गोरा उपन्यास भाग-14

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

pareshababoo ke pas jakar lalita boli, "ham log brahm haian isilie koee hiandoo l daki ham donoan se padhane nahian ati- at: maian sochati hooan, hiandoo-samaj se kisi ko bhi shamil karane se suvidha rahegi. kya ray hai, baba?"

pareshababoo ne poochha, "hiandoo-samaj mean se kisi ko paogi kahaan?"

lalita aj bilh‍kul kamar kasakar aee thi, phir bhi vinay baboo ka nam lene mean use lajja ho aee, jabaradasti use hatati huee boli, "kyoan, kya koee nahian milega? yahi vinay baboo haian ya.... " yah 'ya' ek bilh‍kul vyarth shabd tha-ek avyay ka nira avyay, vaky adhoora hi rah gaya.

pareshababoo bole, "vinay! vinay kyoan razi hoange?"

lalita ke abhiman ko thes lagi. vinay baboo razi nahian hoge? lalita achchhi tarah samajhati haian ki vinay baboo ko razi karana lalita ke lie asanbhav nahian hai.

lalita ne kaha, "vah, razi ho bhi sakate haian."

tho di der chup rahakar pareshababoo bole, "sari bat sochakar dekhane par vah kabhi razi nahian hoange."

lalita ke kan lal ho ge. vah aauanchal mean bandha hua chabhiyoan ka guchchha lekar jhulane lagi.

mushkil mean p di huee apani l daki ke chehare ki or dekhakar pareshababoo ka hriday dukhi ho utha. lekin saanth‍vana ka koee shabd unhean dhooandhe n mila. tho di der bad lalita ne dhire-dhire muanh uthakar kaha, "baba, tab hamara yah skool kya kisi tarah nahian chal sakega?"

pareshababoo ne kaha "abhi to chalane mean bahut badhaean dikhati haian. koshish karate hi bahut-si apriy charchaean utheangi."

aant mean panoo baboo ki jit hogi aur anyay ke samane chupachap har man leni p degi- isase b da du:kh lalita ke lie aur kuchh nahian ho sakata. is mamale mean vah apane pita ke alava aur kisi ka shasan pal-bhar ke lie bhi n manati. kisi katuta se vah nahian darati, lekin anyay ko kaise sah le? dhire-dhire uthakar vah pareshababoo ke pas se chali gee. apane kamare mean pahuanchakar usane dekha, dak se usake nam ki ek chitthi aee hai. likhavat se usane pahachana, usaki bachapan ki sakhi shailabala ki chitthi hai. shailabala ka vivah ho chuka hai, pati ke sath baankipur rahati hai.

chitthi mean likha tha-

"tum logoan ke bare mean tarah-tarah ki batean sunakar man bahut bechain ho raha tha. bahut dinoan se soch rahi thi, chitthi likhakar hal-chal poochhooan. lekin samay hi nahian mil pa raha th. kiantu parasoan ek adami se (usaka nam nahian bataooangi) jo sab samachar mile unase to mano sir par gaj giri. aisa sanbhav ho sakata hai, yah to maian soch bhi nahian sakati. lekin jinhoanne likha hai un par vishvas n karana bhi kathin hai. sunati hooan ki tumhari kisi hiandoo yuvak ke sath vivah ki sanbhavana ho rahi hai. agar yah bat sach ho to.... " ityadi, ityadi.

lalita ka sara sharir krodh se jal utha. vah pal-bhar bhi ruk n saki, usane tatkal chitthi ka uttar likha-

"khabar sach hai ki nahian, yah janane ke lie tumane mujhase saval poochha hai, mujhe to isi par vismay ho raha hai. brahm-samaj ke adami ne tumhean jo khabar di usaki sachchaee ki bhi p datal karani hogi! itana avishvas? phir, kisi hiandoo yuvak se mere vivah ki sanbhavana ho rahi hai, is khabar se tumhare sir par gaj giri hai, leki maian tumhean nishchay poorvak kah sakati hooan ki brahm-samaj mean bhi aise-aise suvikhyat sidhe yuvak haian jinase vivah ki ashanka vajr girane ke saman bhayanak hai, aur maian do-ek aise hiandoo yuvakoan ko janati hooan jinake sath vivah kisi bhi brahm-kumari ke lie gaurav ki bat ho sakati hai. isase zyada koee bhi bat maian tumase nahian kahani chahati."

idhar pareshababoo ka kam us din ke lie ruk gaya. vah chupachap baithe bahut der tak sochati hi rahe phir dhire-dhire sucharita ke ghar ja pahuanche. pareshababoo ka chiantit muanh dekhakar sucharita ka hriday vyakul ho utha. unaki chianta ka kya karan hai yah janati thi aur isi chianta ke karan svayan bhi kee din se udvign thi. sucharita ke sath akele kamare mean baithakar pareshababoo bole, "beti, lalita ke bare mean sochane ka samay a gaya hai."

sucharita ne apani karuna-bhari aauankhean pareshababoo ke chehare par tikakar kaha, "janati hooan, baba."

pareshababoo ne kaha, "maian samaj ki nianda ki bat nahian soch raha. maian soch raha hooan- achchha, lalita kya....?"

sucharita ne pareshababoo ka sankoch dekhakar svayan hi unaki bat spasht kar dene ki koshish ki. boli, "lalita hamesha mujhe apane man ki bat batati rahi hai. lekin kuchh din se vah mujhase vaisi khulati nahian hai. maian samajh sakati hooan ki.... "

bich hi mean pareshababoo bole, "lalita ke man mean koee aisa bhav paida hua hai jise vah apane samane bhi svikar karana nahian chahati. maian soch nahian pata ki kya karane se usaka hit hoga- tumhari kh‍ya ray hai, vinay ko hamare parivar mean ane-jane dene se lalita ka koee anisht hua hai?"

sucharita ne kaha, "baba, tum to janate ho ki vinay baboo mean koee buraee nahian hai- unaka charitr nirmal hai, un jaise charitr ka bhadr purush bahut kam milata hai." pareshababoo ko jaise koee nee bat maloom hui ho. vah bol uthe, "thik kahati ho radho thik kahati ho. vah achchhe adami haian ki nahian, yahi dekhane ki bat hai, aantaryami eeshvar bhi utana hi dekhate haian. vinay achchha adami hai, use pahachanane mean maianne bhool nahian ki, isake lie maian unhean baranbar pranam karata hooan."

mano ek phanda kat gaya aur pareshababoo usase chhutakara pa ge. unhoanne devata ke nikat koee aparadh nahian kiya. eeshvar jis tula par manushy ko tolate haian, unhoanne sada dharm ki usi tula ko mana hai, us par unhoanne apane samaj ke banae hue koee nakali bat nahian rakhe, yah sochakar unake man ki glani door ho gee. ab tak is itani sidhi bat ko n samajhakar vah kyoan itana du:kh pa rahe the, isi par unhean ashchary ho utha. unhoanne sucharita ke sir par hath rakhate hue kaha, "aj tumase mujhe ek sikh mili, beti!"

sucharita ne tatkal unake pair chhoote hue kaha, "nahian-nahian baba, yah tum kya kah rahe ho!"

pareshababoo ne kaha, "sampraday aisi chiz hai beti ki logoan ko yah jo sabase sidhi bat hai ki iansan iansan hai, yahi bhula deta hai. iansan brahm hai ki hiandoo, samaj ki rachi huee is bat ko vishv-saty se b da banakar ek vyarth ka jhamela kh da kar deti hai. ab tak maian isi jhooth ke bhanvar mean phansa hua tha."

pareshababoo tho di der chup rahakar bole, "lalita apana l dakiyoan ka skool chalane ka sankalp chho d nahian pa rahi hai. isake lie usane vinay se madad lene ke bare mean meri ray poochhi thi."

sucharita ne kaha, "nahian baba, abhi kuchh din rahane dijie."

lalita ko unake mana karate hi vah apane ahat hriday ka aveg dabakar jaise uthakar chali gee thi, usaki yad pareshababoo ke sneh-bhare hriday ko barabar kasht pahuancha rahi thi. vah janate the ki unaki tejasvini kanya lalita ko samaj ke utpi dan aur anyay se utana kasht nahian hua tha jitana us anyay ke virudhd sangram karane mean badha pane se- visheshakar pita se badha pane se. isilie vah chahate the ki kisi tarah apani manahi utha lean. vah bole, "kyoan radho, abhi rahane kyoan dean?"

sucharita ne kaha, "nahian to maan ko bahut bura lagega."

vichar karake pareshababoo ne dekha ki yah bat to thik hai.

satish ne kamare mean akar sucharita ke kan mean kuchh kaha. sucharita ne use uttar diya, "nahian bhee baktyar khaan, abhi nahian. kal dekha jaega."

satish ne chakit hokar kaha, "kal to mera skool hai."

sneh se hansakar pareshababoo ne poochha, "kyoan satish kya, chahie?"

sucharita ne kaha, "usaka ek.... "

h dab dakar satish ne sucharita ka muanh hath se band karate hue kaha, "nahian-nahian, batana mat, batana mat!"

pareshababoo ne kaha, "agar chhipane ki bat hogi to sucharita bataegi hi kyoan!"

sucharita ne kaha, "nahian baba, yah to bahut chahata hai ki yah chhipane ki bat kisi tarah apake kanoan mean p d jay!"

chillakar satish ne kaha, "kabhi nahian-bilh‍kul nahian!" aur bahar bhag gaya.

bat yah thi ki jis lekh ki vinay ne prashansa ki thi vahi vah sucharita ko dikhana chahata tha. kahane ki zaroorat nahian ki pareshababoo ke samane sucharita ko isaki yad dilane ka jo uddeshy tha vah sucharita ne thik-thik samajh liya tha. man ki aisi gupt batean bhi is duniya mean itani asani se bhaanp li jati haian, bechara satish yah nahian janata tha.

47

char din bad haranababoo ek chitthi hath mean lie varadasuandari ke pas a pahuanche. pareshababoo se koee asha karana ajakal unhoanne bilh‍kul chho d diya tha.

haranababoo varadasuandari ke hath mean chitthi dekar bole, "maianne shuroo se hi ap logoan ko savadhan kar dene ki b di koshish ki thi aur isake lie apaki narazagi bhi jheli thi. ab ap is chitthi se hi samajh sakeangi ki bhitar-hi-bhitar mamala kahaan tak badh gaya hai."

shailabala ke nam lalita ne jo chitthi likhi thi vahi varadasuandari ne padh dali. padhakar bolian, "maian kaise jan sakati thi, ap hi bataie! jo kabhi socha bhi nahian tha vahi ho raha hai. lekin mujhe isake lie dosh mat dijiega, yah maian kahe deti hooan. ap sabane hi milakar sucharita ki prashansa kar-karake usaka sir phira diya-ki brahm-samaj mean aisi doosari l daki hi nahian hai- ab apani us adarsh brahm l daki ki kirti sanbhalie n! vinay aur gaur ko to yahi is ghar mean lae. vinay ko to phir bhi maianne bahut-kuchh ham logoan ke path ki or khianch liya tha, phir n jane kahaan se unhoanne usaki ek mausi ko lakar hamare hi ghar mean thakur-pooja shuroo kara di. vinay ko bhi aisa bharama diya ki ab to vah mujhe dekhate hi bhag kh da hota hai. ab yah sab jo ho raha hai apaki vahi sucharita hi isaki j d mean hai. vah kaisi l daki hai yah to shuroo se hi maian janati thi, lekin maianne kabhi koee bat nahian kahi, barabar use aise hi palati-posati rahi ki koee yah n samajh sake ki vah meri apani l daki nahian hai. aj usaka yah phal mila! ab mujhe yah chitthi dikhakar kya hoga- ap log hi ab jo thik samajhean karean."

ek samay haranababoo ne varadasuandari ko samajhane mean bhool ki thi, aj yah bat spasht svikar karate hue b di udarata ke sath unhoanne is par khed prakat kiya. aant mean pareshababoo ko bulaya gaya.

"lo, dekh lo", kahate hue varadasuandari ne chitthi unake samane mez par patak di. pareshababoo ne do-tin bar chitthi padhakar kaha, "to kya hua?"

uttejit hokar varadasuandari ne kaha, "kya hua! isase adhik aur kya chahate jo ho jay? aur baki hi kya raha hai! moorti-pooja, jati-paanti, chhua-chhoot, sabhi to ho gaya. ab bas apani l daki ko hiandoo ke ghar byah dena hi baki rah gaya hai. isake bad prayashchit karake tum bhi hiandoo-samaj mean ja baithana-lekin maian kahe deti hooan.... "

tho da hansakar pareshababoo ne kaha, "tumhean kuchh bhi kahana nahian hoga- kam-se-kam abhi to kah dene ka samay nahian hai. prashn yah hai ki tum logoan ne kaise tay kar liya ki hiandoo e ghar lalita ka vivah tay ho gaya hai. is chitthi mean to aisi koee bat nahian dikhati."

varadasuandari ne kaha, "kya hone se tumhean kuchh dikhata hai, yah to maian aj tak nahian samajh paee. samay rahate dekh pate to aj yah jhanjhat n uth kh da hua hota. chitthi mean koee isase spasht aur kya likh sakata hai bhala?"

haranababoo ne kaha, "maian samajhata hooan, lalita ko yah chitthi dikhakar poochhana chahie ki usaki ichchha kya hai. ap log anumati dean to maian hi usase poochh sakata hooan."

isi samay aauandhi ki tarah kamare mean akar lalita ne kaha, "baba, yah dekho, ajakal brahm-samaj se aisi gumanam chitthiyaan ati haian!"

pareshababoo ne chitthi padhi. vinay ke sath lalita ka vivah gupt roop se tay ho chuka hai, yah manakar chitthi likhane vale ne anekoan phatakar aur upadeshoan se chitthi bhar di thi. sath hi isaki bhi charcha thi ki vinay ki niyat achchhi nahian hai aur do din bad hi vah apani brahm patni ko chho dakar phir hiandoo ghar mean vivah kar lega.

pareshababoo ke padh chukane par chitthi haran ne lekar padhi. bole, "lalita, yah chitthi padhakar to tumhean gussa a raha hai. lekin aisi chitthi likhane ka karan kya hai, yah tumane nahian socha. tum hi apane hath se yah chitthi kaise likh sakian, batao to?"

kshan-bhar stabdh rahakar lalita boli, "to shail ke sath is bare mean ap hi ki chitthi-patri ho rahi hai?"

sidhe javab n dekar haranababoo ne kaha, "brahm-samaj ke prati apana kartavy sochakar tumhari yah chitthi shail ne vivash hokar hi mujhe bheji hai."

lalita ne sidhi kh di hokar kaha, "ab brahm-samaj kya kahana chahata hai, kahie."

haran bole, "vinay baboo aur tumhare bare mean samaj mean jo yah charcha ho raha hai, us par maian to bilh‍kul vishvas nahian karata, lekin phir bhi tumhare muanh se maian usaka spasht prativad sunana chahata hooan."

lalita ki aauankhean sulagane lagian. kaanpate hathoan se kursi ki pith pak dakar usane kaha, "kyoan, bilh‍kul vishvas nahian kar sakate?"

lalita ki pith par hath pherate hue pareshababoo bole, "lajjit, abhi tumhara man sthir nahian hai, yah bat mere sath phir hogi-abhi rahane do."

haran ne kaha, "pareshababoo, ap bat ko dabane ki koshish n karean."

lalita ne phir bh dakakar kaha, "baba dabane ki koshish kareange? ap logoan ki tarah baba sachchaee se nahian darate-saty ko vah brahm-samaj se bhi b da manate haian. maian ap se spasht kahati hooan, vinay baboo se vivah ko maian zara bhi asanbhav ya anuchit nahian manati."

haran bol uthe, "lekin yah kya tay ho gaya hai ki vah brahm-dharm ki diksha le leange?"

lalita ne kaha, "kuchh bhi tay nahian hua hai, aur unhean diksha leni hi hogi, aisa bhi kya zaroori hai!"

ab tak varadasuandari kuchh nahian boli thi. vah man-hi-man chah rahi thi ki aj haranababoo ki jit ho aur pareshababoo ko apana dosh svikar karake lajjit hona p de. ab vah aur nahian rah sakian, kah uthian, "lalita, too pagal ho gee hai kya? kya kah rahi hai?"

lalita ne kaha, "nahian maan, yah pagal ki bat nahian hai- jo kah rahi hooan soch-samajhakar kah rahi hooan. charoan or se mujhe aise baandhana chaheange to maian nahian sah sakooangi- haranababoo ke is samaj se mukti pa looangi."

ran ne kaha, "uchchhriankhalata ko hi tum mukti kahati ho?"

lalita ne kaha, "nahian, nichata ke akraman se, jhooth ki gulami se mukti ko hi maian mukti kahati hooan. jahaan maian koee anyay, koee adharm nahian dekhati, vahaan brahm-samaj mujhe kyoan chhe de, kyoan roke?"

spardha dikhate hue haran ne kaha, "dekh lijie, pareshababoo! maian janata tha ki aant mean aisi hi kuchh kaand hoga. maian to jahaan tak ho saka apako savadhan karane ki koshish karata raha, lekin natija kuchh nahian hua."

lalita ne kaha, "dekhie panoo baboo, apako bhi ek jagah savadhan karane ki zaroorat hai- jo ap se har bat mean kahian b de haian unako savadhan karane chalane ka ghamand ap n karean." itana kahakar lalita kya hua ja raha hai! ab kya karana hoga, zara baithakar socho."

pareshababoo ne kaha, "jo kartavy hai vahi karana hoga, aur kya? lekin aise jaldabazi mean sochane se kartavy sthir nahian hota. mujhe kshama karo, is bare mean abhi kuchh mat kaho- maian zara akela rahana chahata hooan."

48

lalita ne yah kya pareshani kh di kar di, sucharita baithakar yahi sochane lagi. tho di der chup rahakar lalita ke gale mean baanh dalakar boli, "lekin bhee, mujhe to dar lagata hai.

lalita ne poochha, "kisaka bhay?"

sucharita boli, "brahm-samaj mean charoan taraph halachal mach gee hai- lekin aant mean vinay baboo agar razi n hue to?"

sir jhukakar lalita ne dridhata se kaha, "vah zaroor razi hoange."

sucharita ne kaha, "too to janati hai, maan ko panoo baboo yahi bharosa de ge haian ki vinay apana samaj chho dakar vivah karane ko kabhi razi nahian hoga. lalita, kyoan toone sab batean soche bina panoo baboo se aisi bat kah dali!"

lalita ne kaha, "maianne jo kaha, usake lie ab bhi mujhe koee pachhatava nahian hai. panoo baboo samajhe the, vah aur unaka samaj mujhe shikar ke janavar ki tarah ghere mean dalakar bilh‍kul atal samudr ke kinare tak le ae haian, vahaan mujhe pak de jana hi hoga. kiantu vah nahian janati ki maian is samudr mean kood p dane se nahian ghabarati balki unake shikari kuttoan se ghirakar unake pianjare mean ghusate hi ghabarati hooan."

sucharita ne kaha, "kyoan n ek bar baba se salah karake dekha jay?"

lalita ne kaha, "shikariyoan ka sath baba kabhi nahian deange, yah maian nishchay se kah sakati hooan. unhoanne to kabhi hamean baandhakar rakhana nahian chaha. jab kabhi unaki ray se hamari ray kuchh bhinn huee hai, tab kya vah ham par zara bhi naraz hue haian? brahm-samaj ke nam ki duhaee dekar unhoanne kabhi hamara muanh band karane ki koshish ki hai? is par maan kitani bar big di hai, lekin baba ko yahi ek bhay raha hai ki kahian ham log khud sochane ka sahas n kho dean. jab unhoanne is tarah sikh dekar hamean b da kiya hai, tab kya aant mean panoo baboo jaise samaj ke jel-daroga ke hath hamean sauanp deange?"

sucharita ne kaha, "chalo, man lo ki baba koee badha nahian dete, phir too kya karegi bata?"

lalita ne kaha, "agar tum log koee kuchh nahian karoge to phir maian hi.... "

ghabarahar sucharita ne kaha, "nahian-nahian, tujhe kuchh nahian karana hoga, bhee! maian kuchh upay karati hooan."

sucharita pareshababoo ke pas jane ki taiyari kar rahi thi ki pareshababoo svayan hi usake yahaan a ge.

pratidin saanjh ke is samay pareshababoo apane ghar ki bagiya mean akele sir jhukae man-hi-man sochate hue tahala karate haian. saanjh ke pavitr aandhakar se dhire-dhire man ko maanjakar kam-kaj ke din ke dag mano dho dalate haian. aur aant mean nirmal shaanti ka sanchay karake rat ke vishram ke lie taiyar ho jate haian. aj jab pareshababoo apane sham ke ekaant dhh‍yan ki shaanti chho dakar, chiantit mukh lekar sucharita ke pas a kh de hue tab sucharita ke snehapoorn man ko vaisi hi thes lagi jaise, jis shishu ko khel mean lage rahana chahie use chot se chupachap p da dekhakar lagati hai.

mridu svar mean pareshababoo ne kaha, "radho, sab sun liya hai n?"

sucharita ne kaha, "haan baba sab suna hai, kiantu tum itana sochate kyoan ho?"

pareshababoo bole, "aur to maian kuchh nahian sochata, meri sari soch yahi hai ki lalita ne jo toofan kh da kar diya hai usaki poori chot vah sah sakegi ki nahian. uttejana ke vashibhoot kee bar ham logoan ke man mean aandhi spardha jag uthati hai, "lekin jab usaka phal milana aranbh hota hai tab sahasa kisi-kisi ki usake bhar sahane ki shakti chali jati hai. kya lalita ne sab bhala-bura achchhi tarah sochakar nishchay kar liya hai ki usake lie kya shrey hai?"

sucharita ne kaha, "smaj ki or se koee utpi dan lalita ko kabhi nahian hara sakega, yah maian dave se kah sakati hooan."

pareshababoo ne kaha, "maian yah bat poori tarah spasht jan lena chahata hooan ki lalita keval gusse mean akar vidroh ya zid to nahian kar rahi hai?"

sir jhukakar sucharita ne kaha, "nahian baba, aisi bat hoti to maian usaki bat par zara bhi dhh‍yan n deti. usake man mean bahut gahare mean jo bat thi, vahi achanak chot khakar bahar a gee hai. ab kisi tarah ise daba dene ka prayatn karane se lalita-jaisi l daki ke lie achchha nahian hoga. baba, vinay baboo adami to bahut achchhe haian!"

pareshababoo ne kaha, "achchha, kiantu vinay kya brahm-samaj mean ane ko razi hoga?"

sucharita ne kaha, "yah to thik-thik nahian bata sakati. achchha baba, ek bar gaur baboo ki maan se mil aooan?"

pareshababoo ne kaha, "maian bhi soch raha tha, tum ho ao to achchha ho."

49

anandamee ke ghar se ek bar roz sabere vinay apane ghar ka chakkar laga ata tha. aj sabere ane par use ek chitthi mili. chitthi par kisi ka nam nahian tha. lalita se vivah karake vinay kisi tarah sukhi nahian ho sakega aur lalita ka bhi usase ahit hoga, yah batakar chitthi mean lanba upadesh diya gaya tha aur aant mean yah bhi likha tha ki is sabake bad bhi vinay lalita se vivah ka irada n chho de to ek bat aur bhi sochakar dekh le ki lalita ke pheph de kamazor haian aur d aauktaroan ne yakshma ki ashanka bataee haian.

chitthi pakar vinay hakka-bakka ho gaya. koee aisi batean jhooth-mooth bhi gadh sakata hai, vinay ne yah kabhi nahian socha tha samaj ki badha ke karan lalita ke sath vinay ka vivah kisi tarah sanbhav nahian hai, yah to mani huee bat thi. isilie to lalita ke prati apane hriday ke anurag ko vinay ab tak aparadh hi manata aya tha. lekin jab use aisi chitthi mili mili hai to nishchay hi samaj mean is bare mean vistar se charcha hoti rahi haian isase samaj ke logoan ke bich lalita kitani apamanit huee hai, yah sochakar usaka man atyant kshubdh ho utha. usake nam ke sath khullamakhulla lalita ka nam samaj ke logoan ke muanh par ata raha hai, isase vah bahut hi lajjit aur sankuchit hone laga. use bar-bar yahi lagane laga ki lalita usake sath parichay ko abhishap manakar dhikkar rahi hogi. use aisa anubhav hone laga ki ab lalita kabhi usaki or aauankh uthakar dekhana bhi pasand nahian karegi.

hay ye manav hriday! is tivr glani ke bich bhi vinay ke man ke bhitar ek nivi d ganbhir, sookshm aur tivr anand hilor le raha tha jise vah sanbhal nahian pata tha, jo sari lajja aur apaman ko asvikar kar deta tha. isi anand ko kisi prakar daba dene ke lie vah apane ghar ke baramade mean tezi se tahalane laga. lekin sabere ke prakash se jharata hua ek madir bhav usake man par chha gaya. jo pheri vale rah par haank lagate hue chale ja rahe the unaki haank ke svar bhi jaise usake hriday mean ek gahari chanchalata jagane lage. bahar ke logoan ki nianda hi mano ek rele ki tarah lalita ko bahakar usake hriday ke kinare par chho d gee. samaj se bahakar aee huee lalita ki is moorti ko vah aur door n hata saka. usaka man keval yahi pukarane laga ki 'lalita meri hai, ek matr meri hai.' aur kabhi use man mean durdam hokar itane zor se yah bat kahane ka sahas nahian kiya tha, aj jab bahar hi aisi dhh‍vani is tarah achanak uthi tab vinay kisi tarah apane man ko aur 'chup-chup' kahakar dabae n rakh saka.

jab is prakar se chanchal hokar vinay apane baramade mean chakkar kat raha tha tab sahasa usane dekha, s dak par haranababoo chale a rahe haian. vah phauran samajh gaya ki vah usi ke pas a rahe haian. yah bhi usane nishchit jan liya ki us gumanam chitthi ke pichhe ek b da shadayantr hai. vinay ne roz ki tarah apani svabhav-sidhdi pragalbhata nahian dikhaee. haranababoo ko kursi par bithakar chupachap unaki bat ki pratiksha karata raha.

aant mean haranababoo bole, "vinay baboo, ap to hiandoo haian n?"

vinay ne kaha, "haan, vah to hooan hi."

haranababoo ne kaha, "mere is saval ka bura n manean. kee bar ham log charoan taraph ki sthiti soche-vichare bina aandhe hokar chalane lagate haian- isase sansar mean du:kh phailata hai aisi halat mean agar koee ye saval uthae ki ham kya haian, hamari sima kahaan hai, hamare acharan ka phal kahaan-kahaan tak pahuanchata hai, tab ye saval bure lagane par us adami ko mitr hi samajhana chahie."

hansane ki koshish karate hue vinay ne kaha, "ap vyarth itani bhoomika baandh rahe haian. koee apriy saval samane ane par maian kisi prakar ath‍yachar kar baithooan, mera aisa svabhav nahian hai. ap bekhatake mujhase chahe jo saval poochh sakate haian."

haranababoo ne kaha, "maian ap par jan-boojhakar koee aparadh karane ka akshep lagana nahian chahata. lekin bina-soche samajhe galati karane ka parinam bhi bhayankar ho sakata hai, shayad yah to apako samajhane ki zaroorat n hogi."

man-hi-man vinay ne virakt hote hue kaha, "zaroorat nahian hai to chho die-asal bat kahie."

haranababoo ne kaha, "ap jab hiandoo-samaj mean haian aur use chho dana bhi apake lie sanbhav nahian hai, tab pareshababoo ke parivar mean apaka is dhang se ana-jana kya thik hai jisase unake samaj mean unaki l dakiyoan ke bare mean koee galat charcha uth sakati ho?"

vinay ne ganbhir hokar kuchh der chup rahakar kaha, "dekhie panoo baboo, kis bat se samaj ke log kaun-si bat gadh lete haian, vah bahut kuchh unake apane svabhav par nirbhar karata hai- usaki sari zimmedari maian nahian le sakata. agar pareshababoo ki l dakiyoan ke bare mean ap logoan ke samaj mean kisi prakar ki galat charcha kh di ho sakati hai, to isamean lajja ki bat unake lie utani nahian hai jitani apake samaj ke lie."

haranababoo ne kaha, "kisi kumari ko apane gharavaloan ka sath chho dakar kisi gair adami ke sath akele, stimar mean sair karane di jae to isaki charcha karane ka adhikar kaun-se samaj ko hoga, yahi bat maian poochhata hooan."

vinay ne kaha, "bahar ki ghatana ko bhitar ke aparadh ke sath ap log bhi agar ek hi asan par bithane lage, tab phir hiandoo-samaj chho dakar apako brahm-samaj mean ane ki kya zaroorat thi? khair,panoo baboo, ye sab batean lekar bahas karane ki koee zaroorat maian nahian dekhata. mera kya kartavy hai yah maian svayan soch-vichar ke bad tay karooanga, is bare mean ap meri koee madad nahian kar sakate."

haranababoo ne kaha, "maian apako zyada kuchh nahian kahana chahata, mujhe aant mean itana hi kahana hai ki apako ab door hi rahana hoga, nahian nahian to yah apaka b da anyay hoga. pareshababoo ke parivar mean pravesh karake ap logoan ne keval ashaanti ki hi srishti ki hai, unaka kitana anisht ap logoan ne kiya haian ap nahian janate."

haranababoo ke chale jane par ek vyatha kaante-si vinay ke man mean chubhane lagi. saral-hriday, udar-chitt pareshababoo kitane samman ke sath un donoan ko apane ghar aur parivar ke bich bula le ge the. vinay ne chahe bina jane-samajhe is brahm-parivar mean apane adhikar ki sima ka pag-pag par ullanghan kiya tha phir bhi unake sneh se vah kabhi vanchit nahian hua. is parivar ke bich vinay ki prakriti ne ek aisa gahara sahara paya tha aisa use aur kahian nahian mila. in sabase parichay hone ke bad mano vinay apani ek ek alag aur vishesh satta ko pahachan saka hai jis parivar mean use itana man, itana anand, aisa ashray mila, usi parivar ke lie vinay ki smriti aisi ho jaegi ki hamesha kaante-si chubhati rahe! pareshababoo ki l dakiyoan par apane apaman ki kalikh pot di. lalita ke poore agat-jivan par usane kalank ka itana b da laga tika diya! isaka kya pratikar ho sakata hai? hay, samaj nam ki chiz ne sachchaee ke marg mean kitani b di badha kh dikar di hai! lalita ke sath vinay ke milan mean yatharth badha koee nahian hai. jo devata donoan ke hriday mean base haian vahi janate haian ki vinay lalita ke sukh aur mangal ke lie apana sara jivan utsarg kar dene ko taiyar hai- vahi devata to prem ke akarshan mean baandh vinay ko lalita ke itana nikat le ae haian, unaki shashvat dharm-vidhi mean to kahian badha nahian hai. tab brahm-samaj ke jis devata ki pooja panoo baboo jaise log karate haian, vah kya koee doosare haian? vah kya manushy ke man ke aantaratam ke devata nahian haian? lalita ke sath usake milan ke marg mean koee nishedh apana vikaral muanh bae kh da ho, aur vah keval samaj ko hi manakar manav-matr ko prabhu ka adesh n manean, to vahi nishedh kya pap n hoga? lekin kya pata, lalita ke lie bhi yah nishedh hi balavan ho. phir shayad lalita vinay ko.... kitane sanshay haian, inaka hal kahaan milega.

50

vinay ke ghar jis samay haranababoo ae hue the usi samay avinash anandamee ko yah soochana de raha tha ki vinay ke sath lalita ka vivah tay ho gaya hai.

anandamee ne kaha, "yah kabhi sach nahian ho sakata."

avinash bola, "kyoan sach nahian ho sakata? kya yah vinay ke lie asanbhav hai?"

anandamee ne kaha, "vah maian nahian janati. lekin itani b di bat vinay mujhase chhipakar kabhi n rakhata."

bar-bar avinash ne duharaya tha ki usane yah khabar brahm-samaj ke logoan se hi suni hai, aur is par poora vishvas kiya ja sakata hai. vinay ki aant mean aisi hi shochaniy gati hogi, yah avinash bahut pahale hi janata tha, yahaan tak ki usane gora ko bhi is bare mean sachet kar diya tha. anandamee ko yah sab batakar b de anand se bharakar vah nichali manzil mean mahim ko bhi yah sanvad sunane gaya.

aj vinay ke ane par anandamee usaka chehara dekhakar hi samajh geean ki usake man mean koee bhari kshobh paida hua hai. bhojan karakar unhoanne use apane kamare mean le jakar baithaya aur tab usase poochha, "vinay, tujhe kya hua hai bata to?"

vinay ne kaha, "maan, yah meri chitthi padh ke dekho."

anandamee ko chitthi padh chukane par vinay ne kaha, 'aj sabere panoo baboo mere yahaan ae the- mujhe bahut daant-phatakarakar chale ge."

anandamee ne poochha, "kyoan?"

vinay ne kaha, "unhoanne kaha, mere acharan ke karan unake samaj mean pareshababoo ki l dakiyoan ki nianda ho rahi hai."

anandamee ne kaha, "log jo kahate haian ki lalita ke sath tera vivah pakka ho gaya hai- isamean mujhe to nianda ki koee bat nahian dikhati."

vinay ne kaha, "vivah hone ka koee marg hota to nianda ki koee bat n uthati. lekin jahaan usaki koee sanbhavana nahian hai vahaan aisi aphavah phailana kitana b da anyay hai! khasakar lalita ke bare mean aisi bat u da dena to niri kayarata hai."

anandamee ne kaha, "tumamean, zara bhi paurush ho vinoo, to too is kayatara ke changul se lalita ko sahaj hi bacha sakata hai."

vismit hokar vinay ne kaha, "kaise, maan?"

anandamee ne kaha, "kaise kya! lalita se vivah karake, aur kaise?"

vinay ne kaha, "tum kya chahati ho, maan! apane vinay ko tum n jane kya samajhati ho. tum sochati ho vinay ke ek bar 'maian byah karooanga' kahane se hi duniya mean aur kisi ko kuchh kahane layaq nahian rahega, jaise sab mere ishare ki pratiksha mean mera muanh takate baithe haian."

anandamee ne kaha, "tere falatoo batean sochane ki to koee zaroorat mujhe nahian dikhati. apani taraph se too jitana kar sakata hai utana kar de, bas! too itana to kah sakata hai ki "maian vivah karane ko taiyar hooan'?"

vinay ne kaha, "mera aisi asangat bat kahana kya lalita ke lie aur bhi apamanajanak n hoga?"

"too ise asangat kyoan samajhata hai? jab tum donoan ke vivah ki charcha hone hi lagi hai to avashy vivah ko sangat manakar hi to uthi hai. maian kahati hooan, tujhe koee sankoch karane ki zaroorat nahian hai."

vinay ne kaha, "lekin maan, gora ki bat bhi to sochani hogi."

dridh svar mean anandamee ne kaha, "n beta, isamean gora ki bat sochane ki koee bat nahian hai. maian janati hooan vah naraz hoga, maian bhi nahian chahati ki vah tujh par naraz ho, lakin too karega kya? lalita ke prati agar tujhamean shradhda hai, to too yah kaise dekh sakata hai ki vah samaj mean sada ke lie apamanit ho jae?"

lekin yah to b di kathin bat thi. jel ki saza pae hue jis gora ke prati vinay ke pyar ki dhara dugane veg se bahane lagi thi, usake lie vah itana b da aghat taiyar karake kaise rakh sakega? phir usake sanskar! budhdi se samaj ko phalaangakar jana saral hai, lekin karm se usako phalaangane ka mauqa ane par chhoti-b di kitani hi a dachanean dikhati haian! ek taraph ajnat ka bhay, doosari taraph jo abhyast nahian haian usaka virodh, donoan koee yukti die bina pichhe ki or dhakelane lagate haian.

vinay ne kaha, "maan, tumhean jitana hi dekhata hooan, acharaj badhata jata hai. tumhara man ekadam itana saf ho gaya? tumhean kya zamin par chalana nahian p data- tumhean kya bhagavan ne pankh die haian? tumhean kahian koee atak hi nahian dikh p dati."

hansakar anandamee ne kaha, "eeshvar ne mujhe atakane layaq kuchh rakha hi nahian. sab bilh‍kul saf kar diya hai!"

vinay ne kaha, "lekin maan, muanh se maian chahe jo kahooan, man to atakata hai. itana samajh-boojh, padh-sunakar, tark karake, achanak dikhata hai ki man to nira moorkh hi rah gaya hai."

isi samay kamare mean akar mahim ne ekaek vinay se aise bhadde dhang se lalita ke bare mean prashn kiya ki vah tilamila utha. lekin kisi tarah apane ko sanbhalakar vah sir jhukae chup baitha raha. is par mahim sabhi ke bare mean tikhe vyangy se bhari apamanajanak batean kahakar chale ge. jate-jate bata ge, "is tarah vinay ko jal mean phansakar usaka sarvanash karane ke lie hi pareshababoo ke ghar mean b di nirlajjata se ayojan hota raha tha. vinay bhola tha isilie unake phande mean phans gaya- gora ko ve log phansa sakate tab to dekhate. lekin vah to tedhi khir hai!"

vinay charoan or laanchhit hokar stabdh baitha rah gaya. anandamee ne kaha, "janata hai vinay, is samay tera kya kartavy hai?"

muanh uthakar vinay ne unaki or dekha. anandamee bolian, "tujhe ek bar pareshababoo ke pas jana chahie. unase bat hote hi mamala saf ho jaega.

51

anandamee ko achanak ae dekhakar sucharita ne ashchary prakat karate hue kaha, "maian to abhi apaki taraph jane ke lie taiyar ho rahi thi."

hansakar anandamee ne kaha, "tum taiyar ho rahi ho yah to maian nahian janati thi, lekin jis lie taiyar ho rahi thi vah khabar pakar mujhase raha nahian gaya- chali aee." anandamee ko khabar mil gee hai, yah janakar sucharita ko aur bhi ashchary hua. anandamee bolian, "beti, vinay ko maian apane bete-sa hi manati hooan. usi vinay ke nate, jab tum logoan ko nahian bhi janati thi tab bhi man-hi-man anek ashirvad diya karati thi. tum logoan ke sath koee anyay ho raha hai, maian yah khabar sunakar kaise rah sakati hooan? mujhase tum logoan ka koee upakar ho sakega ki nahian, yah to nahian janati-lekin man n jane kaisa ho raha tha, isilie tumhare pas dau di aee. beti, vinay ki or se to koee anyay nahian hua hai?"

sucharita ne kaha, "bilh‍kul nahian. jis ghatana ko lekar sabase zyada aandolan ho raha hai, usake lie lalita hi uttaradaee hai. lalita achanak kisi se kuchh kahe bina stimar par savar ho jaegi, isaki vinay baboo ne kalpana bhi nahian ki thi. log is dhang se batean bana rahe haian mano un donoan ne gup-chup salah kar rakhi ho. udhar lalita aisi tejasvini l daki hai ki vah prativad karane ya asal mean bat kya huee thi, isaki koee saphaee dene kabhi nahian jaegi."

anandamee ne kaha, "lekin isaka kuchh to upay karana hoga. yah sab batean jab se vinay ne suni haian usaka man b da bechain ho gaya hai, vah to apane ko hi aparadhi manean baitha hai."

sucharita ne apana lal hota hua chehara kuchh jhukakar kaha, "achchha, ap kya sochati haian, vin baboo.... "

sakuchati huee sucharita ko usaki bat poori n karane dekar anandamee ne kaha, "dekho beti, yah to maian kah sakati hooan ki vinay ko lalita ke lie jo bhi karane ko kahogi vah vahi karega. vinay ko bachapan se hi dekhati a rahi hooan- usane jab ek bar atm samarpan kar diya tab kuchh bachakar nahian rakh sakega. balki isilie bar-bar maian darati hooan ki kahian usaka man use aisi jagah n lean pahuanche jahaan se use kuchh milane ki koee ummid n ho."

sucharita ke man se ek bojh utar gaya. vah boli, "lalita ki sammati ke lie apako koee chianta n karani hogi- usaka man maian janati hooan. lekin vinay baboo kya apana samaj chho d dene ko raji hoange?"

anandamee ne kaha, "ho sakata hai ki samaj use chho d de, lekin vah kyoan khamakhah age badhakar samaj ko chho dane jaega? usaki zaroorat kya hai?"

sucharita ne kaha, "yah ap kya kah rahi haian, maan! vinay baboo hiandoo-samaj mean rahakar brahm ghar ki l daki se byah kareange?"

anandamee ne kaha, "agar vah karane ko razi ho to tum logoan ko isamean kya etaraz hai?"

sucharita b di ulajhan mean p d gee. boli, "yah kaise ho sakega, meri to kuchh samajh mean nahian a raha."

anandamee ne kaha, "mujhe to yah bilh‍kul sidhi bat jan p dati hai., beti! dekho, mere hi ghar mean jo niyam chalata hai us niyam se maian nahian chal sakati, isilie bahut-se log mujhe khristan kahate haian. kisi kaj-karm ke samay jan-boojhakar maian alag hi rahati hooan. tum sunakar hansogi- gora mere kamare mean pani nahian pita. lekin isilie maian kyoan yah kahane jaooangi ki 'yah ghar mera ghar nahian hai, yah samaj mera samaj nahian hai?' aisa maian to kah hi nahian sakati, galiyaan aur nianda sab sir-mathe par lekar bhi maian is ghar, is samaj ko apanae hue hooan, isamean mujhe to aisi koee a dachan nahian dikhati. kabhi aisi mushkil a hi gee ki age aise n chal saka, tab jo rasta eeshvar dikhaean usi par chal p dooangi- lekin aant tak, jo mera hai usako apana hi kahooangi, vahi yadi mujhe svikar n kare to vah jane."

sucharita ke samane bat ab bhi spasht nahian huee. usane kaha, "lekin, brahm-samaj ki jo ray hai agar vinay baboo ki...."

anandamee ne kaha, "usaki ray bhi to vaisi hi hai brahm-samaj ki ray koee duniya se alag to nahian hai? tum logoan ke patroan mean jo sab upadesh chhapate haian, vah aksar unhean padhakar mujhe sunata hai, kahian koee anokhi bat to mujhe nahian jan p di."

isi samay 'suchi didi! pukarati huee lalita kamare mean akar anandamee ko dekhate hi lajja se lal ho gee. sucharita ka chehara dekhakar hi vah jan gee ki ab tak usi ki bat ho rahi thi. kisi tarah kamare se bhag jana sanbhav hota to usaki jan bachati, lekin ab bhag sakana sanbhav nahian tha.

anandamee kah uthian, "ao, lalita beti, ao!" aur lalita ka hath pak dakar use unhoanne apane bahut nazadik khianchakar bitha liya, mano lalita unaki kuchh vishesh apani ho gee hai.

anandamee ne apani pahali bat ka silasila age badhate hue sucharita se kaha, "dekho beti, achchhe ke sath bure ka mel baithana hi sabase kathin kam hai, lekin duniya mean phir bhi vah ho hi jata hai, aur usamean bhi sukh-du:kh se din katate jate haian. har samay usamean bura hi ho aisa nahian hai, bhala bhi hota hai. yah bhi jab sanbhav ho sakata hai tab mat mean tho da-sa aantar hone se hi kyoan do janoan ka mel nahian ho sakega, meri to yah samajh mean hi nahian ata. manushyoan ka asali mel kya matavad mean hai?"

sucharita sir jhukae baithi rahi. anandamee ne kaha, "tumhara brahm-samaj bhi kya manushy se manushy ko nahian milane dega? eeshvar ne aandar se jinako ek banaya hai, tumhara samaj bahar se unhean alag kar rakhega? jo samaj chhote anamel nahian manata, b de mel mean sabhi ko mila deta hai, aisa samaj kya duniya mean kahian nahian hai? manushy eeshvar ke sath kya aise jhag da hi karata rahega? samaj nam ki chiz kya keval isilie bani hai?"

is vishay ko lekar anandamee itane aantarik utsah se usaki vivechana karane lagian, vah kya sirph lalita ke sath vinay ke vivah ki kathinaee door karane ke lie hi? is sanbandh mean sucharita ke man mean ek duvidha ko pahachanakar unaka samoocha man jo us duvidha ko door kar dene ke lie atur ho utha, usamean kya aur bhi ek uddeshy nahian tha? sucharita yadi is tarah sanskar se bandhi rahegi to kaise chalega, vinay ke brahm hue bina vivah nahian ho sakega, agar yahi sidhdaant sthir thaharega, tab to anandamee ne pichhale dinoan mean behad du:kh ke samay bhi jo asha ki pratima gadhakar kh di ki hai vah dhool mean mil jaegi. aj hi vinay ne unase ek prashn poochha tha, kaha tha, "maan, kya brahm-samaj mean nam likhana hoga? vah bhi kya svikar kar looanga?"

anandamee ne kaha tha, "nahian-nahian, usaki to koee zaroorat nahian lagati."

vinay ne poochha tha, "ve log yadi zor dalean to?"

bahut der tak chup rahakar anandamee ne kaha tha, "nahian, is bat mean zor nahian chalega."

anandamee ki batoan mean sucharita ne koee bhag nahian liya, vah chup hi rahi. anandamee samajh geean ki sucharita ka man abhi gavahi nahian de raha hai. man-hi-man vah sochane lagian- mera man jo samaj ke sare sanskar kat saka vah to matr usi gora ke sneh ke karan. tab kya sucharita ka man gora ki or akrisht nahian hai? agar hota to itani chhoti-si bat itani b di n ho uthati.

anandamee ka man udas ho gaya. gora ke jel se chhootane mean ab do-ek din hi shesh the. man-hi-man vah soch rahi thi ki usake lie ek sukh ka marg upasthiti ho raha hai. jaise bhi ho isabar gora ko baandh hi dena hai, nahian to vah kahaan kis mushkil mean p dega isaka koee thikana nahian hai. lekin gora ko baandh sakana chahe jis l daki ke bas ka to nahian hai. idhar gora ka vivah hiandoo-samaj ki kisi l daki se karana bhi to anyay hoga- isilie ab tak kitani hi l dakiyoan ke abhibhavakoan ki darakhast vah asvikar kar chuki hai. gora kahata raha hai, 'maian vivah nahian karooanga'- maan hokar bhi unhoanne kabhi isaka virodh nahian kiya. log is par acharaz karate rahe haian. gora ke do-ek lakshan dekhakar is bar vah man-hi-man prasann huee thi. isilie sucharita ke nirav virodh se unhean pi da pahuanchi. lekin vah sahaj hi patavar chho d dene vali nahian hai, unhoanne man-hi-man kaha-achchha dekha jaega.