गोरा उपन्यास भाग-2

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

aangrezi naval vinay ne bahut padh rakhe the, kiantu usaka bhadr bangali parivar ka sanskar kahaan jata? is tarah utsuk man lekar kisi stri ko dekhane ki koshish karana us stri ke lie apamanajanak hai aur apane lie niandaniy, is bat ko vah kisi bhi tark ke sahare man se nikal n saka. isase vinay ke man mean anand ke sath-sath glani ka bhi uday hua. use laga ki usaka kuchh patan ho raha hai. yadyapi isi bat ko lekar gora se usaki bahas ho chuki thi, phir bhi jahaan samajik adhikar nahian hai vahaan kisi stri ki or prem ki aauankhoan se dekhana usake ab tak ke jivan ke sanchit sanskar ke virudhd tha.

vinay ka us din gora ke ghar jana nahian hua. man-hi-man anek saval-javab karata hua ghar laut aya. agale din tisare pahar ghar se nikalakar ghoomata-phirata aant mean gora ke ghar vah pahuancha, varsha ka lanba din bit chuka tha aur sandhyat ka aandhakar ghana ho chuka tha. gora batti jalakar kuchh likhane baith gaya tha.

gora ne kagaz ki or se aauankhean uthae bina hi kaha, "kyoan bhaee vinay, hava kidhar ki bah rahi hai?"

usaki bat anasuni karate hue vinay ne kaha, "gora, tumase ek bat poochhata hooan. bharatavarsh kya tumhare nazadik bahut saty hai- bahut spasht hai? tum to din-rat usaka dhyakan karate ho- kiantu kaise dhyanan karate ho?"

gora kuchh der likhana chho dakar apani tikhi drishti se vinay ke chehare ki or dekhata raha. phir kalam rakhakar kursi ko pichhe ki or jhukata hua bola, "jahaz ka kaptan jab samudr par kar raha hata hai tab khate-pite, sote-jagate jaise sagar-par ke bandaragah par usaka dhyaban keandrit rahata hai, vaise hi maian bharatavarsh ka dhyajan rakhata hooan."

vinay, "aur tumhara yah bharatavarsh hai kahaan?"

chhati par hath rakhakar gora ne kaha, "mera yahaan ka dishasoochak din-rat jidhar suee kie rahata hai vahian; tumhare marshamain sahab ki 'histri aauph iandiya' mean nahian!"

vinay, "jidhar ko vah suee rahati hai udhar kuchh hai bhi?"

uttejit hokar gora ne kaha, "hai kaise nahian? maian rah bhool sakata hooan, maian doob sakata hooan.... kiantu meri us lakshmi ka bandaragah phir bhi hai. vahi mera poornaroop bharatavarsh hai.... dhan se poorn, jnan se poorn, dharm se poorn. vah bharatavarsh kahian nahian hai, aur hai keval yahi charoan or phaila hua jhooth- yah tumhara kalakatta shahar, ye daftar, yah adalat, ye kuchh-ek eeant-patthar ke bulabule? chhi: chhi:!"

bat kahakar kuchh der gora ekatak vinay ke chehare ki or dekhata raha. vinay uttar n dekar sochata raha. gora ne phir kaha, "yah jahaan ham padhate-sunate haian, naukari ki ummidavari mean ghoomate-phirate haian, das se paanch baje tak ki murda begari ki tarah kya jane kya karate rahate haian, isaka koee thikana nahian hai. is jadoo ke bane bharatavarsh ko hi ham sach mane baithe haian, isilie kotish: log jhoothe man ko man, jhoothe karm ko karm samajhakar pagaloan-se din-rat bhatak rahe haian. is marichika ke jal se kisi bhi tarah se kya ham chhutakara pa sakate haian? isilie ham roz sookh-sookhakar marate ja rahe haian. ek sachcha bharatavarsh hai, paripoorn bharatavarsh; us par sthir hue bina ham log n budhdi se, n hriday se sachcha jivan-ras khianch sakeange. isilie kahata hooan, any sab bhoolakar kitab ki vidya, khitab ki maya, noch-khasot ke lalach- sabaki pukar anasuni karake usi bandaragah ki or jahaz ko le jana hoga; phir chahe doobean, marean to mare. yoan hi maian bharatavarsh ki sachchi, poorn moorti ko nahian bhool sakata!"

vinay, "yah sab kahian josh ki bat to nahian hai tum sach kah rahe ho?"

gora ne badal ki tarah garajakar kaha, "sach kah raha hooan."

vinay, "aur jo tumhari tarah nahian dekh sakate...."

mutthiyaan baandhate hue gora ne kaha, "unhean dikhalana hoga. yahi to ham logoan ka kam hai. sachchaee ka roop spasht n dekh pane se log n jane kaun-si parachhaeean ke sammukh atm-samarpan kar deange. bharatavarsh ki sarvaangin moorti sabake samane kh di kar do- tab log pagal ho utheange; tab ghar-ghar chanda maangate hue nahian phirana p dega. log khud jan dene ke lie ek-doosare ko dhakelate hue age aeange."

vinay, "ya to mujhe bhi any bisiyoan logoan ki tarah bahate chale jane do, ya mujhe bhi vahi moorti dikhalao"

gora, "sadhana karo. man mean dridh vishvas ho to kathor sadhana mean hi sukh milega. hamare shaukiya paitriyat logoan mean sachcha vishvas nahian hai, isilie ve n apane, n doosaroan ke samane koee zoradar dava kar pate haian. svayan kuber bhi yadi unhean var ate to shayad ve lat-sahab ke chaparasi ki gilatadar peti se adhik kuchh maangane ka sahas n kar pate. unamean vishvas nahian hai, isilie koee asha bhi nahian hai."

vinay, "gora, sabaki prakriti ek jaisi nahian hoti. tumane apana vishvas apane bhitar se paya hai, aur apani takat ke sanbal se kh de ho sakate ho, isilie tum doosaroan ki avastha thik tarah samajh hi nahian sakate. maian kahata hooan tum mujhe chahe jis ek kam mean laga do, din-rat mujhase kasakar kam lo. nahian to jitani der tak maian tumhare pas rahata hooan, utani der to lagata hai ki maian kuchh paya; par door hatate hi kuchh bhi aisa nahian pata jise mutthi mean pak dakar rakh sakooan."

gora, "kam ki bat kahate ho? is vakt hamara ekamatr kam yah hai ki jo kuchh svadesh ka hai usake prati bina sankoch, bina sanshay sanpoorn shradhda jatakar desh ke any avishvasiyoan mean bhi usi shradhda ka sanchar kar dean. desh ke mamale mean lajjit ho-hokar hamane apane man ko gulami ke vish se durbal kar diya hai; hamamean se pratyek apane sadacharan dvara isaka pratikar kare tabhi hamean kam karane ka kshetr milega. abhi jo bhi kam ham karana chaheange, vah keval itihas ki skooli kitab lekar doosaroan ki nakal karana matr hoga. us jhoothe kam mean ham kya kabhi bhi sachchahee se apana poora man-pran laga sakeange? use to apane ko keval aur hin hi bana leange."

isi samay hath mean huqqa lie tho de alas bhav se mahim ne kamare mean pravesh kiya. yah samay mahim ke daftar se lautakar, nashta karake pan ka ek bi da muanh mean aur chh:-sat bi de dibiya mean rakhakar, s dak ke kinor baithakar huqqa pine ka tha. phir tho di der bad hi ek-ek karake p dos ke yar-dost a juteange, tab dayodhi se lage hue kamare mean tash ka khel jamega.

b de bhaee ke kamare mean ate hi kursi chho dakar gora uth kh da hua. mahim ne hukke mean kash lagate kaha, "bharat ke udhdar ke lie pareshan ho, pahale bhaee ka udhdar to karo" gora mahim ke chehare ki or dekhata raha. mahim bole, "hamare daftar mean j naya baboo aya hai-lak dabagghe jaisa muanh hai- vah bahut hi shaitan hai. babuoan ko baiboon kahata hai; kisi ki yadi maan bhi mar jae to bhi chhutti dena nahian chahata; kahata hai, bahana hai. kisi bhi bangali ko kisi mahine mean poori tanakhvah nahian milati.... jurmana karata rahata hai. usake bare mean akhabar mean ek chitthi chhapi thi; pattha samajhata hai ki mera hi kam hai. khair, bilkul jhooth bhi nahian samajhata. isalie ab apane nam se usaka ek k da prativad chhapae bina tikane nahian dega. tum log to yoonivarsiti ke jnan-manthan se mile hue do ratn ho; jara yah chitthi achchhi tarah likh deni hogi. jahaan-tahaan usamean eevan-haianded jastis, nevar pheliang jenerasiti, kaiand kartiyasanes ityadi-ityadi phikare j d dene hoange."

gora chup hi raha. hansakar vinay ne kaha, "dada, ek hi saans mean itane sare jhooth chala doge?"

mahim, "shathe shathyan samachareth. bahut dinoan tak usake sath mean raha hooan, sab-kuchh mera dekha hua hai. jis dhang se jhoothi batean ve log chala sakate haian usaki prashansa karani p dati hai. zaroorat p dane par kuchh bhi unase bacha nahian hai. unamean se ek jhooth bole to baki sab gid doan ki tarah ek hi sur mean 'huaauan-huaauan' chilla uthate haian. hamari tarah ek ko phansakar doosara vahavahi pana nahian chahata. yah saty jano, unako dhokha dene mean koee pap nahian hai.... haan, pak da n jae, bas."

mahim bat kahakar hi-hi karate hue hansane lage. vinay se bhi hanse bina nahian raha gaya.

mahim bole, "tum log unake samane sach bat kahakar unhean sharmianda karana chahate ho. aisi akl bhagavan ne tumhean n di hoti to desh ki yah halat kyoan hoti itana to samajhana chahie ki jisake pas takat hai, vah yadi seandh bhi laga raha ho to himmat dikhakar use pak davaye jane par vah sharm se sir nahian jhukata, balki ulte chimata uthakar sadhoo ki tarah huankarakar marane ata hai. batao, yah sach hai ki nahian?"

mahim bat kahakar hi-hi karate hue hansane lage. vinay se bhi hanse bina nahian raha gaya.

mahim bole, "tum unake samane sach bat kahakar unhean sharmianda karana chahate ho. aisi akl bhagavan ne tumhean n di hoti to desh ki yah halat kyoan hoti itana to samajhana chahie ki jisake pas takat hai, vah yadi seandh bhi laga raha ho to himmat dikhakar use pak davane jane par sharm se sir nahian jhakata, balki ulte chimata uthakar sadhoo ki tarah huankarakar marane ata hai. batao, yah sach hai ki‍ nahian?"

vinay, "yah to thik hai."

mahim, "usase bhi b de jhooth ke kolhoo se bina mooly ka jo tel milata hai vah ek-adh chhataank usake pairoan par chup dakar yadi kahean-sadhoo maharaj, baba paramahansaji! kripa karake apani jholi zara jha d dijie.... usaki dhool pakar bhi hamatar jaeange.... to shayad apane hi ghar ke chori hue mal ka kam-se-kam ek hissa phir apane hath lag sakata hai, aur sath hi shaanti bhang ki bhi ashanka nahian rahati. sochakar dekho to isi ko hi kahate haian paitriyatijm. kiantu mera bhaiya big d raha hai. hiandoo hone ke nate vah mujhe b de bhaee ki tarah bahut man deta hai; usake samane meri aj ki bat thik b de bhaee ki-si nahian huee. lekin bhee, kiya kya jay! jhoothi bat ke bare mean bhi to sachchi bat kahani p dati hai! vinay, lekin vah lekh mujhe zaroor chahie. ruko.... maianne kuchh not li‍kh rakhe haian, vah le aooan."

kash lagate-lagate mahim bahar chale ge. gora ne vinay se kaha, "vinoo, tum dada ke kamare mean jakar unhean bahalao. maian zara yah lekh poora kar looan."

"sunate ho? ghabarao nahian; tumhare pooja-ghar mean nahian a rahi, havan poora karake zara us kamare mean ana.... tumase bat karani hai. do ne sannyasi ae haian to kuchh der tak ab tumase bheant nahian ho sakegi, yah maian samajh gee. isilie kahane aee thi. bhool nahian jana, zaroor ana!"

bat kahakar anandamee phir ghar-grihasthi ke kam sanbhalane laut geean.

krishnadayal baboo saanvale rang ke dohare badan ke vyakti haian qad adhik lanba nahian. chehare par do b di-b di aauankhean hi nazar ati haian, baki poora chehara khich di rang ki dadhi-mooanchhoan se dhanka hua hai. hamesha gerue rang ke reshami kap de pahane rahate haian; pairoan mean kh daooan, hath ke nikat hi pital ka kamandal rahata hai. samane ki or chaand dikhane lagi hai, baki lanbe-lanbe bal sir ke madhh‍y mean ek b di-si gaanth ke roop mean bandhe rahate haian.

ek samay ek pashchim mean rahate hue palataniya goroan ke sath hil-milakar maans-madira sabhi kuchh khate-pite rahe. un dinoan desh ke pujari-purohit, vah paurush samajhate the. ab aisi koee bat hi nahian hogi jise vah manane ko taiyar nahoan. ne sannyasi ko dekhate hi sadhana ki nee riti sikhane ke lie usake pas dharana dekar baith jaeange; mukti ke nigoodh path aur yog ki nigoodh pranaliyoan ke lie unamean behad ruchi hai. taantrik sadhana ka abhyas karane ke vichar se kuchh din vah upadesh lete rahe the ki is bich kisi baudhd shraman ki khabar pakar unaka man phir chanchal ho utha hai.

unaki pahali stri ek putr ko janm dekar marian, tab unaki umr koee teees baras ki thi. l dake ko hi maan ki mrityu ka karan man, us par rosh karake use sasural mean chho dakar vairagy ki sanak mean krishnadayal pashchim chale ge the. vahaan chh: mahinean ke aandar hi kashivasi sarvabhaum mahashay ki pitrihina natin anandamee se unhoanne vivah kar liya.

pashchim mean hi krishnadayal ne naukari ki khoj ki aur tarah-tarah ke upayoan se sarakari naukar-chakaroan mean apani dhak jama li. idhar sarvabhaum mahashay ki mrityu ho gee; koee doosara sanrakshak n hone se unhean patni ko sath hi rakhana p da isi bich jab sipahi-vidroh hua tab yukti se do-ek ooanche aangrez aphasaroan ki jan bachakar unhoanne yash ke sath-sath jagir paee. vidroh ke kuchh din bad hi naukari chho d di aur navajat gora ko lekar kuchh samay kashi mean hi rahate rahe. gora jab paanch baras ka hua tab krishnadayal kalakatta a ge. b de l dake mahim ko usake mama ke yahaan se lakar unhoanne apane pas rakha aur pal-posakar b da kiya. ab pita ke jan-pahachan valoan ki kripa se mahim sarakari khajane mean naukari kar raha hai aur taraqqi pa raha hai.

bachapan se hi gora muhalle ke jane any skool vale bachchoan ka saradar raha hai. mastaroan aur panditoan ka jina doobhar kar dena hi usaka mukhy kam aur manoranjan raha. kuchh hote hi vah vidyarthiyoan ke kh‍lab mean 'svadhinata vihin kaun-jina chahega?' ar 'bis koti janata ka ghar hai' gakar aur aangreji mean bhashan dekar chhote vidrohiyoan ke senapati ban baitha. aant mean jab chhatr-sabha ke jhande ke niche se nikalakar vayaskoan ki sabha mean bhi vah bhashan dene laga, tab yah krishnadayal baboo ke lie mano b de ashchary ka vishay ho gaya.

dekhate-dekhate gora ki bahar ke logoan mean dhak jam gee; kiantu ghar mean kisi ne use zyada man nahian diya. mahimatab naukari karane lage the; vah gora ko kabhi 'paititryat b de bhaiya' aur kabhi 'harish mukarji d saikiand' kahakar tarah-tarah se chidhakar use hatotsahi‍t karane ka prayatn karate. bich-bich mean b de bhaee ke sath gora ki hathapaee hote-hote rah jati. gora ke aangrez 'dvesh se anandamee man-hi-man bahut pareshan hotian, aur anek prakar se use shaant karane ki cheshta karatian, par sab bekar. gora rasta chalate koee mauqa dekh kisi aangrez se mar-pit karake apane ko dhany manata.

idhar keshav baboo ki vaktritaoan se prabhavit hokar gora brahm-samaj ki or vishesh akrisht hua; udhar thik usi samay krishnadayal ghor roop se acharanishth ho uthe. yahaan tak ki unake kamare mean gora ke jane se bhi ve bechain ho uthate. unhoanne do-tin kamaroan ka mano apana svatantr mahal bana liya; ghar ke utane hisse ke dvar par unhoanne 'sadhanashram' likhakar lak di ki takhti lataka di8.

gora ka man pita ke in karanamoan ke prati vidrohi ho utha. ye sab bekar ki batean maian nahian sah sakata.... ye meri aauankhoan mean chubhatian haian- yah ghoshit karake pita se sabhi sanbandh to dakar gora bilh‍kul alag ho jane ki bat sochane laga tha, par anandamee ne kisi tarah use samajha-bujhakar rok liya tha. pita ke pas jin brahman-panditoan ka ana-jana hota rahata tha, gora mauqa milate hi unake sath bahas chhe d deta tha. balki use bahas n kahakar bal dikhana hi kahana thik hoga. unamean se anekoan ka jnan bahut sadharan aur arth-lobh asim hota tha; gora ko ve hara nahian sakate the balki usase aise ghabarate the mano vah badha ho. in sabamean akele harachand vidyavagish ke prati gora ke man mean shradhda thi. vidyavagish ko krishnadayal ne vedaant-charcha karane ke lie niyukt kiya tha. pahali hi bar unase ugr bhav se l daee karane jakar gora ne dekha ki unase l daee chal hi nahian sakati. keval yah bat nahian ki vah vidvanh the; unamean ek atyant ashcharyajanak udarata bhi thi. keval sanskriti aisi achchhi aur sath-sath aisi prashast budhdi kisi ki ho sakati hai, gora isaki kalpana bhi nahian kar sakata tha. vidyavagish ke svabhav mean kshama aur shaanti ka aisa avichal dhairy aur ganbhirata thi ki unake samane svayan apane ko sanyam n karana gora ke lie asanbhav tha. gora ne harachandr se vedaant-darshan padhana shuroo kiya. koee kam adhoore dhang se karana gora ke svabhav mean hi nahian hai, at: vah darshan ki alochana mean bilkul nimagn ho gaya.

inhian dinoan sanyog se ek aangrez mishanari ne kisi akhabar mean hiandoo-shastr aur samaj par akraman karate hue desh ke logoan ko tark-yuddh ki chunauti di. gora to ekadam ag-baboola ho gaya. halaanki vah svayan mauqa milane par shastr aur lokachar ki nianda karake virodhi mat ke logoan ko bharasak pi da pahuanchata rahata tha, kiantu hiandoo-samaj ke prati ek videshi ki avahelana mano use barchhi-si chubh gee.

gora ne akhabar mean l daee chhe d di. doosare paksh ne hiandoo-samaj mean jitane dosh dikhae the gora ne unamean se koee bhi zara-sa bhi svikar nahian kiya. donoan pakshoan se lanbi chitthi-patri ke bad sanpadak ne ghoshit kiya ki-is vishay mean aur vad-vivah prakashit nahian kiya jaega.

kiantu gora ko tab bahut gussa chadh gaya tha. usane 'hianduijm' nam dekar aangrezi mean ek pustak likhana aranbh kar diya, jisamean vah apani yogyata ke anusar sabhi yuktiyoan aur shastroan se hiandoo-dharm aur samaj ki anindy shreshh‍thata ke praman khojakar sangrah karane mean jut gaya.

is prakar mishanari ke sath l daee karane jakar gora dhire-dhire apani vakalat mean svayan hi har gaya. usane kaha, "ham apane desh ko videshi ki adalat mean abhiyukt ki tarah kh da karake videshi qanoon ke adhin usaka vichar kyoan hone dean? vilayat ke adarsh se ek-ek bat ki tulana kar ham n lajjit hoange, n gaurav hi maneange. jis desh mean janh‍me haian, us desh ke achar, vishvas, shastr ya samaj ke lie doosaroan ke ya apane samane zara bhi sharmianda nahian hoange. desh ka jo kuchh hai sabhi ko saharsh aur sagarv bhav se sir-mathe par lekar desh ko aur svayan ko apaman se bachaeange."

aisa manakar gora ne chogi rakhi, ganga-snan aur sandhh‍ya-vandan arambh kiya, khan-pan aur chhua-chhoot ke niyam manane laga. tabhi se vah roz subah 'kaid' aur 'sn aaub' kah diya karata tha usi ko dekhate hi uth kh da hota aur adar se pranam karata. is nee bhakti ko lekar mahim us par manamane vyangy karata rahata, kiantu gora kabhi unaka uttar nahian deta.

apane upadesh aur acharan se gora ne samaj ke ek gut ko mano jaga diya. ve ek b di khianch-tan se mukt ho ge aur mano lanbi saans lekar kah uthe-ham achchhe haian ya bure, sabhy haian ya asabhy, isake bare mean ham kisi ko koee javab nahian dena chahate.... solah ane ham keval yah anubhav karana chahate haian ki ham haian!

kiantu gora mean in ne parivartan se krishnadayal prasann hue hoan, aisa nahian jan p da. balki ek din unhoanne gora ko bulakar kaha, "dekho ji, hiandoo-shastr b di gahari chiz hai. rrishi log jo dharm sthapit kar ge haian usaki gaharaee ko samajhana jis-tisaka kam nahian hai. meri samajh mean, bina samajhe-boojhe use lekar n ulajhana hi achchha hai. abhi tum bachche ho, shuroo se aangrezi padhate hue b de hue ho. tum jo brahm-samaj ki or jhuke the vah tumhare adhikar ke hisab se achchhi hi bat thi. isilie maianne usaka bura nahian mana, balki usase khush hi tha. lekin ab jis raste tum chal rahe ho vah kisi tarah thik nahian jan p data. vah tumhara marg hi nahian hai."

gora bola, "ap yah kya kahate haian, baba? maian bhi to hiandoo hooan. hiandoo-dharm ka goodh marm aj n samajh sakooan to kal to samajhooanga, yadi kabhi bhi n samajhooan tab bhi isi path par to chalana hoga. hiandoo-samaj ke sath poorvajanm ka sanbandh nahian to d saka, isilie is janm mean brahman ke ghar janma. aise hi janm-janmaantar ke bad isi hiandoo-dharm aur hiandoo-samaj ke bhitar se hi isaki charam sima tak pahuanch sakooanga. kabhi bhramavash doosare raste ki or mu d bhi jaooan to dugane veg se laut aooanga."

par krishnadayal sir hilate-hilate kahate rahe, "are baba, hiandoo kahane bhar se hi to koee hiandoo nahian ho jate. musalaman hona asan hai, khristan to koee bhi ho sakata hai.... kiantu hiandoo! yahi to ek mushkil bat hai"

krishnadayal, "baba, bahas karake to tumhean thik nahian samajha sakooanga. par tum jo kahate ho ek tarah vah bhi sach hai. jisaka jo karm-phal hai, jo nirdisht dharm hai, ek din ghoom-phirakar use usi dharm ke path par ana hi hoga.... use koee rok nahian sakega. bhagavan ki jaisi ichchha.... ham log kya kar sakate haian.... ham to nimitt matr haian."

karm-phal aur bhagavan ki ichchha, soahanvad aur bhakti-tatv- krishnadayal sabhi kuchh ek jaise bhav se grahan karate haian. in sabamean paraspar kisi prakar ke samanvay ki zaroorat hai, isaka anubhav unhean kabhi nahian hoga.

sandhh‍ya-vandan, snan-bhojan sanpoorn karake anek din bad aj krishnadayal ne anandamee ke kamare mean pravesh kiya. pharsh par apana kanbal ka asan bichhakar, savadhani se charoan or ke samast vyapar se apane ko alipt karake vah baith ge.

anandamee bolian, "sunate ho, tum to tapasya mean lin rahate ho- ghar ki koee khabar nahian lete. gora ki or se mujhe to barabar bhay bana rahata hai."

krishnadayal, "kyoan, bhay kisaka?"

anandamee, "yah to maian thik-thik nahian kah sakati. par barabar mujhe lagata hai, gora ne ajakal yah jo hiandoopan shuroo kiya hai vah usase sadhoga nahian; aisa hi chalata raha to aant mean n jane kya aphat aegi! maianne to tumhean tab bhi kaha tha use janeoo mat pahanao! kiantu tumane meri suni nahian. tuhean tab bhi kaha tha use janeoo mat pahanao! kiantu tumane meri suni nahian. yahi kaha ki ek lachchhi soot gale mean pahana dene se kisi ka kuchh ata-jata nahian. lekin vah matr soot to nahian hai. ab use chhu daoge kaise?"

krishnadayal, "thik hai. sara dosh mera hi hai. aur pahale tumane jo bhool ki so? kisi tarah use chho dane ko razi nahian hueean. tab maian bhi ganvar tha, dharm-karm ka kuchh jnan to tha nahian. ab jaisa hone se kya aisa kam kar sakata?"

anandamee, "tum chahe jo kaho, maian kisi tarah nahian man sakati ki maianne kuchh adharm kiya hai. tumhean to yad hoga, santan ke lie maianne kya nahian kiya- jisane jo kaha vahi mana- kitane gande-taviz baandhe, kitane mantar lie, sab hi tumhean maloom hai. sapane mean ek din dekha, maian daliya-bhar tagar ke phool lekar thakuraji ki pooja karane baithi hooan, achanak mu dakar dekhati hooan ki daliya mean phool nahian hai, phool-sa komal shishu hai. ah kya sapana maianne dekha, kaise tumhean bataooan! meri aauankhoan se aauansuoan ki dhara bah nikali, jaldi se use god mean lene ke lie jhuki ki meri niand khul gee. isake das din bad hi to maianne gora ko paya. vah thakuraji ki den hai.... vah kya aur kisi ka tha ki maian kisi ko use lauta deti? poorvajanm mean use garbh mean lekar shayad maianne bahut kasht paya tha tabhi vah ab mujhe 'maan' kahakar pukarane a gaya. kaise, kahaan se vah aya tumhian sochakar dekho to. tab charoan or mar-kat machi huee thi, apani hi jan ke lale p de hue the. aise mean do pahar rat bite jab vah meanm hamare ghar chhipane aee tab tum to dar ke mare ghar mean rahane nahian dena chah rahe the, maianne hi tumase bachakar use goshala mean chhipa diya. usi rat bachche ko janm dekar vah mar gee. bina maan-bap ke us bachch ko agar maian n bachati to kya vah bachata? tumhara kya hai.... tum to use padari ko de dena chahate the. padari ko kyoan dean? padari kya usake maan-bap haian? padari ne kya usaki pran-raksha ki thi? aise jo bachcha maianne paya vah kya pet-jae bachche se kam hai? tum chahe jo kaho, jinhoanne yah l daka mujhe diya hai yadi ve svayan hi use n le lean to maian jan ganvakar bhi use aur kisi ko dene vali nahian hooan."

kashnadayal, "yah to janata hooan. khair, apane gora ko lekar tum raho, maianne isamean to kabhi koee a dachan nahian di. kiantu jab use apana l daka kahakar usaka parichay diya tab yajnopavit n hone se samaj kaise manata.... isilie vah karana p da. ab keval do hi batean sochane ki hai. nyay se meri sari sanpatti par mahim ka hi hak hai, isalie.... "

bich mean hi tokakar anandamee ne kaha, "tumhari sanpatti ka hissa kaun lena chahata hai. tumane jo kuchh jama kiya hai mahim ko hi sab de dena, gora usamean se ek paisa bhi nahian lega. vah purush hai, padh-likh chuka hai, ap kamakar khaega; vah doosare ke dhan mean hissa bantane hi kyoan jaega bhala? vah razi-khushi rahe, bas, itani hi meri kamana hai; kisi aur jayadad ki mujhe zaroorat nahian hai."

krishnadayal, "nahian, use ekabaragi vanchit nahian karooanga; jagir usi ko de dooanga.... age chalakar sal mean hazar rupe ki amadani to usase ho hi jaegi. abhi jo sochane ka vishay hai vah hai usake vivah ka mamala. ab tak to jo kiya so kiya, par ab hiandoo-vidhi se brahman ke ghar usaka vivah nahian kar sakanga.... is par chahe tum gussa karo, chahe jo karo."

anandamee, "hay-hay! tum samajhate ho, tumhari tarah sari duniya par gobar aur gangajal chhi dakati huee nahian phirati isalie mujhe dharm ka jnan hi nahian hai usaka vivah brahman ke ghar kyoan karane jaooangi, aur gussa kyoan karooangi?"

krishnadayal, "kyoan, tum to brahman-kul ki ho!"

anandamee, "hoti rahooan brahman-kul ki. bahmanaee karana to maianne chho d hi diya hai. mahim ke vivah ke samay bhi mere rang-dhang ko 'khristani chal' samajhakar samadhi log jhanjhat karana chahate the; maian tab jan-boojhakar alag hat gee thi- kuchh boli hi nahian. sari duniya mujhe khristan kahati hai, aur bhi jo kuchh kahati hai.... maian sab man leti hooan... manakar hikahati hooan- khristan kya iansan nahian haian. tumhian jo itani ooanchi jati ke aur bhagavan ke itane pyare ho, to bhagavan kyoan is tarah tumhara sir kabhi pathan, kabhi mugal aur kabhi khristan ke pairoan mean jhukava dete haian?"

krishnadayal, "ye sab b di-b di batean haian. tum aurat-jat vah nahian samajhogi. lekin samaj bhi kuchh hai, yah to samajhati h? use to manakar hi chalana hoga."

anandamee, "mujhe samajhane ki avashyata nahian hai. maian to itana samajhati hooan ki maianne jab gora ko beta samajhakar pala-posa hai, tab achar-vichar ka dhoang karane se samaj rahe ya n rahe, dharm to nahian rahega. maianne keval dharm ke bhay se hi kabhi kuchh nahian chhipaya. maian to kuchh manati nahian, yah maian sabhi ko jata deti hooan.... aur sabaki ghrina pakar chupachap p di rahati hooan. keval ek bat maianne chhipaee hai; usi ke lie bhay se ghuli jati hooan.... thakuraji jane kab kya kar dean, mera to man hota hai, gora se sari bat kah dooan, phir bhagy mean jo hona bada ho, vah ho."

krishnadayal ne h dab dakar kaha, "nahian-nahian! mere rahate yah kisi tarah nahian ho sakega. gora ka tum janati hi ho. yah bat sunakar vah kya kar baithega, kuchh kaha nahian ja sakata. phir samaj mean ek h dakanp mach jaegi. aur kya itana hi? udhar sarakar kya karegi, yah bhi nahian kaha ja sakata. gora ka bap to l daee mean mara gaya, aur usaki maan bhi mar gee, yah thik hai; lekin sara hangama shaant hone ke bad to majistret ko khabar dena zaroori tha! ab isi bat ko lekar koee upadrav kh da ho gaya to mera bhajan-poojan to sab mitti mean milega hi, aur bhi kya aphat uth kh di hogi, isaka koee thikana hai!'

niruttar hokar anandamee baithi rahi. tho di der bad krishnadayal bole, "gora ke vivah ke bare mean man-hi-man maian ek bat sochata raha hooan. pareshababoo bhattachary mere sath padhata tha.... skool ki inspektari se ritayar hokar peanshan lekar ajakal kalakatta akar rahane laga hai. kattar brahm hai. suna hai, usake ghar mean kee l dakiyaan bhi haian gora ko kisi tarah unake sath mila diya jay to usake ghar ate-jate rahane se pareshababoo ki koee l daki use pasand bhi kar sakati hai. isake age phir eeshvar ko jo manjoor ho."

anandamee, "kya kah rahe ho tum? brahm ke ghar gora ae-jaega? vah din usake ge?"

isi samay gora apane ganbhir svar mean 'maan' pukarata hua kamare mean aya. krishnadayal ko vahaan baithe hue dekhakar vah kuchh vismit-sa ho gaya; anandamee h dab dakar uthian aur gora ke pas akar aauankhoan se sneh barasati huee bolian, "kyoan beta, kya chahie?"

"nahian khas kuchh nahian, phir sahi", kahakar gora vapas jane laga.

krishnadayal bole, "zara thaharo, ek bat kahani hai. mere ek brahm mitr ajakal kalakatta ae hue haian,hedotalle mean rahate haian.... "

gora bola, "kaun, pareshababoo?"

krishnadayal, "tum unhean kaise janate ho?"

gora, "vinay unake ghar ke pas hi rahata hai, usi se unaki charcha suni hai."

krishnadayal, "maian chahata hooan, tum unaka hal-chal poochha ana!"

man-hi-man gora kuchh sochata raha. phir sahasa bola, "achchha, maian kal hi jaooanga."

anandamee kuchh vismay mean a geean.

tho di der sochakar gora ne kaha, "nahian.... kal to mera jana nahian ho sakega."

krishnadayal, "kyoan?"

gora, "kal mujhe triveni jana hai."

chauankakarakar krishnadayal ne kaha, "tri‍veni!"

gora- "kal soory-grahan ka nahan hai."

anandamee, "ab tumase kya kaha jay, gora! snan karana hai to kalakatta mean bhi to ganga hai. triveni ge bina tera nahan nahian hoga! too to deshabhar ke logoan se b da pandit ban gaya hai!"

is bat ka koee uttar die bina gora chala gaya.

gora ke triveni-snan karane jane ke sankalp ka karan yah tha ki vahaan anek tirth-yatri ikatthe hoange. usi sadharan janata ke sath ghul-milakar gora apane ko desh ki ek bahut vishal dhara mean baha dena aur desh ke hriday ki dh dakan apane hriday mean anubhav karana chahata hai. jahaan bhi gora ko tanik-sa mauqa milata hai, vahian vah apana sara sankoch, apane sare poorv sanskar balapoorvak chho dakar desh ki sadharan janata ke sath maidan mean a kh da hona chahata hai aur poore sankalp se kahana chahata hai- maian tumhara hooan tum sab mere ho.

vinay ne subah uthakar dekha, rat bhar mean akash saf ho gaya hai. subah ka prakash dudhamuanhe shishu ki hansi-sa nirmal phaila raha hai. do-ek ujale megh bilh‍kul nishprayojan bhatakate hue-se akash mean tair rahe haian.

baramade mean kh da-kh da vah ek aur nirmal prabhat ki yad se anandit ho raha tha ki tabhi usane dekha, ek hath mean chh di aur doosare hath mean satish ka hath pak de dhire-dhire pareshababoo s dak par chale a rahe haian. satish ne vinay ko baramade mean dekhate hi tali bajakar pukara, "vinay baboo!" pareshababoo ne muanh oopar kar vinay ko dekha. vinay jab jaldi se niche utar aya tab satish ke sang-sang pareshababoo ne bhi usake ghar ke bhitar pravesh kiya.

vinay ka hath pak date hue satish ne kaha, "vinay baboo, apane us din kaha tha ki hamare ghar aeange; abhi tak ae kyoan nahian?"

sneh se satish ki pith par hath pherata hua vinay hansane laga. pareshababoo ne savadhani se apani chh di mez ke sahare kh di ki aur kursi par baithate hue bole, "us din yadi ap n hote to ham log b di musibat mean p d jate. apane b da upakar kiya."

sharamate hue vinay ne kaha, "kya kahate haian- kuchh bhi to nahian kiya maianne."

sahasa satish ne poochha, "achchha vinay baboo, apake yahaan kutta nahian hai?"

hansakar vinay ne kaha, "kutta? nahian, kutta to nahian hai."

satish ne phir se poochha, "kyoan, kutta kyoan nahian palate?"

vinay ne kaha, "kuttoan ki bat to kabhi sochi nahian."

pareshababoo bole, "maianne suna hai, satish us din apake yahaan aya tha, zaroor apako tang karata raha hoga. yah itana bakata hai ki isaki bahan ise 'baktyar khilaji' kahati hai."

is bat ka satish ne koee uttar nahian diya. lekin phir yah sochakar ki usake ne namakaran se vinay ke samane kahian usaki beijjati n ho gee ho, vah bechain ho utha aur bola, "thik hai, achchhi bat hai-baktyar khilaji ne to l daee l di thi n? usane to bangal ko jit liya tha?"

hansakar vinay ne kaha, "purane zamane mean vah l daee l data tha, aj-kal l daee ki zaroorat nahian rahi! ab vah akela vaktrita karata hai aur bangal ko jit bhi leta hai.'

bahut der tak aisi hi batachit hoti rahi. pareshababoo sabase kam bole; keval bich mean ek shaant muskarahat unake chehare par khil jati, kabhi ekadh chhoti-moti bat bhi vah kah dete. chalate samay kursi se uthate hue bole, "hamara 78 nanbar ka makan yahaan se sidhe dahine ko.... "

bich mean hi satish bola, "vah hamara ghar pahachanate haian. abhi us din to mere sath hamare ghar ke daravaze tak ge the."

is bat par jheanpane ka koee auchith‍y nahian tha; kiantu man-hi-man vinay aisa jheanpa mano usaki koee chori pak di gee ho.

vridhd bole, "tab to ap ghar pahachanate haian. tab kabhi apaka udhar.... "

vinay- "vah apako kahana nahian hoga....jab bhi...."

pareshababoo- "ham logoan ka to ek hi muhalla hai; b da shahar hai isilie ab tak jan-pahachan nahian huee."

vinay bahar tak pareshababoo ke sath aya. dvar par vah tho di der kh da raha. pareshababoo dhire-dhire chh di ke sahare chale aur satish unake sath....lagatar bolata hua chala.

man-hi-man vinay ne kaha- pareshababoo jaisa sajjan vridhd nahian dekha. pair chhoone ki ichchha hoti hai. aur satish bhi kaisa tez l daka hai! b da hokar achchha adami hoga.... jitani tivr budhdi hai utana hi sidha svabhav hai.

vridhd aur balak kitane bhi achchhe kyoan n hoan, itane tho de parichay se un par itani adhik shradhda aur pyar sadharanataya sanbhav nahian hota. kiantu vinay ke man ki avastha aisi thi ki use adhik parichay ki zaroorat nahian thi.

phir man-hi-man vinay sochane laga- pareshababoo ke ghar jana hi hoga, nahian to badatamizi hogi. kiantu sath hi gora ka svar lekar mano unake gut ka bharatavarsh use tokane laga- tumhara vahaan ana-jana nahian ho sakata.... khabaradar!

kadam-kadam par vinay ne gut ke bharatavarsh ke bahut se niyam mane haian. kee bar usake man mean duvidha bhi uthi hai, phir bhi niyam usane man liya hai. par aj usake man mean ek vidroh jag utha. usaka man kahane laga-yah bharatavarsh to keval niyamoan ki moorti hai!

naukar ne akar soochana di ki bhojan taiyar hai. kiantu abhi tak vinay nahaya bhi nahian! barah baj chuke haian! vinay ne sahasa zor se sir hilakar kah diya, "maian nahian khaooanga, tum kha-pi lo!" usane chhata uthaya aur ekaek bahar nikal p da, kandhe par chadar bhi usane nahian dali.

sidha vah gora ke ghar ja pahuancha. vinay janata tha, emaharst strit mean ek makan kirae par lekar vahaan 'hiandoo-hitaishi-sabha' ka daftar rakha gaya hai, pratidin dopahar ko gora daftar jakar baithata hai aur vahaan se poore bangal mean jahaan bhi usake gut ke jo sadasy haian unhean chitthiyaan likhakar badhava deta hai. aur yahian usake bhakt usake muanh se upadesh sunane ate haian aur usake sahayak hokar apane ko dhany manate haian.

gora us din bhi daftar gaya hua tha. vinay mano dau data hua sidha bhitar aannadamee ke kamare mean ja kh da hua. anandamee us samay bhat parosakar khane baithi thian; lachhamiya pas baithi pankha jhal rahi thi.

ashchary se anandamee ne kaha, "kyoan vinay, kya hua hai tumhean?"

vinay ne unake samane baithate hue kaha, "maan, b di bhookh lagi hai, khane ko kuchh do!"

anandamee ne sakuchakar kaha, "yah to tumane b di mushkil mean dal diya. brahman-thakur to chal gaya hai, aur tum to.... '

vinay ne kaha, "maian kya brahman-thakur ke hath ka khane yahaan aya hooan? aisa hota to mere yahaan thakur ne hi kya aparadh kiya tha? maian tumhari pattal ka prasad chahata hooan, maan! lachhamiya la to ek gilas pani mere lie bhi.... "

lachhamiya ke pani dete hi vinay gath-gath karake pi gaya. tab anandamee ne ek thali aur mangaee; apani pattal se bhat uthakar vah usamean parosane lagian aur vinay sal-bhar ke bhookhe ki bhaanti bhat par toot p da.

anandamee ke man ka ek klesh aj door hua! unake chehare par prasannata dekhakar vinay ke man par se bhi mano ek bojh utar gaya. anandamee phir takie ka gilaph sine baith geean. sath ke kamare mean sugandhit kattha taiyar karane ke lie kev de ke phool rakhe ge the, jinaki sugandh kamare mean phail rahi thi. p d gaya aur duniya ko bhoolakar purane dinoan ki tarah sahajata se hans-hansakar batean karane laga.

is badha ke tootate hi vinay ke hriy mean mano ek vegapoorn badh um dane lagi. anandamee ke kamare se nikalakar bahar s dak par akar mano vah ekaek u dane laga. usake paanv jaise dharati par nahian p d rahe the. usaki ichchha huee jis bat ko lekar pichhale kee din se vah man-hi-man sankoch se marata raha hai, use muanh kholakar sabake samane ghoshit kar de.

jis samay vinay 78 nanbar ke daravaze par pahuancha, thik usi samay doosari or se pareshababoo ate hue dikhe.

"aie-aie, vinay baboo, b di khushi huee!" kahate hue pareshababoo vinay ko s dak ki or vale baithane ke kamare mean le ge.

ek chhoti mej; ek or pith vali beanch, doosari or lak di aur beant ki kursiyaan; divar par ek taraph eesa ka rangin chitr aur doosari taraph keshav baba ka photo. pichhale do-char din ke akhabar mez par tahakar rakhe hue, unake oopar kaanch ka peparavet, kone mean ek chhoti alamari, jisake oopar ke tak mean thiodor parkar ki pustakoan ki katar lagi huee dikhati hai. alamari ke oopar kap de se dhanka hua glob rakha hai. vinay baith gaya, par usaka dil dh dakane laga. usaki pith-pichhe vala daravaza khula hai, sahasa koee udhar se a gaya to.... !

pareshababoo ne kaha, "somavar ko sucharita mere ek mitr ki l daki ko padhane jati hai. vahaan satish ki umr ka ek l daka bhi hai, isalie satish bhi usake sath gaya hai. maian unhean vahaan pahuanchakar laut raha hooan. aur tanik-si bhi der ho jati to bheant hi n hoti!"

bat sunakar vinay ne nirasha ke aghat ke sath-sath kuchh santosh ka bhi anubhav kiya. pareshababoo ke sath batachit ek bahut hi sahaj star par a gee thi.

pareshababoo ne batoan-hi-batoan mean vinay ke bare mean tho da-tho da karake bahut kuchh jan liya. vinay ke maan-bap nahian haian; kaka-kaki des mean rahakar kam sanbhalate haian. usake do chachere bhaee bhi usake sath rahakar padh-likh rahe the; b da ab vakil hokar unake zile ki kachahari mean vakalat karata hai, chhota kalakatta mean rahata hua haije se chal basa. kaka ki ichchha hai ki vinay dipti-majistreti ke lie dau d-dhoop kare, kiantu vinay us or koee koshish n karake tarah-tarah ke phijool ke kamoan mean laga hua hai.

aise hi qarib ghanta-bhar bit gaya. bina vajah aur adhik baithana ashishtata hogi, yah sochakar vinay uth kh da hua aur bola, "apane dost satish se bheant nahian huee, isaka du:kh rah gaya- use kah dijiega maian. aya tha.'

pareshababoo ne kaha, "zara der aur thaharean to un logoan se bhi bheant ho jaegi- ab to ve ate hi hoange."

sirph itani-si bat ka sahara lekar phir baith jane mean vinay ko sankoch hua. tho da aur zor dene se vah phir baith jata; kiantu pareshababoo adhik bolane ya agrah karane vale vyakti nahian the, isalie vida hi leni p di. pareshababoo ne kaha, "bich-bich mean ate rahiega, hamean khushi hogi."

bahar s dak par akar ghar lautane ka koee, karan vinay ko nahian jan p da. vahaan koee kam nahian tha. vinay akhabaroan mean likhata hai; usake aangrezi lekhoan ki sabhi b di tariph karate haian. kiantu pichhale kee din se likhane baithane par usake dimag mean kuchh ata hi nahian. mez ke samane adhik baithai rahana mushkil hota hai; man bhatakane lagata hai. isalie aj vinay bina karan hi ulti disha mean chal p da.

do qadam bhi nahian gaya hoga ki use ek bal-kanth ki pukar sunaee di, "vinay baboo, vinay baboo!"

muanh uthakar usane dekha, ek gho da-ga di ke daravaje se jhaankakar satish use pukar raha hai. ga di ke bhitar sa di ka palla aur saphed astin ka aansh dekhakar vinay ko yah pahachanane mean koee kathinaee nahian huee ki doosara vyakti kaun hai.

bangal shishtachar ke anusar ga di ki or aur der jhaankana vinay ke lie asanbhav tha. par isi bich satish ga di se utarakar usake pas a gaya aur usaka hath pak data hua bola, "chalie hamare ghar!"

vinay ne kaha, "abhi tumhare ghar se hi to a raha hooan."

satish- "vah, tab ham lo to nahian the. phir chalie!"

vinay satish ke agrah ko tal n saka. kaidi ko lie hue ghar mean pravesh karata hua satish pukarakar bola, "baba, vinay baboo ko pak d laya."

vridhd bahar nikalate hue muskarakar bole, "ab ap thik pak d mean a ge haian, jaldi chhutakara nahian milane ka. satish, apani didi ko to bula la!"

vinay kamare mean akar baith gaya. usaki saans veg se chalane lagi. pareshababoo bole, "ap haanph ge shayad satish b da ziddi l daka hai."

satish jab bahan ko sath lie hue kamare mean aya tab vinay ne pahale ek halki-si sugandh paee aur phir suna, pareshababoo kah rahe the, "radho, vinay baboo ae haian.... unhean to tum sab jatane hi ho."

vinay ne mano chakit-sa hokar muanh uthakar dekha, sucharita use namaskar karake samane ki kursi par baith gee. is bar vinay prati-namaskar karana nahian bhoola.

sucharita ne kaha "yah chale ja rahe the, inhean dekhate hi satish ko rokana mushkil ho gaya- ga di se koodakar inhean khianchakar le aya. ap shayad kisi kam se ja rahe the- apako koee asuvidha to nahian huee?"

sidhe ninay ko sanbodhit karake sucharita koee bat kahegi, aisa vinay ne bilh‍kul nahian socha tha. sakapakakar bola, "nahian, mujhe koee kam nahian tha.... koee asuvidha nahian huee."

satish ne sucharita ka aauanchal pak dakar khianchate hue kaha, "didi, zara chabi dena to- apana vah argan vinay baboo ko dikhaean."

hansati huee sucharita boli, "bas, ab rikard shuroo hua! vaktyar ki kisi se dosti huee nahian ki usaki shamat aee. argan to use sunana hi hoga.... aur bhi kee musibatean usaki kismat mean likhi haian. vinay baboo, apaka yah dost hai to chhota, par isaki dosti ki zimmedari bahut bhari hai. n maloom ap nibha bhi sakeange ya nahian?"

sucharita ki aisi nissankoch batachit mean vah bhi kaise sahaj roop se bhag le sakata hai, yah vinay kisi tarah soch hi nahian saka. vah sharamaega nahian, isaki dridh pratijna karake bhi kisi tarah toote-phoote svar mean vah itana hi kah paya, "nahian, vah kuchh nahian.... ap usaka.... maian.... mujhe to achchha hi lagata hai."

bahan se chabi lekar satish ne argan nikala aur use lekar a kh da hua. chaukor kaanch se madhe hue, tarangit sagar ki tarah range hue nile kap de par khilauna-jahaz tha; satish ke chabi bharate hi argan ke sur-tal ke sath jahaz dagamagata hua chalane laga. satish ek kshan jahaz ki or aur doosare kshan vinay ke chehare ki or dekhata hua apani chanchalata ko kisi tarah bhi chhipa nahian pa raha tha.

is prakar satish ke bich mean rahane se dhire-dhire vinay ka sankoch toot gaya aur dhire-dhire bich-bich mean muanh uthakar sucharita se do-ek bat kar lena bhi usake lie asanbhav n rah paya.

bina prasang ke hi satish ne sahasa poochh liya, "apane mitr ko ek din hamare yahaan nahian laeange?"

is par vinay ke mitr ke bare mean saval poochhe jane lage. pareshababoo hal hi mean kalakatta ae haian, isalie ve log gora ke sanbandh mean kuchh nahian janate. vinay apane mitr ki bat karata hua utsahit ho utha. gora mean kaisi asadharan pratibha hai, usaka hriday kitana vishal hai, usaki shakti kaisi atal hai, isaka bakhan karate hue mano vinay ki jaise bat hi khatm nahian ho rahi thi. gora ek din sare bharatavarsh par dopahar ke sooraj ki tarah chamak uthega- vinay ko isamean zara bhi shanka nahian thi.

bat kahate-kahate vinay ka chehara mano damak utha aur usaka sara sankoch ekaek kshin ho gaya. balki gora ke sidhdaantoan ke vishay mean pareshababoo ke sath tho da vad-vivad bhi hua. vinay ne kaha, "gora hiandoo-samaj ko jo samoocha aise ni:sankoch grahan kar pata hai usaki vajah yahi hai ki vah bahut ooanchaee se bharatavarsh ko dekhata hai. usake lie bharatavarsh ke chhote-b de sab ek virat aiky mean bandhe haian, ek brihath sangit mala mean ghul-milakar sanpoorn dikhaee dete haian. vaise dekh pana ham sabake lie sanbhav nahian hai, tabhi ham log bharatavarsh ke tuk de-tuk de karake, videshi adarshoan ke sath unaki tulana karake bharat ke sath anyay hi karate haian."

sucharita boli, "ap kya kahate haian, ki jati-bhed achchha hai?"

bat aise kahi gee thi mano is bare mean age koee bahas ho hi nahian sakati.

vinay bola, "jati-bhed n achchha hai, n bura. yani kahian achchha hai to kahian bura. yadi poochha jay ki hath achchhi chiz hai ki buri, to maian kahooanga, sare sharir mean milakar dekhean to achchhi chiz hai. kiantu yadi poochhean ki u dane ke lie achchhi hai ya nahian, to maian kahooan ki nahian-vaise hi jaise mutthi mean pak dane ke lie daine achchh chiz nahian haian."

uttejit hokar sucharita ne kaha, "vah sab bat meri samajh mean nahian ati. maian yah poochhati hooan ki kya ap jati-bhed manate haian?"

aur kisi se bahas hoti to vinay zor dekar kahata, "haan, manata hooan." kiantu aj zor dekar vah aisa nahian kah saka. yah usaki bhiruta thi ya vastav mean jati-bhed manata hooan yah bat kahaan tak jati hai vahaan tak jana use aj svikar nahian hota, yah nishchayapoorvak nahian kaha ja sakata. bahas adhik n badhe, is vichar se pareshababoo ne bat badalate hue kaha, "radho, maan ko aur baki sab logoan ko bula lao to-inase parichay kara dooan."

sucharita ke uthakar bahar jate samay satish bhi bat karate-karate koodata hua usake pichhe-pichhe chala gaya.

kuchh der bad hi sucharita ne lautakar kaha, "baba, ap sabako maan oopar baramade mean bula rahi hai."