गोरा उपन्यास भाग-12

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

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varadasuandari jab-tab apani brahm saheliyoan ko nimantran dene lagian. bich-bich mean unaki sabha chhat par hi jutati. harimohini apani svabhavik dehati saralata se striyoan ki av-bhagat karatian, lekin yah bhi unase chhipa n rahata ki ve sab unaki avajna karati haian. yahaan tak ki unake samane hi varadasuandari hianduoan ke samajik achar-vyavahar ke bare mean tikhi alochana shuroo kar detian aur unaki saheliyaan bhi vishesharoop se harimohini ko nishana banakar usamean yog detian.

mausi ke pas rahakar sucharita chupachap se yah akraman sah leti. balki hath karake vah yahi dikhane ki koshish karati ki vah bhi apani mausi ke paksh mean hai. jis din kuchh khane-pine ka ayojan hota us din bulae jane par sucharita kahati, "nahian, maian nahian khati!"

"yah kya bat hai? ham logoan ke sath baithakar nahian khaogi tum?"

"nahian."

varadasuandari kahatian, "sucharita ajakal maha hiandoo ho gee hai, yah shayad tumhean maloom nahian? vah to hamara chhua hua nahian khati."

ghabarakar harimohini kahatian, "radharani, beti ao! tum jao, khao beti!"

gut ke logoan mean unhian ke karan sucharita ki aisi badanami hoti hai, isase unhean bahut du:kh hota tha. lekin sucharita atal rahati. ek din kisi brahm l daki ne kautoohalavash joota pahane hue harimohini ke kamare mean pravesh karen ki koshish ki. par sucharita ne rasta rokarakar kh de hote hue kaha, "is kamare mean mat jao!"

"kyoan?"

"us kamare mean thakur haian."

"thakur haian! to tum roz thakur-pooja karati ho?"

harimohini ne kaha, "haan beti, pooja to karati hi hooan."

"thakur par vishvas hai?"

"mujh hatabhagini mean vishvas kahaan! vishvas hota to tar n jati."

lalita bhi us din upasthiti thi. taish mean akar prashn karane vali l daki se poochha uthi, "tum jisaki upasana karati ho kya us par vishvas karati ho?"

"vah! vishvas nahian karati to kya!"

"zor se sir hilakar lalita ne kaha, "vishvas to karatian hi nahian, yah bhi nahian janatian ki vishvas nahian karati."

achar-vyavahar ke mamale mean sucharita apane samaj ke logoan se alag n ho, harimohini isaka b da dhh‍yan rakhatian, lekin saphalata unhean kisi tarah n mili.

ab tak bhitar-hi-bhitar haranababoo aur varadasuandari mean ek virodh ka bhav rahata aya tha. lekin in ghatanaoan se donoan ka achchha mel ho gaya. varadasuandari ne kaha, "koee kuchh bhi n kahe, kiantu brahm-samaj ke adarsh ko shudhd rakhane ki or agar kisi ki nazar hai to panoo baboo ki." haranababoo ne bhi sabake samane apana yah vichar prakat kiya ki brahm-parivar ko sab tarah nishkalank rakhane ke lie varadasuandari ki ekal dard-bhari sajagata brahm grihini-matr ke lie ek uttam udaharan hai. unaki is prashansa mean pareshababoo par ek kataksh bhi tha.

ek din haranababoo ne pareshababoo ke samane hi sucharita se kaha, "maianne suna hai ki ajakal tumane thakuraji ka prasad khana shuroo kar diya hai?"

sucharita ka chehara lal ho aya, lekin vah aise shuroo kar diya hai?"

sucharita ka chehara sajakar rakhane aya, lekin vah aise dhang se mez par rakhe hue kalamadan mean kalam sajakar rakhane lagi jaise usane yah bat suni hi n ho. ek karuna-bhari nazar se pareshababoo ne usaki or dekhakar haranababoo se kaha, "panoo baboo, jo kuchh ham log khate haian sabhi thakur ka prasad hai."

haranababoo bole, "lekin sucharita to hamare thakur ka parityag karane ki koshish kar rahi haian."

pareshababoo ne kaha, "aisa bhi yadi sanbhav ho tab usake bare mean vivad kh da karane se kya pratikar hoga?"

haranababoo ne kaha, "jo badh mean baha ja raha ho kya use kinare par lagane ki koshish nahian ki jay?"

pareshababoo ne kaha, "sab milakar usake sir par dhele pheankane lagean, ise kinare lagane ki koshish nahian kaha ja sakata. panoo baboo, ap nishchiant rahie, sucharita ko maian use bachapan se dekhata a raha hooan- vah agar pani mean hi giri hoti to ap sab logoan se pahale hi jan jata, aur udasin bhi n rahata."

haranababoo, "sucharita to yahian maujood haian- unase hi ap poochh lijie n. sunata hooan har kisi ka chhua vah nahian khatian- yah bat kya jhooth hai?"

kalamadan par anavashyak manoyog chho dakar sucharita ne kaha, "baba to janate haian, maian har kisi ka chhua nahian khati. mere is acharan ko vah bardasht kar lete haian to itana hi bahut hai. ap logoan ko achchha n lage to ap sab meri chahe jitani nianda kar lijie, baba ko kyoan tang karate haian? vah ap logoan ka kitana kuchh kshama kar dete haian, yah kya ap janate haian? yah kya usi ka pratiphal hai?"

haranababoo achanbhe mean a ge. sochane lage, sucharita bhi ajakal javab dena sikh gee hai!

svabhav se pareshababoo shaantipriy the. apane ya doosaroan ke sanbandh mean adhik charcha unhean pasand nahian thi. abhi tak unhoanne brahm-samaj mean kisi tarah ka koee pradhan pad svikar nahian kiya, apane ko kisi tarah samane n lakar ekaant mean hi jivan-yapan karate rahe. haranababoo pareshababoo ki is pravritti ko utsahahinata aur udasinata samajhate rahe haian aur isake lie pareshababoo ki nianda bhi karate rahe haian. javab mean pareshababoo ne itana hi kaha hai ki "eeshvar ne sachal aur achal do prakar ke padarth rache haian, maian bilh‍kul achal hooan. mujh-jaise adami se jo kam liya ja sakata hai, vah eeshvar poora kara leange. aur jo sanbhav nahian hai, usaki chianta se kya fayada? meri umr ab kafi ho gee hai, mujhamean kis kam ki samarthy hai aur kisaki nahian, isaka phaisala ho chuka hai. ab thel-thalakar mujhe kahian le jane ki koshish bekar hai."

haranababoo ki dharana thi ki shithil hriday mean bhi utsah ka sanchar kar de sakate haian, j damati ko bhi raste laga dene aur pathabhrasht jivan ko anutap se vigalit kar dene ki unamean sahaj kshamata hai. unaka vishvas tha ki unaki shubh-ichchha itani ekagr aur balavan hai ki koee usake virudhd adhik nahian tik sakata. unhean yakin tha ki unake samaj ke logoan ke vyaktigat chari‍tr mean jo sab achchha parivartan hue haian, kisi-n-kisi tarah vah svayan usake mukhy karan rahe haian. unhean isamean koee sandeh n tha ki bhitar-hi-bhitar unaka alakshit prabhav bhi asar karata rahata hai. abhi tak unake samane jab bhi kisi ne sucharita ki vishesh prashansa ki hai, unhoanne use kuchh aise bhav se grahan kiya hai jaise vah unhian ki prashansa ho. unaki ichchha rahi hai ki upadesh, drishtaant aur sangati ke prabhav se sucharita ke charitr ko vah aisa gathit kar deange ki isi sucharita ke jivan ke dvara lok-samaj mean unaka ashcharyamay prabhav pramanit ho jaega.

usi sucharita ke is shochaniy patan se svayan apani kshamata ke bare mean unaka garv zara bhi kam nahian hua, balki isaka sara dos unhoanne pareshababoo ke sir madh diya. pareshababoo ki prashansa log barabar karate ae haian, lekin haranababoo ne kabhi usamean yog nahian diya. isamean bhi unhoanne kaisi dooradarshita ka parichay diya hai, yah ab sab par khulasa ho jaega, isaki bhi unhean asha thi.

haranababoo jaise log aur sab-kuchh sah sakate haian, lekin jinhean vah vishesh roop se hit ke marg par chalana chahate hoan ve hi apani budhdi ke anusar svatantr marg ka avalanban karean, is aparadh ko ve kisi tarah kshama nahian kar sakate. sahaj hi unhean chho d dena bhi unake lie asanbhav hota hai; jitana hi vah dete haian ki upadesh ka kuchh phal nahian ho raha hai utana hi unaki hath badhati jati hai aur vah lagatar akraman karate jate haian. jaise jab tak chabhi n khatm ho jay tab tak mashin nahian rukati, vaise hi ve bhi kisi tarah apane ko nahian sanbhal sakate. jo kan unase vimukh haian unamean ek hi bat ko hazar bar duharakar bhi vah har manana nahian chahate.

isase sucharita ko b da kasht hota- apane lie nahian, pareshababoo ke lie. sare brahm-samaj mean pareshababoo tika-tippani ke vishay ho ge haian, is ashaanti ko kaise door kiya ja sakata hai? doosari or sucharita ki mausi bhi pratidin samajhati ja rahi thian ki vah jitana hi jhukakar apane ko bacha rakhane ki koshish karati haian, utana hi is parivar ke lie aur bhi samasya banati jati haian. isako lekar mausi ki lajja aur sankoch sucharita ko bechain kie rahate. is sankat se kaise chhutakara ho, yah sucharita kisi tarah soch nahian pati.

idhar shighr hi sucharita ka vivah kar dalane ke lie varadasandari pareshababoo par bahut dabav dalane lagian. unhoanne kaha, "sucharita ki zimmedari ab ham log aur nahian utha sakate, kyoanki‍ vah apane manamane dhang se chalane lagi hai. usake vivah mean yadi abhi der ho to baki l dakiyoan ko lekar maian aur kahian chali jaooangi- sucharita ka adbhut udaharan l dakiyoan ke lie bahut hi kuprabhavi sidhd hoga. tum dekhana, isake lie age chalakar tumhean pachhatana p dega. lalita pahale aisi nahian thi, ab to jo usake man mean ata hai kar baithati hai, kisi ki nahian sunati, socho, usaki j d mean kya hai? us din jo karani vah kar baithi usake lie maian sharm se mari ja rahi hooan. tumhara kya khyal hai ki usamean sucharita ka koee hath nahian tha? tum hamesha sucharita ko hi adhik chahate rahe ho, tab bhi maianne kabhi kuchh nahian kaha, lekin ab aur aisa nahian chalega yah maian spasht kahe deti hooan."

sucharita ke lie to nahian kiantu parivarik ashaanti ke karan pareshababoo chiantit ho uthe. varadasuandari jis bat ko pak d leangi use poora karane ki koee koshish baki n rakheangi aur jitana hi dekheangi ki aandolan se koee natija nahian nikalata hai utana hi aur hath pak dati jaeangi, isamean unhean koee sandeh nahian tha. sucharita ka vivah kisi tarah jaldi ho sake to vartaman avastha mean sucharita ke lie bhi vah shaanti-dayak ho sakata hai, isamean bhi sandeh nahian. unhoanne varadasuandari se kaha, "agar panoo baboo sucharita ko razi kar sakean to vivah ke bare mean maian koee apatti nahian karooanga."

varadasuandari ne kaha, "aur kitani bar use razi karana hoga? tum to had karate ho! aur itani khushamad bhi kisalie? maian poochhati hooan, panoo baboo jaisa patr tumhean aur milega kahaan? chahe tum gussa hi karo, lekin sach bat yahi hai ki sucharita panoo baboo ke yogy nahian hai!"

pareshababoo bole, "sucharita ke man ka bhav panoo baboo ke prati kaisa hai, yah maian thik-thik nahian samajh saka. isilie jab tak ve log apas mean hi bat saf n kar lean, tab tak maian isamean koee dakhal nahian de sakata."

varadasuandari ne kaha, "nahian samajh sake! itane din bad akhir svikar karana hi p da. us l daki ko samajhana asan nahian hai- vah bahar se kuchh aur hai, bhitar se kuchh aur!"

varadasuandari ne haranababoo ko bula bheja.

akhabar mean us din brahm-samaj ki vartaman durgati ki alochana chhapi thi. usi mean pareshababoo ke parivar ki or se aise ishara kiya gaya tha ki koee nam n rahane par bhi yah bilh‍kul spasht ho gaya tha ki akraman kis par kiya gaya hai. aur likhane ke dhang se yah anuman karana bhi mushkil n tha ki usaka lekhak kaun hai. ek bar use sarasari nazar se dekhakar sucharita us akhabar ke tuk de-tuk de kar rahi thi. use itana krodh a raha tha mano pha date-pha date akhabar ki chiandiyoan ko jab tak kanoan mean parinat n kar legi tab tak rukegi nahian.

usi samay haranababoo akar ek kursi khianchakar sucharita ke pas baith ge. ek bar chehara uthakar bhi sucharita ne nahian dekha, jaise akhabar pha d rahi thi vaise hi pha dati rahi. haranababoo bole, "sucharita, aj ek ganbhir bat karani hai. meri bat zara dhh‍yan se sunani hogi."

sucharita kagaz pha dati rahi. hathoan se jab aur tuk de karana asanbhav ho giya, tab kaianchi nikalakar usase aur tuk de karane lagi. thik isi samay lalita ne kamare mean pravesh kiya.

haranababoo ne kaha, "lalita, mujhe sucharita se kuchh bat karani hai."

lalita kamare se jane lagi, to sucharita ne usaka aauanchal pak d liya. lalita ne kaha, "panoo baboo ko tumase kuchh bat jo karani hai."

koee javab die bina sucharita lalita ka aauanchal pak de rahi. is par lalita sucharita ke asan ke kone par baith gee.

haranababoo kisi bhi badha se dabane vale shakhs nahian haian. unhoanne aur bhoomika baandhe bina sidhe hi bat chhe d di. bole, "vivah mean aur der karana maian uchit nahian samajhata. pareshababoo se maianne kaha tha, unhoanne kaha hai ki tumhari sammati milate hi aur koee badha n rahegi. maianne tay kiya hai ki is ravivar se agale ravivar ko hi.... "

unhean bat poori n karane dekar sucharita ne kaha, "nahian."

sucharita ke muanh se yah atyant sankshipt lekin spasht aur udhdat 'nahian' sunakar haranababoo chauank ge. vah sucharita ko atyant ajnakarini hi janate ae the. vah apani ekamatr 'nahian' ke ban se unake prastav ko adhe raste mean hi bedhakar dhh‍vast kar degi, isaki unhoanne kalpana bhi nahian ki thi. unhoanne rukhaee se poochha, "nahian! nahian mane kya? tum aur der karana chahati ho?"

sucharita ne kaha, 'nahian."

vismit hokar haranababoo ne kaha, "to phir?"

sir jhukakar sacharita ne kaha, "vivah mean meri sammati nahian sake mane?"

vyangyapoorvak lalita ne kaha, "panoo use baboo, aj ap bangala bhasha bhool ge haian kya?"

ek kathor drishti se haranababoo ne lalita ko chup karana chahate hue kaha, "matribhasha bhool gaya hooan yah bat svikar karana utana kathin nahian hai jitana yah svikar karana ki jis vyakti ki bat par hamesha vishvas karata aya hooan use maianne galat samajha."

lalita ne kaha, "vyakti ko samajhane mean samay lagata hai, shayad yah bat apake bare mean bhi kahi ja sakati hai."

haranababoo bole, "meri bat ya ray ya vyavahar mean shuroo se hi kabhi koee bhed nahian raha hai- kabhi maianne kisi ko galat samajhane ka koee avasar nahian diya, yah bat maian zor dekar kah sakata hooan. sucharita hi kahe ki maian sahi kah raha hooan ya nahian."

lalita phir kuchh javab dene ja rahi thi ki use rokate hue sucharita ne kaha, "ap thik kahate haian. apako maian koee dosh nahian deti."

haranababoo ne kaha, "agar dosh nahian detian to phir mere sath aisi jyadati kyoan karati hai?"

dridh svar mean sucharita ne kaha, "agar ap ise jyadati kahate haian to meri jyadati hi hai.... lekin...."

tabhi bahar se pukar aee, "didi, ap kamare mean haian?"

sucharita ne chahakakar jaldi se uthate hue kaha, "aie, vinay baboo, aie."

"ap bhool rahi haian, didi! vinay baboo nahian ae haian, nira vinay aya hai, mujhe man dekar sharmianda n karean", kahate hue vinay ne kamare mean pravesh karate hi haranababoo ko dekha. haranababoo ke chehare par aprasannata dekhakar bola, "maian itane din aya nahian, shayad isalie naraz ho rahe haian?"

hansi mean yog dene ki koshish karate hue haranababoo ne kaha, "narazagi ki bat to hai hi. lekin aj zara asamay mean ae haian- sucharita ke sath meri kuchh khas bat ho rahi thi."

h dab dakar vinay uth kh da hua. bola, "yahi dekhie n, mere kab ane se asamay ana nahian hoga maian yah aj tak samajh hi nahian saka. isilie kabhi ane ka hi sahas nahian hota", kahakar vinay bahar jane ko mu da.

sucharita ne kaha, "vinay baboo, jaie nahian, hamari jo bat thi khatm ho gee hai. ap baithie!"

vinay samajh gaya ki usake ane se sucharita ko ek vishesh sankat se chhutakara mil gaya hai. vah khush hokar ek kursi par baith gaya aur bola, "mujhe prashray dene se maian kisi tarah vimukh nahian rah sakata- mujhe baithane ko kahane par maian zaroor baithooga, mera aisa hi svabhav hai. isilie didi se yahi mera nivedan hai ki aisi bat mujhe soch-samajhakar hi kahean, nahian to mushkil mean p d jaeange."

kuchh kahe bina haranababoo aauandhi se pahale ke sannate-jaise stabdh baithe rahe. unaka man mano kah raha tha- achchhi bat hai, maian baithakar iantazar karata hooan. mujhe jo kahana hai poora kahakar hi uthooanga.

dvar ke bahar se hi vinay ka kanth-svar sunakar lalita ke hriday mean jaise khalabali mach gee thi. vah apana sahaj svabhavik bhav banae rakhane ki b di koshish kar rahi thi kiantu saphal nahian ho rahi thi. vinay jab kamare mean a gaya tab lalita parichit bandhu ki tarah sahaj bhav se koee bat usase n kah saki. vah kidhar dekhe, apane hathoan ko kya kare, yahi mano ek samasya ho gee thi. ek bar usane uthakar chalane ki koshish ki, kiantu sucharita ne kisi tarah usaka palla n chho da.

vinay ne bhi jo kuchh batachit ki, sucharita se hi- lalita se koee bat chalana aj us jaise vakh patu vyakti ke lie bhi mushkil ho utha. mano isi karan vah dugune zor se sucharita ke sath batachit karane laga- batoan ka kram usane kahian tootane n diya.

lekin lalita aur vinay ka yah naya sankoch haranababoo se chhipa n raha. jo lalita ajakal unake prati itani pragalbh ho uthi hai vahi aj vinay ke samane itani sakucha rahi hai, yah dekhakar man-hi-man vah jal uthe. brahm-samaj ke bahar ke logoan se l dakiyoan ko milane ki khuli chhoot dekar apane parivar ko pareshababoo kaise galat raste par le ja rahe haian- yah sochakar unaki ghrina pareshababoo ke prati aur bh dak uthi aur abhishap-si yah kamana man mean jag uthi ki ek din pareshababoo ko isake lie vishesh pashchattap karana p de.

aise hi bahut der tak rahane par yah bat spasht ho gee ki haranababoo talane vale nahian haian. tab sucharita ne vinay se kaha, "mausi ki bat mujhe yad nahian hai, aisa jhootha ilazam mujh par n lagaie!"

jab sucharita vinay ko apani mausi ke pas le gee tab lalita ne kaha, "panoo baboo, maian samajhati hooan, mujhase to apako koee khas kam hoga nahian."

haranababoo ne kaha, "nahian. lekin jan p data hai aur kahian tumhean kuchh khas kam hai- tum ja sakati ho."

lalita yah ishara samajh gee. tatkal hi udhdat bhav se sir uthakar ishare ko bilh‍kul spasht karate hue kaha, "aj vinay baboo bahut din bad ae haian, unase batean karane ja rahi hooan. tab tak yadi ap apana hi likha hua padhana chahate hoan to- lekin nahian, vah akhabar to dekhati hooan ki didi ne kat-kootakar pheank diya hai. doosare ka kuchh likha hua ap sah sakate hoan to ye chizean dekh sakate haian." kahakar kone ki mez par se sanbhalakar rakhi huee gora ki rachanaean haranababoo ke samane rakhati huee vah tezi se bahar nikal gee.

harimohini vinay ko dekhakar atyant prasann hueean. vah keval isalie nahian ki is priyadarshan yuvak ke prati unhean sneh tha, isalie bhi ki is ghar ke jo bhi log harimohini ke pas ae haian, sabhi unhean mano kisi doosari hi shreni ke prani ki tarah dekhate rahe hai. ve sabhi kalakatta ke log rahe haian aangreji aur bangala ki likhaee-padhaee mean pray: sabhi unase shreshth. unaki doori aur avajna ke aghat se vah sada sankuchit hoti rahi haian. vinay mean mano unhean isase ashray mil gaya ho. vinay bhi kalakatta ka hi hai, aur harimohini ne sun rakha hai ki padhane mean vah kisi se kam nahian hai- phir bhi unake prati vinay ashradhda nahian rakhata, balki apanapa rakhata hai, isase unake atm-samman ko ek sahara mila. isilie vinay tho de se parichay se hi unake lie atmiy-sa ho gaya. unhean aisa lagane laga ki vinay unaka kavach banakar doosaroan ki udhdatata se unaki raksha karega. vah is ghar mean mano sabhi ki aauankhoan se bahut adhik khatakati rahi thian- aur vinay unhean ot dekar bachae rakhega.

harimohini ke pas vinay ke jane ke turant bad lalita vahaan kabhi n jati- lekin aj vah haranababoo ke vidroop ki chot se sara sankoch chho dakar mano hathapoorvak oopar ke kamare mean gee. keval gee hi nahian, jate hi usane vinay ke sath batachit ki jh di laga di. naki mahaphil khoob jam gee, yahaan tak ki unaki hansi ka svar bich-bich mean nichale kamare mean akele baithe hue haranababoo ke kanoan se hota hua unake marmasthal ko bedhane laga. adhik der tak vah akele n baith sake. varadasuandari se batachit karake apana gussa prakat karane ki cheshta karane lage. varadasuandari ne jab suna ki sucharita ne haranababoo ke sath vivah ke bare mean apani asahamati prakat ki hai to yah sunakar unake lie dhairy rakh pana asanbhav ho gaya. bolian "panoo baboo, bhalamanasahat dikhane se yahaan nahian chalega. jab vah bar-bar sammati de chuki hai aur poora brahm-soomaj jab is vivah ki pratiksha kar raha hai, tab aj usake sir hila dene se hi yah sab badal jay, aisa hone dene se nahian chalega. ap kisi tarah apana adhikar n chho dean, maian kahe deti hooan. dekhooan vah kya kar legi."

haranababoo ko is mamale mean badhava dene ki koee zaroorat bhi nahian thi. kyoanki vah pahale hi kath ki tarah ak dakar baithe hue sir uthae man-hi-man kah rahe the- sidhdaantat: apana dava chho dane se nahian chalega-sucharita ka tyag mere lie koee b di bat nahian hai, lekin brahm-samaj ka sir nicha nahian hone dooanga.

harimohini ke sath atmiyata pakki karane ke lie vinay kuchh khane ki hath lagae baitha tha. harimohini ne h dab dakar ek chhoti thali mean tho de-se bhigoe hue chane, chhaina, makkhan, tho di-si chini aur ek kela, aur kaanse ke katore mean tho da doodh lakar vinay ke samane rakh diya. vinay ne hans kar kaha, "maianne to socha tha bevakt bhookh ki bat kahakar mausi ko mushkil mean dalooanga, lekin maian hi pak da gaya.'

yah kahakar vinay ne b de adanbar ke sath khana shuroo kiya hi tha ki usi samay varadasuandari a pahuanchian. apani thali par bharasak jhukakar vinay ne namaskar karate hue kaha, "maian to bahut der se niche tha, apase bheant nahian huee."

use koee javab n dekar varadasuandari ne sucharita ki or lakshy karake kaha, "yah to yahaan baithi hai. maian pahale hi samajh gee thi ki yahaan majalis jami hai- maje ho rahe haian. udhar bechare haranababoo sabere se inaka rasta dekhate baithe haian, jaise vah inake bagiche ke mali hoan. bachapan se sabako pal-posakar b da kiya- unamean se to kisi ko aisa vyavahar karate kabhi dekha nahian. ajakal n jane yah sab kahaan se sikh rahi haian. hamare parivar mean jo kabhi n ho sakata, aj-kal vahi sab shuroo ho gaya hai- samaj mean muanh dikhane layaq n rahe. itane dinoan se itani mehanat se jo kuchh sikhaya tha do din mean sab chaupat kar diya! kaisa aandhera hai!"

h dab dakar harimohini ne uthate hue sucharita se kaha, "niche koee baithe haian, mujhe to maloom nahian tha. yah to b di bhool ho gee. beti, tum jao, jaldi jao-mujhase b da aparadh ho gaya."

harimohini ka bilh‍kul aparadh nahian hai, lalita yah kahane ke lie usi kshan taiyar ho gee, lekin sucharita ne chhipe-chhipe usaka hath pak d kar zor se dabakar use chup kara diya aur koee javab die bina niche chali gee.

yah pahale hi bataya ja chuka hai ki varadasuandari ka sneh vinay ne apani or kar liya tha. unake parivar ke prabhav mean akar age chalakar vinay brahm-samaj mean pravesh karega, isamean varadasuandari ko shak nahian tha. vah vinay ko mano apane hathoan se gadhakar bana rahi haian, isaka garv bhi unhean tha, vah garv unhoanne apane kisi-kisi bandhu ke samane prakat bhi kiya tha. aj usi vinay ko dushman ke shivir mean pratishthit dekhakar unake man mean jalan huee, aur apani hi l daki lalita ko vinay ke phir se patan mean sahayata karate dekhakar unake bhitar ki jvala aur bhi bh dak uthi. unhoanne rookhe svar mean kaha, "lalita, yahaan kya tumhara koee kam hai?"

lalita ne kaha, "haan, vinay baboo ae haian isalie.... "

varadasuandari ne kaha, "jinake pas vinay baboo ae haian vahi unaki khatir kareangi. tum niche chalo, kam hai."

man-hi-man lalita ne tay kiya ki haranababoo ne zaroor vinay ka aur usaka nam lekar maan se kuchh aisi bat kahi hai jise kahane ka unhean koee adhikar nahian haian is anuman se unaka man atyant sakht p d gaya aur usane anavashyak dhithaee se kaha, "vinay baboo bahut dinoan ke bad ae haian, unase do-char bate kar looan, phir ati hooan."

varadasuandari lalita ke bat kahane ke dhang se yah samajh geean ki zabaradasti nahian chalegi. kahian harimohini ke samane hi unaki har n ho jae, is bhay se kuchh aur kahe bina aur vinay se koee bat kie bina vah chali geean.

vinay ke sath batean karane ka utsah maan ke samane to lalita ne prakat kiya kiantu varadasuandari ke jate hi us utsah ka koee chinh n dikha. tinoan jane kuchh kuanthit se ho rahe. lalita tho di der bad hi uthakar chali gee, apane kamare mean jakar usane daravaza band kar liya.

harimohini ki avastha is ghar mean kaisi ho gee hai yah vinay achchhi tarah samajh gaya. batoan-hi-batoan mean harimohini ka pichhala sara itihas bhi usane jan liya. sari bat sunakar harimohini ne kaha, "beta, mujh jaisi anathini ke lie duniya mean rahana hi thik nahian hai. kisi tirth mean jakar dev-seva mean man laga sakati to vahi mere lie achchha hota. meri jo tho di-bahut pooanji bachi hai usase kuchh din chal jata, usake bad bhi bachi rahati to kisi ghar ka chauka-basan karake bhi kisi tarah din kat jate. kashi mean dekh aee hooan, isi tarah bahutoan ka jivan kat jata hai. lekin maian papini hooan isilie vaisa nahian kar saki. jab akeli hoti hooan to mere sare du:kh mujhe gher lete haian-devata-thakur ko bhi mere pas nahian ane dete. darati hooan ki kahian pagal n ho jaooan. doobate hue ko tinake ka jaisa sahara hota hai, mere lie radharani aur satish bhi vaise ho ge haian-unhean chho dane ki bat sochate hi pran muanh ko a jate haian. isilie din-rat mujhe dar rahata hai ki unhean chho dana hi hoga, nahian to sab khokar phir kuchh-ek dinoan mean itani mamata unase kyoan ho jati! beta, tumase kahane mean mujhe koee sankoch nahian hai, jab se in donoan ko paya hai tab se thakur ki pooja poore man se kar saki hooan- ye chale ge to mere thakur bhi nire patthar ho jaeange."

kahate-kahate harimohini ne aauanchal se aauankhean poanchh lian.

nichale kamare mean akar sucharita haranababoo ke samane kh di ho gee. boli, "ap ko kya kahana hai, kahie."

haranababoo bole, baitho!"

sucharita baithi nahian, vaise hi kh di rahi.

haranababoo ne kaha, "sucharita, tumane mere sath anyay kiya hai."

sucharita ne kaha, "apane bhi mere sath anyay kiyahai."

haranababoo ne kaha, "kyoan, maianne tumhean vachan diya tha aur ab bhi.... "

bat katate hue sucharita ne kaha, "nyay-anyay kya keval vachan se hi hota hai? usi vachan par zor dekar to ap mujh par atyachar karana chahate haian? ek saty kya hazar jhooth se b da nahian hai? agar sau bar bhi maianne bhool ki ho to tab bhi kya ap zabaradasti us bhool ko hi age rakheange? aj jab maianne apani vah bhool jan li hai tab maian apani pahale ki koee bat nahian manooangi- use manana hi anyay hoga."

aisa parivartan sucharita mean kaise ho sakata hai, kisi tarah haranababoo yah nahian samajh sake. sucharita ki svabhavik namrata or maun ke is tarah bhang ho jane ka karan vah svayan haian, yah samajhane ki unamean n shakti thi, n shradhda. man-hi-man sucharita ke ne sathiyoan ko dosh dete hue unhoanne poochha, "tumane kya bhool ki thi?"

sucharita ne kaha, "yah mujhase kyoan poochhate ho? pahale meri sammati thi aur ab nahian hai, itana hi kya kafi nahian hai?"

haranababoo ne kaha, "brahm-samaj ke samane bhi to ham javabadeh haian. samaj ke logoan ke samane tum kya kahogi, maian bhi kya kahooanga?"

sucharita ne kaha, 'maian to kuchh bhi nahian kahooangi. ap kahana chahean to kah dijiega-sucharita ki umr kam hai, use akl nahian hai, usaki mati chanchal hai. jo chahean so kah dijiega. lekin is bare mean hamari batachit yahian khatm ho gee samajhe."

haranababoo bole, "bat khatm kaise ho sakati hai? agar pareshababoo...."

unake yah kahate samay hi pareshababoo a ge. bole, "kya hai panoo ne kaha, "sucharita, jao mat, pareshababoo ke samane hi bat ho jay."

sucharita lautakar kh di ho gee. haranababoo ne kaha, "pareshababoo, itane din bad aj sucharita kah rahi haian ki vivah mean unaki sammati nahian hai. itani b di, itani ganbhir bat ko lekar itane din tak khilava d karana kya uchit hua hai? aur ap bhi kya is lajjajanak bat ke lie uttaradaee nahian haian?"

sucharita ke sir par hath pherate hue pareshababoo ne snigdh svar mean kaha, "beti, tumhare yahaan rahane ki zaroorat nahian hai, tum jao."

kshan-bhar mean is chhoti-si bat se sucharita ki aauankhoan mean aauansoo bhar ae aur vah jaldi se chali gee.

pareshababoo ne kaha, "sucharita ne achchhi tarah apane man ko samajhe bina hi vivah ki sammati di thi, yah sandeh bahut din se mere man mean tha. isilie samaj ke logoan ke samane apaka sanbandh pakka karane ke bare mean apaka anurodh maian abhi tak nahian man saka tha."

haranababoo ne kaha "tab sucharita ne apana man thik samajhakar hi ray di thi aur ab bina samajhe 'na' kah rahi hai, aisa sandeh apako nahian hota?"

pareshababoo bole, "donoan hi batean ho sakati haian, lekin sandeh ki halat mean to vivah nahian ho sakata."

haranababoo bole, "sucharita ko ap koee nek salah n deange?"

pareshababoo ne kaha, "ap nishchit hi janate haian ki sucharita ko maian bharasak galat salah nahian dooanga."

haranababoo ne kaha, "agar yahi bat hoti to sucharita ki yah halat kabhi n hoti. apake parivar mean jaisi-jaisi batean ajakal hone lagi haian sab apaki laparavahi ka hi natija hai, yah bat maian apake muanh par kahata hooan."

mush‍karakar pareshababoo bole, "apaki yah bat to thik hi hai. apane parivar ki achchhaee-buraee ki sari zimmedari maian n looanga to kaun lega?"

haranababoo bole, "isake lie apako pachhatana p dega- yah maian kahe deta hooan."

pareshababoo ne kaha, "pachhatava to eeshvar ki daya hai, panoo baboo! maian aparadh se hi darata hooan, pashchatap se nahian."

kamare mean akar sucharita ne pareshababoo ka hath pak dakar kaha, "baba upasana ka vakt ho gaya hai."

pareshababoo ne poochha, "panoo baboo, ap zara baitheange?"

haranababoo bole, "nahian!" aur shighrata se chale ge.

apane aantash ke sath aur bahari paristhiti ke sath, ek sath hi sucharita ka jo sangharsh aranbh ho gaya tha usase vah bhayabhit ho gee thi. gora ke prati usake man ka jo bhav itane dinoan se usake ajane gahara hota jata tha, aur gora ke jel jane ke bad se jo usake samane bilh‍kul spasht aur durnivar ho utha tha, use vah kaise sanbhale, usaka kya parinam hoga, yahi vah soch nahian pa rahi thi. n isaki bat vah kisi se kah sakati thi, bhitar-hi-bhitar kuanthit hokar rah jati thi. apani is gahari vedana ko lekar vah akeli baithakar apane sath kisi tarah ka samajhauta kar sake, isaka bhi avakash use nahian mila tha, kyoanki haranababoo sare samaj ko bh dakakar usake dvar par jutane ka prayas kar rahe the. yahaan tak ki samachar-patroan mean doandi pitavane ke bhi lakshan dikh rahe the. in sabake oopar sucharita ki mausi ki samasya ne bhi kuchh aisa roop le liya tha ki usaka bahut jaldi koee hal nikale bina kam nahian chal sakata tha. sucharita ne samajh liya tha ki ab usaka jivan ek sandhi-sthal par a pahuancha hai jahaan se age chir-parichit marg par apane abhyast nishchiant bhav se aur nahian chala ja sakega.

is sankat ke samay ekamatr pareshababoo hi usake avalanban the. usane unase koee salah ya upadesh nahian maanga. bahut-si batean aisi thian jinhean vah pareshababoo ke sane nahian rakh sakati thi, aur kuchh batean aisi thian jo apani lajjajanak hinata ke karan hi is layaq nahian thian. pareshababoo ka sang hi chupachap use jaise pita ki god mean ya mata ke vaksh ki or khianch leta tha.

is sankat ke samay ekamatr pareshababoo hi usake avalanban the usane unase koee salah ya upadesh nahian maanga. bahut-si batean aisi thian jinahean vah pareshababoo ke samane nahian rakh sakati thi, aur kuchh batean aisi thian jo apani lajjajanak hinata ke karan hi is layaq nahian thi. pareshababoo ka sang hi chupachap use jaise pita ki god mean ya mata ke vaksh ki or khianch leta tha.

pareshababoo ja de ke din hone ke karan ab saanjh ko bagiche mean nahian jate the. ghar ke pashchim ki or ke chhote kamare mean khule daravaze qe samane asan bichhakar vah upasana ke lie baithate the, pake baloan se mandit unake shaant chehare par sooryast ki abha p dati rahati thi. sucharita us samay dabe-pairoan se akar chupachap unake pas baith jati thi. apane ashaant vyathit chitt ko vah pareshababoo ki upasana ki gaharaee mean duba deti thi. ajakal upasana ke bad pareshababoo aksar hi dekhate ki unaki yah kanya, yah chhatr chupachap unake pas baithi hai. us samay is balika ko vah ek anirvachaniy adhh‍yatmik madhurata se ghiri huee dekhakar poore aant:karan se use nirav ashirvad dene lagate the.

eeshvar se milan hi ekamatr pareshababoo ke jivan ka lakshy tha, isalie unaka chitt hamesha usi ki or unmukh rahata tha jo ki satyatam aur shreyatam ho. isilie unake lie sansar kabhi asahy nahian hota tha. is prakar unhoanne apane bhitar hi ek svadhinata prapt kar li thi. isi karan mat athava acharan ke mamale mean kisi doosare ke prati vah kisi tarah ki zabaradasti nahian kar sakate the. mangalamay ke prati nirbharata aur samaj ke prati dhairy unake lie atyant svabhavik tha. yah dhairy unamean itana prabal tha ki sampradayik pravritti ke log unaki buraee karate the. lekin vah buraee ko bhi aise grahan kar sakate the ki vah unhean chot bhale hi pahuanchae, kiantu vichalit nahian kar sakati thi. vah rah-rahakar ek hi bat ki avritti man-hi-man kiya karate the, "maian aur kisi ke hath se kuchh nahian looanga, sab kuchh usi eeshvar ke kar-kamaloan se looanga."

pareshababoo ke jivan ki is ganbhir nistabh‍dh shaanti ka sparsh pane ke lie jab-tab koee-n-koee karan nikalakar sucharita unake pas a jati. is anabhijn kachchi umr mean k or apane vidrohi man aur doosari or viparit paristhitiyoan se bilh‍kul udbhraant hokar bar-bar vah man-hi-man kah uthati- tho di der baba ke pairoan mean sir rakhakar dharati par p di rah sakooan to mera man shaanti se bhar uthe.

sucharita sochati thi ki man hi sari shakti ko jagakar avichalit dhairy se vah sab aghatoan ko sah legi, aur aant mean sabhi virodhi paristhitiyaan apane ap parast ho jaegi. lekin aisa nahian hua. use aparichit path par hi chalana p da.

varadasuandari ne jab dekha ki gusse ya daant-phatakar se sucharita ko digana sanbhav nahian hai, aur pareshababoo se bhi madad milane ki koee asha nahian hai, tab harimohini ke prati unaka krodh bahut hi bh dak utha. unake ghar mean harimohini ki upasthit unhean uthate-baithate har samay akharane lagi.

us din unhoanne pita ki barasi ki upasana ke lie vinay ko bhi bulaya tha. upasana sandhh‍ya samay hogi, usake lie vah pahale se hi sabhagrih saja rahi thi, sucharita aur any l dakiyaan bhi unaki sahayata kar rahi thi.

isi samay unhoanne dekha ki vinay pas ki sidhi se oopar harimohini ki or ja raha hai man jab bojhil hota hai tab chhoti-si ghatana bhi bahut tool pak d leti hai. vinay ka sidhe oopar ke kamare ki or jana palabhar mean hi unake lie aisa asahy ho utha ki ghar sajana chho dakar turant vah harimohini ke pas ja kh di hueean. unhoanne dekha, chataee par baitha vinay atmiyoan ki bhaanti ghul-milakar harimohini se batean kar raha hai.

varadasuandari kah uthian, "dekho, hamare yahaan tak jitane din rahana chaho raho, maian tumhean achchhi tarah hi rakhooangi. lekin yah maian kahe deti hooan ki tumhare us thakur ko yahaan nahian rakha ja sakata."

harimohini sada gaanv-dehat mean hi rahi thi. unaki brahm logoan ke bare mean yahi dharana thi ki ve khristanoan ki hi koee shakha hai. isalie unake sanpark mean ane ke bare mean harimohini ko soch-sankoch hona to svabhavik hi tha. lekin harimohini se milane-julane mean un logoan ko bhi sankoch ho sakata hai, yah bat dhire-dhire kuchh dinoan se hi unaki samajh mean a rahi thi. unhean kya karana chahie, vah isi ki chianta se vyakul ho rahi thian. aise samay mean aj ekaek varadasuandari ke muanh se yah bat sunakar unhoanne achchhi tarah samajh liya ki ab aur chianta karane ka samay nahian hai, kuchh-n-kuchh nishchay unhean kar lena chahie. pahale unhoanne socha, kalakatta mean hi kahian makan lekar rahegi, jisase bich-bich mean sucharita aur satish ko dekhati rah sakean. lekin tho di-si pooanji mean kalakatta ka kharch kaise chalega?

yoan akasmath varadasuandari aauandhi ki tarah akar chali geean par vinay sir jhukakar chupachap baitha raha.

tho di der chup rakar harimohini bol uthian, "maian tirth jaooangi- tumamean se koee mujhe pahuancha a sakega, beta?"

vinay ne kaha, "zaroor pahuancha sakooanga. lekin usaki taiyari mean to do-char din lag jaeange- tab tak mausi, tum chalakar meri maan ke pas raho."

harimohini ne kaha, "beta, mera bojh bahut bhari bojh hai. vidhata ne mere sir par n jane kya gathari lad di hai ki mujhe koee sanbhal nahian sakata. jab meri sasural bhi mera bhar nahian utha saki tabhi mujhe samajh lena chahie tha. lekin beta, man b da hi dhith hai- is sooni chhati ko bharane ke lie maian idhar-udhar bhatak rahi hooan aur mera yah khota bhagy bhi har samay mere sath hai. ab rahane do beta, aur kisi ke ghar jane ki zaroorat nahian hai- jo sari duniya ka bojh dhote haian unhian ke charanoan mean ab maian bhi sharan looangi- aur kuchh mujhase ab nahian hota." kahati huee harimohini bar-bar aauankhean poanchhane lagian.

vinay ne kaha, "aisa kahane se nahian chalega, mausi! meri maan se aur kisi ki tulana nahian ki ja sakati. apane jivan ka sara bhar jo bhagavan ko sauanp de sakate haian doosaroan ka bhar lete unhean koee klesh nahian hota- jaise ki meri maan hai, ya jaise yahaan apane pareshababoo ko dekha hai. maian kuchh nahian sunooanga- ek bar tumhean apane tirth ki sair kara looanga, phir mai tumhara tirth dekhane chalooanga."

harimohini ne kaha, "tab pahale ek bar unhean khabar to deni...."

vinay ne kaha, "ham logoan ke pahuanchate hi maan ko khabar ho jaegi-vahi to pakki khabar hogi."

harimohini ne kaha, "to kal sabere...."

vinay ne kaha, "kh‍ya zaroorat hai? aj rat ko hi chala jae."

sandhh‍ya ho rahi thi; sucharita ne akar kaha, "vinay baboo, maan ne apako bula bheja hai. upasana ka samay ho gaya hai."

vinay ne kaha, "mujhe mausi se bat karani hai, aj to nahian ja sakooanga."

asal mean varadasuandari ki upasana ka nimantran aj vinay kisi tarah svikar nahian kar pa raha tha. use aisa lag raha tha ki yah sab ek vidanbana hai.

ghabarakar harimohini ne kaha, "beta vinay, tum jao. mere sath batachit phir ho jaegi. pahale tumhara kam ho jae, phir a jana."

vinay ne samajh liya ki usaka sabha mean n jana, is parivar mean jis viplav ka sootrapat ho chuka hai use kuchh aur badhava dena hi hoga. isalie vah upasana mean chala gaya, kiantu usamean poora man nahian laga saka.

upasana ke bad bhoj bhi tha. vinay ne kaha, "aj mujhe bhookh nahian hai."

varadasuandari bolian, "bhookh ka kya dosh hai? ap to oopar hi kha-pi ae haian."

hansakar vinay ne kaha, "haan, lalachi logoan ka yahi hashr hota hai. jo samane hai usake lalach mean bhavishy kho baithate haian." kahakar vah jane laga.

varadasuandari ne poochha, "shayad oopar ja rahe haian?"

sankshep mean vinay 'haan' kahakar bahar ho gaya. daravaze ke pas hi sucharita thi, mridu svar mean usase bola, "didi, ek bar mausi ke pas aiega, kuchh khas bat karani hai."

lalita atithy mean vyast thi. ek bar haranababoo ke nikat usake ate hi vah akaran kah uthe, "vinay baboo to yahaan par nahian haian, vah to oopar ge haian."

lalita yah sunakar vahian kh di ho gee aur unake chehare ki or aauankhean uthati huee bina sankoch boli, "mujhe maloom hai. mujhase mile bina vah nahian jaeange. yahaan ka kam khatm kar maian abhi oopar jaooangi."

lalita ko vah zara bhi kuanthit n kar sake, isase haran ke bhitar ghutati huee jalan aur bhi badh gee. vinay sahasa sucharita ko kya kah gaya jisake tho di der bad hi sucharita bhi usake pichhe chali gee, yah bhi haranababoo ne dekh liya. aj vah sucharita se bat karane ka mauqa pane mean kee bar viphal ho chuke the- do-ek bar to sucharita unaka spasht ahnan aise tal gee thi ki haranababoo ne sabha mean jute hue logoan ke samane apane ko apamanit anubhav kiya tha. isase unaka man aur bhi bechain tha.

oopar jakar sucharita ne dekha, harimohini apana sab saman sametakar is tarah baithi thian mano isi samay kahian jane vali hoan. sucharita ne poochha, "mausi yah kya?"

harimohini use koee uttar n de sakian, roti huee bolian, "satish kahaan hai- ek bar use bula do, beti!"

sucharita ne vinay ke chehare ki or dekha. vinay ne kaha, "is ghar mean sabhi ko mausi ke rahane se asuvidha hoti hai, maian isilie unhean maan ke pas le ja raha hooan."

harimohini ne kaha, "vahaan se maian tirth jane ki soch rahi hooan. mujh jaisi ka yoan kisi ke ghar mean rahana thik nahian hai. hamesha ke le koee mujhe aise rakhane bhi kyoan laga?"

svayan sucharita yah bat kuchh dinoan se soch rahi thi. is ghar mean rahana usaki mausi ke lie apamanajanak hai, yah usane jan liya tha. isalie vah koee javab n de saki, chupachap unake pas jakar baith gee. rat ho gee thi, kamare mean diya nahian jalaya gaya tha. kalakatta ke hemant ke matamaile akash mean tare dhuandhale ho rahe the. kis-kis ki aauankhoan se aauansoo bahate rahe, yah aandhakar mean dekha n ja saka.

sidhiyoan par se satish ki tikhi pukar sunaee p di, "mausi!"

"kya beta, ao beta", kahati huee harimohini h dab dakar uth kh di hueean.

sucharita ne kaha, "mausi, aj rat to kahian jana nahian ho sakata. kal sabere sab tay hoga. thik se baba se kahe bina tum kaise ja sakati ho bhala? yah to b di jyadati hogi."

varadasuandari ke hathoan harimohini ke apaman se uttejit vinay ne yah bat nahian sochi thi. usane nishchit kiya tha ki is ghar mean mausi ka ab ek rat bhi rahana thik nahian hai. harimohini kahian asara n hone ke karan hi sab kuchh sahati huee is ghar mean rahati haian, varadasuandari ki yah dharana door karane ke lie harimohini ko vinay yahaan se le jane mean zara bhi der karana nahian chahata tha. vinay ko sahasa sucharita ki bat sunakar dhh‍yan aya, is ghar mean harimohini ka sanbandh ekamatr athava mukhy roop se varadasuandari ke hath nahian hai. jisane apaman kiya hai usi ko b da man lena, aur jisane udarata se atmiy manakar sahara diya hai use bhool jana- yah to thik n hoga.

vinay kah utha, "yah bat to thik hai. pareshababoo ko batae bina kisi tarah nahian jaya ja sakata."

ate hi satish ne kaha, "janati ho, mausi? roosi log bharatavarsh par hamala karane a rahe haian. b da maza rahega."

vinay ne poochha, "tum kisaki or ho?"

satish bola, "maian-roosiyoan ki or."

vinay ne kaha, "tab to roosiyoan ko koee chianta nahian hai."

is tarah satish ke batachit phir jama dene par sucharita dhire-dhire vahaan se uthakar niche chali gee.

sucharita janati thi, bistar par jane se pahale pareshababoo apani koee priy pustak lekar tho di der padhate the. aise samay kee bar sucharita unake pas jakar baithati rahi hai or sucharita ke anurodh par pareshababoo use padhakar sunate rahe haian.

niyamanusar aj bhi pareshababoo apane kamare mean akeli batti jalakar emarsan ka granth padh rahe the. dhire-se kursi khianchakar sucharita unake pas baith gee. pareshababoo ne pustak rakhakar ek bar usake chehare ki or dekha. sucharita ka sankalp toot gaya- vah ghar ki koee bat n kar saki. boli, "baba, mujhe bhi padhakar sunao."

pareshababoo padhakar use samajhane lage. das baj jane par padhaee samapt huee. tab sucharita yah sochakar ki sone se pahale pareshababoo ke man mean kisi prakar ka klesh utpann n ho, koee bat kahe bina dhire-dhire jane lagi.

sneh-bhare svar mean pareshababoo ne use pukara, "radho!"

vah laut aee. pareshababoo ne kaha, "tum apani mausi ki bat kahane aee thi n?"

usake man ki bat pareshababoo jan ge haian, isase vismit hote hue sucharita ne kaha, "haan baba, lekin ab rahane do, kal sabere bat hogi."

pareshababoo ne kaha, "baitho."

sucharita ke baith jane par vah bole, "yahaan tumhari mausi ko kasht hota hai, yah bat maian sochata raha hooan. unaka dharm-vishvas or acharan lavany ki maan ke sanskaroan ko itani adhik chot pahuanchaega, pahale yah maian thik nahian jan saka. jab saf dekh raha hooan ki isase unhean du:kh hota hai tab is ghar mean tumhari mausi ko rakhane se vah ghutati hi raheangi."

sucharita ne kaha, "mausi yahaan se jane ke lie taiyar baithi haian."

pareshababoo ne kaha, "maian janata tha ki vah jaeangi. tum donoan hi unake ekamatr apane ho- unhean aise anath hokar tum log nahian jane de sakoge, yah bhi maian janata hooan. isilie kuchh dinoan se maian is bare mean soch raha tha."

usaki mausi kis sankat mean p di haian, yah pareshababoo samajhate haian aur is bare mean sochate bhi rahe haian, yah bat sucharita ne bilh‍kul nahian sochi thi. kahian vah janakar du:kh n paean is dar se vah itane dinoan se b di savadhan rahati aee thi. use pareshababoo ki bat sunakar b da acharaj hua aur usaki aauankhean dabadaba aeean.

pareshababoo ne kaha, "tumhari mausi ke lie maianne makan thik kar rakha hai."

sucharita ne kaha, "lekin vah to.... "

"kiraya nahian de sakeangi- yahi n, lekin kiraya vah kyoan deangi- kiraya tum dogi."

avakh hokar sucharita pareshababoo ke chehare ki or takati rahi. pareshababoo ne hansakar kaha, "unhean apane hi ghar mean rahane dena, kiraya nahian dena hoga."

sucharita aur bhi vismat ho gee. pareshababoo ne kaha, "kalakatta mean tumhare do makan haian, kya nahian janatian? ek tumhara, ek satish ka. marate samay tumhare pita mujhe kuchh rupaya sauanp ge the. usi par sood jo dakar maianne kalakatta mean do makan kharide haian. ab tak unaka jo kiraya ata raha hai, vah bhi jama hota raha hai. tumhare makan ke kiraedar abhi kuchh din pahale chale ge haian- vahaan rahane mean tumhari mausi ko koee pareshani n hogi."

sucharita ne kaha, "vahaan vah kya akeli rah sakeangi?"

pareshababoo ne kaha, "unake apane tum logoan ke rahate hue vah akeli kyoan raheangi?"

sucharita ne kaha, "maian yahi bat kahane aj aee thi. mausi chale jane ke lie bilh‍kul taiyar haian, soch rahi thi ki maian unhean akeli kaise janoo dooangi. isilie tumhara upadesh lene aee thi. jo tum kahoge vahi karooangi."

pareshababoo ne kaha, "hamare ghar se lagi huee yah jo gali hai, isi gali mean do-tin makan chho dakar tumhara makan hai- is baramade mean kh de hone se vah makan dikh jata hai. tum log vahaan rahoge to aise arakshit nahian rahoge- barabar dekhata-sunata rahooanga."

ek bahut b da bojh sucharita ki chhati par se utar gaya. baba ko chho dakar kaise jaooangi? yah chianta usaka pichha nahian chho d rahi i, lekin jana hi hoga, yah bhi use bilh‍kul nishchit dikh p data hai.

avegapoorn hriday lie sucharita chupachap pareshababoo ke pas baithi rahi. pareshababoo bhi jaise apane ko aant:karan ki gaharaee mean duboe hue stabdh baithe rahe. sucharita unaki shishya thi, unaki kanya thi, unaki suhriday thi-vah unake jivan se aur yahaan tak ki unaki eeshvaropasana se bhi guanthi huee thi. jis din vah chupachap akar unaki upasana mean yog deti us din jaise unaki upasana ek vishesh poornata pa leti. pratidin apane mangalapoorn sneh se sucharita ke jivan ko gadhate-gadhate unhoanne apane jivan ko bhi ek vishesh akriti de di thi. jaisi bhakti aur ekaant namrata ke sath sucharita unake nikat a kh di huee thi vaise koee aur unake pas nahian aya tha. phool jaise akash ki or takata hai usi tarah usane apani sanpoorn prakriti unaki or unmukh aur uddhatit kar di thi. aise ekagr bhav se kisi ke pas ane se manushy ki dan karane ki shakti apane ap badh jati hai- aant:karan jal-bhar se jhuke hue badal ki bhaanti apani paripoornata ke karan hi jhuk jata hai. apana jo kuchh saty hai, shreshth hai use kisi anukool chitt ko pratidin dan karate rahane ke suyog ke barabar koee doosara shubh yog manushy ke lie nahian ho sakata, sucharita ne vahi durlabh suyog pareshababoo ko diya tha. isilie unaka sanbandh sucharita ke sath atyant ganbhir ho gaya tha. usi sucharita ke sath aj unake bahy sanpark ke tootane ka avasar a gaya hai- apane jivan-ras se poori tarah phal ko pakakar pe d se use mukt kar hi dena hoga. isake lie man-hi-man vah jis gahari tis ka anubhav kar rahe the use vah aantaryami ke samane nivedit karate ja rahe the. sucharita ka pathey jut gaya hai, apani shath se prashast marg par sukh-du:kh, aghat-pratighat aur ne anubhav ki prapti ka jo ahnan use milega usaki taiyari pareshababoo kuchh din pahale se hi dekh rahe the. man-hi-man vah kah rahe the- jao vatse, yatra karo. tumhare chir jivan ko maian matr apani budhdi aur apane ashray se chhae rakhooan, yah kabhi nahian ho sakata- eeshvar tumhean mujhase mukt karake vichitr ke bhitar se tumhean charam parinam ki or khianch le javean, unhian mean tumhara jivan sarthak ho. yah kahakar shaishav se hi sneh mean pali huee sucharita ko man-hi-man vah apani or se eeshvar ko arpit ki gee pavitr utsarg samagri ki bhaanti sauanp rahe the. varadasuandari par pareshababoo ne krodh nahian kiya, n apani grihasthi ke prati man mean kisi virodhabhav ko koee ashray diya. vah janate the ki nee varsha ki jal-rashi tang kinaroan ke bich sahasa a jane se b di halachal machati hai- usaka ek matr upay yahi hai ki use khule kshetr ki or bah jane diya jae. vah janate the ki kuchh dinoan se sucharita ke asapas is chhote-se parivar mean jo apratyashit ghatanaean ghatit hoti rahi haian, unhoanne usake jame hue sanskaroan ko hila diya hai. use yahaan roke rakhane ki cheshta n karake use mukti dene se hi usake svabhav ke sath samanjasy sthapit hoga aur shaanti ho sakegi. yah samajhakar chupachap vah aisa ayojan har rahe the ki jisase sahaj hi yah shaanti aur samanjasy sthapit ho sake.

tho di der donoan chupachap baithe rahe ki gh di mean gyarah baj ge. tab pareshababoo uth kh de hue aur sucharita ka hath pak dakar use dumanzile ke baramade mean le ge. saanjh ke akash ki dhuandh tab tak chhant gee thi aur nirmal aandhakar mean tare jagamaga rahe the. pareshababoo sucharita ko pas kh di kar nistabdh rat mean prarthana karate rahe- sansar ka sara asaty nasht kar hamare jivan mean paripoorn saty ki nirmal moorti udbhasit ho uthe.