गोरा उपन्यास भाग-20

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

apane yahaan bahut din utpi dan sahakar anandamee ke pas bitae hue in kuchh dinoan mean jaisi saanth‍vana sucharita ko mili vaisi usane kabhi nahian paee thi. anandamee ne aise saral bhav se use apane itana samip khianch liya ki sucharita yah soch hi nahian saki ki kabhi ve usase door ya aparichit thian. n jane kaise unhoanne sucharita ke man ko poori tarah samajh liya tha aur bina bat kie bhi vah sucharita ko jaise ek ganbhir saantvana deti rahati thian. sucharita ne aj tak kabhi 'maan' shabd ka is prakar usamean apana poora hriday uandelakar uchcharan nahian kiya tha. vah koee kam n rahane par bhi anandamee ko 'maan' kahakar pukarane ke lie tarah-tarah ke bahane khojakar bulati rahati thi. lalita ke vivah ke sab karm sanpann ho jane par thaki huee bistar par letakar vah bar-bar sirph ek hi bat sochane lagi, ki ab anandamee ko chho dakar vah kaise ja sakegi. vah apane-ap hi se kahane lagi, 'maan-maan-maan!' pukarate-pukarate usaka hriday bhar utha aur aauankhoan se aauansoo jharane lage. tabhi ekaek usane dekha, masahari uthakar anandamee usake pas a gee haian aur us thapathapati huee poochh rahi hai, "mujhe bulaya tha?"

tab sucharita ko yad aya ki vah 'maan-maan' pukarati rahi thi. vah kuchh bol nahian saki, anandamee ki god mean muanh chhipakar rone lagi. anandamee bhi bina kuchh bole dhire-dhire usaka badan sahalati rahian. us rat ve sucharita ke pas hi soeean.

vinay ka vivah ho jane par tatkal anandamee vida lekar n ja sakian. unhoanne kaha, "ye to dono ana di haian- inaki ghar-grihasthi sanvare bina maian kais chali jaooan?"

sucharita ne kaha, "maan, tab to utane din maian bhi tumhare pas rahooangi."

utsahit hokar lalita ne bhi kaha, "haan maan, kuchh din suchi didi bhi hamare sath rahean."

yah prastav sunakar satish bhi dau da aya aur sucharita ke gale se lipatakar uchhalata-uchhalata bola, "haan didi, maian bhi tum logoan ke sath rahooanga."

sucharita ne kaha, "teri to padhaee hai, baktyar."

satish bola, "vinay baboo mujhe padha deange."

sucharita ne kaha, "tab vinay baboo teri mastari nahian kar sakeange."

sath ke kamare se hi pukarakar vinay ne kaha, "zaroor karooanga. ek din mean aisa kya nikamma ho gaya hooan, yah meri samajh mean nahian ata. anek rat jagakar jitana kuchh likhana-padhana sikha tha vah sab ek hi rat mean bhool gaya hooanga, aisa to nahian lagata."

anandamee ne sucharita se poochha, "tumhari mausi kya razi hoangi?"

sucharita ne kaha, "maian unhean chitthi likhakar poochh leti hooan."

anandamee ne kaha, "tum mat likho, maian hi likhati hooan."

anandamee samajhati thian ki yadi sucharita svayan vahaan rahane ki ichchha prakat karegi to harimohini ko bura lagega. lekin unake agrah par harimohini agar naraz bhi hoangi to unhian par hoangi- usamean sucharita ki koee hani nahian hogi.

chitthi mean anandamee ne yahi likha tha ki lalita ki nee grihasthi thik-thik kar dene ke lie unhean kuchh din aur vinay ke ghar rahana hoga, utane din sucharita ko bhi unake sath rahane ki anumati mil jay to bahut madad ho jaegi.

anandamee ki chitthi pakar harimohini keval krudhd hi nahian hueean balki usake man mean ek vishesh sandeh bhi utpann hua. socha, maianne l dake ko ghar ane se mana kar diya hai, isalie ab maan sucharita ko phansane ke lie chalaki se jal phaila rahi hai. isamean maan-bete ki sazish hai, yah unhoanne saf dekh liya. ab unhean yah bhi yad aya ki aranbh mean hi anandamee ke rang-dhang dekhakar vah unhean achchhi nahian lagi thian.

aur vilamb n karake jitani jaldi sanbhav ho sake sucharita ko suvikhyat ray-parivar mean shamil karake usaki suraksha ki vyavastha kar dene se hi harimohini rahat pa sakeangi. kailash ko bhi yoan ki‍tane din roke rakha ja sakata hai? vah bechara din-rat tambakoo pi-pikar ghar ki divarean kali kie de raha tha.

jis roz harimohini ko chitthi mili, usake agale din sabere hi vah palaki par savar hokar apane baire ko sath lekar vinay ke ghar ja pahuanchian. us samay nichale kamare mean sucharita, lalita aur anandamee rasoee ki taiyari mean lagi huee thian aur oopar ke kamare se satish ke aangrezi shabdoan ki vartani aur unake bangala paryay ratane ka tivr svar akar sare ghar ko guanja raha tha. ghar par usake gale ki takat ka thik anuman n hota tha- lekin yahaan is bat ka pakka praman dete rahane ke li‍e ki vah apani padhaee ki bilh‍kul avahelana nahian karata, usane apane svar ko aur ooancha uthane ke lie zor lagana p data tha.

harimohini ko anandamee ne b de adar se baithaya. lekin us sab shishtachar ki or harimohini ne dhh‍yan n dekar ekaek kaha, "maian radharani ko lene aee hooan."

anandamee ne kaha,"to thik hai, le jana, zara baitho to!"

harimohini ne kaha, "nahian, meri pooja-archana sab abhi yoan hi p di hai, abhi prarthana bhi nahian huee, abhi to maian bilh‍kul nahian baith sakati."

kuchh batachit kie bina sucharita lauki chhilane mean lagi thi. harimohini ne usi ko sambodhit karake kaha, "sunati ho, der ho rahi hai!"

lalita aur aannadamee chup baithi rahian. kam chho dakar sucharita uth kh di huee aur boli, "chalo, mausi!"

harimohini ke palaki ki or mu dane par sucharita ne usaka hath pak dakar kaha, "zara is kamare mean ao!"

doosare kamare mean pahuanchakar dridh svar mean sucharita ne kaha, "tum mujhe lene hi aee ho to maian sabake samane tumhean yoan hi nahian lauta sakati, maian tumhare sath chalati hooan, lekin aj dopahar ko hi maian phir yahaan laut aooangi."

big dakar harimohini ne kaha, "yah kaisi bat hai? to phir yahi kyoan nahian kahatian ki hamesha yahian rahogi!"

sucharita ne kaha, "hamesha rahana to nahian milega. isilie jitane din unake pas rah sakati hooan unhean nahian chho dangi."

is bat se harimohini ka hriday jal gaya lekin yah sochakar ki abhi kuchh kahane ka avasar nahian hai. vah chup rahian.

anandamee ke pas akar sucharita ne muskarakar kaha, "maan, to maian zara ghar ho aooan?"

koee prashn kie bina anandamee ne kaha, "thik hai, ho ao."

lalita ke kan mean dhire se sucharita ne kaha, "aj dopahar ko hi phir a jaooangi."

palaki ke samane rukakar sucharita ne kaha, "aur satish?"

harimohini bolian, "satish ko rahane do."

'ghar lautakar satish vighn ban sakata hai,' harimohini ne yah sochakar usake door rahane ko hi shubh mana.

donoan ke palaki par savar ho jane par harimohini ne bhoomika baandhane ki koshish ki. bolian, "lalita ka to byah ho gaya. chalo achchha hua, ek l daki ki or se to pareshababoo bephikr hue."

yoan shuruat karake unhoanne batana shuroo kiya ki ghar mean avivahit l daki ka hona kitani b di zimmedari hai aur usake karan abhibhavakoan ko kitani chianta lagi rahati hai!

"tumako kya bataooan, mujhe aur koee fikr nahian hai, bhagavan ka nam lete-lete bhi yahi chianta bich mean a gherati hai. sach kahati hooan, thakur ki seva mean maian pahale ki tarah man hi nahian laga pati. maian kahati hooan, gopivallabh, sab chhin lene ke bad ab phir toone mujhe kis naye jal mean phansa diya."

harimohini ke lie yah samasya keval saansarik chianta ki nahian thi, yah unake mukti ke marg mean bhi badha ban rahi thi. unake itane b de sankat ki bat sunakar bhi sucharita chup hi rahi, isase harimohini usake man ki pravritti thik-thik nahian samajh sakian. lekin yah jo kaha jata hai ki maun sammati‍ ka lakshan hai, isi kahavat ka anukool arth lagakar unhoanne soch liya ki sucharita kuchh-kuchh razi hai.

harimohini ne kuchh aisa bhav prakat kiya ki unhoanne sucharita-jaisi l daki ko hiandoo-samaj mean shamil karane ke atyant kathin vyapar ko asan bana liya hai, achanak aisa ek sa suyog a gaya hai ki b de-b de kulin brahmanoan ke ghar ke nyaute mean unake sath baithane par bhi koee chooan tak n kar sakega.

bhoomika ke yahaan tak pahuanchate-pahuanchate palaki ghar par a pahuanchi. donoan ne dvar par utarakar ghar mean pravesh kiya. oopar jate samay sucharita ne dekh liya ki dyodhi ke sath vale kamare mean koee aparichit adami baire se b de zor-shor ke sath tel malish karava raha hai. unhean dekhakar bhi vah jhijhaka nahian, balki vishesh kautoohal ke sath sucharita ki or takane laga.

oopar jakar harimohini ne sucharita ko apane devar ke ane ki soochana di. isase pahale jo bhoomika baandhi gee thi, usake sath milakar sucharita ne is ghatana ka thik-thik arth samajh liya. harimohini use samajhane lagian ki ghar mean pahune haian, aisi sthiti mean unhean chho dakar sucharita ka dopahar ko hi chale jana abhadrata hogi.

zor sir hilakar sucharita ne kaha, "nahian mausi, mujhe jana hi hoga."

harimohini ne kaha, "tab thik hai- aj ke din rah jao, kal chali jana!"

sucharita boli, "maian abhi snan karake baba ke yahaan khane jaooangi aur vahian se lalita ke ghar chali jaooangi."

tab harimohini ne khulasa karake hi kaha, "vah tumhian ko dekhane to aya hai."

lal hote hue sucharita ne kaha, "mujhe dekhakar kya hoga?"

harimohini balian, "zara suno! ajakal ke samay mean kya bina dekhe ye sab kam ho sakate haian! purane samay mean to ho bhi jate the. tumhare maun ne to mujhe 'shubh-drishti' se pahale dekha hi nahian tha." itana saf ishara kar dene ke bad ek sath harimohini ne aur bhi kee batean kah dalian. vivah se pahale l daki ko dekhane ke lie kis tarah prasidhd ray-parivar se anab bandhu nam ka unaka khanadani naukar aur thakuradasi nam ki budhiya kaharin, ye donoan apane sath pag di pahane aur lathi lie daraban ko lekar harimohini ke pihar ae the, aur us samay abhibhavak kaise chiantit ho uthe the, aur ray-vansh ke in naukaroan ko khila-pilakar aur khatir se prasann karane ke lie poore ghar ke log kaise vyast ho uthe the-yah sab bakhan karane ke bad harimohini ne lanbi saans li. ab sab-kuchh kitana badal gaya hai.

harimohini ne kaha, "koee vishesh jhanjhat nahian hai, ek bar paanch minat ke lie mil lena!"

sucharita ne kaha,"nahian."

yah 'nahian' itana dridh aur saf tha ki harimohini saham geean. phir bolian, "achchha khair, n sahi. dekhane ki koee avashyakata to nahian hai. yoan kailash ajakal ka l daka hai, padha-likha hai, tum logoan ki tarah hi vah bhi kuchh nahian manata. kahata hai patri ko apani aauankhoan dekhooanga. to tum to sabake samane ati-jati ho isalie maianne kaha diya- dekhega to kaun b di bat hai, ek din dikha dooangi. lekin khair, tumhean sharam ati hai to n sahi."

itana kahakar poore vistar ke sath harimohini batane lagian ki kailash kaisa adbhut padha-likha hai, kaise usane kalam ke ek hi jhatake se gaanv ke postamastar ko sankat mean dal diya tha- as-pas ke gaanvoan mean jis kisi ko mukadama l dana hota hai ya darakhast likhani hoti hai vah kaila ki salah ke bina ek pag bhi nahian rakh sakata. aur kailash ke svabhav aur charitr ki to bat karana hi vyarth hai- stri ki mrityu ke bad vah to vivah karana hi nahian chahata tha, jab sage-sanbandhiyoan ne milakar bahut jh‍yada zor dala to keval b doan ka adesh palan karane ke lie razi hua aur is prastav ke lie use raji karane mean harimohini ko kya kam parishram karana p da! vah to sunana hi nahian chahata tha. usaka itana b da khanadan hai aur samaj mean usaka itana man hai.

sucharita us man ko kam karane ke lie taiyar nahian huee. apane gaurav aur svarth ki or usane bilh‍kul dhh‍yan nahian diya. usake ravaiye se to aisa jan p da ki use hiandoo-samaj mean sthan n bhi mila to bhi use koee pareshani nahian hogi. itani koshish ke bad kailash ko vivah ke lie razi kiya ja saka hai, sucharita ke lie yah kitane b de gaurav ki bat hai, ise vah moodh samajh hi nahian saki, ulate isamean usane apana apaman hi samajha! ajakal ke ne zamane ke ulate chalan se harimohini ka man khatta ho gaya. tab apana gussa nikalane ke lie bar-bar vah gora ko lakshy karake tane dene lagian, "gora apane ko hiandoo kahakar chahe b daee mean p dakar brahm-parivar ki kisi paise vali l daki se vivah karega to samaj ke kop se use kaun bacha sakega? tab dasiyoan logoan ka muanh band karane mean hi sab rupaya chuk jaega."

sucharita ne kaha, "mausi, tum ye sab batean kyoan kah rahi ho? tum janati ho ki in sabaka koee adhar nahian hai.

is par harimohini ne kaha, ki is umr mean unhean batoan mean bhulana kisi ke lie sanbhav nahian hai. vah aauankh-kan-dimag kholakar rahati haian, sab-kuchh dekhati-sunati-samajhati haian. chup rahati haian to keval ashcharyavash. unhoanne yah bhi kaha ki unaka dridh vishvas hai, gora apani maan se salah karake hi sucharita se vivah karane ki koshish kar raha hai, aur us vivah ka asali uddeshy bhi kuchh bahut shudhd nahian hai, yadi‍ harimohini ray-parivar ke sahayog se sucharita ki raksha n kar sakian to kal ko vahi sab hone vala hai.

sucharita sab sahati aee thi, ab aur n sah saki. boli, "tum jinaki bat kah rahi ho un par meri shradhda hai. mera unake sath jo sanbandh hai use jab tum kisi tarah sahi roop mean samajh hi nahian sakatian tab mere pas doosara upay nahian hai , siva isake ki maian yahaan se chali jaooan-tum jab shaant ho jaogi aur ghar mean tuhare sath akeli rah sakooangi tabhi maian lautooangi."

harimohini bolian, "agar tera man gauramohan ki taraph nahian hai, aur usake sath tera byah nahian hone ki bat tay hai, tab is patr ne tera kh‍ya biga da hai? too hamesha kvari to nahian rahegi!"

sucharita ne kaha, "kyoan nahian rahooangi? maian vivah nahian karooangi."

aauankhean pha dakar harimohini ne kaha, "kya boodhi hone tak aise hi.... ?"

sucharita ne kaha, "haan, marane tak!"

aghat pakar gora ke man mean ek parivartan a gaya. kaise sucharita usake man par yoan chha gee thi, usake karan par vichar karake gora ne yahi tay kiya ki vah un logoan se zyada milata-julata raha tha, jisase apane anajane hi kahian usane apane ko usake sath ulajha liya tha. ahankar se bharakar vah nishedh ki sima ka ullanghan kar gaya tha. yah hamare desh ki padhdati nahian hai. har koee apani maryada ki raksha svayan n karata rahe to vah n keval jane-anajane apana amangal kar baithata hai, balki doosare ka hit karane ki apani shakti bhi ganva baithata hai. hil-mil jane se koee pravrittiyaan prabal ho uthati haian aur jnan, nishtha aur shakti ko dhuandhala kar deti haian.

gora ne is saty ko keval brahm-parivar ki l dakiyoan se mil-julakar hi pahachana ho, aisi bat nahian thi. am logoan se milane jakar bhi usane apane ko ek bhanvar mean phansa diya tha, lagabhag apane ko kho hi diya tha. kyoanki‍ usake man mean pag-pag par daya upajati thi, is daya ke vashibhoot vah keval yahi sochata rahata tha ki yah bura hai, yah anyay hai, ise door kar dena chahie. lekin yah dayavritti hi achchhe-bure ki thik-thik pahachan karane ki shakti ko bhi vikrit kar deti hai. daya karane ki jhoank mean akar ham saty ko nirvikar bhav se dekhane ki samarthy kho baithate haian. karuna ke dhuean se kale p dakar halke rang bhi hamean gahare dikhane lagate haian.

gora ne socha, hamare desh mean isilie yah padhdati chali aee hai ki ji par sabake hit ka bhar hai unhean nirlipt hi rahana chahie. yah bat bilh‍kul galat hai ki raja ke lie praja-palan karana tabhi sanbhav hai jab raja praja ke sath ghanishth roop se ghul-mil jae. raja ko praja ke bare mean jaise jnan ki zaroorat hoti hai, bahut mel-jol se vah kalushit ho jata hai. isilie to praja-jan apane ap hi apane raja ko ek doori se mandit rakhate haian. raja ke unaki sangat ka ho jate hi phir raja ki koee zaroorat hi nahian rahati.

brahman ko bhi usaki tarah hi door aur nirlipt rahana chahie. brahman ko to bahutoan ka mangal sadhana hai, isilie vah bhi samooh sansarg se vanchit haian

gora ne man-hi-man kaha- maian bharatavarsh ka vahi brahmaman hooan- das adamiyoan se ghirakar, vyavasay ke kich d mean lathapath hokar, dhan ke lobh mean p dakar jo brahman gale mean shoodrata ka phanda dalakar apane hi ap phaansi chadh jata hai, use gora ne shoodr se bhi nich jana, balki use jivit manane se bhi iankar kiya. jo shoodr hai vah apani shoodrata ke sahare hi jita hai, lekin aisa brahman to brahmanatv ke abhav ke karan murda hai, aur isilie apavitr hai. aisoan ke hi karan aj bharatavarsh itana din hokar aisi ashubh avastha se guzar raha hai.

apane man ko gora ne is bat ke lie k da kiya ki vah apane bhitar hi brahman ke is sanjivan-mantr ki sadhana karega. man-hi-man usane kaha- mujhe sarvatha pavitr hona hoga. maian us star par nahian kh da hooan jis par sab sadharan log kh de haian. mere lie bandhutv avashyak samagri nahian hai. jin logoan ke lie nari ka sath nitaant avashyak hota hai, un sadharan logoan ki shreni ka maian nahian hooan, aur desh ke sadharan-itar logoan ke ghanishth sahavas ka mere lie sanpoorn nishedh hai. jaise varsha ke lie prithvi sudoor akash ki or takati rahati hai, vaise hi in sabaki aauankhean brahman ki or lagi rahati haian- maian bhi inhian mean ja milooanga to inhean bachaega kaun?

ab to kabhi gora ne dev-pooja ki taraph dhh‍yan nahian diya tha. lekin jab se usaka hriday kshubdh ho utha tha tab se apane ko vah kisi tarah rok nahian pa raha tha. apana kam use niras jan p data tha aur jivan jaise adhoora hokar t dap raha tha. isilie gora pooja mean man lagane ki koshish karane laga tha. pratima ke sammukh sthir baithakar apane man ko gora poori tarah moorti par keandrit karane ki koshish karata, lekin kisi dhang se bhi apane bhitar bhakti ko n jaga pata. budhdi ke dvara vah devata ki vyakhya karana chahata tha. roopak ka sahara lie bina use kisi tarah grahan n kar pata tha. kiantu roopak ko hriday ki bhakti nahian di jati, adhh‍yatmik vyakhya ki pooja nahian ki jati. balki jab gora mandir mean baithakar pooja karane ka yatn chho dakar kamare mean baithakar man-hi-man athava kisi se bahas karate samay apane man aur vachan ko bhavoan ki dhara mean bah jane deta, tabhi usake bhitar ek anand aur bhakti ke ras ka sanchar hota. phir bhi gora ne pooja chho di nahian, vah yathaniyam rozana pooja par baithata raha aur ise usane niyam hi man liya. usane man ko yah kahakar samajhaya ki jahaan bhav ke sootr dvara sabase milane ki samarthy n ho, vahaan niyam ka sootr hi mel banae rakhata hai. gora jab-jab kisi gaanv mean jata vahaan dev-mandir mean pravesh karake ganbhir bhav se dhh‍yan karata hua man-hi-man kahata- yahi mera vishesh sthan hai- ek or devata aur doosari or bhakt, donoan ke bich setu-roop brahman donoan ko milata hai. dhire-dhire gora ko lagane laga ki brahman ke lie bhakti zaroori nahian hai. bhakti visheshat: jan-sadharan ki hi chiz hai. bhakt aur bhakti ki vishay ke bich mean jo setu haian vah jnan ka hi setu hai. jaise yah setu donoan ko milata hai. vaise hi donoan ki maryada bhi nirdisht kar deta hai. bhakt aur devata ke bich vishudhd jnan ka vyavadhan n rahe to sabhi kuchh vikrit ho jae. isilie bhakti-viphalata brahman ke kam ki chiz nahian hai, brahman jnan ke shikhar par baithakar is bhakti ke ras ko sarvasadharan ke upabhog ke lie, shudhd rakhane ke lie tapasya karata hai. sansar mean jaise brahman ke lie aram ka yog nahian hai, vaise hi devarchana mean bhi brahman ke lie bhakti ka yog nahian hai. isi mean brahman ka gaurav hai. sansar mean brahman lie niyam-sanyam hai, dharm-sadhana mean brahman ke lie jnan hai.

hriday ne gora ko mat di thi, is aparadh ke lie gora ne hriday ke lie nirvasan-dand ka nishchay kiya. lekin aparadhi ko nirvasan mean le kaun jaega? vaisa sainy kahaan hai?

ganga ke kinare ek bagiche mean prayashchit-sabha ka ayojan hone laga.

avinash ke man mean is bat ka malal tha ki is anushthan mean kalakatta se bahar hone ke karan isaki or logoan ka dhh‍yan utana nahian jaega jitana ki jana chahie tha. avinash janata tha ki apane lie gora ko prayashchit karane ki koee zaroorat nahian hai, zaroorat hai desh ke logoan ke lie- 'm aaural iphaikt' ke lie! isilie yah kam bhi d mean hi hona chahie tha.

lekin gora usake lie razi nahian hua. vah jaisa b da yajn karake ved-mantroan ke path ke sath yah kam karana chahata tha, vaise kam ke lie ke lie kalakatta shahar thik sthan nahian tha- usake lie to tapovan hi payukt hota. mantr mukharit, homagni-dipt ekaant ganga-tir par gora us prachin bharatavarsh ka ahnan karega jo sare sansar ka guru raha hai, aur snan karake pavitr hokar usi guru se navajivan ki diksha lena. 'm aaural iphaikt' ki fikr gora ko nahian thi. avinash ne aur koee upay n dekhakar samachar-patroan ka sahara liya. gora ko batae bina hi usane us prayashchit ka samachar sab akhabaroan mean bhej diya. itana hi nahian, sampadakiy stanbhoan ke lie usane ek poora prabandh bhi likh bheja, jisamean usane is bat par bal diya ki gora- jaise nirmal tejasvi brahman ko to koee dosh chhoo hi nahian sakata, phir bhi vah ajakal ke patit bharatavarsh ka sara patak apane kandhoan par lekar sare desh ki or se prayashchit kar raha hai. avinash ne likha, "jaise hamara desh apane dushkarmoan ke phalasvaroop videshiyoan ke bandigrih mean du:kh bhog raha hai, vaise hi gora ne bhi apane jivan mean svechchha se karavas-du:kh svikar kiya. is prakar usane desh ka du:kh jaise apane kandhoan par ot liya, vaise hi desh ke anachar ka prayashchit bhi vah svayan kar raha hai. isalie he bangali bhaiyoan, bharat ki pachchis karo d dukhi santanoan...." ityadi, ityadi.

gora ye sab lekh padhakar jhalla utha. lekin avinash ko rokana asanbhav tha. gora dvara use phatakarane par bhi vah manata nahian tha, balki aur prasann hota tha. mere guru bhavoan ki bahut ooanchi duniya mean rahate haian tabhi is mamooli duniya ki batean vah nahian samajhate. baikuanth-vasi narad ki tarah vina bajakar vah vish ko pighalakar ganga ki srishti kara rahe haian, lekin us ganga ko dharati par lakar sagar-santan ki bhasm ka udhdar karane ka kam is duniya ke bhagirath ka hai- vah kam devalok ke vasiyoan ka nahian hai. ye donoan kam bilh‍kul alag-alag hai. isalie avinash ki harakatoan par jab gora ag-baboola ho uthata tab man-hi-man vah kahata- jaise hamare guru ka chehara bilakul shivaji-jaisa hai, vaise hi man se bhi vah nire bholanath haian. n kuchh samajhate haian, n kuchh vyavahar ka jnan rakhate haian, bat-bat mean gusse se bh dak uthate haian, par phir thande hote bhi der nahian lagati.

avinash ke prayatnoan ke karan gora ke prayashchit ki charcha ko lekar charoan or ek b da aandolan uth kh da hua. gora ke ghar par use dekhane aur usase batachit karane ane vali janata aur bhi badh gee. roz charoan or se itani chitthiyaan ane lagian ki gora ne dak dekhana hi band kar diya. gora ko lagane laga ki is desh-vyapi charcha ke karan usake prayashchit ki satvikata khatm ho gee hai aur vah ek rajasik vyapar matr ho gaya hai- kal ki pravritti hi aisi hai.

idhar krishnadayal akhabar ko chhoote nahian the, lekin yah charcha unake sadhanashram mean bhi pahuanch gee. unaka beta gora unake hi yogy hai jo itani dhum-dham se prayashchit kar raha hai aur apane pita ke pavitr pad-chinhoan ka anusaran karata hua ek din vah bhi unhian ki tarah sidhdapurush ban jaega. krishnadayal ke prasadajiviyoan ne yah samachar aur asha b de gaurav ke sath krishnadayal tak pahuancha di.

gora ke kamare mean krishnadayal ne kab se pravesh nahian kiya tha, yah kahana zara mushkil tha. lekin aj vah apane reshami kap de utarakar sooti kap de pahane ekaek usake kamare mean ja pahuanche. gora vahaan nahian dikh p da to unhoanne naukar se poochha naukar ne bataya ki gora pooja-ghar mean hai.

"aian! pooja-ghar mean usaka kya kam?"

"vah pooja karate haian"

h dab dae hue-se krishnadayal pooja-ghar mean ge to, dekha sachamuch gora pooja mean baitha hai.

bahar se hi krishnadayal pooja-ghar mean ge to dekha, sachamuch gora pooja mean baitha hai.

bahar se hi krishnadayal ne pukara, "gora!"

pita ke ane se gora ashcharyachakit hokar uth kh da hua. krishnadayal ne apane sadhanashram mean vishesh roop se apane ishtadevata ki pratishtha kar li thi. unaka parivar vaishnav tha, kiantu unhoanne shakti-mantr le liya tha, isalie grih devata ke sath unaka pratyaksh yog bahut dinoan se nahian tha.

unhoanne gora se kaha, "ao-ao, bahar ao!"

gora bahar chala aya. krishnadayal bole, "yah sab kya hai! yahaan tumhara kya kam hai?"

gora ne koee javab n diya. krishnadayal bole, "pujari brahman to hai, vah to roz pooja kar jata hai, usi se ghar ke sab logoan ki or se pooja ho jati hai- tum kyoan is chakkar mean p date ho?"

gora ne kaha, "isamean buraee kya hai?"

krishnadayal bole, "buraee! tum kya jano! bahut b di buraee hai. jisaka jahaan adhikar nahian hai, us kam mean vah kyoan p de? usase to aparadh hota hai. keval tumhara hi nahian, ghar-bhar ke logoan ka."

gora ne kaha, "aantarik bhakt ki drishti se yadi dekhe tak to devata ke samane baithane ka adhikar bahut tho de logoan ko hi hoga. lekin ap kh‍ya yah kahana chahate haian ki hamare un ramahari thakur ka yahaan pooja karane ka jitana adhikar hai, mera utana bhi adhikar nahian hai?"

krishnadayal gora ko kya javab dean, tatkal yah n soch sake. kuchh der chup rahakar bole, "dekho, ramahari ka to dhandha hi pooja karana hai. dhandhe mean jo aparadh hota hai usaki or devata dhh‍yan nahian dete. vahaan bhoolean pak dane lagean tab to dhandha band hi kar dena hoga- phir samaj ka kam nahian chal sakata. kiantu tum to yah dalil nahian de sakate. tumhare yahaan ane ki kya zaroorat hai?"

gora- jaise acharanishth brahman ke bhi pooja-grih mean pravesh karane se aparadh hota hai, krishnadayal jaise vyakti ke muanh se yah bat nitaant asangat to nahian lagi. isalie gora kuchh nahian bola, bat ko pi gaya.

tab krishnadayal ne kaha, "aur bhi ek bat maianne suni hai, gora! sunata hooan tumane prayashchit karane ke lie panditoan ko bulaya hai?"

gora ne kaha, "haan."

ekaek krishnadayal ne ath‍yant uttejit hokar kaha, "mere rahate yah kisi tarah nahian ho sakega."

gora ke man mean vidroh um dane laga. vah bola, "kyoan?"

krishnadayal ne kaha, "kyoan kya? tumhean maianne pahale bhi ek bar kaha tha ki tum prayashchit nahian kar sakate."

gora ne kaha, "kaha to tha. kiantu koee karan to bataya nahian."

krishnadayal bole, "maian karan batane ki koee avashyakata nahian samajhata. ham tumhare b de haian, hamari bat tumhean many honi chahie. ham logoan ki anumati ke abhav mean ye sab shastriy karm karane ka koee vidhan hi nahian hai. prayashchit mean pitaro ka shradhd karana hota hai kya yah tum janate ho?"

vismit hokar gora ne kaha, "to usamean kathinaee kya hai?"

big dakar krishnadayal ne kaha, "bilh‍kul kathinaee hai. vah maian kabhi nahian hone de sakooanga."

chot khakar gora ne kaha, "dekhie, yah mera niji mamala hai. maianne apani shuchita ke lie hi yah ayojan kiya hai- ise lekar bekar bahas karake ap kyoan takaliph pate haian.

krishnadayal ne kaha, "dekho gora, har bat mean tum bahas mat kiya karo. ye sab batean bahas ki nahian hai. bahut-si aisi batean haian jo abhi tumhari samajh mean nahian a sakatian. maian tumhean phir kahata hooan- tum jo samajhate ho ki tumane hiandoo-dharm mean pravesh pa liya hai, yah tumhari niri bhool haian vah tumhare bas ka hi nahian hai. tumhare rakt ki har booand, tumhara sir se pair tak sanpoorn usake pratikool hai. hiandoo ekaek to nahian hua ja sakata, usake lie janm-janmaantar ka puny chahie."

gora ka muanh rakt varn ho utha, "janmaantar ki bat maian nahian janata, kiantu apake vansh ke rakt se jo adhikar mujhe milata hai, kyoan maian usaka bhi dava nahian kar sakata?"

krishnadayal ne kaha, "phir bahas? mere samane bat ka khandan karate hue tumhean lajja nahian ati? kya isi ko hiandoo kahate haian? akhir vilayati thasak jaegi kahaan! maian jo kahata hooan vah suno. yah sab band kar do!"

sir jhukae gora chupachap kh da raha. tho di der bad bola, "yadi maian prayashchit n karooan to phir shashimukhi ke vivah mean sabake sath pangat mean baithakar kha bhi n sakooanga."

sahara pakar krishnadayal ne kaha, "to thik hai-usamean bhi kya buraee hai? tumhare lie alag se asan laga diya jaega."

gora ne kaha, "tab to mujhe samaj se bhi alag hokar hi rahana hoga."

krishnadayal ne kaha, "vah to achchha hi hai."

unake is utsah par gora ko chakit hote dekhakar unhoanne phir kaha, "ab yahi dekho n, maian hi kisi ke sath nahian khata, nyauta hone par bhi nahian. samaj ke sath mera hi bhala kya yog hai! tum jis satvik bhav se jivan bitana chahate ho usake lie to tumhean bhi aisa hi marg apanana chahie. maian to samajhata hooan, isi mean tumhara kalyan hai!"

dopahar mean krishnadayal ne avinash ko bulava bheja. ane par usase bole, "tumhian sab log milakar gora ko aisa nach nacha rahe ho n."

avinash ne kaha, "yah ap kya kah rahe haian? apaka gora to ham sabako nachata hai. balki vah khud bahut kam nachata hai."

krishnadayal bole, "lekin baba, maian kahata hooan tum logoan ka yah sab prayashchitas-vrayashchit nahian ho sakega. meri usamean bilh‍kul sammati nahian hai. vah sab turant band kar do!"

avinash ne socha- boodhe ki yah kaisi zid hai!-lekin itihas mean isake dheroan drishtaant mil jaeange ki b de-b de adamiyoan ke bap svayan apane l dake ka mahatv nahian pahachan sake. krinadayal bhi aise hi to bap haian. vyarth hi din-rat dhoangi-sannyasiyoan ke sath n rahakar krishnadayal yadi apane l dake se hi shiksha grahan kar sakate to unake lie kahian achchha hota hai.

lekin avinash chatur vyakti tha. jahaan bahas-mubahase ka koee phal n ho, aur 'm aaural iphaikt' ki sanbhavana bhi kam hi ho, vahaan bekar ka zabani jama-kharch karane vala vah nahian tha. isalie usane kaha, "to thik hai mahashay, apaki ray nahian hai to nahian hoga. lekin sara prabandh to ho chuka hai, nimantran patr bhi ja chuke haian, idhar aur der bhi nahian hai, isalie n ho to yahi upay kiya jay ki gora n jae, us din ham log hi prayashchit kar lean, desh ke logoan mean pap ki to koee kami nahian hai!"

krishnadayal avinash ke is ashvasan se bephikr ho ge.

krishnadayal ki kisi bhi bat par gora ki kabhi vishesh shradhda nahian rahi. aj bhi usaka man unaka adesh palan karane ki bat svikar n kar saka. saansarik jivan se bhi jo jivan b da hai, usamean mata-pita ke nishedh ko gora manane ke lie svayan ko badhh‍y nahian samajhata tha. phir bhi aj din-bhar vah man-hi-man bahut du:kh pata raha. usake man mean yah aspasht dharana ghar kar gee thi ki krishnadayal ki sari bat mean kahian koee chhipa hua samy hai. jaise ek akarahin du:svapn use satane laga, jise vah kisi prakar bhi to d nahian saka. use aisa lagane laga jaise koee ek sath hi sabhi taraph se thelakar use bahut door pheank dena chahata ho. apana akelapan aj use bahut b da hokar dikhane laga. usake samane vistrit karmakshetr tha aur kam bhi bahut b da tha, kiantu usake sath mean koee nahian kh da tha.

prayashchit-sabha agale din hone vali thi. tay yah hua tha ki gora rat ko hi bagiche vale ghar mean chala jaega aur vahian rahega. jis samay vah jane ki taiyari kar raha tha tabhi harimohini a kh di hueean. unhean dekhakar gora ko koee khushi nahian huee. usane kaha, "ap aee haian- mujhe to abhi-abhi jana hoga- maan bhi kuchh din se ghar nahian haian. unase milana ho to.... "

harimohini ne kaha, "nahian baba, maian tumhare hi pas aee hooan. tumhean zara der to baithana hi hoga- zyada der nahian karooangi."

gora baith gaya. harimohini ne sucharita ki bat chalaee, "tumhari shiksha se usaka bhari upakar hua hai. yahaan tak ki jis-tisake hath ka chhua pani bhi nahian piti, aur sabhi or se usamean sumati jag rahi hai. beta, usake lie ujhe kitani chianta thi. use supath par lakar tumane mera kitana upakar kiya hai, yah batane ke lie mujhe shabd dhooandhe nahian milate. bhagavan tumh‍hean rajarajeshvar banaean, kulavanti lachhami bahoo mile, ghar roshan ho, dhan-sanpatti-santan se bhara-poora rahe!"

phir batoan-hi-batoan mean unhoanne kaha ki sucharita kafi sayani ho gee hai, usake vivah mean pal-bhar ki bhi der karana thik nahian hai, hiandoo ghar mean rahati to ab tak usaki god santan se bhar gee hoti. vivah mean itani der kar dena kitana galat kam hua hai, nishchay hi is bare mean gora bhi unase sahamat hoange. sucharita ke vivah ki samasya ke karan harimohani ne bahut dinoan tak asahy chianta jhelakar aant mean kisi prakar b di khushamad aur vinati karake apane devar kailash ko razi karake kalakatta bulaya hai. jin sab b di kathinaiyoan ki unhean ashanka thi eeshvar ki kripa se ve sab door ho gee haian, sari bat pakki ho gee hai, var-paksh ek paisa bhi nahian lega aur sucharita ke pichhale itihas ko lekar bhi koee apatti nahian ki jaegi- b de kaushal se hi harimohini in sab kathinaiyoan ka samadhan kar saki haian. par ab is mauke par akar-sunakar sab hairan hoange- sucharita bilh‍kul a d gee hai. usake man mean kya hai harimohini nahian janatian, kisi ne use kuchh sikha diya hai, ya usaka man kisi doosare ki or hai ya jane kya, yah bhagavan hi janate haian.

"lekin beta, yah maian tumh‍hean spasht hi bata dooan, tumhare yogy vah l daki nahian hai. gaanv-dehat mean byah hone se usake bare mean koee kuchh jan hi nahian sakega, isalie kisi-n-kisi tarah kam chal jaega. kiantu tum to shahar mean rahate ho, usase byah karoge to shahar ke logoan ko muanh n dikha sakoge."

krudhd hokar gora ne kaha, "ap yah sab kya ootapataang kah rahi haian? ap se kisane kaha ki maianne unase vivah karane ke lie unhean kuchh samajhaya-bujhaya hai?"

harimohini ne kaha, "maian kaise janooangi, baba! akhabar mean chhap gaya hai, yahi sunakar to sharm se g di ja rahi hooan."

gora samajh gaya ki haranababoo athava unake gut ke kisi vyakti‍ ne is bare mean akhabar mean kuchh likha hoga. mutthiyaan bhianchate hue bola, "sab jhoothi bat hai!"

usaki garaj se chauankati huee harimohini bolian, "maian bhi to jhooth hi samajhati hooan. tab mera ek anurodh tumhean manana hi hoga. tum ek bar radharani ke pas chalo!"

gora ne poochha, "kyoan?"

harimohini ne kaha, "tum ek bar use samajhakar kahana!"

gora ka man isi ko uddeshy banakar usi samay sucharita ne milane jane ko utavala ho utha. usake hriday ne kaha- chalo, aj aantim bar bheant kar aooan. kal tumhara prayashchit hai- usake bad tum tapasvi ho. aj ki rat-bhar ka hi samay hai- usamean bhi keval tho de se kshanoan ke lie. usamean koee dosh nahian hoga. hoga bhi to kal sab bhasm ho jaega.

tho di der chup rahakar gora ne poochha, "unhean kya samajhana hoga, bataie?"

"aur kuchh nahian- itana hi ki hiandoo riti ke anusar sucharita- jaisi sayani umr ki l daki ko turant vivah kar lena chahie, aur hiandoo-samaj mean kailash-jaisa satpatr pa jana sucharita ki avastha ki l daki ke lie bahut b da saubhagy hai."

sucharita ka milan aur kisi se hona asambhav hai. budhdi aur bhavoan ki ganbhirata se paripoorn sucharita ka hriday gora ke siva kisi doosare vyakti par yoan prakashit nahian hua, aur n kabhi kisi par yoan prakashit ho sakega. kaisa ashcharyamay tha vah! kitana suandar suandar! rahasyoan se bhare us antash mean use kaisi anirvachaniy satta dikh gee thi. aisa kab-kab dikhata hai, aur duniya mean kitanoan ko dikhata hai! daivayog se hi jo vyakti‍ sucharita ko is gahare yatharth roop mean dekh saka, apani samoochi prakriti se anubhav kar saka, usi ne to sucharita ko paya hai. use aur koee kabhi kaise pa sakata hai?

harimohini ne kaha, "radharani kya hamesha kvari hi baithi rah jaegi? yah bhi kabhi hota hai?"

yah bhi to thik hi hai. kal gora to prayashchit karane ja raha hai. usake bad hi to sanpoorn pavitr hokar brahman hoga. t sucharita kya chirakal tak avivahit hi rahegi? yah jivan-vyapi bhar us par ladane ka adhikar kisako hai? stri ke lie isase b da bhar aur kya ho sakata hai?

harimohini n jane kya-kya bolati chali geean, vah sab gora ke kanoan tak pahuancha hi nahian. vah sochane laga- baba jo itane hath se mujhe prayashchit karane se rok rahe haian, unake nishedh ka kya koee mooly nahian hai? apane lie maian jis jivan ki kalpana kar raha hooan vah shayad kori kalpana hi hai, vah mere lie svabhavik nahian hai. vaisa banavati bojh dhone jakar to maian pangu ho jaooanga- usake bhar se dabakar maian jivan ka koee kam sahaj dhang se n kar sakooanga. abhi to dekh raha hooan, mera man ashanka mean ulajh gaya hai! is patthar ko kaise hataooan! kisi tarah baba jan ge haian ki maian apane aantash ke bhitar brahman nahian hooan, tapasvi nahian hooan, shayad isilie unhoanne itane hath se mujhe mana kiya hai.

gora ne socha, unhian ke pas jaooan! aj, abhi, isi samay jakar zor dekar unase poochhooan ki mujhamean aisa unhoanne kya dekha hai, kyoan unhoanne mujhase kaha hai ki mere lie prayashchit ka rasta band hai. agar mujhe vah samajha sakean to mujhe udhar se chhutakara mile!

harimohini se gora ne kaha, "ap zara rukean, maian abhi ata hooan."

dau data hua gora ghar ke pita vale khand ki taraph gaya. usaka man kahane laga- krishnadayal koee aisi bat zaroor janate haian jisase use turant chhutakara mil sakata hai.

sadhanashram ka dvar band tha. do-ek bar usane khatakhataya bhi, lekin dvar n khula, n kisi ne javab hi diya. bhitar se dhoop jalane ki gandh a rahi thi. krishnadayal aj sannyasi ko sath lekar sab dvar band karake yog ki kisi atyant goodh aur durooh pranali ka abhyas kar rahe the, aj rat-bhar kisi ko udhar pravesh karane ka adhikar nahian tha.

gora ne svayan se kaha-nahian, kal nahian, aj hi se mera prayashchit aranbh ho gaya hai. kal jo ag jalegi usase b di ag aj jal rahi hai. apane ne jivan ke shuroo mean mujhe koee bahut b di kurbani deni hogi, isilie eeshvar ne mere man mean itani b di, itani prabal akaanksha jaga di thi. nahian to aisi anokhi bat kyoan huee hoti? maian kahaan, kis kshetr mean tha- un logoan se mere milane ki koee laukik sanbhavana n thi. aur aise viparit svabhavoan ka milan bhi duniya mean amataur par kahaan hota hai! phir isaki to kalpana bhi kaun kar sakata tha ki us milan se mujh- jaise udasin ke man mean bhi itani b di, itani durdam akaanksha jag uthegi! thik aj ke lie hi is akaanksha ki mujhe zaroorat thi- aj tak maianne desh ko jo kuchh diya hai vah sab b di saralata se hi de saka hooan- aisa koee dava nahian karana p da jise dete mujhe koee kathinaee huee ho. maian yah soch hi nahian pata tha ki desh ke lie kisi chiz ka tyag karane mean log kanjoosi kyoan karate haian. lekin mahayajn aise sahaj dan se sanpann nahian hota. usake lie du:kh hi chahie, dhamani katakar rakt-dan karake hi mujhe ne jivan mean naya janm lena hoga. logoan ke samane kal sabere mera laukik prayashchit hoga, usase ek rat pahale hi mere jivan-vidhata akar mera dvar khatakhata rahe haian- apane aantar ke bhitar hi aantaratam prayashchit kie bina kal maian kya shudhdi grahan karooanga? jo mere lie sabase kathin dan hai, vahi aj sanpoornataya devata ko arpit karake hi maian sachche aur pavitr roop mean ni:svarth ho sakooanga- tabhi maian brahman hooanga.

gora ke harimohani ke pas lautate hi unhoanne kaha, "beta, tum ek bar mere sath chalo. tumhare jakar apane muanh se ek bat kah dene se hi sab thik ho jaega."

gora ne kaha, "maian kyoan jaooan- mera unase kya sanbandh hai? kuchh nahian."

harimohini bolian, "vah jo tumhean devata ki tarah manati haian, apana guru samajhati hai?"

jaise ek lal sulagati huee salakh gora ke hriday ko bedh gee. usane kaha, "maian to jane ki koee zaroorat nahian dekhata. unase ab aur bheant hone ki koee sanbhavana nahian hai."

bhitar-hi-bhitar khush hote hue harimohini ne kaha, "so to thik hi hai. itani sayani l daki se milana-julana to achchha nahian hai. lekin beta, aj ka mera yah kam kie bina to tumhean chhutakara nahian milega. isake bad kabhi tumhean bulaoo to kahana!"

b d zor se gora ne sir hila diya. ab nahian, kisi prakar nahian. vah sab khatm ho chuka. vah devata ke age sab nyauchhavar kar chuka hai. ab apani shuchita par koee dhabba nahian lagane dega. vah sucharita se milane nahian jaega.

jab harimohini ne samajh liya ki apani bat se gora talane vala nahian hai, tab unhoanne kaha, "yadi bilh‍kul hi nahian ja sakate to beta, ek upay karo. ek chitthi likh do!"

gora ne phir sir hilaya. vah nahian ho sakega-chitthi-vitthi bhi vah nahian likhega.

harimohini ne kaha, achchha, tab mujhe hi do lain likh do. tum to sab shastr janate ho, maian tumase vidhan lene aee hooan."

harimohini ne phir kaha, "yahi ki hiandoo ghar ki l daki ke lie upayukt samay par vivah karake grihasth-dharm palan karana hi sabase b da dharm hai ki nahian."

tho di der chup rahakar gora ne kaha, "dekhie, in sab jhanjhatoan mean mujhe n phansaie. maian vidhan de sakane vala pandit nahian hooan."

harimohini ne tab kuchh tikhepan ke sath kaha, "tab phir apane man ki bhitari ichchha spardha hi kaho n! pahale tumhian ne to phanda dala, ab jab use kholane ki bat aee to kahate ho ki mujhe n phansaie! isaka kya matalab hota hai? vastav mean tum chahate hi nahian ki usaka man saf ho jae."

yadi aur koee samay hota to gora gusse mean ag-baboola ho uthata- yah sachcha abhiyog vah sah n sakata. lekin aj se usaka prayashchit aranbh ho gaya tha, usane gussa nahian kiya. apane hi man mean doobakar usane pahachana ki harimohini sachchi bat hi kah rahi hai. sucharita ke sath b da bandhan kat dene ke lie to vah nirmam ho utha hai, lekan ek bahut barik sootr vah n dikhane ka bahana karake banae rakhana bhi chahata hai. sucharita ke sath apane sanbandh ko ekabaragi chho d dene ke lie vah ab bhi taiyar nahian hai.

lekin ab yah kanjoosi chho dani hogi. ek sath se dan kare doosare hath se pak de rahana nahian chal sakata!

kagaz nikalakar gora ne b de-b de aksharoan mean likha, "vivah hi nari jivan ki sadhana ka marg hai, grihasth-dharm hi usaka pratham mukhy dharm hai. vivah ichchha poori karane ke lie nahian, kalyan-sadhana ke lie hai. grihasthi mean sukh ho athava du:kh, poore man se usaka varan karati huee nari sati-sadhh‍vi rahakar dharm ko ghar mean moortiman kie rahe, yahi usaka vrat hai."

harimohini ne kaha, "isi ke sath yadi hamare kailash ke bare mean bhi tho da-sa likh dete to b da achchha hota."

gora ne kaha, "nahian, unhean to maian janata hi nahian, unake bare mean nahian likh sakooanga."

kagaz harimohini ne savadhani se tah karake aauanchal ke chhor mean baandh liya or apane ghar laut geean. ab bhi sucharita anandamee ke pas lali‍ta ke ghar mean hi thi. vahaan batachit ki sahoolayat nahian hogi, aur lalita ya anandamee se virodhi bat sunakar sucharita ke man mean duvidha hi ho sakati hai, is ashanka se unhoanne sucharita ko kahala bheja ki agale din dopahar ko akar vah unhian ke sath bhojan kare, bahut zaroori bat hai- vah chahe to tisare pahar phir vapis laut ja sakegi.

agale din dopahar ko man k da karake sucharita aee. vah janati thi ki mausi phir vivah ki bat uthaeangi. usane nishchay kar liya tha ki aj unhean k da uttar dekar sari bat ko aantim roop se samapt kar degi.

sucharita ke bhojan kar lene par harimohini ne kaha, "kal sandhh‍ya samay maian tumhare guru ke pas gee thi."

bhitar-hi-bhitar sucharita ghabara uthi. kya phir usaki bat lekar mausi unaka apaman kar aee haian?

harimohini ne kaha, "daro mat radharani, maian unase jhag da karane nahian gee thi. akeli thi, so maianne socha, chalakar, unase do-ek achchhi-achchhi batean sun aooan. batoan-bato mean tumhari bat uthi. to dekha, unaki bhi vahi ray haian l daki adhik din kvari rahe, ise vah bhi thik nahian samajhate. vah kahate haian, shastroan ke anusar vah adharm haian vah sab sahaboan ke yahaan chalata hai, hianduoan ke ghar nahian. maianne apane kailash ki bat bhi poori bata di. dekhati hooan, vah sachamuch jnani adami haian"

sucharita lajja aur pi da se tilamila uthi. harimohini ne kaha, "tum to unhean guru manati ho. unaki bat to manani hogi."

sucharita chup rahi. harimohini kahati geean, "maianne unase kaha, 'beta, tum ek bar svayan akar use samajha do, hamari bat to vah manati nahian." vah bole, 'nahian, ab mera usase milana thik nahian hoga, hamare hiandoo-samaj mean vah mana hai.' maianne poochha, 'to phir kya upay kiya jay?' tab unhoanne apane hath se hi mujhe likhakar de diya. yah dekho n!"

kahate-kahate harimohini ne dhire-dhire aauanchal se kagaz kholakar usaki tah kholakar use sucharita ke samane kar diya.

sucharita ne padha. usaka dam ghutane laga, pratima-si nishchesht hokar vah baithi rah gee.

us ibarat mean aisa kuchh nahian tha jo naya ya asangat ho. aisa bhi nahian tha ki sucharita ki ray un batoan se n milati ho. lekin haramohini ke hath khas taur se usake lie yah likh bhejane ka jo arth hota hai usi se sucharita ko b da du:kh ho raha tha. gora ki or se aisa adesh aj kyoan? yah sahi hai ki sucharita ka samay kabhi aega hi, use bhi ek din vivah karana hi hoga- leki‍n usake lie gora ko itani jaldi machane ki kya zaroorat hai? us sanbandh mean jo kuchh gora ko karana hai vah kya samapt ho gaya? gora ke kartavy mean usane kya koee badha pahuanchaee hai ya usake jivanap-path mean koee ro de atakae haian? kya gora ke pas use dan karane ke lie ya usase chahane ko aur kuchh nahian rah gaya hai? kiantu vah to aisa nahian sochati thi, vah to ab bhi rah dekh rahi thi. apane bhitar ke is du:sah du:kh se l dane ke lie sucharita pranapan se koshish karane lagi, lekin use kahian se koee saanth‍vana n mili.

harimohini ne sochane ke lie sucharita ko kafi samay diya tha. balki apane dainik niyam ke anusar unhoanne ek niand bhi le li. niand khulane par sucharita ke kamare mean akar unhoanne dekha, vah ab bhi gumasum jyoan-ki-tyoan baithi huee hai.

unhoanne kaha, "radhoo, itana kya soch rahi hai bhala! isamean itana sochane ki bat hi kaun-si hai? gauramohan baboo ne kuchh galat likha hai kya?"

shaant svar mean sucharita ne kaha, "nahian, unhoanne thik hi likha hai."

atyant ashvast hokar harimohini kah uthian, "to phir aur der karake kya hoga, bitiya?"

sucharita ne kaha, "nahian, der nahian karana chahati. ek bar maian baba ke ghar jaooangi."

harimohini ne kaha, "dekh radhoo, tumhare baba to yah kabhi nahian chaheange ki hiandoo-samaj mean tumhara vivah ho. lekin tumhare jo guru haian unhoanne to.... "

adhir hokar sucharita ne kaha, "mausi, bar-bar kyoan tum vahi ek bat dohara rahi ho! maian baba se vivah ke bare mean koee bat karane nahian ja rahi hooan. maian to yoan hi ek bar unase milana chahati hooan."

pareshababoo ka sani‍dhh‍y hi sucharita ke lie ekamatr asara rah gaya tha. unake ghar jakar sucharita ne dekha, vah ek sandook mean kap de bhar rahe haian.

sucharita ne poochha, 'yah kya ho raha hai, baba?"

zara hansakar pareshababoo bole, "beti, maian shimala paha d ki sair karane ja raha hooan, kal sabere ki ga di se chalooanga."

pareshababoo ki is hansi mean ek viplav ka itihas chhipa hua hai, yah samajhate sucharita ko der n lagi. ghar mean patni aur kanya, aur bahar unake bandhu-baandhav-pareshababoo ko zara-si bhi shaanti ka avakash nahian de rahe the. vah kuchh din ke lie kahian aur n chale ge to unhean keandr banakar ghar mean ek-n-ek toofan uthata hi rahega. kal vah bahar ja rahe haian, phir bhi aj ghar ka koee bhi sadasy unake kap de sanvar dene nahian aya hai, yah sab unhean svayan karana p d raha hai, yah dekhakar sucharita ke man ko thes pahuanchi. pareshababoo ko rokakar pahale to usane baks ko bilh‍kul khali kar diya, phir ek-ek kap de ko kushal hathoan se yatnapoorvak phir se tah karake bakse mean sajane lagi. unake nity padhane ki pustakoan ko usane aise sanbhalakar rakh diya ki hilane-dulane se koee hani n ho. saman sajate-sajate sucharita ne dhire se poochha, "baba, kya tum akele hi jaoge?"

suchatarita ke is prashn mean vedana ka abhas pakar pareshababoo ne kaha, "usamean mujhe koee kasht nahian hoga, radho!"

sucharita ne kaha, "nahian baba, maian bhi tumhare sath chalooangi."

pareshababoo sucharita ke chehare ki or dekhane lage. sucharita ne kaha, "baba maian tumhean zara-bhi tang nahian karooangi."

pareshababoo bole, "aisa kyoan kahati ho- tumane mujhe kab tang kiya hai, beti?"

sucharita ne kaha, "tumhare pas rahe bina mera udhdar nahian hoga, baba! bahut-si batean to meri samajh mean hi nahian atian- tum nahian samajha doge to maian par n pa sakooangi. tum jo mujhe apani budhdi par bharosa karane ko kahate ho, utani meri budhdi hi nahian hai, aur utani takat bhi mere man mean nahian hai. tum mujhe apane sath le chalo, baba!"

kahate-kahate sucharita pareshababoo ki or pith pherakar baks par jhukakar kap de idhar-udhar karane lagi. usaki aauankhoan se tap-tap aauansoo girane lage.

jab gora ne apana likha kagaz harimohini ke hathoan mean de diya, tab use aisa laga ki usane sucharita ke sanbandh mean apana tyag-patr likh diya hai. kiantu likh dene se hi tatkshan kam samapt nahian ho jata! usake man ne to yah arzi bilh‍kul namanjoor kar di. us arzi par keval gora ki ichchha shakti ne zabaradasti kalam pak dakar nam likh diya tha, usake man ke hastakshar to us par nahian hue the. isalie usaka man usase mukt tha. balki itana mukt usi sham ko vah gora ko sucharita ke ghar ki or dau dae de raha tha. lekin usi samay girajaghar ki gh di ne das bajae aur gora ko khayal aya ki yah kisi se milane jane ka uchit samay nahian hai. phir to lagabhag sari rat gora girajaghar ke ghante hi ginata rahaan ganga-tat ke bagiche vale ghar mean us rat usaka jana nahian ho saka. usane kahala bheja ki vah agale din sabere hi pahuanch jaega.

sabare-sabere hi vah pahuanch gaya. lekin jaisa nirmal aur dridh man lekar usane prayashchit karane ka nishchay kiya tha, vaisi avastha usake man ki ab kahaan thi!

anek pandit aur adhh‍yapak a ge the. aur bhi anekoan ke ane ki sanbhavana thi. gora ne sabhi se milakar unaki abhyarthana ki. unhoanne bhi sanatan dharm ke prati gora ki adig nishtha ki charcha kare bar-bar use sadhuvad diya.

dhire-dhire bagicha jan-kolahal se gooanj gaya. dekhabhal karata hua gora charoan or ghoomata raha. lekin sare kolahal aur kam ki vyastata ke bich bhi gora ke hriday ki gaharaee mean rah-rahakar ek hi bat ghum d rahi thi- koee jaise kah raha tha, 'tumane anyay kiya hai, tumane anyay kiya hai.' anyay thik kahaan hua hai, is par soch-vichar karane ka samay tab nahian tha, lekin vah hriday ki gaharaee se ate hue is svar ko kisi prakar chup nahian kara saka. prayashchit-yajn ke lanbe-chau de ayojan ke bich usake hriday mean hi basa koee ghar ka bhedi usake virudhd gavahi de raha tha, kah raha tha, 'anyay to bana hi rah gaya.' yah anyay kisi niyam mean truti nahian thi, mantr mean bhool nahian thi, shastr ki virudhdata bhi nahian thi, yah anyay usaki prakriti ke bhitar ho raha tha- isilie gora ka samoocha aant:karan is anushthan ke virudhd chhatapata raha tha.

niyat samay ho chala. charoan or baans ki balliyaan ga dakar oopar chandova tanakar pandal taiyar kiya ja chuka tha. ganga-snan karake gora kap de badal raha tha ki ekaek janata mean kuchh halachal jan p di. mano ek udveg charoan or phaila p da raha tha. aant mean ghabaraya hua chehara li‍e avinash ne akar kaha, "apake ghar se khabar aee hai, krishnadayal baboo ke muanh se rakt ja raha hai- apako turant le ane ke lie unahoanne ga di ke sath adami bheja hai."

gora phauran chal diya. avinash bhi usake sath jane ko taiyar hua to gora ne kaha, "nahian, tum yahaan sabaki dekhabhal karo- tumhare chale jane se kaise hoga?"

krishnadayal ke kamare mean pahuanchakar gora ne dekha, vah bistar par lete hue haian aur anandamee unake pairoan ke pas baithi paanv sahala rahi haian. ghabarae hue-se gora ne donoan ke cheharoan ki or dekha. ishare se krishnadayal ne use pas p di huee kursi par baithane ko kaha. gora baith gaya.

maan ki or unmukh hokar usane poochha, "ab kaise haian?"

anandamee ne kaha, "ab to kuchh thik haian. sahab d aauktar ko bula bheja hai."

kamare mean shashimukhi aur ek naukar bhi tha. hath hilakar krishnadayal ne unhean bahar bhej diya. jab sab bahar chale ge tab unhoanne chupachap ek bar anandamee ke chehare ki or dekha or phir mridu svar mean gora se kaha, "mera aant samay a gaya hai. ab tak tumase jo chhipa rakha tha vah aj tumhean batae bina mujhe mukti n milegi."

gora ka chehara "gora, tab maian kuchh nahian manata tha, isilie maianne itani b di galati ki. phir usake bad galati sudharane ka upay nahian tha."

itana kahakar vah phi‍r chup ho ge. gora bhi kuchh n poochhakar nishchal baitha raha.

krishnadayal phir bole, "maianne socha tha tumhean batane ki koee zaroorat nahian hogi, jaise chalata aya hai vaise hi chala jaega. lekin dekhata hooan, vaisa nahian ho sakega. meri mrityu ke bad mera shradhd tum kaise karoge?"

mano krishnadayal aisi g dab d ki ashanka se hi sihar uthe. asal bat kya hai yah janane ke lie gora adhir ho utha. anandamee ki or dekhakar vah bola, "maan, tum batao, bat kya hai, mujhe shradhd karane ka adhikar nahian hai?"

ab tak anandamee sir jhukae hue stabdh baithi thian. gora ka prashn sunakar sir uthakar unhoanne gora ke chehare par nazar tikate hue kaha, "nahian beta!"

chakit hokar gora ne poochha, "maian unaka putr nahian?"

anandamee ne kaha, "nahian."

jvalamukhi se nikale lave ki tarah gora ke muanh se nikala, "maan, tum meri maan nahian ho?"

anandamee ki chhati phatane lagi. bina aauansuoan ke rote hue svar mean unhoanne kaha, "beta, gora, too mujh putrahin ka putr hai, too to apane pet ke l dake se bhi kahian adhik hai, beta!"

tab gora ne krishnadayal ke chehare ki or dekhate hue poochha, "tab mujhe tum logoan ne kahaan paya?"

krishnadayal ne kaha, "tab gadar tha. ham log itava mean rahate the. tumhari maan ne sipahiyoan ke dar se bhagakar rat ko hamare yahaan akar sharan li thi. tumhare bap usase pahale din hi l daee mean mare ge the. unaka nam tha"

garajakar gora ne kaha, "rahane dijie unaka nam! maian nahian janana chahata."

gora ki uttejana se chauankakar krishnadayal ruk ge. phir bole, "vah ayarish-main the. usi rat tumhean janm dekar tumhari maan mar geean. tab se tumhara palan-poshan hamare hi ghar hua."

gora ka sara jivan kshan-bhar mean hi usake lie ek b da ajib sapana-sa ho gaya. shaishav se itane barasoan tak jis bhitti par usaka jivan kh da raha tha vah ekaek vilin ho gee. vah kya hai, kahaan hai, vah kuchh bhi n samajh saka. jaise usake pichhe atit nam ki koee chiz hi nahian rahi, aur usake samane itane dinoan se jo spasht bhavishy usaka ekamev lakshy raha tha vah bhi ekaek lupt ho gaya. jaise vah isi ek kshan ki kamal ki pankhu di mean os ki booand-sa kaanp raha ho. usaki n maan hai, n bap hai, n desh hai, n jati hai, n nam, n gotr, n devata- jaise vah ek sanpoorn nakar hai. vah kise pak de, kya kare, phir kahaan se aranbh kare, kidhar apana lakshy sthir kare, phir din-rat kram se apane kam ke upakaran kahaan se kaise jutae? is dishahin adbhut shoony ke bich mean gora nirvakh baitha rah gaya. usaka chehara dekhakar aur kisi ko bhi kuchh kahane ka hausala nahian hua.

isi samay parivar ke bangali chikitsak ke sath aangrez d aauktar bhi a pahuancha. d aauktar ne jaise rogi ki taraph dekha vaise hi gora ki taraph dekhe bina bhi n rah saka. sochane laga, 'yah adami kaun hai!" gora ke mathe par us samay bhi ganga ki mitti ka tilak tha, aur snan karake usane jo reshami kap de pahane the ab bhi vahi pahane tha. sharir par kurta nahian tha, uttariy ke bich mean se usaki vishal deh dikh rahi thi.

pahale kabhi hota to gora ke man mean aangrez d aauktar ko dekhate hi apane-ap ek vidvesh ka bhav jag uthata. lekin ab jitani der d aauktar rogi ko dekh raha tha gora ek vishesh utsukata se usaki or takata raha. man-hi-man apane-ap se vah bar-bar poochhata raha- to yahaan par mera sabase adhik apana yahi adami hai?

jaanch ke bad poochhatachh kar chukane par d aauktar ne kaha, "nahian, chianta ke to koee lakshan nahian dekhata. na di abhi thik hi hai aur sharir-yantr mean bhi koee vikar nahian aya hai. jo bhi takaliph huee hai tho di savadhani baratane se dubara nahian hogi."

d aauktar ke vida lekar chale jane par gora bhi bina kuchh kahe kursi se uthakar jane laga.

anandamee d aauktar ke ane ke sath kamare mean chali gee thian, tab dau dakar gora ka hath pak dati huee bolian, "beta gora, mujh par gussa mat hona, nahian to maian ji nahian sakooangi!"

gora ne kaha, "tab tak tumane mujhe bataya kyoan nahian? bata detian to kya buraee thi?"

sara aparadh anandamee ne apane oopar lete hue kaha, "beta, tujhe kahian kho n baithooan isi dar se maianne itana pap kiya hai. phir bhi agar vahi ho jay, too aj mujhe chho dakar chala jay, to maian kisi ko dosh nahian de sakooangi- lekin mere lie vah mrityu-dand hoga, beta!"

gora ne keval itana kaha, "maan!"

usake muanh se yah sanbodhan sunakar anandamee ke ruke hue aauansoo phoot p de.

gora ne kaha, "maan, ab maian ek bar zara pareshababoo ke ghar ho aooan."

anandamee ki chhati ka bojh kuchh halka ho gaya. unhoanne kaha, "ho ao, beta!"

unake jaldi marane ki koee ashanka nahian hai, phir bhi sari bat gora ke samane prakat ho gee isase krishnadayal bahut ghabara uthe. gora se bole, "dekho gora, yah bat kisi ko batane ki koee avashyakata nahian hai. bas, tumhian zara samajh-boojhakar sanbhalakar chalo to jaisa ab tak chal raha tha vaisa hi chalata rahega, ki‍si ko bhanak bhi nahian p degi."

koee uttar die bina gora bahar chala gaya. usaka krishnadayal se koee sanbandh nahian hai, yah smaran karake use tasalli hi huee.

mahim ke lie ekaek daftar n jakar ghar hi rah jana sanbhav n tha, isalie d aauktar adi ka sab prabandh karake ek bar vah sahab ko kahakar chhutti lene ke lie daftar ge the. jab gora ghar se nikal raha tha tabhi vah lautakar a pahuanche. gora ko dekhakar bole, "gora, tum kahaan ja rahe ho?"

gora ne kaha, "khabar achchhi hai. d aauktar aya tha. kah gaya hai ki koee chianta ki bat nahian hai.

atyant ashvast hokar mahim ne ka, "jan bachi. parasoan hi ka din hai, usi din shashimukhi ka byah kar dooanga. gora, tumh‍hean tho di dau d-dhoop karani hogi. aur dekho, vinay ko pahale se khabaradar kar dena, ki us din a hi n tapake. avinash pakka hiandoo hai, usane khas taur se kaha hai ki usake byah mean vaise log nahian ane chahie. aur bhi ek bat tumase kah rakhooan bhaee, us din apane aauphis ke b de sahaboan ko bhi nyauta de raha hooan, tum kahian unhean marakar bhaga mat dena. aur kuchh nahian, sirph zara-sa sir hilakar, 'gud eevaniang sar' kah dena-utane se tumhare hiandoo-shastr ka kuchh big d nahian jaega- balki tum chahe panditoan se salah le lena. samajhe bhaee? ve log raji ki jat haian,

mahim ki bat ka koee javab n dekar gora age badh gaya.

jis samay sucharita apane aauansoo chhipane ke lie baks par jhukakar kap de sanvar rahi thian, usi samay soochana mili ki gauramohan baboo ae haian.

jaldi se aauankhean poanchhakar sucharita apane kam chho dakar uth kh di huee. itane mean hi gora ne kamare mean pravesh kiya.

gora ke mathe par tilak abhi bhi laga hua hai, aur kap de bhi usane vahi pahan rakhe haian, is or usaka dhh‍yan hi n gaya tha. aise vesh mean koee kisi ke ghar milane nahian jata. ekaek sucharita ka us din ki bat yad a gee jis din gora ko usane pahale-pahal dekha tha. sucharita janati thi, us din gora khas taur se yuddh-vesh mean aya tha. to kya aj bhi yah yuddh-sajja hai!

gora ne ate hi bhoomi par matha tekakar pareshababoo ko pranam kiya aur unaki charan-raj li. h dab dakar pareshababoo ne use uthate hue kaha, "ao-ao beta, baitho?"

gora bol utha, "pareshababoo, mujh par ab koee bandhan nahian hai."

acharaj mean akar pareshababoo ne kaha, "kaisa bandhan?"

gora ne kaha, "maian hiandoo nahian hooan."

pareshababoo ne doharaya, "hiandoo nahian ho?"

gora ne kaha, "nahian, maian hiandoo nahian hooan. aj hi mujhe pata chala hai, maian myootini ke samay paya gaya tha, mera bap ayarishamain tha. aj bharatavarsh ke uttar se dakshin tak sab dev-mandiroan ke dvar mere lie band ho ge haian- sare desh mean aj kisi samaj mean kisi pangat mean mere baithen ke lie sthan nahian hai."

pareshababoo aur sucharita sannate mean akar baithe rah ge. kya kahean, yah pareshababoo soch hi nahian sake.

gora ne kaha, "aj maian mukt hooan, pareshababoo! ab mujhe yah smaran nahian hai ki maian patit ho jaooanga ya vraty ho jaooanga. ab pag-pag par mujhe dharati ki or dekhate hue apani shuchita ki shuchita ki raksha karate hue nahian chalana hoga."

sucharita ekatak gora ke tamatamae hue chehare ki or dekhati rahi.

gora kahata gaya, "pareshababoo, itane dinoan se maian bharatavarsh ko pane ke lie apane pran lagakar sadhana karata raha, kahian-n-kahian badha hoti rahi, maian us badha ke sath apani shradhda ka samajhauta karane ke lie din-rat jivan-bhar koshish karata raha- shradhda ki nianv ko mazaboot karane ki koshish mean maian aur koee kam hi nahian kar saka, vahi meri ekamatr sadhana thi. isilie vastavik bharatavarsh se aauankhean milane par usaki sachchi seva karane se maian bar-bar darakar lautata hi raha hooan. maianne ek nishkantak nirvikar bharatavarsh rachakar usake abhedy durg ke bhitar apani bhakti ko surakshit kar lene ke lie ab tak kya-kya l daiyaan nahian l dian! lekin aj tak ki meri kalpana ka vah durg kshan-bhar mean svapn ki tarah u d gaya hai. ekaek chhutakara pakar maian ek bahut b de saty ke bich a gira hooan. samooche bharatavarsh ka sukh-du:kh, achchha-bura, jnan-ajnan sab bilh‍kul mere hriday ke pas pahuanch gaya hai. aj maian sachamuch seva ka adhikari hua hooan, sachcha karm-kshetr mere samane a gaya hai- vah meri kalpana ka kshetr nahian hai, vah bahar ki is pachchis karo d janata ke sachche kalyan ka kshetr hai."

gora ki is nee anubhooti ke prabal utsah ki dhara ne jaise pareshababoo ko bhi aandolit kar diya. vah aur baithai n rah sake, kursi chho dakar uth kh de hue.

gora bola, "pareshababoo, meri bat ap thik se samajh rahe haian n? maian din-rat jo hona chah raha tha par ho nahian pa raha tha, aj maian vahi ho gaya hooan. aj maian sare bharatavarsh ka hooan. mere bhitar hiandoo, musalaman, khristan kisi samaj ke prati koee virodh nahian hai. aj ke is bharatavarsh mean sabaki jat meri jat hai, sabaka ann mera ann hai. dekhie, bangal ke anek ziloan mean maian ghooma hooan, b de nich gharoan mean bhi maianne atithy grahan kiya hai- ap yah n samajhean ki maian matr shaharoan ki sabhaoan mean vaktrita jha data raha hooan- lekin kabhi kisi tarah sabake barabar hokar hokar nahian baith saka. ab tak apane sath mean barabar ek adrishy vyavadhan lie hue hi ghoomata raha hooan, use kisi tarah par nahian kar saka. isilie mere man ke bhitar ek b da shoony tha. isi soonepan ko maian tarah-tarah se asvikar karane ki hi cheshta karata raha, balki us soonepan ko hi tarah-tarah ki naqqashi karake aur bhi suandar banane ka prayatn karata raha. kyoanki maian bharatavarsh ko pranoan se bhi pyara samajhata tha, isalie usake jitane aansh ko maian dekh pata tha us aansh mean kahian kisi kami ki guanjaish mujhe sahan nahian hoti thi. aj naqqashi karane ki us vyarth cheshta se chhutti pakar maian phir se ji utha hooan, pareshababoo!"

pareshababoo ne kaha, "jab ham saty ko pa lete haian tab vah apane sare abhav aur apoornata ke bavajood hamari atma ko tripti deta hai, tab use jhoothe upakaranoan se sajane ki ichchha tak nahian hoti."

gora ne kaha, "dekhie pareshababoo, maianne kal rat ko eeshvar se prarthana ki thi ki aj sabere mujhe naya jivan prapt ho- bachapan se ab tak jo kuchh jhooth ya jo kuchh apivitr mujhe ghere raha ho aj vah sab nasht ho jae aur mujhe naya jivan mile. jo kalh‍pana karake maianne prarthana ki thi usaki or eeshvar ne dhh‍yan nahian diya- unhoanne ekaek apana hi saty achanak mere hath mean dekar mujhe chauanka diya hai. vah ekaek meri sari apavitrata ko yoan samoola mita deange, yah maian svaph‍n mean bhi nahian sochata tha. aj maian aisa pavitr ho gaya hooan ki chaandal ke ghar bhi ab apavitrata ka bhay n raha. pareshababoo, aj sabere hi bilh‍kul khule man se maian thik bharatavarsh ki god mean a baitha hooan- maan ki god kise kahate haian, yah itane din bad aj maian poori tarah anubhav kar saka hooan."

pareshababoo bole, "gaur, apani maan ki god mean tumhean jo adhi‍kar mila hai usamean hamean bhi shamil kar lo."

gora ne kaha, "aj mukti pakar sabase pahale maian apake pas hi kyoan aya hooan janate haian?"

"kyoan?"

gora ne kaha, "is mukti ka mantr apake pas hi hai. isilie aj apako kisi samaj mean sthan nahian mil raha hai. ap mujhe apana shishy bana lijie. aj ap mujhe usi devata ka mantr dijie jo hiandoo-musalaman, khristan-brahm sabaka hai, jisake mandir ka dvar kisi jati, kisi vyakti ke lie bhi band nahian hota- jo sirph hiandoo ka devata nahian hai balki sare bharatavarsh ka devata hai."

pareshababoo ke chehare par bhakti ki ek gahari madhur dipti chha gee, aauankhean jhukakakar vah tho di der chup kh di rahe.

itani der bad ab gora sucharita ki or mu da. vah apani kursi par stabdh baithi thi.

hansakar gora ne kaha, "sucharita, ab maian tumhara guru nahian hooan. maian tumase yahi prarthana karata hooan ki mera hath pak dakar tum mujhe in guru ke pas le chalo!"

yah kahate-kahate apana dahina hath gora ne sucharita ki or badha diya. sucharita ne kh de hokar apana hath gora ke hath mean rakh diya. tab gora ne sucharita ke sath pareshababoo ko pranam kiya.

parishisht

sham ko ghar lautakar gora ne dekha- anandamee usake kamare ke samane ke baramade mean chupachap baithi haian. ate hi gora ne unake donoan pair pak dakar un par apana sir tek diya. anandamee ne use donoan hathoan se uthate hue usaka matha choom liya.

gora ne kaha, "maan, tumhian meri maan ho. jis maan ko maian khojata phir raha tha vah to yahian mere kamare mean baithi huee thian. tumhari jat nahian hai, tum ooanch-nich ka vichar nahian karian, ghrina nahian karatian- tum keval kalyan ki moorti ho. tum mera bharatavarsh ho! maan, ab tum apani lachhamiya ko bulao- use kaho, mujhe pani pila de."

tab anandamee ne ruandhe hue kanth se mithe svar mean gora ke kan mean kaha, "gora, ab ek bar vinay ko bula looan."