गोरा उपन्यास भाग-4

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

pareshababoo ke ghar se nikalakar vinay aur gora s dak par a ge to vinay ne kaha, "gora, zara dhire-dhire chalo bhee.... tumhari taange bahut lanbi haian, in par kuchh aankush nahian rakhoge to tumhare sath chalane mean mera dam phool jaega.!"

gora ne kaha, "maian akela hi chalana chahata hooan- mujhe aj bahut-kuchh sochana hai." yah kahata hua vah apani svabhavi‍k tez chal se age badh gaya.

vinay ke man ko chot lagi. usane aj gora ke virudhd vidroh karake usaka adesh bhang kiya hai, ise lekar agar gora ke virudhd vidroh karake usaka adesh bhang kiya hai, ise lekar agar gora daant deta to use khushi hi hoti. unaki purani dosti ke akash par jo ghata ghir aee hai, ek bauchhar ho jane se usaki umas mit jati hai aur vah phir chain ki saans le sakata.

isake siva ek aur bat se bhi use takaliph ho rahi thi. gora ne pareshababoo ke ghar sahasa aj pahale-pahal akar vinay ko vahaan purane parichit ki tarah baitha dekhakar zaroor yah samajha hoga ki vinay yahaan barabar ata-jata rahata hai. yah bat nahian hai ki ane-jane mean koee buraee hai; gora chahe jo kahe, pareshababoo ke sushikshit parivar ke sath aantarang parichay hone ke suyog ko vinay ek vishesh labh hi samajhata hai, inase milane-julane mean gora ko koee buraee dikhe to vah usaki niri poangapanthi hai. lekin pahale ki batachit se to gora yahi samajhata raha hoga ki pareshababoo ke ghar vinay ata-jata nahian hai; ho sakata hai ki aj achanak usake man mean yah bat aee ho ki vah jo samajha tha jhooth tha. varadasuandari use khas taur se kamare mean bula le geean aur unaki l dakiyoan se vahaan usaki batachit hoti rahi- gora ki tikhi drishti se yah bat ojhal n rahi hogi. l dakiyoan se aise mil-baithakar aur varadasuandari ki atmiyata se vinay ne man-hi-man ek gaurav aur anand ka anubhav kiya tha- kiantu isake sath hi gora ke aur usake sath is parivar ke bartav ka bhedabhav bhitar-hi-bhitar use akhar bhi raha tha. aj tak in donoan sahapathiyoan ke bandhutv mean koee bat a dachan banakar nahian aee thi. sirph ek bar gora ke brahm-samaj ke utsah ko lekar donoan ki dosti par kuchh din ke lie ek dhuandhali chhaya si p d gee thi- kiantu jaisa ki pahale hi kaha ja chuka hai, vinay ke nikat mat nam ki chiz koee bahut mahatv ki nahian thi; mat ko lekar vah chahe jitana l d-jhag d le, aantat: usake lie manushy hi adhik b da saty tha. un donoan ki dosti mean is bar manushy hi a de ate dikh rahe haian, isase vah dar gaya. pareshababoo ke parivar ke sath sanbandh ju dane ko vinay moolyavan samajhata hai, kyoanki apane jivan mean aise anand ka avasar use aur kabhi nahian mila- kiantu gora ka bandhutv bhi vinay ke jivan ka abhinn aang hai, usake bina jivan ki vah kalpana hi nahian kar sakata.

vinay ne abhi tak kisi doosare vyakti ko apane hriday ke utana nikat nahian ane diya tha jitana gora ko. aj tak vah kitabean padhata raha hai aur gora ke sath bahasabazi karata raha hai, jhag data bhi raha hai gora ko hi pyar bhi karata raha hai; duniya mean aur kisi chiz ki taraph dhh‍yan dene ka use avakash hi nahian mila. gora ko bhi bhakt-sampraday ki kami nahian thi, kiantu bandhu vinay ko chho dakar doosara nahian tha. gora ki prakriti mean ek ni:sangata ka bhav hai- idhar vah jan-sadharan se milane se nahian hichakichata, udhar tarah-tarah ke logoan se ghanishthata karana bhi usake lie sarvatha asanbhav hai. adhikatar log usake sath ek doori ka anubhav kie bina nahian rahate.

aj vinay ki samajh mean yah a gaya ki pareshababoo ke parivar ki or usake hriday mean gahara anubhag utpann ho gaya hai, halaanki parichay adhik din ka nahian hai. isase gora ke prati mano koee aparadh ho gaya hai, yah sochakar vah lajjit hone laga.

aj varadasuandari ne vinay ko apani l dakiyoan ki aangrezi kavita aur shilp ka kam dikhakar aur kavita sunavakar matritv ka jo pradarshan kiya vah gora ke nikat kitana avahelana yogy hai, isaki man-hi-man vinay spasht kalpana kar sakata tha. isamean sachamuch hansi ki bat bhi kam nahian thi, aur jo tho di-bahut aangrezi varadasuandari ki l dakiyoan ne sikh li hai, aangrez memoan se prashansa paee hai aur laiphtineant-gavarnar ki patni ka kshanik sath paya hai, is sabake garoor ki ot mean ek tarah ki dinata bhi chhipi thi. kiantu yah sab samajh-boojhakar bhi vinay gora ke adarsh ke anusar in batoan se ghrina nahian kar saka. yah sab use achchha hi laga tha. lavany-jaisi l daki- dekhane mean b di suandar hai, isamean koee sandeh nahian. apane hath ki likhi moor ki kavita vinay ko dikhakar b da abhiman kar rahi thi, isase vinay ke ahankar ki bhi tripti huee thi. svayan varadasuandari adhunikata ke rang mean poori tarah rang nahian gee haian phir bhi atirikt utsah se adhunikata dikhane mean vyast haian.... is asangati ki or vinay ka dhh‍yan n gaya ho so bat nahian thi, phir bhi varadasuandari use bahut bhali lagi thian. unake ahankar aur asahishnuta ka bholapan hi vinay ko pritikar jan p da. l dakiyaan apani hansi se kamare ka vatavaran madhur kie rahati haian, chay banakar svagat karati haian, apane hath ki karigari se kamare ki or divarean sajati haian, aur isake sath hi aangrezi kavita padhakar usamean ras leti hai, yah kitani bhi sadharan bat kyoan n ho, vinay isi par mugdh hai. apane bahut kam logoan se milane-julane vale jivan mean aisa ras pahale kabhi use nahian mila tha. in l dakiyoan ki hansi-mazak, vesh-bhoosha, kam-kaj ke kitane madhur chitr man-hi-man vah aauankane laga, isaki sima nahian thi. keval kitabean padhane aur sidhdaantoan ko lekar bahas karane ke alava jisane yah bhi nahian jana ki usane kab yauvan mean padarpan kiya, usake lie pareshababoo ke is sadharan parivar ke bhitar bhi mano ek naya aur acharaj-bhara jagath prakashit ho utha.

gora jo vinay ka sath chho dakar naraz hokar age chala gaya us naraji ko vinay anyay nahian man saka. donoan dostoan ki bahut din purani dosti mean itane arase bad aj sachamuch yah vyaghat upasthiti hua hai.

barasat ki rat ke stabdh aandhakar ko bhang karate hue badal bich-bich mean garaj uthate the. vinay apane man par ek bahut bhari bojh ka anubhav kar raha tha. use lag raha tha, usaka jivan chirakal se jis rah par badha ja raha tha aj use do dakar doosari nee rah pak d raha hai. is aandhakar mean gora n jane kidhar chala gaya, aur vah n jane kidhar ja raha tha.

bichhu dane ke samay prem aur prabal ho uthata hai. gora ke prati vinay ka prem kitana b da aur prabal hai, aj us prem par aghat lagane se hi vinay isaka anubhav kar saka.

ghar pahuanchakar rat ke aandhakar aur kamare ke soonepan ke karan vinay ko bahut hi atapata lagane laga. ek bar vah gora ke ghar jane ke lie bahar bhi nikal aya; kiantu gora ke sath aj ki rat usaka hardik milan ho sakega aisi ummid vah nahian kar saka, aur phir kamare mean lautakar thaka hua-sa bistar par let gaya.

doosare din subah uthane par usaka man kuchh halka tha. rat ko kalpana mean apani vedana ko usane bahut anavashyak tool de diya tha.... ab use aisa nahian jan p da ki gora se dosti aur pareshababoo ke parivar mean mel-jol mean kahian koee ekaant virodh hai. aisi kaun-si b di bat thi, yah sochakar vinay ko kal rat ki apani bechaini par hansi ane lagi.

kandhe par chadar dalakar lapakata hua vinay gora ke ghar ja pahuancha. us samay gora nichale kamare mean baitha akhabar padh raha tha. abhi vinay s dak par hi tha ki gora ne use dekh liya, lekin aj vinay ke ane par bhi usaki nazar akhabar se nahian hati. vinay ne ate hi bina kuchh kahe gora ke hath se akhabar chhin liya.

gora ne kaha, "mujhe lagata hai ap galati kar rahe haian- maian gauramohan hooan- kuansanskar mean akanth dooba hua hiandoo."

vinay bola, "bhool shayah tumhian kar rahe ho. maian hooan shriyut vinay.... unhian gaur mohanaji ka kusanskari bandhu."

gora, "kiantu gauramohan aisa besharm hai ki apane kusanskaro ke lie kabhi kisi ke age lajjit nahian hota."

vinay, "vinay bhi thik vaisa hi hai. itana hi farq hai ki vah apane kusanskaroan ke karan chidhakar doosaroan par akraman karane nahian jata."

dekhate-hi-dekhate donoan dostoan mean garama-garam bahas chhi d gee. muhalle-bhar ke logoan ko pata lag gaya ki gora se vinay ka sakshath ho gaya hai.

gora ne poochha, "pareshababoo ke ghar tum jo ate-jate ho, yah bat us din mujhase chhipane ki kya zaroorat thi?"

vinay, "n koee zaroorat thi, n maianne chhipaee.... n hi ata-jata tha isilie vaisa kaha. tab se kal pahali bar unake ghar mean gaya tha."

gora, 'mujhe bhay hai ki tum abhimanyu ki tarah pravesh karane ka rasta hi janate ho, nikalane ka rasta nahian janate."

vinay, "ho sakata hai- shayad janm se hi mera vaisa svabhav hai. jin par shradhda karata hooan ya jinhean chahata hooan unaka tyag nahian kar sakata. mere is svabhav ka tumhean bhi pata hai."

gora, "to phir ab se unake yahaan ana-jana jari rahega?"

vinay, "akele mera hi ana-jana jari rahaga, aisi to koee bat nahian hai. tumhare bhi to hath-pair haian, tum koee achal moorti to nahian ho!"

gora, "maian to jata hooan aur laut ata hooan. kiantu tumhare vicharoan se to yahi jan p data hai ki tum yadi ge to samajho chale hi jaoge. garam chay kaisi lagi?"

vinay, "kuchh k davi to lagi thi."

gora, "to phir?"

vinay, "n pina to aur bhi k dava lagata."

gora, "yani samaj ko manana keval shishtachar ko manana hai?"

vinay, "hamesha nahian. lekin dekho gora, samaj ke sath jab hriday ki than jay tab mere lie.... "

adhir hokar gora uth kh da hua, vinay ko apani bat usane poori nahian karane di. garajakar bola, "hriday! samaj ko tum itana chhota, itana ghghghh manate ho tabhi bat-bat mean tumhare hriday se usaka takarav hai. kiantu samaj par aghat karane se usaki chot kitani door tak pahuanchati hai, agar tum yah samajh sakate, to apane is hriday ki charcha karate tumhean lajja ati. pareshababoo ki l dakiyoan ke man ko tho di-si thes pahuanchate bhi tumhean bahut takaliph hoti hai; kiantu tumhean takaliph hoti hai is zara-si bat ko lekar kya tum sare desh ko pi da pahuanchane ko taiyar ho!"

vinay bola, "to phir sachchi bat kahooan, bhaee! agar kahian ek pyala chay pine se desh ko pi da pahuanchati hai to us pi da se desh ka bhala hi hoga. use bachane ki koshish karana desh ko atyant durbal bana dena hoga-baboo bana dena hoga."

gora, "mahashayaji, ye sab dalilean rahane do.... yah samajhie ki maian ekadam bhola hooan. lekin ye sab abhi ki batean nahian haian bimar bachcha jab dava nahian khana chahata tab maan bimar n hone par bhi svayan dava khakar use yah dikhana chahati hai ki tumhari aur meri halat ek-jaisi hai. yah dalil ki bat nahian hai, pyar ki bat hai. yah pyar n ho to dalilean chahe jitani hoan, bete se maan ka sanbandh nahian rahata, aur us sthiti mean sab kam big d jata hai. maian bhi us ek pyala chay ko lekar bahas nahian kar raha hooan, lekin desh se kat jana maian sah nahian sakata. chay n pina usase kahian kam kathin hai, aur pareshababoo ki l dakiyoan ke man ko thes pahuanchane ki bat to usase bhi chhoti hai. sare desh ke sath ekatmak bhav se mil jana hi hamari aj ki avastha mean sabase b da aur mukhy kam hai. jab vah milan ho jaega, tab chay pine ya n pine ki daliloan ka nivaran to bat-ki-bat mean ho jaega."

vinay, "tab to maloom p data hai, mujhe chay ka doosara pyala milane mean abhi bahut der hai!"

gora, "nahian, adhik der karane ki zaroorat nahian hai. lekin vinay, mere hi sath kyoan? hiandoo-samaj ki aur bahut-si chizoan ke sath-sath mujhe bhi chho d dene ka samay a gaya hai. nahian to pareshababoo ki l dakiyoan ke man ko thes lagegi."

isi samay avinash a pahuancha. avinash gora ka shishh‍y hai. gora ke muanh se vah jo kuchh sunata hai use apani budhdi ke karan chhota aur apani bhasha ke dvara vikrit karake charoan or doharata phirata hai. gora ki bat jin logoan ki samajh mean nahian ati avinash ki bat ve b di asani se samajh lete haian aur usaki tariph bhi karate haian.

avinash ko vinay ke prati b di eershya hai. isalie mauqa milate hi vah vinay ke sath bachchoan ki tarah bahas karane lag jata hai. vinay usaki moodhata par bahut adhir ho uthata hai, tab gora avinash ka paksh lekar svayan vinay se ulajh p data hai. avinash samajhata hai ki usaki hi dalilean gora ke muanh se nikal rahi haian.

avinash ke a jane se gora se mel karane ki vinay ki koshish mean rukavat p d gee. vah uthakar oopar chala gaya. anandamee bhandare ke samane baramade mean baithi tarakari kat rahi thian.

anandamee ne kaha, "b di der se tum logoan ki avaz sun rahi thi. b de sabere nikal p de- nashta to kar liya tha?"

aur koee din hota to vinay kah deta, "nahian, abhi nahian kiya", aur anandamee ke samane ja baithane se usake nashte ki vyavastha ho jati. kiantu aj usane kaha, "nahian maan, kuchh khaooanga nahian- khakar hi nikala tha."

gora ke samane apana aparadh badhane ka usaka man nahian tha. pareshababoo ke sath usake mel-jol ke lie hi abhi tak gora ne use kshama nahian kiya aur use mano kuchh door karake rakh hai, yah anubhav karake man-hi-man use du:kh ho raha tha. jeb se chakoo nikalakar vah bhi aloo chhilane lag gaya.

pandrah minat bad niche jakar usane dekha, gora avinash ko sath lekar kahian chala gaya hai. bahut der tak vinay chupachap gora ke kamare mean baitha raha. phir akhabar lekar anamana-sa vijnapan dekhata raha. phir ek lanbi saans lekar vah bhi bahar nikal gaya.

vinay ka man dopahar ko phir gora se milane ke lie bechain ho utha. gora ke samane jhuk jane mean kabhi use sankoch nahian hua. lekin apana abhiman n bhi ho, to dosti ka to ek abhiman hota hai, use bhula dena asan nahian hota hai. pareshababoo ke yahaan jane se gora ke prati itane dinoan ki usaki nishtha mean kuchh kami huee hai, ye sochakar vah svayan ko aparadhi-sa anubhav kar raha tha avashy, kiantu isake lie gora usaka mazak-bhar karega ya daant-phatakar lega, yahian tak usane socha tha. gora aise use bilh‍kul door rakhane ka prayas karega, isaki usane kalpana bhi nahian ki thi. ghar se tho di door jakar vinay phir laut aya. kahian dosti ka phir apaman n ho, is bhay se vah gora ke ghar nahian ja saka.

dopahar ko bhojan karake gora ko chitthi likhane ke vichar se vah kagaz-kalam lekar baitha. baithakar, bina karan yah socha ki kalam bhauandi hai, aur chakoo lekar dhire-dhire b de yatn se use gadhane laga. isi samay niche se pukar sunaee di, "vinay!" vinay kalam rakhakar tezi se niche dau da aur bola, "aie mahim dada, oopar aie!"

oopar ke kamare mean akar mahim vinay ki khat par baith ge aur kamare ki sab chijoan ka ek bar achchhi tarah nirikshan karake bole, "dekho vinay, maian tumhara ghar janata n hoooan so bat nahian hai- bich-bich mean khabar leta rahata hooan or udhar dhh‍yan bhi rahata hai. lekin maian janata hooan, tum log ajakal ke achchhe l dake ho, tumhare yahaan tanbakoo milane ki ummid nahian hai, isilie jab tak zaroori n ho.... "

h dab dakar vinay ko uthate dekh mahim ne kaha, "tum soch rahe ho, abhi bazar se naya huqqa kharidakar mujhe tanbakoo pilaoge- aisi koshish n karana! tanbakoo n pilane ko to kshama kar sakooanga, lekin ne hukkoo par ana di hath ki taiyar ki huee chilam bardasht nahian hogi."

itana kahakar mahim ne khat par se pankha uthakar apani hava karana shuroo kiya aur bole, "aj ravichar ke din ki niand mitti karake jo tumhare pas aya hooan, usaka karan hai. mujh par ek upakar tumhean karana hi hoga."

vinay ne poochha, "kaisa upakar?"

mahim bole, "pahale vayada karo, tab bataooanga!"

vinay, "mere vash ki bat ho tabhi to."

mahim, "keval tumhare vash ki hi bat hai. aur kuchh nahian, tumhare ek bar 'haan' kahane se hi ho jaega."

vinay, "ap aisa kyoan kah rahe haian? ap to janate haian, maian ghar ka hi adami hooan- kar sakane par apaka kam nahian karooanga yah kaise ho sakata hai?"

mahim ne jeb se ek dauna pan nikalakar do pan vinay ki or badhae aur baki apane muanh mean rakh lie. chabate-chabate bole, "apani shashimukhi ko to tum janate hi ho. dekhane-sunane mean aisi buri bhi nahian hai- yani apane bap par nahian gee. umr yahi das ke as-pas hogi. b use kisi achchhe patr ko sauanpane ka samay ho gaya hai. kis abhage ke hath p degi, yah soch-sochakar mujhe to rat-bhar niand nahian ati."

vinay bola, "ghabarate kyoan haian, abhi to samay hai."

mahim, "tumhari apani koee l daki hoti to samajhate ki kyoan ghabarata hooan! umr to din bitane se apane-ap badh jati hai, lekin patr to apane-ap nahian milata! isalie jyoan-jyoan din bit rahe haian. man utana hi aur bechain hota jata hai. ab tum kuchh asara do to.... khair, do-char din iantazar bhi kiya ja sakata hai."

vinay, "meri to adhik logoan se jan-pahachan nahian hai. balki ek tarah se kah sakata hooan ki kalakatta-bhar mean ap logoan ka ghar chho dakar aur kisi ka ghar nahian janata.... phir bhi khoj karake dekhooanga."

mahim, "shashimukhi ka svabhav to janate hi ho."

vinay, "janata kyoan nahian? jab vah chhoti-si hi thi tabhi se dekhata a raha hooan. b di achchhi l daki hai."

mahim, "tab phir zyada door khojane ki kya zaroorat hai, bhaiya! l daki ko tumhare hi sath sauanpooanga."

ghabarakar vinay ne kaha, "yah ap kya kah rahe haian?"

mahim- "kyoan, bura kya kah raha hooan. ham logoan se tumhara kul zaroor kahian ooancha hai, lekin itana padh-likhakar bhi tum log agar ye batean mano to kaise chalega!"

vinay, "nahian-nahian, kul ki bat nahian hai, lekin umr to.... "

mahim, "kya bat hai! shashi ki umr kya kam hai? hiandoo ghar ki l daki to mem sahab nahian hoti- samaj ko yoan u da dene se to nahian chalega!"

mahim sahaj hi chho dane vale asami nahian the. unhoannean vinay ko majaboor kar diya. aant mean vinay ne kaha, "mujhe tho da sochane ka samay dijie!"

mahim, "to maian kaun sa aj hi din pakka kie de raha hooan."

vinay, "phir bhi, ghar ke logoan se to.... "

mahim, "haan, so to hai. unaki ray to leni hi hogi. tumhare kaka mahashay jab maujood haian to unaki ray ke bina kaise kuchh ho sakata hai."

kahate hue jeb se unhoanne pan ka doosara dauna nikala aur sare pan muanh mean rakh lie. phir, yah samajhakar ki batachit pakki ho gee hai, vah chale ge.

anandamee ne kuchh din pahale ek bar shashimukhi ke sath vinay ke vivah ki charcha batoan-hi-batoan mean uthaee thi. lekin vinay ne mano kuchh suna hi nahian. aj bhi use yah prastav kuchh sangat laga ho aisa nahian tha, lekin bat mano usake man tak pahuanch gee. sahasa usake man mean vichar utha, yah vivah ho jane se gora use atmiy ke nate kabhi door nahian rahega. vivah ko hriday ki vrittiyoan ke sath jo dane ko vah aangrezipan kahakar itane dinoan se usaka mazak karata aya hai, isilie shashimukhi se vivah karane ki bat use asanbhav nahian jan p di. mahim ke is prastav ko lekar gora ke sath paramarsh karane ka ek avasar nikal aya, isase bhi vinay ko khushi hi huee. vinay ne chaha, gora is bat ko lekar usase tho da agrah kare. mahim ke age saf hami n bharane par mahim zaroor hi gora se us par zor dalavayega, is bare mean vinay ko zara bhi sandeh nahian tha.

ye sab batean sochakar vinay ke man ka klesh door ho gaya. vah usi samay gora ke ghar jane ke lie taiyar hokar kandhe par chadar dalakar bahar nikal p da. tho di door jane par pichhe se avaz suni, "vinay baboo!" aur jab mu dakar dekha, satish use pukar raha hai.

satish ke sath vinay phir ghar laut aya. satish ne jeb se roomal ki ek potali nikalate hue poochha, "isamean kya hai, bataie to?"

jo zaban par aya vinay ne kah diya. aant mean usake har manen par satish ne bataya- rangoon mean usake ek mama rahate haian- unhoanne vahaan ka yah phal maan ko bheja hai; maan ne usi se paanch-chhah phal vinay baboo ko upahar mean bheje haian.

barma ka yah maiangostin phal us samay kalakatta mean sulabh nahian tha. isi se vinay ne phaloan ko hila-dula aur ulat-pulatakar poochha, "satish baboo, yah phal khaya kaise jaega"

vinay ki is ajnanata par hansate hue satish ne kaha, "dekhie, daant se n katiega- chhuri se katakar khaya jata hai."

tho di der pahale satish svayan phal ko daantoan se katane ki nishphal cheshta karake ghar ke logoan ki hansi ka patr ban chuka tha. isilie vinay ke ajnan paravijn-jan ki-si goodh hansi hansane se usake man ki udasi door ho gee.

asaman umr ke donoan dostoan mean tho di der tak idhar-udhar ki batean hoti rahian. phir satish ne kaha, "vinay baboo, maan ne kaha hai, apako samay ho to ek bar aj ham logoan ke yahaan a jaean- aj lila ka janmadin hai."

vinay ne kaha, "aj to bhee nahian ho sakega- aj mujhe ek jagah aur jana hai."

satish, "kahaan jana hai?"

vinay, apane dost ke ghar."

satish, "apake vahi dost?"

vinay, "haan!"

dost ke ghar ja sakate haian, par hamare ghar nahian jaeange, satish isaki sangatata nahian samajh saka; isalie aur bhi nahian kyoanki vinay ke yah dost satish ko achchhe nahian lage the. vah to mano skool ke hedamastar se bhi adhik rookhe adami haian, unhean argan sunakar koee tariph pa sakega aise vyakti vah nahian haian. aise adami ke pas jane ka bhi koee prayojan vinay ko ho sakata hai, yah bat hi satish ko nahian janchi. vah bola, "nahian, vinay baboo, ap hamare ghar chalie!"

bulae jane par bhi vah pareshababoo ke ghar n jakar gora ke ghar hi jaega, man-hi-man vinay ne yah pakka nishchay kar liya tha. ahat bandhutv ke abhiman ki vah upeksha nahian karega, gora ki dosti ke gaurav ko vah sabase oopar rakhega, usane yahi sthir kiya tha.

kiantu har manate use adhik der n lagi. duvidha mean p de-p de, man-hi-man apatti karate-karate bhi aantat: vah satish ka hath pak d kar 78 nanbar makan ki or chal p da. kisi ko barma se ae hue durlabh phaloan ka hissa bhejane ka dhh‍yan rahe, isamean jo apanapan jhalakata hai, usaka man n rakhana vinay ke lie asanbhav hai.

pareshababoo ke ghar ke pas akar vinay ne dekha, panoo baboo aur doosare kuchh aparichit log pareshababoo ke ghar se bahar a rahe haian. ye lila ke janmadin par dopahar ke bhoj mean nimantrit the. panoo baboo ne vinay ko mano dekha hi n ho, aise bhav se age badh ge.

ghar mean qadam rakhate hi vinay ne khuli hansi ki dhh‍vani aur dau d-bhag ke shabd sune. sudhir ne lavany ki daraz ki chabi chura li thi; itana hi nahian, vah us sare samaj mean is bat ka bhanda-pho d karane ki bhi dhamaki de raha tha ki lavany ne daraz mean ek kapi chhipa rakhi hai. jisamean us kaviyash: prarthini ka upahas karane ke lie dheroan samagri hai! jis samay vinay ne us rangabhoomi mean pravesh kiya us samay isi bat ko lekar donoan pakshoan mean l daee chal rahi thi.

use dekhate hi lavany ka gut phauran lop ho gaya. unake hansi-mazak mean hissa lene ke lie satish bhi unake pichhe dau da. kuchh der bad sucharita ne kamare mean akar kaha, "maan ne apako zara der baithane ke lie kaha hai, vah abhi a rahi hai. baba zara anath baboo ke ghar tak ge haian, unhean bhi lautane mean der nahian hogi."

sucharita ne vinay ka sankoch door karane ke lie gora ki bat uthaee. hansakar boli, "jan p data hai apake mitr yahaan phir kabhi nahian aeange?"

vinay ne poochha, "kyoan?"

sucharita ne kaha, "ham log purushoan ke samane ati haian, bat karati haian unhean yah dekhakar zaroor achanbha hua hoga. ghar ke kam-kaj ko chho dakar aur kahian l dakiyoan ko dekhana, shayad unhean achchha nahian lagata."

isaka uttar dene mean vinay kathinaee mean p d gaya. bat ka prativad kar sakata to use khushi hoti, kiantu jhooth vah kaise bole? bola, "gora ki ray mean l dakiyaan ghar ke kam mean poora man n la paean to unake kartavy ki paripati nasht hoti hai."

sucharita ne kaha, "tab to stri-purushoan ka ghar aur bahar ka poora bantavara kar lena hi achchha hota hai. purushoan ko ghar mean ghusane dene se bhi to shayad unaka bahar ka kartavy achchhi tarah sanpann nahian hota. apaki ray bhi kya apane mitr ki ray jaisi hai?"

abhi tak to nari-sidhdaant ke sandhan mean gora ka mat hi vinay ka mat raha hai. usi ko lekar akhabaroan mean vah likhata bhi raha hai. kiantu is samay yah bat usake muanh se n nikal saki ki usaka mat bhi vahi hai. usane kaha, "dekhie, in sab mamaloan mean asal mean ham sab adatoan ke das haian. isilie l dakiyoan ko bahar ate dekhakar man mean khataka-sa hota hai. usake bura lagane ka karan yah hai ki vah anyay hai ya anuchit hai, yah to ham zabaradasti sidhd karana chahate haian. asal bat sanskar ki hoti hai, dalil to keval upalakshy bhar hota hai."

sucharita ne kaha, "jan p data hai, apake dost ke sanskar b de dridh haian."

vinay, "bahar se dekhane par sahasa aisa hi jan p data hai. kiantu ek bat ap yad rakhie! vah jo hamare desh ke sanskaroan se chipate rahate haian, usaka karan yah nahian ki vah un sanskaroan ko achchha samajhate haian. ham log desh ke prati aandhi ashradhda ke karan usaki sabhi prathaoan ki avajna karane lage the, isi anarth ke nivaran ke lie kh de hue haian. vah kahate haian, hamean pahale shradhda aur prem ke dvara desh ko samagr roop se apanana hoga, usake bad svabhavik svasthy ke niyam ke anusar apane-ap bhitar se hi sudhar ka kam hone lagega."

sucharita ne kaha, "apane-ap hona hota to itane din kyoan nahian hua?"

vinay, "nahian hua, usaki vajah yah hai ki ab tak ham desh ke nam par samooche desh ko, jati ke nam par samoochi jati ko ek manakar nahian dekh sake. phir hamane apani jati par agar ashradhda nahian ki to shradhda bhi nahian ki- yani use thik se samajha hi nahian, isalie usaki shakti bhi supt rahi. jaise ek rogi ki or dekhe bina, use bina dava-daroo aur bina pathy ke ek or hata diya gaya tha, ab use davakhane mean laya zaroor gaya hai, kiantu d aauktar ki us par itani ashradhda hai ki seva-shushroosha sadhh‍y lanbe ilaj ki bat sochane ka bhi dhiraj usamean nahian hai- use yahi lagata hai ki ek-ek karake rogi ke aang kaph pheanke jaean! aisi avastha mean mera dost d aauktar kahata hai, apane is param atmiy ko ilaj ke nam par kat-kootakar pheank diya jay, maian yah nahian sah sakata. maian ab is aang-vichchhed ko bilh‍kul band karake pahale anukool pathy dekar isake bhitar ki jivani-shakti ko jagaooanga. usake bad katane ki yadi zaroorat hogi to rogi use sah sakega, aur shayad bina kate bhi vah achchha ho jaega. gora kahate haian, hamare desh ki vartaman sthiti mean ganbhir shradhda hi sabase b da pathy hai- is shradhda ke abhav ke karan ham desh ko samagr bhav se jan nahian pate-aur jan n pane ke karan usake lie jo bhi suvyavastha karate haian vah suvyavastha sabit hoti hai. desh se prem n ho to use achchhi tarah janane ka dhairy nahian hota; aur use jane bina usaka bhala karana chahane par bhi bhala hota nahian hai."

tho da-tho da barabar chhe date rahakar sucharita ne gora-sanbandhi charcha ko band nahian hone diya. vinay bhi gora ki or se jo-kuchh kah sakata tha sulajha-samajhakar kahata raha. aisi achchhi dalilean, aise achchhe drishtaant dekar aur itani sulajhakar usane mano pahale kabhi yah bat nahian rakhi; gora svayan bhi apani ray ko itani saphaee aur spashtata se prakat kar sakata ki nahian isamean sandeh hai. budhdi dvara vivechan ki is apoorv uttejana par man-hi-man use anand anubhav hone laga aur us aannad se usaka chehara dipt ho utha.

vinay ne kaha, "dekhie, shastroan mean kaha gaya hai, 'atmanaan vidhdi'- apane ko jano! nahian to mukti ka koee sadhan nahian hai. maian ap se kahata hooan, mere bdhu gora mean bharatavarsh ka yahi atm-bodh pratyaksh roop se avirbhoot hua hai. maian unhean am adami man hi nahian sakata. jab ham sabaka man ochhe akarshan, nepan ke lalach mean p dakar bahar ki or bikhar gaya, tab vahi ek akela vyakti is sare pagalapan ke bich sthir kh da sianh-garjano ke sath vahi mantr deta raha.... "atmanan vidhdi'."

yah charcha aur bhi kafi der tak chal sakati thi-sucharita bhi b di lagan se sun rahi thi. kiantu sath ke kisi kamare mean sahasa satish ne chilla-chillakar padhana shuroo kiya :

bolo n katu vachan bina kie vichar

jivan savapn-saman hai, maya ka sansar!

bechara satish ghar ke atithi-agantukoan ke samane apani vidha dikhane ka koee mauqa hi nahian pata. lila tak aangezi kavita sunakar sabhi ka manoranjan kar sakati hai, kiantu satish ko varadasuandari kabhi nahian bulatian. par har mamale mean lila ke sath satish ki ho d-si rahati hai. kisi prakar bhi lila ko nicha dikhana satish ke jivan ka pahala sukh hai. vinay ke samane lila ki pariksha ho gee; us samay bulae n jane ke karan satish use harane ki koee koshish nahian kar saka- koshish karata bhi to varadasuandari use usi samay tok detian. isi se vah aj pas ke kamare mean mano apane-ap ooanche svar se kavy-path karane laga tha. sunakar sucharita apani hansi n rok saki.

usi samay apani choti jhulati huee lila kamare mean akar sucharita ke gale se lipatakar usake man mean kuchh kahane lagi. satish ne bhi pichhe-pichhe dau date hue akar kaha, "achchha lila, batao to 'manoyog' ka matalab kya hai?"

lila ne kaha, "nahian batati."

satish, "e he! nahian batati! yah kaho n ki nahian janati!"

satish ko vinay ne apani or khianchate hue poochha, "tum batao to 'manoyog' ke kya mane haian?"

garv se sir uthakar satish ne kaha, "manoyog mane- manonivesh."

sucharita ne jijnasa ki, "manonivesh se tumhara kya ashay hai?"

bhala apanoan ke siva kaun kisi ko aisi musibat mean dal sakata hai! par satish ne jaise saval suna hi n ho aise uchhalata-koodata kamare se bahar chala gaya.

pareshababoo ke ghar se jaldi hi chhutti lekar vinay gora ke ghar jane ka nishchay karake aya tha. gora ki charcha karate-karate usake pas jane ki lalak bhi usake man mean prabal ho uthi. isilie vah char bajate janakar jaldi se kursi chho dakar uth kh da hua.

sucharita boli, "ap abhi jaeange? maan to apake lie jal-pan taiyar kar rahi hai; tho di der aur n baith sakeange?"

vinay ke lie yah prashn nahian, adesh tha. vah phir baith gaya.

rangin reshami paridhan mean saj-dhajakar lavany aee aur boli, "didi, nashta taiyar ho gaya hai, maan ne chhat par chalane ko kaha hai."

chhat par jakar vinay ko nashte mean jut jana p da. varadasuandari prathanusar apani sab santanoan ka jivan-vrittaant sunane lagian. lalita sucharita ko bhitar khianchakar le gee. ek kursi par baithakar lavany kandhe jhukae lohe ki salaiyoan se bunaee karane mean lag gee. kabhi use kisi ne kaha tha- bunaee ke samay usaki uangaliyoan ka sanchalan bahut suandar lagata hai. tabhi se logoan ke samane bina karan bunaee karane ki usaki adat ho gee hai.

pareshababoo bhi a ge. saanjh ho chali thi. aj ravivar tha, upasana-grih jane ki bat thi. varadasuandari ne vinay se kaha, "apatti n ho to ap bhi ham logoan ke sath samaj mean chalean?"

aise mean apatti karana kaise sanbhav tha? do ga diyoan mean baithakar sab log upasana-bhavan ge. lautate samay jab sab ga di par savar ho rahe the tab sucharita ne achanak chauankakar sanket kar kaha, "vah gauramohan baboo ja rahe haian!"

gora ne in logoan ko dekh liya hai, isamean kisi ko shak nahian tha. kiantu vah aise bhav se tezi se badh gaya mano usane unhean dekha n ho. gora ke is ashishtata ke karan vinay ne pareshababoo ke sammukh lajjit hokar sir jhuka liya. kiantu man-hi-man vah spasht samajh gaya ki vinay ko is gut mean dekhakar hi yoan vimukh hokar gora itani tezi se chala gaya. ab tak usake man mean ek anand ka jo prakash ho raha tha vah sahasa bujh gaya. vinay ke man ka bhav aur usaka karan sucharita phauran samajh gee, aur vinay-jaise bandhu ke prati gora ki is jyadati aur brahmoan ke prati usaki is anuchit avajna se use gora par phir krodh a gaya. gora ka kisi tarah bhi parabhav ho, usaka man yahi chah utha.

dopahar ko gora khane baitha to anandamee ne dhire-dhire bat chalaee- "aj sabere vinay aya tha. tumase nahian mila?"

thali par se aauankh uthae bina hi gora ne kaha, "haan, mila tha."

bahut der tak anandamee chupachap baithi rahi. usake bad bolian, "use rukane ko kaha tha, kiantu vah anamana-sa hokar chala gaya."

gora ne phir koee uttar nahian diya. anandamee ne kaha, "usake man ko n jane kya du:kh hai gora, use maianne kabhi aisa nahian dekha. mujhe kuchh ajib-sa lag raha hai!"

gora chupachap khata raha. atyant sneh ke karan hi anandamee man-hi-man gora se tho da darati thian. agar vah apane man ki bat apane-ap unase n kahata to vah use majaboor nahian karati thi. aur koee din hota, to itane par hi chup ho jatian. kiantu unake man mean aj vinay ke lie b da dard tha, isilie unhoanne phir kaha "dekho gora, ek bat kahooan- naraz mat hona! bhagavan ne anek log banae haian, lekin rasta sabake lie keval ek hi nahian banaya. vinay tumhean pranoan se badhakar sneh karata hai, isalie tumhari or se sab-kuchh sah leta hai- lekin use tumhare hi nirdesh par chalana hoga, aisi zabaradasti karane ka phal sukhakar nahian hoga!!"

gora ne kaha, "maan, aur tho da doodh la dena to!"

bat yahian khatm ho gee. bhojan ke bad anandamee chupachap takhtaposh par baithakar silaee karane lagian. lachhamiya ghar ke kisi naukar ke durvyavahar ki shikayat mean anandamee ki dilachaspi jagane ki bekar cheshta karake pharsh par letakar so gee.

chitthi-patri mean gora ne bahut-sa samay bita diya. gora vinay par naraz hai, aj sabere vinay yah spasht dekh gaya hai. phir bhi vah is narazagi ko mitane ke lie gora ke pas n ae, yah ho hi nahian sakata. yahi manakar apane sab kamoan ke bich bhi vah vinay ke pairoan ki dhh‍vani ke lie kan lagae tha.

par b di der tak bhi vinay nahian aya. gora likhana chho dakar uthane ki soch raha tha. ki tabhi mahim kamare mean a ge. ate hi kursi par baithakar bole, "shashimukhi ke byah ke bare mean kya socha, gora?"

is bare mean kabhi kuchh gora ne socha hi nahian tha, isalie aparadhi-sa chup kh da raha.

patr ka bhav bazar mean kitana badha hua hai, aur idhar ghar mean rupe-paise ki kitani tangi hai, mahim ne yah sab batakar gora ko kuchh upay sochane ko kaha. gora sochakar bhi jab koee hal n pa saka tab unhoanne mano is chianta-sankat se usako mukt karane ke lie hi vinay ki bat chalaee. halaanki itana ghuma phirakar bat karane ki koee zaroorat nahian ki, kiantu muanh se mahim chahe jo kahean, man-hi-man gora se darate the.

is prasang se vinay ki bat bhi uth sakati hai, gora ne yah kabhi svapn mean bhi nahian socha tha. balki gora aur vinay ne tay kar rakha tha ki ve vivah n karake apana jivan desh ke lie nyauchhavar kar deange. isalie gora ne kaha, "vinay byah karega kyoan?"

mahim bole, "kya yahi tum logoan ka hiandoopan hai! hazar chutiya rakho aur tilak lagao, sahibi sir par chadhakar bolati haian! shastroan ke anusar vivah bhi brahman ke l dake ka ek sanskar hai, yah to janate ho?"

ajakal ke l dakoan ki tarah mahim achar bhi nahian to date, aur shastr ki duhaee bhi nahian dete. hotal mean khana khakar bahaduri dikhane ko bhi vah thik nahian samajhate, aur gora ki tarah hamesha shruti-smriti lekar ulajhate rahane ko bhi vah svasth adami ka lakshan nahian manate. kiantu 'yasminh deshe sadachar:'-gora ke samane shastr ki duhaee nhean deni hi p di.

agar do din pahale yah prastav aya hota to gora use ekabaragi anasuna kar deta. kiantu aj use laga ki bat ekadam upeksha ke yogy nahian hai. kam-se-kam is prastav ke karan phauran vinay ke ghar jane ka ek mauqa to mil hi sakata hai.

aant mean usane kaha, "achchha, vinay ka vichar kya hai, zara samajh looan!"

mahim bole, "usamean samajhane ko kya hai? vah tumhari bat ko kisi tarah tal nahian sakata. vah man jaega. tumhara kahana hi kafi hai."

usi din saanjh ko gora vinay ke ghar ja pahuancha. aauandhi ke saman usake kamare mean pravesh karake usane dekha, vahaan koee nahian hai. baira ko bulakar poochhane par pata chala ki baboo 78 nanbar makan mean ge haian. sunakar gora ka chitt phir vikal ho utha. jisake lie aj sara din gora ka man ashaant raha, us vinay ko ajakal gora ka dhh‍yan karane ki bhi phurasat nahian hai! gora chahe naraz ho, chahe dukhit ho; vinay ki shaanti aur chain mean usase koee rukavat nahian p dati!

pareshababoo ke parivar ke virudhd, brahm-samaj ke virudhd gora ka man bilh‍kul vishakt ho utha. man mean ek tikha akrosh lekar vah pareshababoo ke ghar ki or chala. usaka man hua, vahaan kuchh aisi bat paida kar de jise sunakar us brahm-parivar ke log jal uthean aur vinay bhi tilamilakar rah jae.

usane pareshababoo ke ghar pahuanchakar suna, ghar par koee nahian hai, sabhi upasana-bhavan ge haian usane kshan-bhar ke lie socha, vinay shayad n gaya ho- shayad isi samay vah gora ke ghar ki or gaya ho.

vah vahaan aur n ruk saka. apani svabhavik aauandhi-si chal se vah bhavan ki or hi chala. dvar ke pas pahuanchate hi dekha, vinay varadasandari ke pichhe unaki ga di par savar ho raha hai- khuli s dak ke bich besharam hokar parae ghar ki l dakiyoan ke sath ek ga di mean baith raha hai. moodh! nagapash mean itani jaldi, itani asani mean phans gaya? tab dosti ke lihaz ka ab koee matalab nahian rahata. gora aauandhi ki tarah age badh gaya aur ga di ke aandhere hisse mean baitha hua vinay chupachap raste ki or takata rah gaya.

varadasuandari ne samajha, achary ka upadesh vinay ke man par asar kar raha hai. isilie age unhoanne koee bat nahian ki.

varadasuandari ne samajha, achary ka upadesh vinay ke man par asar kar raha hai. isilie age unhoanne koee bat nahian ki.