गोरा उपन्यास भाग-5

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

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rat ko ghar lautakar gora aandheri chhat par vyarth chakkar katane laga. use apane oopar krodh aya. ravivar usane kyoan aise bekar bit jane diya! ek vyakti ke sneh ke lie duniya ke aur sab kam biga dane to gora is duniya mean nahian aya. vinay jis raste par ja raha hai usase use khianchate rahane ki cheshta karana keval samay nasht karana aur apane man ko takaliph dena hai. isalie jivan uddeshy ke path par vinay se yahian alag ho jana hoga. jivan mean gora ka ek hi mitr hai, usi ko chho dakar vah apane dharm ke prati apani sachh‍chaee pramanit karega! zor se hath jhatakar gora ne mano vinay ke sahachary ko apane charoan or se door hata diya.

tabhi chhat par pahuanchakar mahim haanphate hue bole, "iansan ko agar pankh nahian mile to timanzile makan kyoan banavae? zamin par chalane vala manushy asaman mean rahane ki koshish kare to akashachari devata ise kaise saheange?.... vinay ke pas ge the?"

isaka gora ne sidha javab n dete hue kaha, "vinay ke sath shashimukhi ka byah nahian ho sakega."

mahim, "kyoan? kya vinay ki marzi nahian?"

gora, "meri marzi nahian hai."

hath nachakar mahim ne kaha, "vah! yah ek naya phasad kh da hua. tumhari marzi nahian hai! vajah kya hai, zara sunooan?"

gora, "maianne achchhi tarah samajh liya hai ki vinay ke lie hamare samaj mean bane rahana mushkil hoga. usake sath hamare ghar ki l daki ka vivah nahian ho sakata."

mahim, "maianne bahut hiandoopana dekha hai, lekin aisa to kabhi nahian dekha! tum to kashi-bhatapa da se bhi age badh ge! tum to bhavishy dekhakar vidhan dete ho! kisi din mujhe bhi kahoge, sapane mean dekha ki tum khristan ho ge ho, gobar khakar phir jat mean ana hoga!"

kafi bak-bak kar lene ke bad mahim ne phir kaha, "l daki ko kisi moorkh ke gale to baandh nahian sakata. aur jo padha-likha l daka hoga, samajhadar hoga, to bich-bich mean shastr ka ullanghan karega hi. isake lie usamean bahas karo, use gali do; kiantu byah rokakar bich mean meri l daki ko saza kyoan dete ho? tum har bat ulati hi sochate ho!"

mahim ne niche utarakar anandamee se kaha, "maan, apane gora ko tum sanbhalo!"

ghabarakar anandamee ne poochha, "kya hua?"

mahim, "shashimukhi ke sath vinay ke byah ki bat ek tarah se maian pakki karake aya tha. gora ko bhi razi kar liya tha, is bich gora ne achchhi tarah samajh liya hai ki vinay mean usake jaisa hiandoopan nahian hai- manu-parashar ki ray se usaki ray kabhi tho di unnis-bis ho jati hai. isilie gora a d gaya hai-a dane par vah kaisa a data hai, yah tum janati hi ho. kaliyug ke janak ne agar pran kiya hota ki jo tedhe gora ko sidha karega usi ko sita deange, to shri ramachandr kvaanre hi rah jate, yah maian shart lagakar kah sakata hooan. manu-parashar ke bad is duniya mean vah ek tumhian ko manata hai- ab tumhian akar ubaroan to l daki ka kalyan ho sakata hai. dhooandhane par bhi aisa patr nahian milega."

chhat par gora ke sath jo kuchh batachit huee thi, mahim ne usaka poora khulasa suna diya. vinay se gora ka virodh aur gahara ho gaya hai, yah janakar anandamee ka man atyanm udvign ho utha.

oopar akar anandamee ne dekha, gora chhat par tahalana chho dakar kamare mean ek kursi par ja baitha hai aur doosari kursi par pair phailakar kitab padh raha haian ek kursi pas khianchakar anandamee bhi baith geean. gora ne kursi par se pair hata lie aur sidhe baithate hue anandamee ke chehare ki or dekhane laga.

anandamee ne kaha, "beta, gora, meri ek bat yad rakhana.... vinay se jhag da mat karana! mere lie tum donoan do bhaee ho- tumhare bich phoot p d jaegi to mujhase nahian saha jaega."

gora bola, "bandhu hi agar bandhan kat dega to usake pichhe-pichhe bhagane mean mujhase samay nasht nahian kiya jaega."

anandamee ne kaha, "maian nahian janati ki tum donoan ke bich kya ghata hai. kiantu vinay tumhara bandhan katana chahata hai, is bat par tum agar vishvas karate ho to phir tumhari dosti mean kya asar hai?'

gora- "maan, mujhe sidha rasta pasand hai. jo donoan taraph banae rakhana chahate haian meri unake sath nahian nibhati. jisaka svabhav hi da navoan mean pair rakhane ka hai usako meri nav mean se pair hatana hi p dega- isamean chahe mujhe takaliph ho, chahe use takaliph ho."

anandamee, "hua kya, yah to batao? vah brahm logoan ke ghar ata-jata hai, usaka yahi aparadh hai n?"

gora, "bahut-si batean haian, maan!"

anandamee, "hua karean bahut-si batean. lekin meri ek bat suno, gora! har mamale mean tum itane jiddi ho ki jise pak date ho use tumase koee chhu da nahian sakata. phir vinay ke bare mean hi tum kyoan aise dhile ho?. tumhara avinash agar gut chho dana chahata to kya tum use sahaj hi chho d dete? vah tumhean bandhu kahata hai, kya isilie tumhare aur sab sathiyoan se vah kamatar ho gaya?"

gora chup hokar sochane laga. anandamee ki is ta dana se apane man ki sthiti usake samane saf ho gee. ab tak vah samajh raha tha ki vah kartavy ke lie dosti ka balidan karane ja raha hai, ab usane spasht dekha ki bat isase thik viparit hai. usaki dosti ke abhiman ko thes lagi hai, isalie vinay ko vah dosti ki sabase b di saza dene ko udyat hua hai! man-hi-man vah janata tha ki vinay ko baandhe rakhane ke lie mitrata hi kafi hai, aur kisi tarah ki koshish dosti ka apaman hoga.

unaki bat gora ke man ko chhoo gee hai, isaka bhan hote hi anandamee aur kuchh kahe bina uthakar dhire-dhire jane lagian. sahasa gora bhi tezise utha aur khooanti par se chadar utakar kandhe par dal di.

anandamee ne poochha, "kahian ja rahe ho, gora?"

gora ne kaha, "vinay ke ghar ja raha hooan."

anandamee, "khana taiyar hai, khakar jana."

gora, "maian vinay ko pak dakar lata hooan, vah bhi yahian khaega."

aur kuchh n kahakar anandamee niche ki or chalian. sidhi par pairoan ki dhh‍vani sunakar sahasa rukakar bolian, "vinay to vah a raha hai."

vinay ko dekhate hi anandamee ki aauankhean chhalachhala uthian. unhoanne sneh se vinay ke kandhe par hath rakhate hue kaha, "vinay beta, khana to nahian khaya tumane?"

vinay ne kaha, "nahian, maan!"

anandamee, "tumhean yahian bhojan karana hoga."

ek bar vinay ne gora ke muanh ki or dekha. gora ne kaha, "tumhari b di lanbi umr hai, vinay! maian tumhare yahaan hi ja raha tha."

anandamee ka hriday halka ho gaya; vah tezi se utar geean.

kamare mean akar donoan baithe to gora ne yoan hi vartalap shuroo karane ko kuchh bat uthate hue kaha, "janate ho, apane sathiyoan ke lie ek bahut achchha jimanastik mastar mil gaya hai. sikha bhi achchha raha hai."

man ke bhitar dabi bat samane lane ka sahas abhi kisi ko nahian tha. donoan jab khane baith ge tab unaki batachit ke dhang se anandamee jan geean ki abhi unake bich ka khianchav bilh‍kul khatm nahian hua hai-durav abhi bhi baki hai. bolian, "vinay, rat bahut ho gee hai, aj tum yahian so rahana! maian tumhare ghar soochana bhijavae deti hooan."

vinay ne chakit hokar gora ke chehare ki or dekhate hue kaha, "bhuktva rajavadachareth! kha-pikar rah chalane ka niyam nahian hai. to phir yahian soya jaega."

bhojan karake donoan mitr chhat par akar chataee bichhakar baith ge. bhadoan ja raha tha; shukl paksh ki chaandani akash mean chhitaki huee thi. halke saphed badal mano jiand ke halke jhoanke-se bich-bich mean chaand par zara ghooanghat karate dhire-dhire u de chale ja rahe the. charoan or digant tak chhoti-b di, ooanchi-nichi chhatoan ki shreni prakash-chhaya mean, aur kabhi-kabhi pe doan ke shikharoan ke sath milati huee, mano kisi kavi ki kalpana ki tarah phaili huee thi.

girajaghar ki gh di mean gyarah baje. kulphi vala apana aj ki akhiri haank lagakar chala gaya. ga diyoan ka shor dhima p d gaya. gora ki gali mean kisi ke jagane ka koee chinh nahian tha; keval p dosi ke astabal ke kath ke pharsh par gho de ki tap ka shabd kabhi-kabhi sunaee p d jata ya koee kutta bhauank uthata. bahut der tak donoan chup rahe. phir vinay ne pahale kuchh sasakuchate hue aur phir b di tezi se apane man ki bat kah dali, "bhaee gora, mera hriday bhar utha hai. maian jatana hooan ki in sab batoan ki or tumhara dhh‍yan nahian hai, kiantu tumhean kahe bina raha bhi nahian ja sakata. bhala-bura kuchh nahian samajh pa raha hooan-kiantu itana nishchay hai ki yahaan koee chalaki nahian chalegi. kitaboan mean bahut-kuchh padha hai, aur itane dinoan se yahi sochata aya hooan ki maian sab janata hooan. jaise tasviroan mean pani dekhakar sochata rahata tha ki tairana to bahut asan hai; kiantu aj pani mean utarakar palabhar mean hi pata chal gaya ki yah hansi-khel nahian hai.

yoan kahakar vinay apane jivan ke is ne ashchary ke uday ko yatnapoorvak gora ke samane prakat karane laga.

vah kahane laga- ajakal usake lie jaise din aur rat mean kahian koee doori nahian hai, sare akash mean kahian koee sooni jagah nahian hai, sab-kuchh poorn roop se bhar gaya hai- jaise vasant-rritu mean shahad ka chhatta shahad se bharakar phatane-sa lagata hai, vaise hi. pahale is charachar vishv ka bahut-sa hissa usake jivan ke bahar hi p da rahata tha- jitane se usaka matalab tha utana hi usaki nazar p data tha. kiantu aj vah poora usake samane hai, poora use sparsh karata hai, poora ek ne arth se bhar utha hai. vah nahian janata tha ki dharati ko vah itana pyar karata hai, akash aise acharaj-bhara hai, prakash aisa apoorv hota hai, s dak par aparichit yatriyoan ka ana-jana bhi is ganbhir bhav se sach hai. usaki uddam ichchha hoti hai, is sanpoornata ke lie vah kuchh udyam kare, apani sari shakti ko akash ke soory ki bhaanti vah sansar ke anavarat upayog mean laga de.

sari batean vinay kisi vishesh vyakti ke sanbandh mean kah raha hai, aisa nahian jan p data. mano vah kisi ka bhi nam zaban par nahian la sakata, koee abhas dene mean bhi sakucha jata hai. yah jo charcha vah kar raha hai, isamean bhi vah jaise apane ko kis ke prati aparadh anubhav kar raha hai. yah charcha anyay hai, yah apaman hai-kintu aj is sooni rat mean, ni:stabdh akash ke niche, bandhu ke pas baithakar is anyay se vah kisi tarah apane ko nahian rok saka.

kaisa hai yah chehara! pranoan ki dipti usake kapoloan ki komalata ke bich kitani sukumarata se chamak uthati haian! hansane par usaka aant:karan mano adbhut alok-sa phoot p data hai. lalat par kaisi budhdi jhalakati hai! aur ghani bhauanhoan ki chhaya ke niche donoan aauankhean kaisi avarnaniy! aur ve donoan hath-mano kah rahe hoan ki seva aur prem ki suandarata ko sarthak karane ke lie sada prastut haian. vinay apane jivan aur yauvan ko dhany manata hai, anand se mano usaka hriday phoola nahian sama raha hai. prithvi ke adhikatar log jise dekhe bina hi jivan bita dete haian, vinay use yoan aauankhoan ke samane moort hote dekh sakega, isase b da ashchary kya ho sakata hai?

lekin yah kaisa pagalapan hai- anuchit bat hai! hua kare anuchit- ab usase aur sanbhalata nahian. agar yahi dhara use kahian kinor laga de to thik hai; agar baha de ya duba hi de-to kya upay hai? mushkil to yahi hai ki udhdar ki ichchha bhi nahian hoti- itane dinoan ke sanskar aur paristhitiyaan sab bhulakar chalate jana hi mano jivan ka sarthak lakshy hai!

gora chupachap sunata raha. isi chhat par aisi hi nirjan chaandani rat mean aur bhi anek bar donoan mean bahut batean huee haian- sahity ki, zamane ki, samaj kalyan ki kitani charchaean, agat jivan ke bare mean donoan ke kitane sankalp, lekin aisi bat isase pahale kabhi nahian huee. manav-hriday ka itana b da saty, aisa prakash, gora ke samane is prakar kabhi nahian aya. is sare kriya kalap ko vah itane din se kavita ka khilava d kahakar usaki poornat: upeksha karata aya hai. aj use itana pas dekhakar vah usako aur asvikar n kar saka. itana hi nahian, usake veg ne gora ke man ko hila diya, usaki pulak usake sare sharir mean bijali-si lahak gee. usake yauvan ke kisi agochar aansh ka parda pal-bhar ke lie hava se u d gaya aur anek dinoan se band us sthan mean sharad rajani ki chaandani pravesh karake maya ka vistar karane lagi.

n jane kab chadrama chhatoan ke pichhe chhip gaya. phir poorv ki or soe hue shishu ki muskarahat-sa halke prakash ka abhas hua. itani der ke bad vinay ka man halka hua to ek jhijhak ne use gras liya. tho di der chup rahakar vah bola, "meri ye sab batean b di ochhi lageangi tumhean. tum shayad man-hi-man mera mazak bhi u da rahe ho. lekin kya karooan, kabhi tumase kuchh chhipaya nahian hai, aj bhi kuchh nahian chhipa raha hooan-tum samajho ya n samajho!"

gora ne kaha, "vinay, maian ye sab batean thik-thik samajhata hooan, aisa to nahian kah sakata. abhi do din pahale tak tum bhi kahaan samajhate the. aur jivan ke kam-kaj ke bich aj tak ye sab aveg aur avesh meri nazar mean b di chhoti chiz thian, isase bhi inakar nahian kar sakata. lekin isilie ye sachamuch chhoti hai aisa shayad nahian hai. inaki shakti aur ganbhirata se mera samana nahian hua, isilie ye mujhe sar-hin aur chhalana-si lagi haian. lekin tumhari itani b di upalabdhi ko maian aj jhooth kaise kah dooan? asal mean bat yah hai ki jo adami jis kshetr mean hai us kshetr ke bahar ki sachh‍chaee yadi usake nikat chhoti n bani rahe to vah kam hi nahian kar sakata. isilie niyamat: door ki chizean manushy ko chhoti nazar ati haian- sab satyoan ko eeshvar ek-sa pratyaksh karake use aphat mean nahian dalata. hamean koee ek paksh chunana hi hoga, sab-kuchh ek sath jak d lene ka lobh chho dana hi hoga, nahian to sachh‍chaee hath nahian aegi. tum jahaan kh de hokar saty ki jis moorti ko pratyaksh dekhate ho, maian vahian par usi moorti ka abhivadan karane nahian ja sakooanga- usase mere jivan ka saty nasht ho jaega. vah ya to idhar ho, ya udhar."

vinay bola, "yani-ya to vinay ho,ya gora! maian apane ko bhar lene ke lie nikala hooan, aur tum apane ko tyag dene ke lie!"

khijhakar gora ne kaha, "vinay, tum muanhazabani kitabean likhana shuroo mat karo! tumhari bat sunakar ek bat maian spasht samajh gaya hooan. apane jivan mean tum aj ek bahut prabal saty ke samane kh de ho- use tal nahian sakoge. saty ki upalabdhi ho jane se usake age atm-samarpan karana hi hoga- koee doosara marg nahian hai. jis kshetr mean maian hooan us kshetr ke saty ko maian bhi aise hi ek din pa looan, yahi meri akaanksha hai. itane dinoan tak tum kitabi-prem ka parichay pakar hi santusht the- maian bhi kitabi svadesh-prem hi janata hooan. aj tumhare samane jab prem pratyaksh hua tabhi tum jan sake ki kitabi jnan se vah kitana adhik saty hai- vah tumhare charachar jagath par chha gaya hai aur tum kahian bhi usase chhutakara nahian pa rahe ho. mere samane jis din svadesh-prem aise hi sarvaangin bhav se pratyaksh ho jaega us din mere bhi bachav ka rasta n rahega- us din vah mera dhan-jivan, mera ha d-maans-majja, mera akash-prakash, mera sab-kuchh anayas khianchakar le ja sakega svadesh ki vah saty-moorti kaisi vismay-bhari suandar, sunishchit aur sugochar hai, usaka anand aur usaki vedana kitani prachand hai, prabal hai, jo pal-bhar mean jivan-maran ko badh ki tarah baha le jati hai- yah aj tumhari bat sunakar man-hi-man tho da-tho da anubhav kar pa raha hooan. tumhare jivan ki yah upalabdhi aj mere jivan ko lalakar rahi hai- tumane jo paya hai maian use kabhi samajh sakooanga ya nahian yah to nahian janata; kitu maian jo pana chahata hooan mano usaka asvad tumhari marphat tho da-tho da pa sakata hooan.

kahate-kahate chataee chho d gora uthakar kh da hua aur chhat par tahalane laga. poorv mean usha ka abhas mano use ek ved vaky-sa laga; mano prachin tapovan se ek ved-mantr uchcharit ho utha. usaka sharir romaanchit ho aya- kshan-bhar vah mugdh-sa kh da raha aur use laga ki usaka brahm-randhr bhedakar ek jyoti sookshm mrinal-tantu ke sahare uthakar ek jyotirmay shatadal-si sare akash mean vyapt hokar khil uthi hai- usake pran, chetana, shakti mano poornat: ek param anand mean ja mili hai.

jab gora apane-ap mean laut aya tab sahasa bola, "vinay, tumhean is prem ko bhi par karake ana hoga- maian kahata hooan, vahian ruk jane se nahian chalega. mera ahnan jis mahashakti ne kiya hai, vah jitana b da saty hai, yah maian ek din tumhean dikhaooga. aj mera man bhari anand se poorit hai- ab maian tumhean aur kisi ke hathoan mean nahian chho d sakooanga."

chataee chho dakar vinay uth gaya aur gora ke pas ja kh da hua. gora ne ek apoorv utsah se use donoan baanhoan mean gherakar gale lagate hue kaha, "bhaee vinay, ham mareange to ek hi maut mareange- ham donoan ek haian, koee hamean alag nahian kar sakega, koee baandh nahian sakega."

gora ke is gahan utsah ka veg vinay ke hriday ko bhi tarangit karane laga; usane kuchh kahe bina apane ko gora ke is utsah ke prati sauanp diya.

gora aur vinay donoan chupachap sath-sath tahalane lage. poorv ka akash lal ho utha. gora ne kaha, "bhaee, apani devi ko maian dekhata hooan to sauandary ke bich nahian, vahaan to akal hai, daridray hai, du:kh aur apaman hai. vahaan prarthana gakar, phool chadhakar pooja nahian hoti; vahaan prerana dekar, lahoo bahakar pooja karani hogi. mujhe to sabase b da anand yahi jan p data hai ki vahaan sukh mean magan hone ko kuchh nahian hai, vahaan apane hi sahare poori tarah jagrat rahana hoga, sab-kuchh dena hoga. vahaan madhurata nahian hai- vah ek durjay, dussah avirbhav hai-nishthur hai, bhayankar hai- usamean ek aisi jhankar hai jisamean satoan svar ek sath baj uthane se tar hi toot jate haian! usake smaran se hi mera man ullas se bhar uthata hai. mujhe jan p data hai ki yahi hai purush ka anand- yahi hai jivan ka taandav nrity! purane ke dhh‍vans-yajn ki agni-shikha ke oopar ne ki suandar moorti dekhane ke lie hi purush ki sadhana hai. maian lal prakash mean ek bandhan-mukt jyotirmay bhavishy ko dekh pata hooan- ah ke is moh mean bhi dekh raha hooan- dekho, mere hriday ke bhitar kaun damaroo baja raha hai!"

vinay ne kaha, "bhaee gora, maian tumhare sath hi rahooanga. kiantu tumase itana kahata hooan, mujhe kabhi duvidha mean mat rahane dena! ekadam bhagy ki tarah kathor hokar mujhe khianche lie jana. ham donoan ka rasta ek hai, leankin donoan ki shakti to barabar nahian hai."

gora ne kaha, "hamari prakritiyaan alag-alag haian. lekin ek bahut gahara anand hamari bhinn prakritiyoan ko ek kar dega- jo prem tumhare-mere bich hai usase bhi b da prem hamean ek kar dega. jab tak vah prem pratyaksh nahian hoga tab tak ham donoan ke bich pag-pag par takarahat, virodh, alagav hota rahega- phir ek din ham sab-kuchh bhoolakar, apana alagav, apana bandhutv bhi bhoolakar, ek bahut vishal, prachand atm-parihas ke dvara, atal shakti ke dvara ek ho jaeange-vah kathin anand hi hamare bandhutv ki charam upalabdhi hoga."

gora ka hath pak date hue vinay bola, "aisa hi ho!"

gora ne kaha, "lekin tab tak tumhean maian bahut du:kh deta rahooan. mere atyachar tumhean sahane hoange, kyoanki apane bandhutv ko hi maian jivan ka aantim uddeshy nahian man sakooanga- kisi bhi tarah usi ko bachate rahane ki koshish karake usaka apaman nahian karooanga. isase agar dosti toot jae tab to koee upay nahian hai, lekin gar rahe tabhi usaki sarthakata hai."

isi samay pairoan ki avaz sunakar chauankakar donoan ne pichhe mu dakar dekha anandamee chhat par a rahi thi. unhoanne donoan ke hath pak dakar khianchakar unhean niche le jate hue kaha, "chalo, jakar soo!"

donoan ne kaha, "ab kya niand aegi, maan!"

"aegi", kahakar anandamee ne donoan ko bistar par pas-pas lita diya aur kamare ka daravaza udhakakar sirahane baithakar pankha jhalane lagian.

vinay ne kaha, "maan, tumhare pankha jhelate rahane se to hamean niand nahian aegi."

anandamee boli, "kaise nahian aegi, dekhooangi! maian chali gee to tum log phir bahas karane lagoge- vah nahian hone ka."

donoan ke so jane par chupake se anandamee kamare ke bahar chali geean. unhoanne sidhiyaan utarate hue dekha, mahim oopar ja raha hai. unhoanne kaha, "abhi nahian- sari rat ve log soe nahian. maian abhi-abhi unhean sulakar a rahi hooan."

mahim ne kaha, "vah re, isi ko kahate haian dosti! byah ki koee bat huee thi ya nahian, tumhean kuchh pata hai?"

anandamee, "pata nahian."

mahim, "jan p data hai, kuchh-n-kuchh tay ho gaya hai. unaki niand kab tootegi? byah jaldi n hua to kee mushkilean a kh di hoangi."

hansakar anandamee ne kaha, "unake so jane se aisi koee b di mushkil nahian hogi- ve log aj hi kisi samay jag jaeange."

varadasuandari ne pareshababoo se poochha, "tum sucharita ka byah nahian karoge?"

tho di der pareshababoo apane svabhavik shaant ganbhir bhav se dadhi sahalate rahe, phir mridu svar mean bole, "patr kahaan hai?"

varadasuandari bolian, "kyoan, panoo baboo ke sath usake vivah ki bat to tay ho hi chuki hai- kam se kam ham log to yahi samajhate haian, sucharita bhi yahi samajhati hai."

pareshababoo bole, "mujhe to aisa nahian lagata ki radharani ko panoo baboo thik pasand hi haian."

varadasuandari- "dekho, yahi sab mujhe achchha nahian lagata. sucharita ko kabhi maianne apani l dakiyoan se alag nahian mana; lekin isilie hi yah bhi kahana hoga ki usamean aisi kya asadharan bat hai? panoo baboo jaise vidvanh dharmik adami ko vah agar pasand hai to yah kya yoan hi u da dene ki bat hai? tum jo kaho, meri lavany dekhane mean usase kahian suandar hai, lekin maian tumase kahe deti hooan, jise bhi ham pasand kar deange, vah usase byah kar legi, kabhi 'na' nahian karegi. tumhian sucharita ko agar aise sir chadhakar rakhoge to usake lie patr milana mushkil ho jaega.

is par pareshababoo ne aur kuchh nahian kaha. vah varadasuandari ke sath kabhi bahas nahian karate, khasakar sucharita ke sanbandh mean.

satish ko janm dekar jab sucharita ki maan ki mrityu huee tab sucharita sat baras ki thi. usake pita ramasharan haladar ne patni ki mrityu ke bad brahm-samaj apanaya aur p dosiyoan ke atyachar ke karan gaanv chho dakar dhaka mean a base. vahian post-aauphis ki naukari karate pareshababoo ke sath unaki ghanishthata ho gee. tabhi se sucharita pareshababoo ko thik apane pita ke saman manati hai.

ramasharan ki mrityu achanak ho gee. apani vasiyat mean apana sab rupaya-paisa l dake aur l daki ke nam karake vah unaki dekh-bhal pareshababoo ko sauanp ge. satish aur sucharita tabhi se pareshababoo ke parivar ke ho ge.

ghar ya bahar ke bhi log sucharita ke prati jab vishesh sneh ya dilachaspi dikhate to varadasuandari ko thik n lagata. phir bhi chahe jis karan ho, sucharita sabhi se sneh aur samman pati. varadasuandari ki apani l dakiyaan bhi usake sneh ke lie apas mean jhag dati rahatian. visheshakar manjhali l daki lalita to apane eershya-poshit sneh se sucharita ko mano din-rat jak dakar baandhe rakhana chahati thi.

padhane-likhane mean unaki l dakiyaan us zamane ki sab vidushiyoan se age nikal jaean, varadasuandari ki yahi kamana thi. unaki l dakiyoan ke sath-sath b di hoti huee sucharita bhi un-sa hi kaushal prapt kar le, yah bat unake lie sukhakar nahian thi. isilie sucharita ke skool jane ke samay tarah-tarah ke vighn kh de hote hi rahate haian.

in sab vighnoan ke karan ko samajhate hue pareshababoo ne sucharita ka skool chhu da diya aur svayan padhana aranbh kar diya. itana hi nahian, sucharita mano vishesh roop se unhian ki sangini ho gee. vah usake sath anek vishayoan par batachit karate, jahaan jate use sath le jate, jab kahian door rahane ko majaboor hote tab chitthiyoan mean anek prasang uthakar unaki vistrit charcha kiya karate. isi jnan ke aran sucharita ka man usaki umr aur avastha se kahian age badh gaya tha. usake chahere par aur acharan mean jo ek saumy ganbhirata a gee thi, use dekhakar koee use balika nahian samajh sakata tha; aur lavany umr mean usake lagabhag barabar hone par bhi har bat mean sucharita ko apane se b da manati thi. yahaan tak ki varadasuandari bhi chahane par bhi kisi tarah usaki avajna nahian kar sakati thian.

pathak yah to jan hi chuke haian ki haranababoo b de utsahi brahm the. brahm samaj ke sabhi kamoan mean unaka sahayog tha- ratri-pathashala mean vah shikshak the, patr ke sanpadak the, stri-vidyalay ke sekretari the- vah mano kam se thakate hi n the. ek din yah yuvak brahm-samaj mean bahut ooancha sthan paega, isaka sabhi ko vishvas tha. vishesh roop se aangreji bhasha par unake adhikar aur darshan-shastr mean unaki gahari paith ki khyati vidyalay ke chhatroan ke dvara brahm-samaj ke bahar bhi phail gee thi.

inhian sab karanoan se sucharita bhi doosare brahm logoan ki tarah haranababoo ko vishesh shradhda se dekhati thi. dhaka se kalakatta ate samay haranababoo se parichay ke lie usake man mean vishesh utsukata bhi thi.

aant mean inhian suprasidhd haranababoo ke sath sucharita ka n keval parichay hua, balki tho de dinoan mean hi sucharita ke prati apane hriday ke akarshan ko prakat karane mean bhi haranababoo ko sankoch n hua. unhoanne spasht roop se sucharita ke samane pranay-nivedan kiya ho aisi bat nahian thi; kiantu sucharita ki sab prakar ki apoornata poori karane, usaki kamiyoan ka sanshodhan karake usaka utsah badhane, aur usaki unnati ke sadhan jutane ka kam vah aise manoyog se karane lage ki sabhi ne yah samajh liya ki vah vishesh roop se is kanya ko apane lie upayukt sangini ke roop mean taiyar karana chahate haian

is bat se haranababoo ke prati varadasuandari ki pahale ki shradhda khatm ho gee. vah unhean mamooli skool-mastar manakar unaki avajna karane ki koshish karane lagi.

jab sucharita ne bhi yah jan liya ki vikhyat haranababoo ke chitt par usane vijay paee hai, tab use man-hi-man bhakti-mishrit garv ka anubhav hua.

pradhan paksh ki or se koee prastav n ane par bhi sabane jab yah tay kar liya ki haranababoo ke sath hi sucharita ka vivah thik ho gaya hai, tab man-hi-man sucharita ne bhi hami bhar di thi; aur haranababoo ne brahm-samaj ke jan hitoan ke lie apana jivan utsarg kiya hai, unake upayukt hone ke lie use kaise jnan aur sadhana ki avashyakata hogi, usake lie yah vishesh utsukata ka vishay ho gaya tha. vah kisi manushy se vivah karane ja rahi hai, isaka hriday se usane anubhav nahian kiya- mano vah samooche brahm-samaj ke mahanh mangal se hi vivah karane ja rahi ho, aur bahut-se granth padhakar mangal vidvanh ho gaya ho tatha tatv-jnan ke karan bahut ganbhir bhi. vivah ki kalpana usake lie mano bahut b di zimmedari ki ghabarahat ke karan racha hua ek patthar ka kila ho gee. keval sukh se rahane ke lie vah kila nahian hai balki yuddh karane ke lie hai- parivarik nahian, aitihasik hai.

aisi sthiti mean hi vivah ho jata to kam-se-kam kanya-paksh ke sabhi log hamean bahut b da saubhagy manakar hi grahan karate. kiantu haranababoo jivan ke apane hi banae hue mahanh uttaradayitv ko itana b da karake dekhate the ki keval achchha lagane ke karan akarshit hokar vivah karane ko ve apane lie yogy nahian manate the. brahm-samaj ko is vivah ke dvara kahaan tak labh hoga, is par poora vichar kie bina vah is or pravritt nahian ho sakate the. isilie unhoanne isi nazarie se sucharita ki pariksha leni aranbh kar di.

is prakar pariksha deni aranbh kar di. haranababoo pareshababoo ke ghar mean sabake suparichit ho ge. unake apane ghar ke log unhean panoo baboo kahakar pukarate haian, isalie is ghar mean bhi unaka vahi nam chalane laga. ab unhean keval aangreji vidya ke bhandar, tatv-jnan ke adhar, aur brahm-samaj ke mangal ke avatar ke hi roop mean dekhana kafi n raha-vah manushy bhi hai yahi parichay sabase nikatatam parichay ho gaya. is tarah vah keval shradhda aur samman ke adhikari n rahakar achchha aur bura lagane ke niyam ke adhin ho ge.

vismay ki bat yah thi ki pahale door se haranababoo ki jo pravritti sucharita ki shradhda pati thi, nikat ane par vahi ab use akharane lagi. brahm-samaj mean jo kuchh saty, mangal aur suandar hai, haranababoo dvara us sabaka mano palak banakar usaki raksha ka bhar lene par use bahut hi chhote jan p de. manushy ka saty ke sath sanbandh bhakti ka sanbandh hai- vah bhakti svabhavataya manushy ko vinayashil bana deti hai. aisa n hone par vah sanbandh jahaan manushy ko udhdat aur ahankari banata hai, vahaan manushy us saty ki tulana mean apane ochhepan ko bahut spasht prakashit kar deta hai. sucharita is mamale mean man-hi-man pareshababoo aur haran ke aantar ki samiksha kie bina n rah saki. brahm-samaj se jo kuchh pareshababoo ne paya hai usake sammukh vah mano sada nat-mastak hai, vah use lekar zara bhi pragalbh nahian hote, usaki gaharaee mean unhoanne apane jivan ko duba diya hai. pareshababoo ki shaant mukh-chhavi dekhane par, jis saty ko hriday mean vah dharana kie haian usi ki mahatta aauankhoan ke samane ati hai. haranababoo kiantu vaise haian, unamean brahmatv nam ka ek tivr atm-prakash baki sab-kuchh ke oopar chha jata hai aur unaki pratyek bat tatha unake pratyek kam mean ashobhan dhang se prakat ho jata haian isase sanpraday mean unaka samman badha tha; kiantu pareshababoo ki shiksha ke prabhav se sucharita sampradayik sankirnata mean nahian bandh saki thi, isalie haranababoo ki yah ekaki brahmikata usaki svabhavik manavata ko thes pahuanchati thi. haranababoo samajhate the dharm-sadhana ke karan unaki drishti itani svachchh v tez ho gee hai ki‍ doosare sab logoan ka bhala-bura aur jhooth-sach vah sahaj hi samajh sakate haian. isilie vah sada har kisi ka vichar karane ko taiyar rahate. vishee log par nianda aur nuktachini karate rahate haian; lekin jo dharmik bhasha mean yah kam karate haian unaki is nianda ke sath ek tarah ka adhh‍yatmik ahankar bhi mila rahata hai jo sansar mean bahut b da upadrav paida kar deta hai. us bhav ko sucharita bilh‍kul nahian sah sakati thi. usake man mean brahm-sanpraday ke bare mean koee garv n ho aisa nahian tha; kiantu brahm-samaj mean jo b de log haian ve brahm hone ke karan hi ek vishesh shakti pakar b de bane haian, ya ki brahm-samaj ke bahar jo charitr-bhrasht log haian ve brahm n hone ke karan hi vishesh roop se shaktihin hokar big d ge haian, is bat ko lekar haranababoo se sucharita ki kee bar bahas ho jati thi.

brahm-samaj ke mangal ki a d lekar vichar karane baithakar haranababoo jab pareshababoo ko bhi aparadhi thaharane se nahian chookate the tab sucharita mano ahat nagin-si tilamila uthati thi. bangal mean un dinoan aangreji padhe-likhe logoan mean bhagavadgita ko lekar batachit nahian hoti thi, lekin pareshababoo sucharita ke sath kabhi-kabhi gita padhate the, kalisianh ka mahabharat bhi unhoanne sucharita ko lagabhag poora padhakar sunaya tha. haranababoo ko yah achchha nahian laga. in sab granthoan ko vah brahm-gharoan se door dene ke pakshapati the. unhoanne svayan bhi ye sab nahian padhe the. ramayan, mahabharat, bhagavadgita ko vah hianduoan ki kitabean kahakar door rakhana chahate the. dharm-shastroan mean ek matr baibal hi unaka many granth tha. pareshababoo apani shastr-charcha mean evan chhoti-moti anek batoan mean brahm-abrahm ki sima ki raksha karate hue nahian chalate, yah bat haran ke man mean kaantean-si chubhati thi. pareshababoo ke acharan ke bare mean prakat ya man-hi-man koee kisi tarah ka dosharopan karane ka sahas kare, sucharita yah nahian sah sakati thi. haranababoo ka aisa du:sahas prakat ho jane ke karan hi vah sucharita ki nazaroan mean gir ge the.

anek aise hi karanoan se pareshababoo ke ghar mean haranababoo ka man din-pratidin ghatata gaya tha. varadasuandari bhi brahm-abrahm ka bhed nibahane mean yadyapi haranababoo se kisi mayane mean kam utsahi n thi, aur unhean bhi anek samay pati ke acharan ke karan lajja ka bodh hota tha, phir bhi haranababoo ko vah adarsh-purush nahian manati thian. haranababoo ke hazaroan dosh unaki nazaroan mean rahate the.

haranababoo ke sampradayik utsah ke atyachar aur niras sankirnata se bhitar-hi-bhitar sucharita ka man pratidin unase vimukh hota jata tha, phir bhi usaka vivah haranababoo se hi hoga, is sanbandh mean kisi paksh ke man mean koee vighn ya sandeh nahian tha. dharm samaj ki dukan mean jo vyakti apane oopar b de-b de aksharoan mean bahut ooanche dam ka lebil lagae rahata hai, dhire-dhire any log bhi usaka mahooangapan svikar kar lete haian. isalie n to svayan haranababoo ke, n aur kisi ke man mean is bare mean koee shanka thi ki apane mahanh sankalp ke anusar chalate hue achchhi tarah pariksha karake sucharita ko pasand kar lene par haranababoo ke nishchay ko sabhi log sir-aauankhoan par nahian leange. aur to aur, pareshababoo ne bhi haranababoo ke dave ko apane man mean agrahy nahian mana tha. sabhi log haranababoo ko brahm-samaj ka bhavi netritv manate the; vah bhi isake virudhd n sochakar hami bhar dete the. isilie unake lie bhi vicharaniy bat yahi thi ki haranababoo jaise adami ke lie sucharita upayukt hogi ya nahian; sucharita ke lie haranababoo kahaan tak upayukt hoange, yah unhoanne bhi nahian socha tha.

is vivah ke silasile mean aur kisi ne jaise sucharita ki bat sochana zaroori nahian samajha, vaise hi apani bat sucharita ne bhi nahian sochi. brahm-samaj ke aur sab logoan ki tarah usane bhi soch liya tha ki haranababoo jis din kaheange, "maian is kanya ko grahan karane ko taiyar hooan", vah usi din is vivah ke roop mean apane mahanh kartavy ko svikar kar legi.

sab aise hi chalata ja raha tha. isi madhh‍y us din gora ko upalakshy karake haranababoo ke sath sucharita ka do-char k di batoan ka jo adan-pradan ho gaya, usaka sur samajhakar pareshababoo ke man mean shanka uthi ki sucharita shayad haranababoo par yathesht shradhda nahian karati, ya shayad donoan ke svabhav mean mel n hone ke karan aisa hai. isilie jab varadasuandari vivah ke lie zor de rahi thian tab pareshababoo pahale ki tarah hami nahian bhar sake. usi din varadasuandari ne akele mean sucharita ko bulakar kaha, "tumane to apane pita ko soch mean dal diya hai."

sunakar sucharita chauank uthi. bhool se bhi vah pareshababoo ke du:kh ka karan o, isase adhik kasht ki bat usake lie aur nahian ho sakati. usaka chehara phika p d gaya. usane poochha, "kyoan, maianne kya kiya hai?"

varadasuandari, "maian kya janooan, beti! unhean lagata hai, panoo baboo tumhean pasand nahian hai. brahm-samaj ke sabhi log log janate haian ki panoo baboo ke sath tumhara vivah ek tarah se pakka ho chuka hai- aisi halat mean agar tum.... "

sucharita, "lekin maan, is bare mean maianne to kisi se koee bat hi nahian ki?"

sucharita ka ashchary karana svabhavik hi tha. vah haranababoo ke vyavahar se kee bar krodhit avashy huee hai; kiantu vivah-prastav ke virudhd usane kabhi man-hi-man bhi kuchh nahian socha. is vivah se vah sukhi hogi ya du:khi hogi, usake man mean yah saval bhi kabhi nahian utha, kyoanki vah yahi janati thi ki sukh-du:kh ki drishti se is vivah par vichar nahian kiya ja sakata.

tab use dhh‍yan aya, pareshababoo ke samane hi us din usane panoo baboo ke prati apani virakti prakat ki thi. isi se ve udvign hue haian- yah sochakar use du:kh hua. aisa asanyam usase pahale to kabhi nahian hua tha. usane man-hi-man tay kiya ki ab phir aisi bhool kabhi n hogi.

udhar usi din haranababoo bhi kuchh der bad phir a pahuanche. unaka man bhi chanchal ho utha tha. itane din se unaka vishvas tha ki man-hi-man sucharita unaki pooja karati hai, aur is pooja ka arghy aur bhi sanpoornata se unako milata agar aandh-sanskar ke karan boodhe pareshababoo ke prati sucharita ki aandh-bhakti n hoti. pareshababoo ke jivan mean anak kamiyaan dikhane par bhi sucharita mano unhean devata hi samajhati hai, is par man-hi-man haranababoo ko hansi bhi ati thi tatha khijh bhi hoti thi; phir bhi unhean asha thi ki yatha samay mauqa pakar vah is atyadhik bhakti ko thik rah par dal sakeange.

jo ho, jab tak haranababoo apane ko sucharita ki bhakti ka patr samajhate rahe tab tak usake chhote-chhote kamoan aur acharan ki bhi keval samalochan karate rahe aur sada use upadesh dekar apane dhang se gadhane ki koshish karate rahe- vivah ke bare mean koee saf bat unhoanne nahian ki. us din sucharita ki do-ek batean sunakar sahasa jab unaki samajh mean a gaya ki vah un par vichar bhi karane lagi hai, tab se unake lie apana avichal gaanbhiry aur sthirata banae rakhana doobhar ho gaya. idhar sucharita se do-ek bar jo unaki bheant huee hai usamean vah pahale ki tarah apane gaurav ko svayan anubhav ya prakashit nahian kar sake haian, balki sucharita ke sath unaki batachit aur vyavahar mean kuchh jhag de ka-sa bhav dikh p data raha hai. ise lekar vah akaran hi, ya chhote-chhote karan dhooandhakar nuktachini karate rahe haian. is mamale mean bhi sucharita ki avichal udasinata se man-hi-man unhean har manani p dati hai, aur ghar lautakar apani man-hani par vah pachhatate rahe haian.

jo ho, sucharita ki shradhdahinata ke do-ek prakat lakshan dekhakar haranababoo ke lie ab bahut samay sthir hokar usake parikshak ke asan par baithe rahana mushkil ho gaya. isase pahale pareshababoo ke ghar vah yoan bar-bar nahian ate-jate the. koee yah n samajhe ki sucharita ke prem mean vah chanchal ho uthe haian, is ashanka se vah saptah mean keval ek bar ate the aur apani garima mean aise mandit rahate the mano sucharita unaki chhatr ho. lekin idhar kuchh din se n jane kya hua hai ki koee bhi chhota-mota bahana lekar haranababoo din mean ek se adhik bar bhi ae haian, aur usase bhi chhota bahana dhooandhakar sucharita ke qarib akar batean karane ki cheshta karate rahe haian. isase pareshababoo ko bhi donoan achchhi tarah paryavekshan karane ka avasar mil gaya hai, aur isase unaka sandeh kramash: dridh hi hota gaya hai.

aj haranababoo ke ate hi unhean alag bulakar varadasuandari ne poochha, "achchha panoo baboo, sabhi log kahate haian ki hamari sucharita se ap vivah kareange lekin apake muanh se hamane to kabhi koee bat nahian suni. sachamuch agar apaka aisa abhipray ho to ap saph-saph kah kyoan nahian dete?"

ab haranababoo aur der nahian kar sake. ab sucharita ko vah kisi tarah bandhan mean kar lean tabhi nishchiant hoange- unake prati usaki bhakti ki, aur brahm-samaj ke hit ke lie usaki yogyata ki pariksha phir kabhi ki ja sakegi. varadasuandari se unhoanne kaha, "kahane ko anavashyak manakar hi maianne nahian kaha. sucharita ke atharah varsh poore hone ki hi iantazar kar raha tha."

varadasuandari bolian, "ap to zaroorat se zyada sochate haian. ham log to chaudah varsh ki umr vivah ke lie kafi samajhate haian."

us din pareshababoo chay ke samast sucharita ka vyavahar dekhakar chakit rah ge. bahut dinoan se sucharita ke haranababoo ke lie itana jatan aur agrah nahian dikhaya tha. yahaan tak ki vah jab jane ko uthe tab lavany ki shilpakari ka ek naya namoona dikhane ki bat kahakar sucharita ne unase aur kuchh der baithane ka anarodh kiya.

pareshababoo nishchiant ho ge. unhoanne man liya ki unase samajhane mean bhool huee thi. balki man-hi-man vah tho da hanse bhi. unhoanne socha ki donoan mean koee halka-phulka pranay-kalah hua tha aur ab phir se sulah ho gee hai.

vida hote samay us din haranababoo ne pareshababoo ke sammukh vivah ka prastav rakh diya. unhoanne yah bhi jata diya ki is sanbandh mean aur der karane ki unaki mansha nahian hai.

kuchh acharaj karate hue pareshababoo ne kaha, "lekin apaka to mat hai ki atharah varsh se kam umr ki l daki ka vivah karana anuchit hai? balki apane to akhabaroan mean bhi aisa likha hai."

haranababoo bole, "sucharita ke bare mean vah shart lagoo nahian hoti. kyoanki jaisa usaka man vikasit hai vaisa usase kahian adhik umr ki l dakiyoan mean bhi nahian paya jata."

shaant dridhata ke sath pareshababoo ne kaha, "vah hoga, panoo baboo! lekin jab koee hani nahian dikh p dati tab apake man ke anusar radharani ki umr poori hone tak pratiksha karana hi pratham kartavy hai.

apani durbalata se sakshat ho jane par lajjit haranababoo ne kaha, "vah avashy hi kartavy hai. meri itani ichchha hai ki ek din sabako bulakar bhagavan ka nam lekar sanbandh pakka kar diya jay."

pareshababoo ne kaha, "yah to bahut achchha prastav hai."