lipat ge aur mugdh ho kar bole - apaki drishti itani paini hai, isaka mujhe anuman n tha.
doosare din jalapan ke bad shikar ka program tha. vahian kisi nadi ke tat par bag mean bhojan bane, khoob jal-kri da ki jay aur sham ko log ghar avean. dehati jivan ka anand uthaya jae. jin mehamanoan ko vishesh kam tha, vah to bida ho ge, keval ve hi log bach rahe, jinaki rayasahab se ghanishthata thi. misej khanna ke sir mean dard tha, n ja sakian, aur sanpadak ji is mandali se jale hue the aur inake viruddh ek lekh-mala nikal kar inaki khabar lene ke vichar mean magn the. sab-ke-sab chhate hue guande haian. haram ke paise u date haian aur mooanchhoan par tav dete haian. duniya mean kya ho raha hai, inhean kya khabar. inake p dos mean kaun mar raha hai, inhean kya parava. inhean to apane bhog-vilas se kam hai. yah mehata, jo philasaphar bana phirata hai, use yahi dhun hai ki jivan ko sanpoorn banao. mahine mean ek hazar mar late ho, tumhean akhtiyar hai, jivan ko sanpoorn banao ya paripoorn banao. jisako yah fikr dabae dalati hai ki l dakoan ka byah kaise ho, ya bimar stri ke lie vaidy kaise aean ya abaki ghar ka kiraya kisake ghar se aega, vah apana jivan kaise sanpoorn banae. chhoote saan d bane doosaroan ke khet mean muanh marate phirate ho aur samajhate ho, sansar mean sab sukhi haian. tumhari aankhean tab khuleangi, jab kraanti hogi aur tumase kaha jayaga bacha, khet mean chal kar hal joto. tab dekhean, tumhara jivan kaise sanpoorn hota hai. aur vah jo hai malati, jo bahattar ghatoan ka pani pi kar bhi mis bani phirati hai! shadi nahian karegi, isase jivan bandhan mean p d jata hai, aur bandhan mean jivan ka poora vikas nahian hota. bas, jivan ka poora vikas isi mean hai ki duniya ko loote jao aur nirdvandv vilas kie jao! sare bandhan to d do, dharm aur samaj ko goli maro, jivan kartavyoan ko pas n phatakane do, bas tumhara jivan sanpoorn ho gaya. isase zyada asan aur kya hoga! maan-bap se nahian patati, unhean dhata batao, shadi mat karo, yah bandhan hai, bachche hoange, yah mohapash hai, magar taiks kyoan dete ho? qanoon bhi to bandhan hai, use kyoan nahian to date? usase kyoan kanni katate ho? janate ho n ki qanoon ki jara bhi avajna ki aur be diyaan p d jaeangi. bas, vahi bandhan to do jisamean apane bhog-lipsa mean badha nahian p dati. rassi ko saanp bana kar pito aur tisamarakhaan bano. jite saanp ke pas jao hi kyoan, vah phuankar bhi marega to laharean ane lageangi. use ate dekho, to dum daba kar bhago. yah tumhara sanpoorn jivan hai.
ath baje shikar-parti chali. khanna ne kabhi shikar n khela tha, bandook ki avaz se kaanpate the, lekin mis malati ja rahi thian, vah kaise rook sakate the. mistar tankha ko abhi tak elekshan ke vishay mean batachit karane ka avasar n mila tha. shayad vahaan vah avasar mil jae. rayasahab apane ilake mean bahut dinoan se nahian ge the. vahaan ka rang-dhang dekhana chahate the. kabhi-kabhi ilake mean ane-jane se asamiyoan se ek sanbandh bhi to ho jata hai aur rob bhi rahata hai. karakun aur pyade bhi sachet rahate haian. mirja khurshed ko jivan ke ne anubhav prapt karane ka shauq tha, visheshakar aise, jinamean kuchh sahas dikhana p de. mis malati akele kaise rahatian. unhean to rasikoan ka jamaghat chahie. keval mistar mehata shikar khelane ke sachche utsah se ja rahe the. rayasahab ki ichchha to thi ki bhojan ki samagri, rasoiya, kaha - khidamatagar, sab sath chalean, lekin mistar mehata ne isaka virodh kiya.
khanna ne kaha - akhir vahaan bhojan kareange ya bhookhoan mareange?
mehata ne javab diya - bhojan kyoan n kareange, lekin aj ham log khud apana sara kam kareange. dekhana to chahie ki naukaroan ke bagair ham jianda rah sakate haian ya nahian. mis malati pakaegi aur ham log khaegean. dehatoan mean haan diyaan aur pattal mil hi jate haian, aur eeandhan ki koee kami nahian. shikar ham kareange hi.
malati ne gila kiya - kshama kijie. apane rat meri kalaee itane zor se pak di ki abhi tak dard ho raha hai.
'kam to ham log kareange, ap keval batati jaiega.'
mirja khurshed bole - aji ap log tamasha dekhate rahiega, maian sara iantajam kar dooanga. bat hi kaun-si hai. jangal mean haan di aur bartan dhooandhana himakat hai. hiran ka shikar kijie, bhoonie, khaie aur vahian darakht ke sae mean kharrate lijie.
yahi prastav svikrit hua. do motarean chalian. ek mis malati draiv kar rahi thian, doosari khud rayasahab. koee bis-pachchis mil par paha di praant shuroo ho gaya. donoan taraph ooanchi parvat-mala dau di chali a rahi thi. s dak bhi peanchadar hoti jati thi. kuchh door ki chadhaee ke bad ekaek dhal a gaya aur motar veg se niche ki or chali. door se nadi ka pat najar aya, kisi rogi ki bhaanti durbal, nispand. kagar par ek ghane vat vriksh ki chhaanh mean karean rok di geean aur log utare. yah salah huee ki do-do ki toli bane aur shikar khel kar barah baje tak yahaan a jae. mis malati mehata ke sath chalane ko taiyar ho geean. khanna man mean aianth kar rah ge. jis vichar se ae the, usamean jaise panchar ho gaya. agar janate, malati daga degi, to ghar laut jate, lekin rayasahab ka sath utana rochak n hote hue bhi bura n tha. unase bahut-si muamale ki batean karani thian. khurshed aur tankha bach rahe. unaki toli bani-banaee thi. tinoan toliyaan ek-ek taraph chal dian.
kuchh door tak patharili pagadandi par mehata ke sath chalane ke bad malati ne kaha - tum to chale hi jate ho. jara dam le lene do.
mehata muskarae - abhi to ham ek mil bhi nahian ae. abhi se thak geean?
'thaki nahian, lekin kyoan n jara dam le lo.'
'jab tak koee shikar hath n a jay, hamean aram karane ka adhikar nahian.'
'maian shikar khelane n aee thi.'
mehata ne anajan ban kar kaha - achchha, yah maian n janata tha. phir kya karane aee thian?
'ab tumase kya bataooan.'
hiranoan ka ek jhuand charata hua najar aya. donoan ek chattan ki a d mean chhip ge aur nishana baandh kar goli chalaee. nishana khali gaya. jhuand bhag nikala. malati ne poochha - ab?
'kuchh nahian, chalo phir koee shikar milega.'
donoan kuchh der tak chupachap chalate rahe. phir malati ne jara ruk kar kaha - garami ke mare bura hal ho raha hai. ao, is vriksh ke niche baith jayan.
'abhi nahian. tum baithana chahati ho, to baitho. maian to nahian baithata.'
'b de nirdayi ho tum. sach kahati hooan.'
'jab tak koee shikar n mil jay, maian baith nahian sakata.
'tab to tum mujhe mar hi daloge. achchha batao, rat tumane mujhe itana kyoan sataya? mujhe tumhare oopar b da krodh a raha tha. yad hai, tumane mujhe kya kaha tha tum hamare sath chalega diladar? maian n janati thi, tum itane sharir ho. achchha, sach kahana, tum us vakt mujhe apane sath le jate?'
mehata ne koee javab n diya, mano suna hi nahian.
donoan kuchh door chalate rahe. ek to jeth ki dhoop, doosare patharila rasta. malati thak kar baith gee.
mehata kh de-kh de bole - achchhi bat hai, tum aram kar lo. maian yahian a jaooanga.
'mujhe akele chho d kar chale jaoge?'
'maian janata hooan, tum apane raksha kar sakati ho!'
'kaise janate ho?'
'ne yug ki deviyoan ki yahi siphat hai. vah mard ka ashray nahian chahatian, usase kandha mila kar chalana chahati haian.'
malati ne jheanpate hue kaha - tum kore philasaphar ho mehata, sach.
samane vriksh par ek mor baitha hua tha. mehata ne nishana sadha aur bandook chalaee. mor u d gaya.
malati prasann ho kar boli - bahut achchha hua. mera shap p da.
mehata ne bandook kandhoan par rakh kar kaha - tumane mujhe nahian, apane apako shap diya. shikar mil jata, to maian das minat ki muhalat deta. ab to tumako phauran chalana p dega.
malati uth kar mehata ka hath pak dati huee boli - philasapharoan ke shayad hriday nahian hota. tumane achchha kiya, vivah nahian kiya, us garib ko mar hi dalate. magar maian yoan n chhodooangi. tum mujhe chho d kar nahian ja sakate.
mehata ne ek jhatake se hath chhu da liya aur age badhe.
malati sajal netr ho kar boli - maian kahati hooan, mat jao. nahian maian isi chattan par sir patak dooangi.
mehata ne tezise qadam badhae. malati unhean dekhati rahi. jab vah bis qadam nikal ge, to jhuanjhala kar uthi aur unake pichhe dau di. akele vishram karane mean koee anand n tha.
samip a kar boli- maian tumhean itana pashu n janati thi.
'maian jo hiran marooanga, usaki khal tumhean bheant karooanga.'
'khal jay bha d mean. maian ab tumase bat n karooangi.
'kahian ham logoan ke hath kuchh n laga aur doosaroan ne achchhe shikar mare to mujhe b di jheanp hogi.'
ek chau da nala muanh phailae bich mean kh da tha. bich ki chattanean usake daantoan-si lagati thian. dhar mean itana veg tha ki laharean uchhali p dati thian. soory madhyahn a pahuancha tha aur usaki pyasi kiranean jal mean kri da kar rahi thian.
malati ne prasann ho kar kaha - ab to lautana p da.
'kyoan us par chaleange. yahian to shikar mileange.'
'dhara mean kitana veg hai. maian to bah jaooangi.'
'achchhi bat hai. tum yahian baitho, maian jata hooan.'
'haan, ap jaie. mujhe apane jan se bair nahian hai.'
mehata ne pani mean qadam rakha aur paanv sadhate hue chale. jyoan-jyoan age jate the, pani gahara hota jata tha. yahaan tak ki chhati tak a gaya.
malati adhir ho uthi. shanka se man chanchal ho utha. aisi vikalata to use kabhi n hoti thi. ooanche svar mean boli - pani gahara hai. thahar jao, maian bhi ati hooan.
'nahian-nahian, tum phisal jaogi. dhar tej hai.'
'koee haraj nahian, maian a rahi hooan. age n badhana, khabaradar.'
malati sa di oopar chadha kar nale mean paithi. magar das hath ate-ate pani usaki kamar tak a gaya.
mehata ghab dae. donoan hath se use laut jane ko kahate hue bole - tum yahaan mat ao malati! yahaan tumhari gardan tak pani hai.
malati ne ek qadam aur age badh kar kaha - hone do. tumhari yahi ichchha hai ki maian mar jaooan to tumhare pas hi marooangi.
malati pet tak pani mean thi. dhar itani tej thi ki maloom hota tha, qadam ukh da. mehata laut p de aur malati ko ek hath se pak d liya.
malati ne nashili aankhoan mean rosh bhar kar kaha - maianne tumhare-jaisa bedard adami kabhi n dekha tha. bilakul patthar ho. khair, aj sata lo, jitana satate bane, maian bhi kabhi samajhooangi.
malati ke paanv ukh date hue maloom hue. vah bandook sanbhalati huee unase chimat gee.
mehata ne ashvasan dete hue kaha - tum yahaan kh di nahian rah sakati. maian tumhean apane kandhoan par bithae leta hooan.
malati ne bhrikuti tedhi karake kaha - to us par jana kya itana zaroori hai?
mehata ne kuchh uttar n diya. bandook kanapati se kandhoan par daba li aur malati ko donoan hathoan se utha kar kandhoan par baitha liya.
malati apane pulak ko chhipati huee boli - agar koee dekh le?
'bhadda to lagata hai.'
do pag ke bad usane karun svar mean kaha - achchha batao, maian yahian pani mean doob jaooan, to tumhean ranj ho ya n ho? maian to samajhati hooan, tumhean bilakul ranj n hoga.
mehata ne ahat svar se kaha - tum samajhati ho, maian adami nahian hooan?
'maian to yahi samajhati hooan, kyoan chhipaooan.'
'sach kahati ho malati?'
'tum kya samajhate ho?'
'maian! kabhi batalaooanga.'
pani mehata ki gardan tak a gaya. kahian agala qadam uthate hi sir tak n a jae. malati ka hriday dhak-dhak karane laga. boli - mehata, eeshvar ke lie ab age mat jao, nahian, maian pani mean kood padooangi.
us sankat mean malati ko eeshvar yad aya, jisaka vah majak u daya karati thi. janati thi, eeshvar kahian baitha nahian hai, jo a kar unhean ubar lega, lekin man ko jis avalanb aur shakti ki zaroorat thi, vah aur kahaan mil sakati thi?
pani kam hone laga tha. malati ne prasann ho kar kaha - ab tum mujhe utar do.
'nahian-nahian, chupachap baithi raho. kahian age koee gadha mil jae.'
'tum samajhate hoge, yah kitani svarthin hai.'
'mujhe isaki mazadoori de dena.'
malati ke man mean gudagudi huee.
'kya mazadoori loge?'
'yahi ki jab tumhare jivan mean aisa hi koee avasar ae, to mujhe bula lena.'
kinare a ge. malati ne ret par apane sa di ka pani nicho da, joote ka pani nikala, muanh-hath dhoya, par ye shabd apane rahasyamay ashay ke sath usake samane nachate rahe.
usane is anubhav ka anand uthate hue kaha - yah din yad rahega.
mehata ne poochha - tum bahut dar rahi thian?
'pahale to dari, lekin phir mujhe vishvas ho gaya ki tum ham donoan ki raksha kar sakate ho.'
mehata ne garv se malati ko dekha - unake mukh par parishram ki lali ke sath tej tha.
'mujhe yah sun kar kitana anand a raha hai, tum yah samajh sakogi malati?'
'tumane samajhaya kab? ulate aur jangaloan mean ghasitate phirate ho, aur abhi phir lautati bar yahi nala par karana p dega. tumane kaisi aphat mean jan dal di. mujhe tumhare sath rahana p de, to ek din n pate.'
mehata muskarae. in shabdoan ka sanket khoob samajh rahe the.
'tum mujhe itana dusht samajhati ho! aur jo maian kahooan ki maian tumase prem karata hooan, to tum mujhase vivah karogi?'
'aise kath-kathor se kaun vivah karega. rat-din jala kar mar daloge.'
aur madhur netroan se dekha, mano kah rahi ho - isaka ashay tum khoob samajhate ho. itane buddhoo nahian ho.
mehata ne jaise sachet ho kar kaha - tum sach kahati ho malati! maian kisi ramani ko prasann nahian rakh sakata. mujhase koee stri prem ka svaang nahian kar sakati. maian usake aantastal tak pahuanch jaooanga. phir mujhe usase aruchi ho jayagi.
malati kaanp uthi. in shabdoan mean kitana saty tha.
usane poochha - achchha batao, tum kaise prem se santusht hoge?
'bas yahi ki jo man mean ho, vahi mukh par ho! mere lie rang-roop aur hav-bhav aur najo-aandazaka mooly utana hi hai, jitana hona chahie. maian vah bhojan chahata hooan, jisase atma ki tripti ho. uttejak aur shoshak padartho ki mujhe zaroorat nahian.'
malati ne hoanth siko d kar oopar ko saans khianchate hue kaha - tumase koee pesh n paega. ek hi ghagh ho. achchha batao, mere vishay mean tumhara kya khayal hai?
mehata ne natakhatapan se muskara kar kaha - tum sab kuchh kar sakati ho, buddhimati ho, chatur ho, pratibhavan ho, dayalu ho, chanchal ho, svabhimani ho, tyag kar sakati ho, lekin prem nahian kar sakati.
malati ne paini drishti se tak kar kaha - jhoothe ho tum, bilakul jhoothe. mujhe tumhara yah dava nissar maloom hota hai ki tum nari-hriday tak pahuanch jate ho.
donoan nale ke kinare-kinare chale ja rahe the. barah baj chuke the, par ab malati ko n vishram ki ichchha thi, n lautane ki. aj ke sanbhashan mean use ek aisa anand a raha tha, jo usake lie bilakul naya tha. usane kitane hi vidvanoan aur netaoan ko ek muskan mean, ek chitavan mean, ek rasile vaky mean ulloo bana kar chho d diya tha. aisi baloo ki divar par vah jivan ka adhar nahian rakh sakati thi. aj use vah kathor, thos, patthar-si bhoomi mil gee thi, jo phav doan se chinagariyaan nikal rahi thi aur usaki kathorata use uttarottar mohe leti thi.
dhayan ki avaz huee. ek lalasar nale par u da ja raha tha. mehata ne nishana mara. chi diya chot kha kar bhi kuchh door u di, phir bich dhar mean gir p di aur laharoan ke sath bahane lagi.
'ab?'
'abhi ja kar lata hooan. jati kahaan hai!'
yah kahane ke sath vah ret mean dau de aur bandook kinare par rakh g dap se pani mean kood p de aur bahav ki or tairane lage, magar adha mil tak poora zor lagane par bhi chi diya n pa sake. chi diya mar kar bhi jaise u di ja rahi thi.
sahasa unhoanne dekha, ek yuvati kinare ki ek jhop di se nikali, chi diya ko bahate dekh kar sa di ko jaanghoan tak chadhaya aur pani mean ghus p di. ek kshan mean usane chi diya pak d li aur mehata ko dikhati huee boli - pani se nikal ao babooji, tumhari chi diya yah hai.
mehata yuvati ki chapalata aur sahas dekh kar mugdh ho ge. turant kinare ki or hath chalae aur do minat mean yuvati ke pas ja kh de hue.
yuvati ka rang tha to kala aur vah bhi gahara, kap de bahut hi maile aur phooh d, abhooshan ke nam par keval hathoan mean do-do moti choo diyaan, sir ke bal ulajhe alag-alag. mukh-mandal ka koee bhag aisa nahian, jise suandar ya sugh d kaha ja sake. lekin us svachchh, nirmal jalavayu ne usake kalepan mean aisa lavany bhar diya tha aur prakriti ki god mean pal kar usake aang itane sudaul, sugathit aur svachchhand ho ge the ki yauvan ka chitr khichane ke lie usase suandar koee roop n milata. usaka sabal svasthy jaise mehata ke man mean bal aur tej bhar raha tha.
mehata ne use dhanyavad dete hue kaha - tum b de mauke se pahuanch geean, nahian mujhe n jane kitani door tairana p data.
yuvati ne prasannata se kaha - maianne tumhean tairate ate dekha, to dau di. sikar khelane ae hoange?'
'haan, ae to the shikar hi khelane, magar dopahar ho gaya aur yahi chi diya mili hai.'
'teandua marana chaho, to maian usaka thaur dikha dooan. rat ko yahaan roj pani pine ata hai. kabhi-kabhi dopahar mean bhi a jata hai.'
phir jara sakucha kar sir jhukae boli - usaki khal hamean deni p degi. chalo, mere dvar par. vahaan pipal ki chhaya hai. yahaan dhoop mean kab tak kh de rahoge? kap de bhi to gile ho ge haian.
mehata ne usaki deh mean chipaki huee gili sa di ki or dekh kar kaha - tumhare kap de bhi to gile haian.
usane laparavahi se kaha - ooanh hamara kya, ham to jangal ke haian. din-din bhar dhoop aur pani mean kh de rahate haian, tum tho de hi rah sakate ho.
l daki kitani samajhadar hai aur bilakul ganvar.
'tum khal le kar kya karogi?'
'hamare dada bazar mean bechate haian. yahi to hamara kam hai.'
'lekin dopahari yahaan katean, tum khilaogi kya?'
yuvati ne lajate hue kaha - tumhare khane layaq hamare ghar mean kya hai. makke ki rotiyaan khao, to dhari haian. chi die ka salan paka dooangi. tum batate jana, jaise banana ho. tho da-sa doodh bhi hai. hamari gaiya ko ek bar teandue ne ghera tha. use siangoan se bhaga kar bhag aee, tab se teandua usase darata hai.
'lekin maian akela nahian hooan. mere sath ek aurat bhi hai.'
'tumhari gharavali hogi?'
'nahian, gharavali to abhi nahian hai, jan-pahachan ki hai.'
'to maian dau d kar unako bula lati hooan. tum chal kar chhaanh mean baitho.'
'nahian-nahian, maian bula lata hooan.'
tum thak ge hoge. shahar ke rahaiya, jangal mean kahe ate hoange. ham to jangali adami haian. kinare hi to kh di hoangi.'
jab tak mehata kuchh bolean, vah hava ho gee. mehata oopar chadh kar pipal ki chhaanh mean baithe, to is svachchhand jivan se unake man mean anurag utpann hua. samane ki parvat-mala darshan-tatv ki bhaanti agamy aur anant phaili huee, mano jnan ka vistar kar rahi ho, manoan atma us jnan ko, us prakash ko, us agamyata ko, usake pratyaksh virat roop mean dekh rahi ho. door ke ek bahut ooanche shikhar par ek chhota-sa mandir tha, jo us agamyata mean buddhi ki bhaanti ooancha, par khoya hua-sa kh da tha, mano vahaan tak par mar kar pakshi vishram lena chahata hai aur kahian sthan nahian pata.
mehata inhian vicharoan mean doobe hue the ki yuvati mis malati ko sath lie a pahuanchi, ek van-pushp ki bhaanti dhoop mean khili huee, doosari gamale ke phool ki bhaanti dhoop mean murajhaee aur nirjiv.
malati ne bedili ke sath kaha - pipal ki chhaanh bahut achchhi lag rahi hai, kyoan aur yahaan bhookh ke mare pran nikale ja rahe haian.
yuvati do b de-b de matake utha laee aur boli - tum jab tak yahian baitho, maian abhi dau d kar pani lati hooan, phir choolha jala dooangi, aur mere hath ka khao, to maian ek chhan mean batiyaan seank dooangi, nahian, apane ap seank lena. haan, gehooan ka ata mere ghar mean nahian hai aur yahaan kahian koee dukan bhi nahian hai ki la dooan.
malati ko mehata par krodh a raha tha. boli - tum yahaan kyoan a kar p d rahe?
mehata ne chidhate hue kaha - ek din jara jivan ka anand bhi to uthao. dekho, makke ki rotiyoan mean kitana svad hai.
mujhase makke ki rotiyaan khaee hi n jayangi, aur kisi tarah nigal bhi jaooan to hajam n hoangi. tumhare sath a kar maian bahut pachhata rahi hooan. raste-bhar dau da ke mar dala aur ab yahaan la kar patak diya.'
mehata ne kap de utar die the aur keval ek nila jaanghiya pahane baithe hue the. yuvati ko matake le jate dekha, to usake hath se matake chhin lie aur kuean par pani bharane chale. darshan ke gahare adhyayan mean bhi unhoanne apane svasthy ki raksha ki thi aur donoan matake le kar chalate hue unaki maansal aur chau di chhati aur machhalidar jaanghean kisi yoonani pratima ke sugathit aangoan ki bhaanti unake purusharth ka parichay de rahi thian. yuvati unhean pani khianchate hue anurag-bhari aankhoan se dekh rahi thi. vah ab usaki daya ke patr nahian, shraddha ke patr ho ge the.
kuaan bahut gahara tha, koee sath hath, matake bhari the aur mehata kasarat ka abhyas karate rahane par bhi ek mataka khianchate-khianchate shithil ho ge. yuvati ne dau d kar unake hath se rassi chhin li aur boli - tumase n khianchega. tum ja kar khat par baitho, maian khianche leti hooan.
mehata apane purushatv ka yah apaman n sah sake. rassi usake hath se phir le li aur zor mar kar ek kshan mean doosara mataka bhi khianch liya aur donoan hathoan mean donoan matake lie, a kar jhop di ke dvar par kh de ho ge. yuvati ne chatapat ag jalaee, lalasar ke pankh jhulas dale. chhure se usaki botiyaan banaeean aur choolhe mean ag jala kar maans chadha diya aur choolhe ke doosare aile par kadhaee mean doodh ubalane lagi.
aur malati bhauanhean chadhae, khat par khinn-man p di is tarah yah drishy dekh rahi thi, mano usake apareshan ki taiyari ho rahi ho.
mehata jhop di ke dvar par kh de ho kar, yuvati ke grih-kaushal ko anurakt netroan se dekhate hue bole - mujhe bhi to koee kam batao, maian kya karooan?
yuvati ne mithi jhi daki ke sath kaha - tumhean kuchh nahian karana hai, ja kar baee ke pas baitho, bechari bahut bhookhi hai, doodh garam hua jata hai, use pila dena.
usane ek gh de se ata nikala aur gooandhane lagi. mehata usake aangoan ka vilas dekhate rahe. yuvati bhi rah-rah kar unhean kanakhiyoan se dekh kar apana kam karane lagati thi.
malati ne pukara - tum vahaan kyoan kh de ho? mere sir mean zor ka dard ho raha hai. adha sir aisa phata p data hai, jaise gir jayaga.
mehata ne a kar kaha - maloom hota hai, dhoop lag gee hai.
'maian kya janati thi, tum mujhe mar dalane ke lie yahaan la rahe ho.'
'tumhare sath koee dava bhi to nahian hai?'
'kya maian kisi mariz ko dekhane a rahi thi, jo dava le kar chalati? mera ek davaoan ka baks hai, vah semari mean hai! uph! sir phata jata hai.'
mehata ne usake sir ki or zamin par baith kar dhire-dhire usaka sir sahalana shuroo kiya. malati ne aankhean band kar lian.
yuvati hathoan mean ata bhare, sir ke bal bikhere, aankhean dhuean se lal aur sajal, sari deh pasine mean tar, jisase usaka ubhara hua vaksh saf jhalak raha tha, a kar kh di ho gee aur malati ko aankhean band kie p di dekh kar boli - baee ko kya ho gaya hai?
'mehata bole- sir mean b da dard hai.
'poore sir mean hai ki adhe mean?'
'adhe mean batalati haian.'
'daeean or hai, ki baeean or?'
'baeean or.'
'maian abhi dau d ke ek dava lati hooan. ghis kar lagate hi achchha ho jayaga.'
'tum is dhoop mean kahaan jaogi?'
yuvati ne suna hi nahian. veg se ek or ja kar paha diyoan mean chhip gee. koee adha ghante bad mehata ne use ooanchi paha di par chadhate dekha. door se bilakul gu diya-si lag rahi thi. man mean socha - is jangali chhokari mean seva ka kitana bhav aur kitana vyavaharik jnan hai. loo aur dhoop mean asaman par chadhi chali ja rahi hai.
malati ne aankhean khol kar dekha - kahaan gee vah kalooti. gajab ki kali hai, jaise abanoos ka kuanda ho. ise bhej do, rayasahab se kah ae, kar yahaan bhej dean. is tapish mean mera dam nikal jayaga.
'koee dava lene gee hai. kahati hai, usase adha-sir ka dard bahut jald aram ho jata hai.'
inaki davaean inhian ko fayada karati haian, mujhe n kareangi. tum to is chhokari par lattoo ho ge ho. kitane chhichhore ho. jaisi rooh vaise pharishte.'
mehata ko katu saty kahane mean sankoch n hota tha.
'kuchh batean to usamean aisi haian ki agar tumamean hotian, to tum sachamuch devi ho jatian.'
'usaki khoobiyaan use mubarak, mujhe devi banane ki ichchha nahian.'
'tumhari ichchha ho, to maian ja kar kar laooan, yadyapi kar yahaan a bhi sakegi, maian nahian kah sakata.'
'us kalooti ko kyoan nahian bhej dete?'
'vah to dava lene gee hai, phir bhojan pakaegi.'
'to aj ap usake mehaman haian. shayad rat ko bhi yahian rahane ka vichar hoga. rat ko shikar bhi to achchhe milate haian.'
mehata ne is akshep se chidh kar kaha - is yuvati ke prati mere man mean jo prem aur shraddha hai, vah aisi hai ki agar maian usaki or vasana se dekhooan to aankhean phoot jayan. maian apane kisi ghanishth mitr ke lie bhi is dhoop aur loo mean us ooanchi paha di par n jata. aur ham keval gh di-bhar ke mehaman haian, yah vah janati hai. vah kisi garib aurat ke lie bhi isi tatparata se dau d jayagi. maian vishv-bandhutv aur vishv-prem par keval lekh likh sakata hooan, keval bhashan de sakata hooan, vah us prem aur tyag ka vyavahar karati hai. kahane se karana kahian kathin hai. ise tum bhi janati ho.
malati ne upahas bhav se kaha - bas-bas, vah devi hai. maian man gee. usake vaksh mean ubhar hai, nitanboan mean bharipan hai, devi hone ke lie aur kya chahie.
mehata tilamila uthe. turant uthe aur kap de pahane, jo sookh ge the. bandook uthaee aur chalane ko taiyar hue. malati ne phuankar mari - tum nahian ja sakate, mujhe akeli chho d kar.
'tab kaun jayaga?'
'vahi tumhari devi.'
mehata hatabuddhi-se kh de the. nari purush par kitani asani se vijay pa sakati hai, isaka aj unhean jivan mean pahala anubhav hua.
vah dau dati-haanphati chali a rahi thi. vahi kalooti yuvati, hath mean ek jha d lie hue. samip a kar mehata ko kahian jane ko taiyar dekh kar boli - maian vah j di khoj laee. abhi ghis kar lagati hooan, lekin tum kahaan ja rahe ho? maans to pak gaya hoga, maian rotiyaan seank deti hooan. do-ek kha lena. baee doodh pi legi. thanda ho jay, to chale jana.
usane niahsankoch bhav se mehata ke achakan ki batanean khol dian. mehata apane ko bahut roke hue the. ji hota tha, is ganvarin ke charanoan ko choom lean.
malati ne kaha - apane davaee rahane de. nadi ke kinare, baragad ke niche hamari motarakar kh di hai. vahaan aur log hoange. unase kahana, kar yahaan laean. dau di huee ja.
yuvati ne din netroan se mehata ko dekha. itani mehanat se booti laee, usaka yah anadar! is ganvarin ki dava inhean nahian janchi, to n sahi, usaka man rakhane ko hi jara-si lagava letian, to kya hota.
usane booti zamin par rakh kar poochha - tab tak to choolha thanda ho jayaga baee ji. kaho to rotiyaan seank kar rakh dooan. babooji khana kha lean, tum doodh pi lo aur donoan jane aram karo. tab tak maian motar vale ko bula laooangi.
vah jhop di mean gee, bujhi huee ag phir jalaee. dekha to maans ubal gaya tha. kuchh jal bhi gaya tha. jaldi-jaldi rotiyaan seanki, doodh garm tha, use thanda kiya aur ek katore mean malati ke pas laee. malati ne katore ke bhaddepan par muanh banaya; lekin doodh tyag n saki. mehata jhop di ke dvar par baith kar ek thali mean maans aur rotiyaan khane lage. yuvati kh di pankh jhal rahi thi.
malati ne yuvati se kaha - unhean khane do. kahian bhage nahian jate haian. too ja kar ga di la.
yuvati ne malati ki or ek bar saval ki aankhoan se dekha, yah kya chahati haian. inaka ashay kya hai? use malati ke chehare par rogiyoan ki-si namrata aur kritajnata aur yachana n dikhaee di. usaki jagah abhiman aur pramad ki jhalak thi. ganvarin manobhavoan ko pahachanane mean chatur thi. boli - maian kisi ki lauandi nahian hooan baee ji! tum b di ho, apane ghar ki b di ho. maian tumase kuchh maangane to nahian jati. maian ga di lene n jaooangi.
malati ne daanta - achchha, toone gustakhi par kamar baandhi! bata, too kisake ilake mean rahati hai?
'yah rayasahab ka ilaka hai.'
'to tujhe unhian rayasahab ke hathoan hantaroan se pitavaooangi.'
'mujhe pitavane se tumhean sukh mile to pitava lena baee ji! koee rani-maharani tho di hooan ki laskar bhejani p degi.'
mehata ne do-char kaur nigale the ki malati ki yah batean sunian. kaur kanth mean atak gaya. jaldi se hath dhoya aur bole - vah nahian jayagi. maian ja raha hooan.
malati bhi kh di ho gee - use jana p dega.
mehata ne aangreji mean kaha - usaka apaman karake tum apana samman badha nahian rahi ho malati!
malati ne phatakar bataee - aisi hi lauandiyaan mardoan ko pasand ati haian, jinamean aur koee gun ho ya n ho, unaki tahal dau d-dau d kar prasann man se karean aur apana bhagy sarahean ki is purush ne mujhase yah kam karane ko to kaha - vah deviyaan haian, shaktiyaan haian, vibhootiyaan haian. maian samajhati thi, vah purushatv tumamean kam-se-kam nahian hai, lekin aandar se, sanskaroan se, tum bhi vahi barbar ho.
mehata manovijnan ke pandit the. malati ke manorahasyoan ko samajh rahe the. eershya ka aisa anokha udaharan unhean kabhi n mila tha. us ramani mean, jo itani mridu-svabhav, itani udar, itani prasann-mukh thi, eershya ki aisi prachand jvala!
bole - kuchh bhi kaho, maian use n jane dooanga. usaki sevaoan aur kripaoan ka yah puraskar de kar maian apane najaroan mean nich nahian ban sakata.
mehata ke svar mean kuchh aisa tej tha ki malati dhire-se uthi aur chalane ko taiyar ho gee. usane jal kar kaha - achchha, to maian hi jati hooan, tum usake charanoan ki pooja karake pichhe ana.
malati do-tin qadam chali gee, to mehata ne yuvati se kaha - ab mujhe ajna do bahan, tumhara yah neh, tumhari yah ni:svarth seva hamesha yad rahegi.
yuvati ne donoan hathoan se, sajal netr ho kar unhean pranam kiya aur jhop di ke aandar chali gee.
doosari toli rayasahab aur khanna ki thi. rayasahab to apane usi reshami kurate aur reshami chadar mean the. magar khanna ne shikari soot daanta tha, jo shayad aj hi ke lie banavaya gaya tha; kyoanki khanna ko asamiyoan ke shikar se itani phursat kahaan thi ki janavaroan ka shikar karate. khanna thiangane, ikahare, roopavan adami the, gehuana rang, b di-b di aankhean, muanh par chechak ke dag, batachit mean b de kushal.
kuchh der chalane ke bad khanna ne mistar mehata ka zikr chhe d diya, jo kal se hi unake mastishk mean rahu ki bhaanti samae hue the.
bole - yah mehata bhi kuchh ajib adami hai. mujhe to kuchh bana hua maloom hota hai.
rayasahab mehata ki ijjat karate the aur unhean sachcha aur nishkapat adami samajhate the, par khanna se len-den ka vyavahar tha, kuchh svabhav se shaantipriy bhi the, virodh n kar sake. bole - maian to unhean keval manoranjan ki vastu samajhata hooan. kabhi unase bahas nahian karata aur karana bhi chahooan to utani vidya kahaan se laooan? jisane jivan ke kshetr mean kabhi qadam hi nahian rakha, vah agar jivan ke vishay mean koee naya siddhaant alapata hai, to mujhe us par hansi ati hai. maje se ek hazar mahavar phatakarate haian, n joroo n jaanta, n koee chianta n badha, vah darshan n bagharean to kaun baghare ! ap nirdvandv rah kar jivan ko sanpoorn banane ka svapn dekhate haian. aise adami se kya bahas ki jae.
'maianne suna, charitr ka achchha nahian hai.'
'bephikri mean charitr achchha rah hi kaise sakata hai. samaj mean raho aur samaj ke kartavyoan aur maryadaoan ka palan karo, tab pata chale.'
'malati n jane kya dekh kar un par lattoo huee jati hai.'
'maian samajhata hooan, vah keval tumhean jala rahi hai.'
mujhe vah kya jalaeangi, bechari. maian unhean khilaune se zyada nahian samajhata.'
'yah to n kaho mistar khanna, mis malati par jan to dete ho tum.'
'yoan to maian apako bhi yahi ilajam de sakata hooan.'
'maian sachamuch khilauna samajhata hooan. ap unhean pratima banae hue haian.'
khanna ne zor se kahakaha mara, halaanki hansi ki koee bat n thi.
'agar ek lota jal chadha dene se varadan mil jay, to kya bura hai.'
abaki rayasahab ne zor se kahakaha mara, jisaka koee prayojan n tha.
'tab apane us devi ko samajha hi nahian. ap jitani hi usaki pooja kareange, utana hi vah apase door bhageangi. jitana hi door bhagiega, utana hi apaki or dau deangi.'
'tab to unhean apaki or dau dana chahie tha.'
'meri or! maian us rasik-samaj se bilakul bahar hooan mistar khanna, sach kahata hooan. mujhamean jitani buddhi, jitana bal hai, vah is ilake ke prabandh mean hi kharch ho jata hai. ghar ke jitane prani haian, sabhi apani-apani dhun mean mast, koee upasana mean, koee vishay-vasana mean. kooo kahoo mean magan, kooo kahoo mean magan. aur in sab ajagaroan ko bhakshy dena mera kam hai, kartavy hai. mere bahut se tallukedar bhaee bhog-vilas karate haian, yah maian janata hooan. magar vah log ghar phooank kar tamasha dekhate haian. karz ka bojh sir par lada ja raha hai, roj digariyaan ho rahi haian. jisase lete haian, use dena nahian janate, charoan taraph badanam. maian to aisi ziandagi se mar jana achchha samajhata hooan! maloom nahian, kis sanskar se meri atma mean jara-si jan baki rah gee, jo mujhe desh aur samaj ke bandhan mean baandhe hue hai. satyagrah-aandolan chhi da. mere sare bhaee sharab-kabab mean mast the. maian apane ko n rok saka. jel gaya aur lakhoan rupe ki jerabari uthaee aur abhi tak usaka tavan de raha hooan. mujhe usaka pachhatava nahian hai. bilakul nahian. mujhe usaka garv hai! maian us adami ko adami nahian samajhata, jo desh aur samaj ki bhalaee ke lie udyog n kare aur balidan n kare. mujhe kya yah achchha lagata hai ki nirjiv kisanoan ka rakt choosooan aur apane parivaravaloan ki vasanaoan ki tripti ke sadhan jutaooan, magar kya karooan? jis vyavastha mean pala aur jiya, usase ghrina hone par bhi usaka moh tyag nahian sakata aur usi charkhe mean rat-din p da hua hooan ki kisi tarah ijjat-abaroo bachi rahe, aur atma ki hatya n hone pae. aisa adami mis malati kya, kisi bhi mis ke pichhe nahian p d sakata, aur p de to usaka sarvanash hi samajhie. haan, tho da-sa manoranjan kar lena doosari bat hai.'
mistar khanna bhi sahasi adami the, sangram mean age badhane vale. do bar jel ho ae the. kisi se dabana n janate the. khaddar pahanate the aur phraans ki sharab pite the. avasar p dane par b di-b di takaliphe jhel sakate the. jel mean sharab chhuee tak nahian, aur 'e' klas mean rah kar bhi 'si' klas ki rotiyaan khate rahe, halaanki, unhean har tarah ka aram mil sakata tha, magar ran-kshetr mean jane vala rath bhi to bina tel ke nahian chal sakata. unake jivan mean tho di-si rasikata lajimi thi. bole - ap sannyasi ban sakate haian, maian to nahian ban sakata. maian to samajhata hooan, jo bhogi nahian hai, vah sangram mean bhi poore utsah se nahian ja sakata. jo ramani se prem nahian kar sakata, usake desh-prem mean mujhe vishvas nahian.
ray sahab muskarae - ap mujhi par avajean kasane lage.
'avaz nahian hai, tatv ki bat hai.'
'shayad ho.'
'ap apane dil ke aandar paith kar dekhie to pata chale.'
'maianne to paith kar dekha hai, aur maian apako vishvas dilata hooan, vahaan aur chahe jitani buraiyaan hoan, vishay ki lalasa nahian hai.'
'tab mujhe apake oopar daya ati hai. ap jo itane dukhi aur nirash aur chiantit haian, isaka ekamatr karan apaka nigrah hai. maian to yah natak khel kar rahooanga, chahe du:khaant hi kyoan n ho. vah mujhase majak karati hai, dikhati hai ki mujhe teri paravah nahian hai, lekin maian himmat harane vala manushy nahian hooan. maian ab tak usaka mizaj nahian samajh paya. kahaan nishana thik baithega, isaka nishchay n kar saka. jis din yah kuanji mil gee, bas fatah hai.'
'lekin vah kuanji apako shayad hi mile. mehata shayad apase bazi mar le jayan.'
ek hiran kee hiraniyoan ke sath char raha tha, b di siangoan vala, bilakul kala. rayasahab ne nishana baandha. khanna ne roka - kyoan hatya karate ho yar bechara char raha hai, charane do. dhoop tej ho gee. aie kahian baith jayan. apase kuchh batean karani haian.
rayasahab ne bandook chalaee, magar hiran bhag gaya. bole - ek shikar mila bhi to nishana khali gaya.
'ek hatya se bache.'
'haan kahie, kya kahane ja rahe the.'
'apake ilake mean ookh hoti hai?'
'b di kasarat se.'
'to phir kyoan n hamare shugar mil mean shamil ho jaie? hisse dh dadh d bik rahe haian. ap zyada nahian, ek hazar hisse kharid lean?'
'gajab kiya, maian itane rupe kahaan se laooanga?'
'itane nami ilakedar aur apako rupayoan ki kami! kul pachas hazar hi to hote haian. unamean bhi abhi 25 phisadi hi dena hai.'
'nahian bhaee sahab, mere pas is vakt bilakul rupe nahian haian.
'rupe jitane chahean, mujhase lijie. baiank apaka hai. haan, abhi apane apani ziandagi ianshyord n karaee hogi. meri kanpani mean ek achchhi-si palisi lijie. sau-do sau rupe to ap b di asani se har mahine de sakate haian aur ikatti rakam mil jayagi - chalis-pachas hajar. l dakoan ke lie isase achchha prabandh ap nahian kar sakate. hamari niyamavali dekhie. ham poorn sahakarita ke siddhaant par kam karate haian. daftar aur karmachariyoan ke kharch ke siva naphe ki ek paee bhi kisi ki jeb mean nahian jati. apako ashchary hoga ki is niti se kanpani chal kaise rahi haian! aur meri salah se tho da-sa spekuleshan ka kam bhi shuroo kar dijie. yah jo saik doan karo dapati bane hue haian, sab isi spekuleshan se bane haian. rooee, shakkar, gehooan, rabar kisi jians ka satta kijie. minatoan mean lakhoan ka vara-nyara hota hai. kam jara atapata hai. bahut se log gachcha kha jate haian, lekin vahi, jo ana di haian. ap jaise anubhavi, sushikshit aur doorandesh logoan ke lie isase zyada naphe ka kam hi nahian. bazar ka chadhav-utar koee akasmik ghatana nahian. isaka bhi vijnan hai. ek bar use gaur se dekh lijie, phir kya majal ki dhokha ho jae.'
rayasahab kanpaniyoan par avishvas karate the, do-ek bar isaka unhean k dava anubhav ho bhi chuka tha, lekin mistar khanna ko unhoanne apani aankhoan ke samane badhate dekha tha aur unaki karyakshamata ke kayal ho ge the. abhi das sal pahale jo vyakti baiank mean klark tha, vah keval n apane adhayavasay, purusharth aur pratibha se shahar mean pujata hai. usaki salahoan ki upeksha n ki ja sakati thi. is vishay mean agar khanna unake path-pradarshak ho jayan, to unhean bahut kuchh kamayabi ho sakati hai. aisa avasar kyoan chho da jay? tarah-tarah ke prashn karate rahe.
sahasa ek dehati ek b di-si tokari mean kuchh j dean, kuchh pattiyaan, kuchh phool lie, jata najar aya.
khanna ne poochha - are, kya bechata hai?
dehati sakapaka gaya. dara, kahian begar mean n pak d jae. bola - kuchh to nahian malik yahi ghas-pat hai?'
'kya karega inako?'
'bechooanga malik j di-booti hai.'
'kaun-kaun-si j di-booti hai, bata?'
dehati ne apana aushadhalay khol kar dikhalaya. mamooli chizean thian, jo jangal ke adami ukha d kar le jate haian aur shahar mean attaroan ke hath do-char ane mean bech ate haian. jaise makoy, kanghi, sahadeiya, kukarauandho, dhatoore ke bij, madar ke phool, karanje, ghumachi adi. har ek chiz dikhata tha aur rate hue shabdoan mean unake gun bhi bayan karata jata tha. yah makoy hai sarakar! tap ho, mandagni ho, tilli ho, dh dakan ho, shool ho, khaansi ho, ek khurak mean aram ho jata hai. yah dhatoore ke bij haian, malik gathiya ho, baee ho...........
khanna ne dam poochha - usane ath ane kahe. khanna ne ek rupaya pheank diya aur use p dav tak rakh ane ka hukm diya. garib ne muanh-maanga dam hi nahian paya, usaka duguna paya. ashirvad deta chala gaya.
rayasahab ne poochha - ap yah ghas-pat le kar kya kareange?
khanna ne muskara kar kaha - inaki asharphiyaan banaooanga. maian kimiyagar hooan. yah apako shayad nahian maloom.
'to yar, vah mantr hamean bhi sikha do.'
'haan-haan, shauq se. meri shagirdi kijie. pahale sava ser laddoo la kar chadhaie, tab batalaooanga. bat yah hai ki mera tarah-tarah ke adamiyoan se sabaka p data hai. kuchh aise log bhi ate haian, jo j di-bootiyoan par jan dete haian. unako itana maloom ho jay ki yah kisi fakir ki di huee booti hai, phir apaki khushamad kareange, nak rag deange, aur ap vah chiz unhean de dean, to hamesha ke lie apake rrini ho jaeange. ek rupe mean agar das-bis buddhuoan par ehasan ka namada kasa ja sake, to kya bura hai? jara se ehasan se b de-b de kam nikal jate haian.'
rayasahab ne kautoohal se poochha- magar in bootiyoan ke gun apako yad kaise raheange?
khanna ne kahakaha mara - ap bhi rayasahab! b de maje ki batean karate haian. jis booti mean jo bhi gun chahe bata dijie, vah apaki liyakat par munahasar hai. sehat to rupe mean ath ane vishvas se hoti hai. ap jo in b de-b de aphasaroan ko dekhate haian, aur in lanbi pooanchhavale vidvanoan ko, aur in reesoan ko, ye sab aandhavishvasi hote haian. maian to vanaspati-shastr ke prophesar ko janata hooan, jo kukarauandho ka nam bhi nahian janate. in vidvanoan ka majak to hamare svamiji khoob u date haian. apako to kabhi unake darshan n hue hoange. abaki ap aeange, to unase milaooanga. jab se mere bagiche mean thahare haian, rat-din logoan ka taanta laga rahata hai. maya to unhean chhoo bhi nahian gee. keval ek bar doodh pite haian. aisa vidvanh mahatma maianne aj tak nahian dekha. n jane kitane varsh himalay par tap karate rahe. poore siddh purush haian. ap unase avashy diksha lijie. mujhe vishvas hai, apaki yah sari kathinaiyaan chhoomantar ho jaeangi. apako dekhate hi apaka bhoot-bhavishy sab kah sunaeange. aise prasann-mukh haian ki dekhate hi man khil uthata hai. tajjub to, yah hai ki khud itane b de mahatma haian, magar sannyas aur tyag, mandir aur math, sanpraday aur panthi, in sabako dhoang kahate haian, pakhand kahate haian. roodhiyoan ke bandhan ko to do aur manushy bano, devata banane ka khayal chho do. devata ban kar tum manushy n rahoge.
rayasahab ke man mean shanka huee. mahatmaoan mean unhean bhi vah vishvas tha, jo prabhutavaloan mean amataur par hota hai. du:khi prani ko atmachetan mean jo shaanti milati hai, usake lie vah bhi lalayit rahate the. jab arthik kathinaiyoan se nirash ho jate, man mean ata, sansar se muanh mo d kar ekaant mean ja baithean aur moksh ki chianta karean. sansar ke bandhanoan ko vah bhi sadharan manushyoan ki bhaanti atmonnati ke marg ki badhaean samajhate the aur inase door ho jana hi unake jivan ka bhi adarsh tha, lekin sannyas aur tyag ke bina bandhanoan ko to dane ka aur kya upay hai?
'lekin jab vah sannyas ko dhoang kahate haian, to khud kyoan sannyas liya hai?'
'unhoanne sannyas kab liya hai sahab, vah to kahate haian - adami ko aant tak kam karate rahana chahie. vichar-svatantry unake upadeshoan ka tatv hai.'
'meri samajh mean kuchh nahian a raha hai. vichar-svatantray ka ashay kya hai?'
'samajh mean to mere bhi kuchh nahian aya, abaki aie, to unase batean hoan. vah prem ko jivan ka saty kahate haian. aur isaki aisi suandar vyakhya karate haian ki man mugdh ho jata hai.'
'mis malati ko unase milaya ya nahian?'
'ap bhi dillagi karate haian. malati ko bhala inase kya milata?'
vaky poora n hua tha ki samane jha di mean sarasarahat ki avaz sun kar chauank p de aur pran-raksha ki prerana se rayasahab ke pichhe a ge. jha di mean se ek teandua nikala aur mand gati se samane ki or chala.
rayasahab ne bandook uthaee aur nishana baandhana chahate the ki khanna ne kaha - yah kya karate haian ap - khvahamakhvah use chhe d rahe haian,. kahian laut p de to?
'laut kya p dega, vahian dher ho jayaga.'
'to mujhe us tile par chadh jane dijie. maian shikar ka aisa shaukin nahian hooan.'
'tab kya shikar khelane chale the?'
'shamat aur kya!'
rayasahab ne bandook niche kar li.
'b da achchha shikar nikal gaya. aise avasar kam milate haian.'
'maian to ab yahaan nahian thahar sakata. khataranak jagah hai.'
'ekadh shikar to mar lene dijie. khali hath lautate sharm ati hai.'
'ap mujhe kripa karake kar ke pas pahuancha dijie, phir chahe teandue ka shikar kijie ya chite ka.'
'ap b de darapok haian mistar khanna, sach.'
'vyarth mean apane jan khatare mean dalana bahaduri nahian hai!'
'achchha to ap khushi se laut sakate haian.'
'akela?'
'rasta bilakul saf hai.'
'ji nahian. apako mere sath chalana p dega.'
rayasahab ne bahut samajhaya, magar khanna ne ek n mani. mare bhay ke unaka chehara pila p d gaya tha. us vakt agar jha di mean se ek gilahari bhi nikal ati, to vah chikh mar kar gir p date. boti-boti kaanp rahi thi. pasine se tar ho ge the. rayasahab ko lachar ho kar unake sath lautana p da.
jab donoan adami b di door nikal ae, to khanna ke hosh thikane ae.
bole - khatare se nahian darata, lekin khatare ke muanh mean uangali dalana himakat hai.
'aji, jao bhi. jara-sa teandua dekh liya, to jan nikal gee.'
'maian shikar khelana us jamane ka sanskar samajhata hooan, jab adami pashu tha. tab se sanskriti bahut age badh gee hai.'
'maian mis malati se apaki kalee kholooanga.'
'maian ahiansavadi hona lajja ki bat nahian samajhata.'
'achchha, to yah apaka ahiansavad tha. shabash!'
khanna ne garv se kaha - ji haan, yah mera ahiansavad tha. ap buddh aur shankar ke nam par garv karate haian aur pashuoan ki hatya karate haian, lajja apako ani chahie, n ki mujhe. kuchh door donoan phir chupachap chalate rahe. tab khanna bole- to ap kab tak aeange? maian chahata hooan, ap palisi ka pharm aj hi bhar dean aur shakkar ke hissoan ka bhi. mere pas donoan pharm bhi maujood haian.
rayasahab ne chiantit svar mean kaha - jara soch lene dijie
'isamean sochane ki zaroorat nahian.'
tisari toli mirja khurshed aur mistar tankha ki thi. mirja khurshed ke lie bhoot aur bhavishy sade kagaz ki bhaanti tha. vah vartaman mean rahate the. n bhoot ka pachhatava tha, n bhavishy ki chianta. jo kuchh samane a jata tha, usamean ji-jan se lag jate the. mitroan ki mandali mean vah vinod ke putale the. kauansil mean unase zyada utsahi meanbar koee n tha. jis prashn ke pichhe p d jate, ministaroan ko rula dete. kisi ke sath roo-riyayat karana n janate the. bich-bich mean parihas bhi karate jate the. unake lie aj jivan tha, kal ka pata nahian. gussevar bhi aise the ki tal thoank kar samane a jate the. namrata ke samane dandavat karate the, lekin jahaan kisi ne shan dikhaee aur yah hath dho kar usake pichhe p de. n apana lena yad rakhate the, n doosaroan ka dena. shauq tha shayari ka aur sharab ka. aurat keval manoranjan ki vastu thi. bahut din hue hriday ka divala nikal chuke the.
mistar tankha daanv-peanch ke adami the, sauda patane mean, muamala sulajhane mean, a danga lagane mean, baloo se tel nikalane mean, gala dabane mean, dum jha d kar nikal jane mean b de siddhahast. kahie ret mean nav chala dean, patthar par doob uga dean. tallukedaroan ko mahajanoan se karz dilana, nee kanpaniyaan kholana, chunav ke avasar par ummedavar kh de karana, yahi unaka vyavasay tha. khas kar chunav ke samay unaki takadir chamakati thi. kisi podhe ummedavar ko kh da karate, dilojan se usaka kam karate aur das-bis hazar bana lete. jab kaangres ka zor tha, to kaangres ke ummedavar ke sahayak the. jab saanpradayik dal ka zor hua, to hiandoosabha ki or se kam karane lage, magar is ulatapher ke samarthan ke lie unake pas aisi dalilean thian ki koee uangali n dikha sakata tha. shahar ke sabhi rees, sabhi hukkam, sabhi amiroan se unaka yarana tha. dil mean chahe log unaki niti pasand n karean, par vah svabhav ke itane namr the ki koee muanh par kuchh n kah sakata tha.
mirja khurshed ne roomal se mathe ka pasina poanchh kar kaha - aj to shikar khelane ke layaq din nahian hai. aj to koee mushayara hona chahie tha.
vakil ne samarthan kiya - ji haan, vahian bag mean. b di bahar rahegi.
tho di der ke bad mistar tankha ne mamale ki bat chhe di.
'abaki chunav mean b de-b de gul khileange! apake lie bhi mushkil hai.'
mirja virakt man se bole - abaki maian kh da hi n hooanga.
tankha ne poochha - kyoan?
'muft ki bakabak kaun kare? fayada hi kya! mujhe ab is demokresi mean bhakti nahian rahi. jara-sa kam aur mahinoan ki bahas. haan, janata ki aankhoan mean dhool jhoankane ke lie achchha svaang hai. isase to kahian achchha hai ki ek gavarnar rahe, chahe vah hiandustani ho, ya aangrej, isase bahas nahian. ek ianjin jis ga di ko b de maje se hajaroan mil khianch le ja sakata hai, use das hazar adami mil kar bhi utani tezise nahian khianch sakate. maian to yah sara tamasha dekh kar kauansil se bejar ho gaya hooan. mera bas chale, to kauansil mean ag laga dooan. jise ham demokresi kahate haian, vah vyavahar mean b de-b de vyapariyoan aur jamiandaroan ka rajy hai, aur kuchh nahian. chunav mean vahi bazi le jata hai, jisake pas rupe haian. rupe ke zor se usake lie sabhi suvidhaean taiyar ho jati haian. b de-b de pandit, b de-b de maulavi, b de-b de likhane aur bolane vale, jo apane jaban aur kalam se pablik ko jis taraph chahean pher dean, sabhi sone ke devata ke pairoan par matha rag date haian, maianne to irada kar liya hai, ab ilekshan ke pas n jaooanga. mera propeganda ab demokresi ke khilaf hoga.'
mirja sahab ne quran ki ayatoan se siddh kiya ki purane jamane ke badashahoan ke adarsh kitane ooanche the. aj to ham usaki taraph tak bhi nahian sakate. hamari aankhoan mean chakachauandh a jayagi. badashah ko khazane ki ek kau di bhi niji kharch mean lane ka adhikar n tha. vah kitabean nakal karake, kap de si kar, l dakoan ko padha kar apana gujar karata tha. mirja ne adarsh mahipoan ki ek lanbi soochi gina di. kahaan to vah praja ko palane vala badashah, aur kahaan ajakal ke mantri aur ministar, paanch, chh:, sat, ath hazar mahavar milana chahie. yah loot hai ya demokresi!
hiranoan ka jhuand charata hua najar aya. mirja ke mukh par shikar ka josh chamak utha. bandook sanbhali aur nishana mara. ek kala-sa hiran gir p da. vah mara! is unmatt dhavani ke sath mirja bhi betahasha dau de - bilakul bachchoan ki tarah uchhalate, koodate, taliyaan bajate.
samip hi ek vriksh par ek adami lak diyaan kat raha tha. vah bhi chat-pat vriksh se utar kar mirja ji ke sath dau da. hiran ki gardan mean goli lagi thi, usake pairoan mean kanpan ho raha tha aur aankhean pathara gee thian.
lak dahare ne hiran ko karun netroan se dekh kar kaha - achchha pattha tha, man-bhar se kam n hoga. hukum ho, to maian utha kar pahuancha dooan?
mirja kuchh bole nahian. hiran ki tangi huee, din, vedana se bhari aankhean dekh rahe the. abhi ek minat pahale isamean jivan tha. jara-sa patta bhi kh dakata, to kan kh de karake chauk diyaan bharata hua nikal bhagata. apane mitroan aur bal-bachchoan ke sath eeshvar ki ugaee huee ghas kha raha tha, magar ab nispand p da hai. usaki khal udhe d lo, usaki botiyaan kar dalo, usaka kima bana dalo, use khabar bhi n hogi. usake kri damay jivan mean jo akarshan tha, jo anand tha, vah kya is nirjiv shav mean hai? kitani suandar gathan thi, kitani pyari aankhean, kitani manohar chhavi! usaki chhalaangean hriday mean anand ki tanragean paida kar deti thian, usaki chauk diyoan ke sath hamara man bhi chauk diyaan bharane lagata tha. usaki sphoorti jivan-sa bikherati chalati thi, jaise phool sugandh bikherata hai, lekin ab! use dekh kar glani hoti hai.
lak dahare ne poochha - kahaan pahuanchana hoga malik? mujhe bhi do-char paise de dena.
mirja ji jaise dhyan se chauank p de. bole- achchha, utha le. kahaan chalega?
'jahaan hukum ho malik.'
'nahian, jahaan teri ichchha ho, vahaan le ja. maian tujhe deta hooan!'
lak dahare ne mirja ki or kautoohal se dekha. kanoan par vishvas n aya.
'are nahian malik, huzoor ne sikar kiya hai, to ham kaise kha lean.'
'nahian-nahian, maian khushi se kahata hooan, tum ise le jao. tumhara ghar yahaan se kitani door hai?'
'koee adha kos hoga malik!'
to maian bhi tumhare sath chalooanga. dekhooanga, tumhare bal-bachche kaise khush hote haian.'
'aise to maian n le jaooanga sarakar! ap itani door se ae, is k di dhoop mean sikar kiya, maian kaise utha le jaooan?'
'utha utha, der n kar. mujhe maloom ho gaya, too bhala adami hai.'
lak dahare ne darate-darate aur rah-rah kar mirja ji ke mukh ki or sashank netroan se dekhate hue ki kahian big d n jayan, hiran ko uthaya. sahasa usane hiran ko chho d diya aur kh da ho kar bola - maian samajh gaya malik, huzoor ne isaki halali nahian ki.
mirja ji ne hans kar kaha - bas-bas, toone khoob samajha. ab utha le aur ghar chal.
mirja ji dharm ke itane paband n the. das sal se unhoanne namaz n padhi thi. do mahine mean ek din vrat rakh lete the. bilakul nirahar, nirjal, magar lak dahare ko is khayal se jo santosh hua tha ki hiran ab in logoan ke lie akhady ho gaya hai, use phika n karana chahate the.
lak dahare ne halake man se hiran ko gardan par rakh liya aur ghar ki or chala. tankha abhi tak tatasth se vahian pe d ke niche kh de the. dhoop mean hiran ke pas jane ka kasht kyoan uthate? kuchh samajh mean n a raha tha ki muamala kya hai, lekin jab lak dahare ko ulti disha mean jate dekha, to a kar mirja se bole - ap udhar kahaan ja rahe haian hajarat. kya rasta bhool ge?
mirja ne aparadhi bhav se muskara kar kaha - maianne shikar is garib adami ko de diya. ab jara isake ghar chal raha hooan. ap bhi aie n.
tankha ne mirja ko kautoohal ki drishti se dekha aur bole - ap apane hosh mean haian ya nahian?
'kah nahian sakata. mujhe khud nahian maloom.'
'shikar ise kyoan de diya?'
'isalie ki use pa kar ise jitani khushi hogi, mujhe ya apako n hogi.'
tankha khisiya kar bole - jaie! socha tha, khoob kabab u daeange, so apane sara maja kirakira kar diya. khair, rayasahab aur mehata kuchh n kuchh laeange hi. koee gam nahian. maian is ilekshan ke bare mean kuchh arj karana chahata hooan. ap nahian kh da hona chahate n sahi, apaki jaisi marji, lekin apako isamean kya tammul hai ki jo log kh de ho rahe haian, unase isaki achchhi kimat vasool ki jae. maian apase sirph itana chahata hooan ki ap kisi par yah bhed n khulane dean ki ap nahian kh de ho rahe haian. sirph itani meharabani kijie mere sath! khvaja jamal tahir isi shahar se kh de ho rahe haian. reesoan ke vot to solahoan ane unaki taraph haian hi, hukkam bhi unake madadagar haian. phir bhi pablik par apaka jo asar hai, isase unaki kor dab rahi hai. ap chahean to apako unase das-bis hazar rupe mahaj yah zahir kar dene ke mil sakate haian ki ap unaki khatir baith jate haian…nahian mujhe arj kar lene dijie. is muamale mean apako kuchh nahian karana hai. ap bephikr baithe rahie. maian apaki taraph se ek meniphesto nikal dooanga aur usi sham ko ap mujhase das hazar nakad vasool kar lijie.
mirja sahab ne unaki or hikarat se dekh kar kaha - maian aise rupe par aur ap par lanat bhejata hooan.
mistar tankha ne jara bhi bura nahian mana. mathe par bal tak n ane diya.
'mujh par jitani lanat chahean bhejean, magar rupe par lanat bhej kar ap apana hi nukasan kar rahe haian.'
'maian aisi rakam ko haram samajhata hooan.'
'ap shariyat ke itane paband to nahian haian.'
'loot ki kamaee ko haram samajhane ke lie shara ka paband hone ki zaroorat nahian hai.'
'to is muamale mean kya ap phaisala tabdil nahian kar sakate?'
'ji nahian.'
'achchhi bat hai, ise jane dijie. kisi bima kanpani ke dairektar banane mean to apako koee etaraj nahian hai? apako kanpani ka ek hissa bhi n kharidana p dega. ap sirph apana nam de dijiega.'
'ji nahian, mujhe yah bhi manjoor nahian hai. maian kee kanpaniyoan ka dairektar, kee ka mainejiang ejeant, kee ka cheyaramain tha. daulat mere paanv choomati thi. maian janata hooan, daulat se aram aur takalluph ke kitane saman jama kie ja sakate haian, magar yah bhi janata hooan ki daulat iansan ko kitana khudagaraj bana deti hai, kitana aish-pasand, kitana makkar, kitana begairat.'
vakil sahab ko phir koee prastav karane ka sahas n hua. mirja ji ki buddhi aur prabhav mean unaka jo vishvas tha, vah bahut kam ho gaya. unake lie dhan hi sab kuchh tha aur aise adami se, jo lakshmi ko thokar marata ho, unaka koee mel n ho sakata tha.
lak dahara hiran ko kandhoan par rakhe lapaka chala ja raha tha. mirja ne bhi qadam badhaya, par sthoolakay tankha pichhe rah ge.
unhoanne pukara - jara sunie, mirja ji, ap to bhage ja rahe haian.
mirja ji ne bina ruke hue javab diya - vah garib bojh lie itani tezise chala ja raha hai. ham kya apana badan le kar bhi usake barabar nahian chal sakate?
lak dahare ne hiran ko ek thooanth par utar kar rakh diya tha aur dam lene laga tha.
mirja sahab ne a kar poochha - thak ge, kyoan?
lak dahare ne sakuchate hue kaha - bahut bhari hai sarakar!
'to lao, kuchh door maian le chalooan.'
lak dahara hansa. mirja dil-daul mean usase kahian ooanche aur mote-taje the, phir bhi vah dubala-patala adami unaki is bat par hansa. mirja ji par jaise chabuk p d gaya.
'tum hanse kyoan? kya tum samajhate ho, maian ise nahian utha sakata?'
lak dahare ne mano kshama maangi - sarakar ap b de adami haian. bojh uthana to ham-jaise majooroan ka hi kam hai.
'maian tumhara duguna jo hooan!'
'isase kya hota hai malik!'
mirja ji ka purushatv apana aur apaman n sah saka. unhoanne badh kar hiran ko gardan par utha liya aur chale, magar mushkil se pachas qadam chale hoange ki gardan phatane lagi, paanv tharatharane lage aur aankhoan mean titaliyaan u dane lagian. kaleja mazaboot kiya aur ek bis qadam aur chale. kanbakht kahaan rah gaya? jaise is lash mean sisa bhar diya gaya ho. jara mistar tankha ki gardan par rakh dooan, to maja ae. mashak ki tarah jo phoole chalate haian, jara isaka maja bhi dekhean, lekin bojha utarean kaise? donoan apane dil mean kaheange, b di javaanmardi dikhane chale the. pachas qadam mean chian bol ge.
lak dahare ne chutaki li - kaho malik, kaise rang-dhang haian? bahut halaka hai n?
mirja ji ko bojh kuchh halaka maloom hone laga. bole - utani door to le hi jaooanga, jitani door tum lae ho.
'kee din gardan dukhegi malik.'
'tum kya samajhate ho, maian yoan hi phoola hua hooan.'
'nahian malik, ab to aisa nahian samajhata. muda ap hairan n hoan, vah chattan hai, us par utar dijie.'
'maian abhi ise itani hi door aur le ja sakata hooan.'
'magar yah achchha to nahian lagata ki maian thala chalooan aur ap lade rahean.'
mirja sahab ne chattan par hiran ko utar kar rakh diya. vakil sahab a pahuanche.
mirja ne dana pheanka - ab apako bhi kuchh door le chalana p dega janab!
vakil sahab ki najaroan mean ab mirja ji ka koee mahatv n tha. bole - muaph kijie. mujhe apani pahalavani ka dava nahian hai.
'bahut bhari nahian hai sach.'
'aji, rahane bhi dijie!'
'ap agar ise sau qadam le chalean, to maian vada karata hooan, ap mere samane jo tajavij rakheange, use manjoor kar looanga.'
'maian in chakamoan mean nahian ata.'
'maian chakama nahian de raha hooan, vallah! ap jis halake se kaheange, kh da ho jaooanga. jab hukm deange, baith jaooanga. jis kanpani ka dairektar, meanbar, munim, kanavesar, jo kuchh kahiega, ban jaooanga. bas, sau qadam le chalie. meri to aise hi dostoan se nibhati hai, jo mauqa p dane par sab kuchh kar sakate hoan.'
tankha ka man chulabula utha. mirja apane kaul ke pakke haian. isamean koee sandeh n tha. hiran aisa kya bahut bhari hoga. akhir mirja itani door le hi ae. bahut zyada thake to nahian jan p date, agar inakar karate haian, to sunahara avasar hath se jata hai. akhir aisa kya koee paha d hai. bahut hoga, char-paanch panseri hoga. do-char din gardan hi to dukhegi! jeb mean rupe hoan, to tho di-si bimari sukh ki vastu hai.
'sau qadam ki rahi.'
'haan, sau kadam. maian ginata chalooanga.'
'dekhie, nikal n jaiega.'
'nikal jane vale par lanat bhejata hooan.
tankha ne joote ka phita phir se baandha, kot utar kar lak dahare ko diya, pataloon oopar chadhaya, roomal se muanh poanchha aur is tarah hiran ko dekha, mano okhali mean sir dene ja rahe haian. phir hiran ko utha kar gardan par rakhane ki cheshta ki. do-tin bar zor lagane par lash gardan par to a gee, par gardan n uth saki. kamar jhuk gee, haanph uthe aur lash ko zamin par patakane vale the ki mirja ne unhean sahara de kar age badhaya.
tankha ne ek dag is tarah uthaya, jaise daladal mean paanv rakh rahe hoan. mirja ne badhava diya - shabash! mere sher, vah-vah!
tankha ne ek dag aur rakha. maloom hua, gardan tooti jati hai.
'mar liya maidan! shabash! jite raho patthe.'
tankha do dag aur badhe. aankhean nikali p dati thian.
'bas, ek bar aur zor maro dost! sau qadam ki shart galat. pachas qadam ki hi rahi.'
vakil sahab ka bura hal tha. vah bejan hiran sher ki tarah unako daboche hue, unaka hriday-rakt choos raha tha. sari shaktiyaan javab de chuki thian. keval lobh, kisi lohe ki dharan ki tarah chhat ko sanbhale hue tha. ek se pachchis hazar tak ki goti thi. magar aant mean vah shahatir bhi javab de gee. lobhi ki kamar bhi toot gee. aankhoan ke samane aandhera chha gaya. sir mean chakkar aya aur vah shikar gardan par lie patharili zamin par gir p de.
mirja ne turant unhean uthaya aur apane roomal se hava karate hue unaki pith thoanki.
'jor to yar tumane khoob mara, lekin takadir ke khote ho.'
tankha ne haanphate hue lanbi saans khianch kar kaha - apane to aj meri jan hi le li thi. do man se kam n hoga sasur.
mirja ne hansate hue kaha - lekin bhaeejan, maian bhi to itani door utha kar laya hi tha.
vakil sahab ne khushamad karani shuroo ki - mujhe to apaki pharmaish poori karani thi. apako tamasha dekhana tha, vah apane dekh liya. ab apako apana vada poora karana hoga.
'apane muahada kab poora kiya?'
'koshish to jan to d kar ki.'
'isaki sanad nahian.'
lak dahare ne phir hiran utha liya aur bhaga chala ja raha tha. vah dikha dena chahata tha ki tum logoan ne kaankh-kooankh kar das qadam ise utha liya, to yah n samajho ki pas ho ge. is maidan mean maian durbal hone par bhi tumase age rahooanga. haan, kagad tum chahe jitana kala karo aur jhoothe mukadame chahe jitane banao.
ek nala mila, jisamean bahut tho da pani tha. nale ke us par tile par ek chhota-sa paanch-chh: gharoan ka purava tha aur kee l dake imali ke niche khel rahe the. lak dahare ko dekhate hi saboan ne dau d kar usaka svagat kiya aur lage poochhane- kisane mara bapoo? kaise mara, kahaan mara, kaise goli lagi, kahaan lagi, isi ko kyoan lagi, aur hiranoan ko kyoan n lagi? lak dahara hooan-haan karata imali ke niche pahuancha aur hiran ko utar kar pas ki jhop di se donoan mahanubhavoan ke lie khat lene dau da. usake charoan l dakoan aur l dakiyoan ne shikar ko apane charj mean le liya aur any l dakoan ko bhagane ki cheshta karane lage.
sabase chhote balak ne kaha - yah hamara hai.
usaki b di bahan ne, jo chaudah-pandrah sal ki thi, mehamanoan ki or dekh kar chhote bhaee ko daanta - chup, nahian sipahi pak d le jayaga.
mirja ne l dake ko chhe da - tumhara nahian, hamara hai.
balak ne hiran par baith kar apana qabza siddh kar diya aur bola - bapoo to lae haian.
bahan ne sikhaya - kah de bhaiya, tumhara hai.
in bachchoan ki maan bakari ke lie pattiyaan to d rahi thi. do ne bhale adamiyoan ko dekh kar jara-sa ghooanghat nikal liya aur sharamaee ki usaki sa di kitani maili, kitani phati, kitani utangi hai. vah is vesh mean mehamanoan ke samane kaise jay? aur ge bina kam nahian chalata. pani-vani dena hai.
abhi dopahar hone mean kuchh kasar thi, lekin mirja sahab ne dopahari isi gaanv mean katane ka nishchay kiya. gaanv ke adamiyoan ko jama kiya. sharab mangavaee, shikar paka, samip ke bazar se ghi aur maida mangaya aur sare gaanv ko bhoj diya. chhote-b de stri-purush saboan ne davat u daee. mardoan ne khoob sharab pi aur mast ho kar sham tak gate rahe aur mirja ji balakoan ke sath balak, sharabiyoan ke sath sharabi, boodhoan ke sath boodhe, javanoan ke sath javan bane hue the. itani hi der mean sare gaanv se unaka itana ghanishth parichay ho gaya tha, mano yahian ke nivasi hoan. l dake to un par lade p date the. koee unaki phuandanedar topi sir par rakhe leta tha, koee unaki raiphal kandhoan par rakh kar ak data hua chalata tha, koee unaki kalaee ki gh di khol kar apane kalaee par baandh leta tha. mirja ne khud khoob deshi sharab pi aur jhoom-jhoom kar jangali adamiyoan ke sath gate rahe.
jab ye log sooryast ke samay yahaan se bida hue to gaanv-bhar ke nar-nari inhean b di door tak pahuanchane ae. kee to rote the. aisa saubhagy un gariboan ke jivan mean shayad pahali bar aya ho ki kisi shikari ne unaki davat ki ho. zaroor yah koee raja hai, nahian to itana dariyav dil kisaka hota hai. inake darshan phir kahe ko hoange.
kuchh door chalane ke bad mirja ne pichhe phir kar dekha aur bole - bechare kitane khush the. kash, meri ziandagi mean aise mauke roj ate. aj ka din b da mubarak tha.
tankha ne berookhi ke sath kaha - apake lie mubarak hoga, mere lie to manahoos hi tha. matalab ki koee bat n huee. din-bhar jangaloan aur paha doan ki khak chhanane ke bad apana-sa muanh lie laute jate haian.
mirja ne nirdayata se kaha - mujhe apake sath hamadardi nahian hai.
donoan adami jab baragad ke niche pahuanche, to donoan toliyaan laut chuki thian. mehata muanh latakae hue the. malati viman-si alag baithi thi, jo nee bat thi. rayasahab aur khanna donoan bhookhe rah ge the aur kisi ke muanh se bat n nikalati thi. vakil sahab isalie du:khi the ki mirja ne unake sath bevaphaee ki. akele mirja sahab prasann the aur vah prasannata alaukik thi.
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