गोरा उपन्यास भाग-18

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

harimohini ne poochha, "radharani, tumane kal rat ko kuchh khaya kyoan nahian?"

vismit hokar sucharita ne kaha, "kyoan, khaya to tha."

harimohini ne rat se jyoan ka tyoan dhanka rakha khana dikhate hue kaha, "kahaan khaya? sab to p da hua hai!"

tab sucharita ne jana ki rat khana khane ka use dhh‍yan hi nahian raha.

rookhe svar mean harimohini ne kaha, "yah sab to achchhi bat nahian hai. maian jahaan tak tumhare pareshababoo ko janati hooan, usase to mujhe nahian lagata ki unhean itana age badhana pasand hoga- unhean to dekhakar hi man ko shaanti milati hai. ajakal ka tumhara ravaiyya unhean poora maloom hoga to vah kya kaheange bhala?"

harimohini ki bat ka ishara kidhar hai, yah samajhane mean sucharita ko kathinaee nahian huee- pahale to pal-bhar ke lie man-hi-man vah sakucha gee. usane socha bhi nahian tha ki gora ke sath usake sanbandh ko bilh‍kul sadharan stri-purushoan ke sanbandh ke saman manakar us par aisa apavad lagaya ja sakata hai. isilie harimohini ke kataksh se vah dar gee. lekin agale hi kshan hath ka kam chho dakar vah sidhi hokar baith gee aur harimohini ke chehare ki or ekatak dekhane lagi. isi kshan se usane nishchay kar liya ki gora ki bat ko lekar vah kisi ke samane zara bhi lajjit nahian hogi. vah boli, "mausi, tum to janati hi ho, kal gauramohan baboo ae the. unase jo charcha huee usake vishay mean mera chitt itana doob gaya tha ki khane ki bat bhool hi gee thi. tum kal rat rahatian to bahut-si nee batean sun patian."

jaisi batean harimohini sunana chahati thi gora ki batean thik vaisi nahian thian. vah bas bhakti ki hi batean sunana chahati thian. gora ke muanh se bhakti ki bat aisi sahaj aur saral nahian jan p dati thi. gora ke samane jaise sada ek virodh paksh rahata tha jisase vah barabar l data rahata tha. jo nahian manate unhean vah manavana chahata tha, kiantu jo manate haian unhean kahane ke lie usake pas kya tha? jo batean gora ko uttejit karati thian unake bare mean harimohini bilh‍kul udasin thian. brahm-samaj ke log agar hiandoo-samaj ke sath nahian milate aur apane mat par sthir rahate haian to isamean harimohini ko koee aantarik klesh nahian hota tha. apane priyajanoan se apane vichchhed ka koee karan n uth kh da ho to unhean kisi bat ki fikr nahian thi. isilie gora se batachit karake unake man ko zara bhi ras nahian milata tha. is par jab se unhoanne anubhav kiya tha ki sucharita ke man par gora ka hi prabhav zyada p d raha hai tab se gora ki batachit poori tarah svadhin thi aur mat-astha-acharan ke mamale mean bhi svatantr thi, isilie harimohini kisi bhi dasha mean use poori tarah apane vash mean nahian kar paee thian. lekin dhalati ayu mean sucharita hi harimohini ka ekamatr avalanban thi isalie pareshababoo ko chho dakar sucharita par aur kisi ka koee adhikar harimohini ko bahut vichalit kar deta tha. unhean ekaek jan p dane laga ki gora ki batean shuroo se akhir tak kalpit haian aur usaka asal uddeshy kisi-n-kisi tarah dhokhe se sucharita ke man ko apani or akrisht kar lena hai. yahaan tak ki yah bhi kalpana vah karane lagian ki gora ki lalachi drishti mukhyataya sucharita ki sanpatti par hai unhoanne tay kar liya ki gora hi unaka pradhan shatru hai aur man-hi-man mano kamar kasakar usaka samana karane ko taiyar ho geean.

sucharita ke yahaan aj gora ke ane ki koee bat nahian thi, koee karan bhi nahian tha. lekin gora ke svabhav mean duvidha nam ki chiz bahut kam thi. jab jis kam mean vah pravritt hota tha usake bare mean zyada sochata nahian tha, tir ki tarah sidha chalata jata tha.

aj sabere hi gora jab sucharita ke ghar pahuancha tab harimohini pooja kar rahi thian. sucharita baithak mean mez par kagaz-patr sanvarakar rakh rahi thi ki satish ne akar khabar di, gorababoo ae haian. sucharita ko vishesh ashchary nahian hua, vah jaise janati thi ki gora aega.

kursi par baithakar gora ne kaha, "akhir vinay ne hamean chho d diya?"

sucharita ne kaha, "kyoan, chho d kaise diya? vah to brahm-samaj mean shamil nahian hue."

gora ne kaha, "vah brahm-samaj mean hi chale ge hote to hamare adhik nikat rahate. unaka hiandoo-samaj se chipate rahana hi adhik du:kh dene vala hai. isase to vah hamare samaj ka bilh‍kul chhutakara kar dete tabhi achchha hota."

man-hi-man bahut du:kh pakar sucharita ne kaha, "ap samaj ko yoan akela alag karake kyoan dekhate haian? samaj ke oopar ap jo itana adhik vishvas rakhate haian vah kya apak lie svabhavik hai ya ki ap apane sath zabaradasti karake vaisa karate haian?"

gora ne kaha, "is samay ki paristhiti mean zabaradasti karana hi svabhavik hai. pairoan ke niche dharati jab dagamaga uthati haian tab pratyek pag par adhik zor dena hi p data hai. is samay kyoanki charoan or virodh hi dikhata hai, isalie hamari batoan aur hamare vyavahar mean ek atiranjana dikhati hai, use asvabhavik nahian kaha ja sakata.

sucharita ne kaha, "charoan or jo virodh dikhata hai use ap bilh‍kul galat aur anavashyak kyoan samajhate haian? samaj agar samay ki gati mean badha de to use chot sahani hi hogi."

gora ne kaha, "samay ki gati pani ki lahar ke saman hai, usase kinare tootate rahate haian, lekin us tootane ko svikar kar lena hi kinare ka kartavy hai, yah maian nahian manata. tum yah mat samajho ki samaj ka bhala-bura maian kuchh sochata hi nahian. vah sab sochana to itana saral hai ki ajakal ke solah sal ke l dake bhi vicharak ban baithe haian. lekin mushkil hai to samoochi chiz ko shradhda ki nazar se samagr bhav se dekh sakana."

sucharita ne kaha "shradhda ke dvara kya hamean saty hi milata hai? usake dvara bina soche-samajhe ham mithya ko bhi to grahan kar lete haian. maian apase ek bat poochhati hooan- kya ham log moorti pooja par bhi shradhda kar sakate haian. ap kya is sabako saty manakar us par vishvas karate haian?"

tho di der chup rahakar gora bola, "maian tumhean thik-thik sachchi bat kahane ki cheshta karooanga. is sabako maianne shuroo se hi saty man liya hai. yooropiy sanskar ke sath isaka virodh hai isilie ya isake virudhd kee-ek sasti dalilean di ja sakati haian isilie maianne turant unhean radd nahian kar diya. dharm ke bare mean meri apani vishesh sadhana nahian hai, lekin maian aauankh band karake rati huee bat ki tarah yah nahian kah sakata ki sakar-pooja aur moorti-pooja mean koee aantar nahian hai ya ki bhakti ki ek charam parinati nahian hai. shilp mean, sahity mean, yahaan tak ki vijnan aur itihas mean bhi manushy ki kalpana-vritti ka sthan hai, tab ek akele dharm mean hi usaka koee sthan nahian hai yah bat maian nahian manooanga. manushy ki sabhi vrittiyoan ka charam-prakash dharm mean hota hai. hamare desh mean moorti-pooja mean jnan aur bhakti ke sath kalpana ka sammilan karane ki jo koshish huee, kya usi ke karan hi hamare desh ka dharm manushy ke lie doosare deshoan ke dharm se adhik sanpoorn nahian ho utha?'

sucharita ne kaha, "gris aur rom mean bhi to moorti-pooja hoti thi."

gora ne kaha, "vahaan ki moortiyoan mean manushy ki kalpana ne jitana sauandary-bodh ka ashray liya tha utana jnan-bhakti ka nahian. hamare desh mean jnan aur bhakti ke sath kalpana ganbhir roop se ju di huee hai. hamare radha-krishna aur shiv-parvati matr aitihasik pooja ke vishay nahian hai, unamean manushy ke chirantan tatvajnan ka roop hai. isilie ramaprasad aur chaitanyadev ki bhakti inhian sab moortiyoan ka avalanban karake prakat huee. bhakti ka aisa ekaant prakash gris aur rom ke itihas mean kab dekha gaya?"

sucharita ne kaha, "samay ke parivartan ke sath-sath dharm aur samaj ka koee parivartan ap svikar karana hi nahian chahate?"

gora bola, "kh‍yoan nahian chahata? lekin vah parivartan pagalapan ho to nahian chal sakata. manushy ka parivartan manushyatv ki rah par hi hoga-bachcha kram se boodha ho jata hai, lekin ekaek manushy kutta-billi to nahian ho jata. bharatavarsh ka parivartan bharatavarsh ke raste par hi hona chahie, ekaek aangreji itihas ka marg pak d lene se ek sire se doosare tak sab pangu aur nirarthak ho jaega. desh ki shakti, desh ka aishvary sab desh mean hi sanchit hai, yahi tum sabako batane ke lie hi maianne apana jivan arpit kiya hai. meri bat samajh to rahi ho?"

sucharita ne kaha, "haan, samajh rahi hooan. lekin maianne ye sab batean pahale kabhi nahian suni, aur sochi bhi nahian. nee jagah pahuanch jane par jaise kisi spasht chiz se parichit hote bhi der lagati hai, vaisi hi sthiti meri hai. ya shayad maian stri hooan, isilie mujhe poori upalabdhi nahian ho rahi hai."

gora bol utha, "bilh‍kul nahian, maian to bahut-se aise purushoan ko janata hooan, yah sab charcha unake sath bahut dinoan se karata a raha hooan- ve log ni:sanshay hokar yah nishchay kie baithe haian ki apane man ke samane tum jo dekh pa rahi ho unamean se koee zara-sa bhi nahian dekh paya. tumamean vah gahari sookshm drishti hai, yah maianne tumhean dekhate hi anubhav kiya tha, isilie maian apani itane dinoan ki man ki sab batean lekar tumhare pas ata raha hooan, apana sara jivan maianne tumhare samane kholakar rakh diya hai, zara bhi sankoch nahian kiya."

sucharita ne kaha, "jab ap aisi bat karate haian tab mera man bahut vyathit ho uthata hai. mujhase ap kya asha karate haian, maian usamean se kya de sakati hooan, mujhe kya kam karana hoga, mere bhitar jo bhav um d rahe haian unhean kaise prakat karooan, kuchh bhi to maian samajh nahian pati. yahi bhay laga rahata hai ki mujh par apane jitana vishvas kiya hai ek din kahian apako yahi n lage ki vah bhool thi."

ganbhir svar mean gora ne kaha, "usamean kahian bhool nahian hai tumhare bhitar kitani b di shakti hai, yah maian tumhean dikha dooanga. tum zara bhi mat ghabarao- tumhari jo yogh‍yata hai use prakash mean le ane ka bhar mujh par hai, tum mujh par bharosa rakho."

sucharita ne kuchh nahian kaha, lekin bina kahe bhi yah bat vyakt ho gee ki bharosa rakhane mean usane kahian koee kasar nahian rakhi hai. gora bhi chup raha. bahut der kamare mean sannata raha. bahar gali mean purane bartan vala pital ka bartan jhanajhanata hua daravaze par haank lagakar chala gaya.

apani pooja samapt karake harimohini rasoeeghar ki or ja rahi thi. sucharita ke ni:shabd kamare mean koee hai, isaka unhean jnan bhi nahian tha. lekin achanak kamare ki or nazar uthane par jab unhoanne dekha ki sucharita aur gora chup baithe kuchh soch rahe haian, donoan mean se koee shishtachar ki bhi koee bat nahian kar raha hai, tab pal-bhar ke lie unake krodh ki lahar bijali-si brahmarandhr tak pahuanch gee. kisi tarah apane ko sanbhalakar unhoanne daravaze par kh de-kh de pukara, "radharani!"

sucharita ke uthakar unake pas ane par unhoanne mridu svar mean kaha, "aj ekadashi hai, meri tabiyat thik nahian hai, tum zara rasoee mean jakar jalao, tab tak maian tho di der gaur baboo ke pas baithooan."

sucharita mausi ka bhav dekhakar chiantit-si rasoee ki or chali gee. harimohini ke kamare mean ane par gora ne unhean pranam kiya. vah kuchh kahe bina kursi par baith geean. tho di der tak oanth bhianchakar chup baithe rahane ke bad unhoanne kaha, "tum to brahm nahian ho n?"

gora ne kaha, "nahian."

harimohini ne poochha, "hamare hiandoo-samaj ko to tum manate ho?"

gora ne kaha, "zaroor manata hooan."

harimohini bolian, "zaroor manata hooan."

harimohini bolian, "tab tumhara yah kaisa vyavahar hai?"

harimohini ka abhipray samajh n pakar chupachap gora unaka muanh takata raha.

harimohini ne kaha, "radharani sayani ho gee hai tum log to usake sage nahian ho, usake sath tumhean itani kya bat karani hoti hai? vah l daki hai, use ghar ka kam-kaj bhi karana hota hai, use bhi itani batean karane ki kya zaroorat hai? inase to usaka man doosari taraph chala jaega. tum to jnani adami ho, sara desh tumhari prashansa karata hai- lekin yah sab hamare desh mean kab hota tha, aur kis shastr mean aisa likha hai?"

gora ko bhari thes lagi. is tarah ki bat sucharita ke sanbandh mean kahian se uth sakati hai yah usane socha bhi n tha. tho di der chup rahakar vah bola, "ve brahm-samaj mean hai, unhean isi tarah barabar sabase milate-julate dekhata raha hooan, isilie mujhe kuchh khayal hi nahian hua."

harimohini ne kaha, "achchha, vahi brahm-samaj mean sahi, kiantu tum to is sabako kabhi achchha nahian kahate. tumhari batean sunakar ajakal ke kitane hi logoan ko hosh a gaya hai, tumhara hi vyavahar aisa hoga to log tumhari kyoan suneange? abhi kal der rat tak tum usake sath batean karate rahe, tab bhi tumhari bat khatm nahian huee aur aj phir sabere se hi a jute. sabere se vah n bhandare mean gee hai, n rasoee mean; aj ekadashi ke din meri hi kuchh madad kar de isaka bhi khayal use nahian aya, yah usaki kaisi padhaee ho rahi hai? tumhare ghar mean bhi to l dakiyaan haian- unhean bhi kya tum sab kam-kaj chhu dakar aisi hi shiksha de rahe ho, ya aur koee de to tumhean uchit lagega?"

in sab batoan ka gora ki or se kya javab ho sakata tha! usane keval itana kaha, "unhean aisi hi shiksha milati rahi hai, isilie maianne in sab batoan ke bare mean vichar nahian kiya."

harimohini ne kaha, "use chahe kaisi bhi shiksha milati rahi ho, jab tak vah mere pas hai aur jab tak maian jiti hooan tab tak yah sab nahian chalega. use maian bahut kuchh thik raste par le aee hooan. jab vah pareshababoo ke yahaan thi tabhi yah shor machane laga tha ki mere sath rahakar vah hiandoo ho gee hai. phir is ghar mean akar tumhare vinay ke sath n jane kya kuchh batean hoti rahian ki phir sab ulat gaya. vah to ab brahm ghar mean byah karane chale haian. khair, mushkil se to vinay se chhutakara mila. phir ek koee haranababoo ate the, vah jab ata tab maian radharani ko lekar oopar apane kamare mean chali jati, isalie usaki bhi nahian chali. isi tarah b da prayatn karake ab lagata hai ki isaki mati phir kuchh sudharane lagi hai. is ghar mean akar to usane phir sabaka chhua khana shuroo kar diya tha, kal dekha vah phir band kar diya hai. kal rasoee se apana khana apane ap le gee, baire ko pani lane se mana kar diya. ab, bhaiya tumase hath jo dakar vinati karati hooan, tum ab phir use mat biga do. duniya mean mere jo koee the sab mar ge, vahi ek bachi hai, usaka bhi mere alava koee apana nahian hai. tum log use chho d do. unake ghar mean aur bhi to b di-b di l dakiyaan haian- lavany hai, lila hai, ve bhi to budhdimati haian, padhi-likhi haian, tumhean kuchh kahana hi ho to unhean jakar kaho, koee tumhean mana nahian karega."

gora ekadam stanbhit hokar baitha raha. tho da rukakar harimohini phir bolian, "tumhian socho, use to shadi-byah bhi karana hoga- umr bhi kafi ho gee hai. tum kya samajhate ho ki budhape tak vah aise hi baithi rahegi? l dakiyoan ko ghar ka kam-kaj to karana hi hota hai."

sadharanataya is bare mean gora ko koee sandeh nahian tha, usaki bhi to yahi ray thi, lekin sucharita ke bare mean man-hi-man apane mat ko manate hue bhi kabhi lagoo karake nahian dekha tha. sucharita grihini hokar kisi ek grihasthi ke aant:pur mean ghar ke kam-kaj mean lagi huee ho, yah usane kabhi kalpana mean bhi nahian socha tha. mano sucharita ab jaisi hai hamesha vaisi hi rahegi.

gora ne poochha, "apani bhanaji ke vivah ke bare mean apane kuchh socha hai kya?"

harimohini ne kaha, "sochana to hota hi hai. maian nahian to aur kaun sochega?"

gora ne phir poochha, "unaka vivah kya hiandoo-samaj mean ho sakega?"

harimohini ne kaha, "usaki koshish to karani hogi. vahi aur g dab d n kare aur thik dhang se rahe, to kam achchhi tarah ban jaega. vah sab maianne man-hi-man thik kar rakha hai. bich mean to usake jo dhang the unako dekhate hue mujhe koee pakka phaisala karane ka sahas nahian ho raha tha. do din se ab phir dekh rahi hooan ki usaka man kuchh naram p d gaya hai, isalie phir bharosa hota hai."

gora ne socha ki is bor mean aur adhik kuchh poochhana uchit nahian hai, lekin poochhe bina n rah saka, "patr kya apane man mean soch rakha hai?"

harimohini ne kaha, "socha to hai. patr achchha hi hai- mera chhota devar kailash. usaki bahoo kuchh din hue mar gee; manapasand l daki n milane se ab tak baitha hai, hian to aisa l daka kya yoan hi p da rahata hai? radharani ke sath thik janchega."

jyoan-jyoan gora ke man mean suee-si chubhane lagi tyoan-tyoan kailash ke bare mean vah aur prashn poochhata gaya.

harimohini ke devaroan mean ek kailash ne hi kathin parishram karake kuchh age tak padhaee-likhaee ki thi-kahaan tak, yah harimohini nahian bata sakati thian. kunabe mean usi ko vidvanh mana jata tha. gaanv ke postamastar ke khilaf sadar mean darakhast bhejate samay kailash ne hi aisi zabaradast aangreji mean likh diya tha ki post aauphis ke koee ek b de baboo svayan jaanch-p datal ke lie ae the. isase gaanv ke sabhi log kailash ki yogyata se kafi prabhavit ho ge the. itani shiksha hone par bhi achar aur dharm ke mamale mean kailash ki nishtha zara bhi kam nahian huee thi.

kailash ka poora parichay jan lene ke bad gora chalane ko uth kh da hua. harimohini ko pranam karake aur kuchh kahe bina vah ghar se bahar ho gaya.

gora jab sidhi se aauangan ki or utar raha tha tab sucharita aauangan ke doosari or rasaee ke kam mean lagi thi. gora ke pairoan ki avaz sunakar vah dvar ke pas akar kh d ho gee. lekin kisi or dekhe bina gora bahar chala gaya. ek lanbi saans lekar sucharita phir rasoee ke kam mean a juti. gali ke mo d par hi gora ki haranababoo se muthabhean d ho gee. haranababoo ne tho da hansakar kaha, "aj b de sabere nikal p de!"

gora ne koee uttar nahian diya. haranababoo ne phir tho da hansakar poochha, "vahian ge the shayad! sucharita ghar par to hai?"

gora ne "haan" kaha, aur danadanata hua age badh gaya.

sucharita ke ghar mean ghusate hi haranababoo ne samane rasoee ke khule dvar se sucharita ko dekh liya. sucharita ko bhag jane ka rasta n tha, mausi bhi pas mean hi thian.

haranababoo ne poochha, "gauramohan baboo se abhi-abhi bheant huee. vah ab tak yahian the shayad?"

unhean sucharita ne koee javab nahian diya, sahasa bartanoan se itani vyast ho uthi jaise use saans lene ki bhi phursat nahian hai. lekin haranababoo isase har manane vale nahian the. unhoanne rasoee ke bahar aauangan mean hi kh de-kh de batachit shuroo kar di. sidhi ke pas akar harimohini ne do-tin bar khaansa bhi, lekin usaka koee asar nahian hua. harimohini haranababoo ke samane bhi a sakati thian, lekin unhoanne samajh liya tha ki ek bar unake haranababoo ke samane a jane par is udyami yuvak ke utsah se is ghar mean unaka ya sucharita ka bachana mashkil ho jaega. isilie haranababoo ki chhaya dekhakar bhi vah itana lanba ghooanghat nikal leti thian. jo unaki nav-vadhoo avastha mean bhi avashyakata se adhik hi samajha jata.

haranababoo bole, "sucharita, tum kidhar ja rahi ho zara socho to? kahaan jakar pahuanchogi? tumane yah to sun hi liya hoga ki lalita ke sath vinay baboo ka byah hiandoo padhdati se hoga. isake lie kaun zimmedar hai, janati ho?"

sucharita ki or se koee javab n pakar haranababoo ne dhime aur ganbhir svar mean kaha, "tum zimmedar ho."

haranababoo ne socha tha ki itane tikhe aur bhayanak abhiyog ki chot sucharita kabhi nahian sah sakegi. lekin vah bina bole apana kam karati rahi, yah dekhakar unhoanne svar aur bhi ganbhir karake uangali uthakar sucharita ki or hilate hue kaha, " sucharita, maian phir kahata hooan, zimmedar tum ho. kya tum dil par hath rakhakar kah sakati ho ki isake lie tum samooche brahm-samaj ke nikat aparadhi nahian ho?"

sucharita ne chupachap kadhaee choolhe par rakh di, usamean tel chhanachhanane laga.

haran baboo kahate rahe, "tumhian vinay baboo aur gauramohan baboo ko apane ghar mean laeean aur tumhian ne inako itana badhava bhi de diya ki aj ve donoan tumhare brahm-samaj ke sabhi many-bandhuoan se bhi b de ho ge haian. isaka kya natija hua, dekh hi rahi ho. kya shuroo se hi maianne bar-bar savadhan nahian kiya? aj kya hua hai? ab lalita ko kon rokega? tum sochati ho ki lalita ke sath hi musibat tal gee, kiantu vaisa nahian hai. aj maian tumhean savadhan karane aya hooan, ab tumhari bari hai. aj lalita ki durghatana se tumhean zaroor man-hi-man pachhatava ho raha hoga, lekin vah din door nahian hai jab apane hi adh:patan par tumhean pachhatava tak n hoga. lekin sucharita, ab bhi lautane ka samay hai. ek bar sochakar dekho; ek din kitani b di, kitani mahanh asha ke sath ham donoan mile the. hamare samane jivan ka kartavy kaisa ujjval tha, brahm-samaj ka bhavishy kis udar bhav se khul raha tha, hamare kitane sankalp the aur rozana ham log kitana sanbal juta rahe the! tum kya samajhati ho, vah sab khatm ho gaya? kadapi nahian. hamara vah asha ka kshetr aj bhi vaisa hi prastut hai- ek bar palatakar dekho to. ek bar laut to ao."

us samay khaulate tel mean kee tarakariyaan joroan se chhanachhanane lagi thian aur sucharita unhean kaushal se palat rahi thi. jab haranababoo apane pravachan ka parinam janane ke lie chup hue to sucharita ne ag par se kadhaee niche utarakar unaki or mu dakar dridh svar mean kaha, "maian hiandoo hooan."

bilh‍kul hatabudhdi hokar haranababoo ne kaha, "tum hiandoo ho?"

sucharita ne doharaya, "haan, maian hiandoo hooan." aur kadhaee ko phir ag par chadhakar tarakariyoan ko chalane lagi.

kshan-bhar mean sanbhalakar haranababoo ne tikhe svar mean kaha, "tabhi shayad gauramohan baboo sabera ho, sandhh‍ya ho, tumhean diksha dete rahate haian?"

muanh udhar mo de bina hi sucharita ne kaha, "haan, maianne unhian se diksha li hai, vahi mere guru haian."

ek samay se haranababoo apane ko hi sucharita ka guru samajhate a rahe the. aj sucharita ke muanh se yah sunakar bhi ki vah gora se prem karati hai, unhean itana kasht n hota jitana guru vali bat se hua. unaka guru ka adhikar aj gora ne chhin liya hai, sucharita ki yah bat unhean tir-si chubhi.

unhoanne kaha, "tumhare guru chahe jitane b de hoan, tum kya samajhati ho ki hiandoo-samaj tumhean grahan kar lega?"

sucharita ne kaha, "vah sab maian kuchh nahian samajhati. maian samaj bhi nahian janati. maian bas itana janati hooan ki maian hiandoo hooan."

haranababoo ne kaha, "kya tum yah janati ho ki tum itane dinoan tak avivahit rahi ho keval isi bat par tum hiandoo-samaj se jatichyut kar di ja sakati ho?"

sucharita ne kaha, "is bare mean ap phijool chianta n karean, lekin maian apase itana hi kahati hooan ki maian hiandoo hooan."

haranababoo ne kaha, "jo dharm-shiksha pareshababoo se mili thi vah bhi kya apane is ne guru ke charanoan par nyauchhavar kar di?"

sucharita ne kaha, "mera dharm mere aantaryami janate haian, isake bare mean maian kisi ke sath koee bahas nahian karana chahati. ap yahi janie ki maian hiandoo hooan."

ab haranababoo bilh‍kul limila uthe aur bole, "tum chahe kitani b di hiandoo ho jao- usase koee shubh natija nahian nikalega, yah maian tumhean bata dooan. tumhare gauramohan baboo vinayababoo jaise nahian haian. tum apane ko hiandoo-hiandoo pukarakar gala pha d lo tab bhi yah asha n karana ki gaur baboo tumhean apana leange. chele banakar gurugiri karana asan hai, lekin isi se vah tumhean ghar le jakar grihasthi chalaeange, yah bat sapane mean bhi mat sochana!"

sucharita rasoee bhoolakar bijali ki tarah t dapakakar kh di ho gee aur boli, "yah sab bat kya kah rahe haian?"

"maian kah raha hooan ki gauramohan baboo kabhi tumase vivah nahian kareange."

sucharita ki aauankhean lal ho uthian. vah boli, "vivah maianne apase kaha nahian ki vah mere guru haian?"

haranababoo ne kaha, "vah to kaha lekin jo nahian kaha vah bhi to ham samajh sakate haian."

sucharita ne kaha, "ap yahaan se chale jaie. mera apaman mat kijie. mai. apase kahe deti hooan ki aj se maian apake samane kabhi nahian aooangi."

haranababoo ne kaha, "haan, samane kaise aogi! ab se to tum janane mean rahogi. hiandoo ramani! bandhita! pareshababoo ke pap ka gh da ab bhar gaya. budhape mean ab vah apani karani ka phal bhogate rahean- ham to vida lete haian."

dh dak se sucharita ne rasoee ka daravaza band kar diya aur pharsh par baith gee. muanh mean aauanchal thooansakar kisi tarah apani sisikiyoan ko dabane ki koshish karane lagi. haranababoo mano kalikhaputa chehara lie bahar ko chal die.

harimohini ne donoan ki poori bat sun li thi. aj sucharita ke muanh se unhoanne jo suna vah unaki ummid se pare tha. unaki chhati khushi se phool uthi. unhoanne socha-kyoan n hota, maian jo sache man se apane gopi-vallabh ki pooja karati aee vah kya sab yoan hi chali jaegi?

phauran harimohini ne apane pooja-grih mean jakar pharsh par letakar devata ko shashtaang pranam kiya aur pran kiya ki aj se vah bhog aur bhi badha deangi. ab tak unaki pooja du:kh ki saanth‍vana ke lie hone ke karan shaant-bhav se hoti thi, aj usake svarth-sadhana ka roop lete hi vah atyant ugr aur kshudhatur ho uthi.

gora ne jis dhang se sucharita se bat ki thi, us tarah pahale kabhi kisi se nahian ki thi. apane shrotaoan ke samane ab tak vah keval apane vaky, mat aur upadesh hi rakhata aya tha, ab sucharita ke samane usane svayan apane ko nikalakar rakh diya tha. is atm-prakash ke anand mean usake sare mat aur sankalp n keval ek shakti se balki ek ras se bhar uthe. ek sauandaryashri ne usake jivan ko chha liya. mano usaki tapasya par sahasa devataoan ne amrit barasa diya ho.

gora pichhale kuchh dinoan se rozana isi anand ke avesh se bharakar kuchh soche bina sucharita ke pas ata raha tha. kiantu aj harimohini ki bat sunakar ekaek use yad aya ki aisi hi mugdhata ke lie ek din usane vinay ka kaisa majak u daya tha aur tiraskar kiya tha. aj anajane hi svayan usi paristhiti mean akar vah chauank utha. anajan jagah mean behosh sota hua vyakti dhakka khakar jaise h dab dakar uthata hai vaise hi gora apani sari shakti lagakar apane ko sajag karane laga. barabar vah prachar karata aya tha ki prithvi par anek prabal jatiyoan ka sanpoorn vinash ho gaya-bharat hi keval sanyam aur dridhata se niyam palan ke chalate sadiyoan se pratikool shaktiyoan ke aghat sahata hua bhi apane ko bachay rakh saka hai. us niyam mean tho di-si bhi shithilata svikar karane ko vah razi nahian tha. usaka kahana tha, bharatavarsh ka sabhi kuchh loota ja raha hai, lekin apane jis pran purush ko usane is sab k de niyam-sanyam ke bhitar chhipakar rakha hai us tak kisi atyachari raja ka var pahuanch hi nahian sakata. ham log jab tak doosari jati ke adhin haian tab tak hamean apane niyam ka aur bhi dridhatapoorvak palan karana hoga. achchhe-bure ke vivechan ka samay abhi nahian hai. jo vyakti bhanvar mean phansakar mrityu ke muanh ki or baha ja raha ho vah jis kisi chiz ke sahare apane ko bacha sakata ho usi ko pak data hai, yah nahian sochata ki vah chiz suandar hai ya kurup. hamesha se gora yahi bat kahata aya tha- aj bhi usake pas kahane ko yahi tha. harimohini ne jab gora ke acharan ki buraee ki, tab jaise aankush ki chot se garaj t d utha.

gora jab apane ghar pahuancha tab daravaze qe samane s dak par beanch dalakar mahim nange badan baithe tambakoo kha rahe the. aj unake aauphis ki chhutti thi. gora ko bhitar jate dekhakar unhoanne bhi usake pichhe jakar pukarakar kaha, "gora, meri ek bat sunate jao!"

gora ko apane kamare mean le jakar mahim ne poochha, "bura mat manana bhaee, pahale poochh looan ki kahian tumhean bhi vinay ki chhoot to nahian lag gi? us ilake mean bar-bar ana-jana hone laga hai."

gora ka chehara lal ho utha. vah bola, "koee bhay nahian hai."

mahim ne kaha, "jaise dhang dekhata hooan, kuchh kaha nahian ja sakata. tum sochate ho vah ek khane ki chiz hai jise maje se nigalakar phir lautaya ja sakega. lekin usi ke bhitar kaanta laga hai, yah apane dost ki halat dekhakar hi samajh sakate ho. are, chale kahaan-asal bat to abhi maianne kahian hi nahian. brahm l daki ke sath vinay ka byah to sunata hooan bilh‍kul pakka ho gaya hai. lekin usake bad unake sath hamara kisi tarah ka mel-vyavahar nahian chal sakata. yah maian tumhean pahale se hi kahe rakhata hooan."

gora ne kaha, "vah to nahian hi chal sakata."

mahim ne kaha, "lekin maan agar golamal kareangi to mushkil hogi. ham log grihasth haian, yoan hi bete-betiyoan ke byah mean pran muanh ko a jate haian, usake oopar agar ghar mean hi brahm-samaj baith jaega tab to tujhe yahaan se boriya-bistar utha lena p dega."

gora ne kaha, "nahian, vah sab kuchh nahian hoga."

mahim ne kaha, "shashi ke vivah ka mamala tay ho chala hai. hamare samadhi jitane vajan ki l daki leange usase kuchh adhik sona lie bina nahian chho deange, kyoanki vah janate haian ki manushy to nashvar padarth hai, sona usase adhik din tikata hai. dava ki apeksha anupat ki or hi unaka rujhan adhik hai. use samadhi kahana to usaki hethi karana hai- vah to ekadam behaya hai! khair, kharch to bahut hoga, lekin usase jo sabak mila hai vah l dake ke byah ke samay kam aega. mera to man hota hai, ek bar phir se is zamane mean janm lekar baba ko bich mean rakhakar apana byah bakayada tay karooan- apane purush janm ko ekadam solah ane sarthak karake dikhaooan! yahi to paurush hai-l daki ke bap ko ekabaragi pachha d dena kya mamooli bat hai! tumane jo kaho, tumhare sath milakar din-rat hiandoo-samaj ki jayadhh‍vani karane layaq josh kisi tarah nahian jut pata, bhaee, gale se avaz hi nahian nikalati. meri tin ko di ki umar hone mean kul chaudah mahine baki haian- pahali l daki ko janm dene ki bhool ka sudhar karane mean sahadharmini ne lanba samay liya-lekin jo ho usake vivah ka samay hone tak sab log milakar hiandoo-samaj ko jivant rakho, usake bad desh ke log chahe musalaman hoan chahe khristan, mujhe koee matalab nahian."

gora ko uthakar kh de hote dekh mahim bole, "maian isilie kah raha tha, ki shashi ke vivah par vinay ko nimantran dene se nahian chalega. us vakt is bat ko lekar phir koee hangama mache, yah nahian hone dena hoga. maan ko tum abhi se savadhan kar rakhana."

gora ne maan ke kamare mean jakar dekha anandamee pharsh par baithi aauankhoan par chashma chadhae ek khate mean n jane kis chiz ki soochi bana rahi haian. gora ko dekhakar chashma utarakar unhoanne khata band karate hue kaha, "baith."

gora ke baith jane par anandamee bolian, "mujhe tere sath kuchh salah karani hai. vinay ke byah ki khabar to sun li hai n?"

gora chup raha. anandamee bolian, "vinay ke chacha naraz haian, ve log koee nahian aeange. udhar yah vivah pareshababoo ke ghar par ho sakega isamean bhi sandeh hai. sab iantajam vinay ko hi karana hoga, isilie maian sochati thi, hamare ghar ke uttar vale hisse mean nichali manzil to kirae par chadhi huee hai lekin oopar vale kiraedar chale ge haian- vahian dumanzile mean yadi byah ka bandobast kar diya jae to kaisa rahega?"

gora ne poochha, "kya yah thik rahega?"

anandamee bolian, "maian n hoooangi to byah ka sara kam kaun sanbhalega? vah to bechara musibat mean p d jaega. vahaan byah ki bat ho jae to maian is ghar se hi sara iantazam kar de sakooangi, adhik dau d-dhoop nahian karani p degi."

gora ne kaha, "vah nahian ho sakega maan!"

anandamee ne poochha, "kyoan nahian ho sakega? unase to maianne poochh liya hai."

gora ne kaha, "nahian maan, yah byah nahian ho sakega-maian kahata hooan, tum meri bat mano."

anandamee ne kaha, "kyoan, vinay unake matanusar to byah nahian kar raha hai."

gora ne kaha, "yah sab bahas ki bat hai. samaj ke samane yah dalil nahian chalegi. vinay ki jo ichchha hai kare, ham log is byah ko nahian man sakate. kalakatta shahar mean gharoan ki koee kami nahian hai- aur usaka apana bhi to ghar hai."

ghar bahut mil sakate haian, yah anandamee bhi janati thian. lekin vinay sabhi bandhu-parijanoan se parityakt hokar anathoan ki tarah kisi kirae ke ghar mean vivah-sanskar poora kare, yahi unake man ko akhar raha tha. isilie unhoanne man-hi-man soch liya tha ki unake makan ka jo hissa kirae ke lie khali p da hai vahian vinay ke vivah ki vyavastha kar di jae. isase samaj se koee jhag da mol lie bina vah apane hi ghar mean shubh-karm ka anushthan karake tript ho sakeangi.

unhoanne gora ki dridh apatti janakar lanbi saans lekar kaha, "tum jab itane hi virudhd ho tab to kahian aur hi makan kirae par lena hoga. lekin usase mujh par bahut bojh p dega. khair, jab yah ho hi nahian sakata tab isake bare mean aur sochakar kya hoga!"

gora ne kaha, "maan, is byah mean tumhare shamil hone se kaise chalega."

anandamee ne kaha, "yah too kya kah raha hai, gora! apane vinay ke byah mean maian shamil n hoooangi to kaun hoga!"

gora ne kaha, "vah kisi tarah nahian ho sakega, maan!"

anandamee ne kaha, "gora, vinay ke sath tera matabhed ho sakata hai, lekin isilie kya too usaka dushman ho jaega?"

kuchh uttejit hokar gora ne kaha, "maan, yah kahana tumhari jyadati hai. aj vinay ke byah mean maian jo khushi-khushi shamil nahian ho pa raha hooan, mere lie yah koee sukh ki bat nahian hai. vinay ko maian kitana pyar karata hooan yah aur koee chahe n jane, par tum to janati ho. lekin maan, yah pyar ki bat nahian hai, isamean dosti-dushmani kuchh nahian hai. vinay ne parinam ki bat soch-samajhakar hi idhar qadam badhaya hai. hamane use nahian chho da, usi ne hamean chho d diya hai, isalie ab jo vichchhed ho raha hai usase usako aisi koee chot nahian pahuanchegi jisake lie vah taiyar n ho."

anandamee ne kaha, "gora, yah bat to thik hai ki vinay yah janata hai ki us vivah ke mamale mean tumhara usake sath kisi tarah ka sahayog nahian hoga. lekin yah bhi to vah nishchay janata hai ki maian is shubh karm mean kisi tarah usaka parityag nahian kar sakooangi. vinay agar samajhata ki usaki bahoo ko maian ashirvad-poorvak grahan nahian karooangi to maian pakka janati hooan ki vah pran jane par bhi yah byah n kar sakata. vinay ke man ko maian kya janati nahian?" kahate-kahate anandamee ne aauankhoan ke kone se aauansoo poanchh lie. vinay ki or se gora ke man mean bhi jo gahari pi d thi vah um d aee. phir bhi usane kaha, "maan, tum samaj mean rahati ho aur samaj ki rrini ho, yah bat tumhean yad rakhani hogi."

anandamee ne kaha, "gora, maianne to bar-bar tumase kaha hai ki samaj se mera nata dinoan se toot gaya hai. isilie to samaj mujhase ghrina karata hai aur maian bhi usase door rahati hooan."

gora ne kaha, "maan, tumhari isi bat se mujhe sabase adhik takaliph hoti hai."

apani chhalachhalati huee snigdh drishti se anandamee ne jaise gora ka sarvaang sahalate hue kaha, "beta, eeshvar janate haian, tujhe is takaliph se bachana mere bas mean nahian hai."

uthate hue gora ne kaha, "tab phir mujhe kya karana hoga, yah tumhean bata dooan. maian abhi vinay ke pas jata hooan, jakar usase kahooanga ki apane vivah ke mamale mean tumhean ulajhakar samaj se tumhare vichchhed ko aur badhava n de- kyoanki yah to usaki sarasar jyadati aur svarthaparata hogi."

hansakar anandamee ne kaha, "achchha, too jo kar sake kar le- use jakar kah de, phir maian. dekh looangi."

anandamee gora ke chale jane par bahut der tak baithakar sochati rahian. phir dhire-dhire uthakar pati ke kaksh mean chali geean.

aj ekadashi thi, isalie krishnadayal ne bhojan banane ka koee yatn nahian kiya tha, unhean gherand-sanhita ka ek naya bangala anuvad mil gaya tha, usi ko hath mean pak de ek mrigachhala par baithe vah path kar rahe the.

vah anandamee ko dekhakar asamanjas mean p d ge. anandamee unase kafi doori rakhati huee kamare ki dehari par hi baith geean aur bolian, "dekho, b da udasin bhav ho raha hai!"

krishnadayal saansarik nyay-anyay se pare ja pahuanche the, isilie unhoanne udasin bhav se poochha, "kaisa anyay?"

anandamee ne kaha, "gora ko ab aur ek din bhi dhokhe mean rakhana thik nahian hai- bat ki had hoti ja rahi hai.

jis din gora ne prayashchit ki bat uthaee thi us din krishnadayal ke man mean bhi yah bat aee thi ki,.... kiantu phir yog-ki tarah-tarah ki prakriyaoan ke karan unhean is bare mean sochane ka avakash hi nahian mila.

anandamee ne kaha, "shashimukhi ke byah ki bat ho rahi hai, shayad isi phagun ke mahine mean hoga. isase pahale jab bhi ghar mean koee samajik karm hua hai kisi-n-kisi bahane maian gora ko sath lekar doosari jagah chali jati rahi hooan. is bich koee itana b da kam bhi nahian hua. lekin ab shashi ke vivah mean use kahaan le jaooangi? anyay roz hi badhata ja raha hai, maian roz donoan samay bhagavan se hath jo dakar yahi maangati hooan ki unhean jo saza deni ho sab mujhako hi dean. lekin mujhe b da bhay lag raha hai- ab aur chhipakar nahian rakha ja sakega. gora ko kathinaee hogi. ab mujhe anumati de do, maian use sari bat kholakar kah dooan-phir mere bhagy mean jo hoga, hoga."

krishnadayal ki tapasya bhang karane ke lie iandradev ne yah kya vighn bhej diya! idhar unaki tapasya bhi ati‍ ghor ho uthi thi- saans rokane mean vah asanbhav ko sanbhav kar rahe the, unhoanne bhojan ki matra itani kam kar di thi ki pet ko pith se mila dene ka unaka hath poora hone mean adhik samay n tha. aise samay yah utpat hua!

krishnadayal bole, "kya tum pagal huee ho? vah bat aj prakat hone par maian to b de sankat mean p d jaooanga- kya saphaee dooanga- peanshan to ruk hi jaegi, shayad pulis bhi tang karegi. jo ho gaya ho so ho gaya, ab jitana sanbhalakar chal sako, chalo-n chal sako to bhi koee dosh nahian hoga."

krishnadayal ne soch rakha tha ki unaki mrityu ke bad jo ho so ho, par tab tak vah svatantr hokar rahana chahate the. phir unake anajane kisaka kya ho raha hai, isaki anadekhi karate rahane se hi kisi prakar kam chal jaega. kya karana chahie, kuchh nishchay n kar pakar anandamee udas muanh lie uth kh di hueean. pal-bhar kh di hokar bolian, "tumhara sharir kaisa hua ja raha hai, yah nahian dekhate?"

anandamee ki is moorkhata par krishnadayaj zor se hanse aur bole, "sharir!"

aant tak is vishay ki charcha kisi santoshajanak parinam tak nahian pahuanchi aur krishnadayal ne phir gherand-sanhita mean man lagaya. udhar bahar ke kamare mean unake sannyasi ke sath baithe mahim uchch svar mean paramarth-tatv ki charcha mean lage hue the. grihasth ko mukti mil sakati hai ya nahian, atyant vinit vyakul svar mean yah prashn poochhakar hath jo dakar vah aise ekaant agrah aur bhakti se isaka uttar sunane baithe the mano mukti pane ke lie unhoanne apana sab kuchh daanv par laga diya ho. grihasth ko mukti nahian mil sakati kiantu svarg mil sakata hai, sannyasi yahi samajhakar mahim ko kisi tarah santusht karane ki koshish kar rahe the, lekin mahim ko tasalli hi n hoti thi. unhean mukti chahie hi chahe, svarg se unhean koee prayojan nahian hai. kisi tarah kanya ka vivah ho lete hi vah sannyasi ki charan-seva karate hue mukti ki sadhana mean jut jaeange, is pran se unhean koee diga nahian sakega. kiantu kanya ka vivah to aisa asan mamala nahian hai-haan, yadi baba ki daya ho jae to shayad be da par ho sake!