गोरा उपन्यास भाग-6

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

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gora ne do-tin ghante ki niand ke bad jagakar dekha ki vinay pas hi soya hua hai, dekhakar usaka hriday anand se bhar utha. koee priy vastu sapane mean khokar, jagakar yah dekhe ki vah vastu khoee nahian hai, tab man ko jaisa santosh hota hai vaisa hi gora ko hua. gora ka zivan vinay ko chho d dene se kitana adhoora ho jata, vinay ko pas hi dekhakar aj usane is bat ka anubhav kiya. isi anand ki lahar mean gora ne vinay ko usaka sir hilakar jaga diya aur kaha, "chalo, ek kam hai."

gora ka roj sabere ka ek niyamabadhd kam tha. p dos ke nimn shreni ke logoan ke ghar vah jata tha. usaki madad karane ya unhean upadesh dene ke lie nahian, sirph unhean dekhane hi jata tha. padhe-likhe any logoan ke sath unaka aisa mel-jol qatee nahian tha. gora ko ve log 'dada thakur' kahate the aur kau diyaan-lage hukke se usaka svagat karate the. keval in logoan ka atithy svikar karane ke lie hi gora ne jabardasti tambakoo pina shuroo kar diya tha.

nand in logoan mean gora ka khas bhakt tha. badhee ka l daka tha nand, umr lagabhag baees. bap ki dukan mean vah lak di ke baks taiyar kiya karata tha. maidan mean shikar khelane valoan mean nand ke barabar bandook ka nishana sadhane vala koee nahian tha. kriket ke khel mean geand pheankane mean bhi vah sabase avval tha.

apani shikar aur kriket ki toliyoan mean gora ne bhadr gharoan ke vidyarthiyoan ke sath in sab badhee-luhar l dako ko bhi mila liya tha. is mile-jule gut mean nand sab tarah ke kheloan aur kasarat mean sabase age tha. bhadr vidyarthiyoan mean koee koee usase eershya bhi karate the, par gora ke shasan mean sabhi ko use saradar manane ko badhh‍y hona p data tha.

kudal lagane se pair kat jane ke karan yahi nand pichhale kuchh din se khel ke maidan mean nahian a raha tha. un dinoan gora vinay ki bat ko lekar bechain tha, isalie vah nand ke ghar nahian ja saka tha. kiantu aj sabere hi vah vinay ko sath lekar badhee-tole mean ja pahuancha.

nand mar gaya! aisi shakti, aisa tej, aisa svasthy, karmath, itani kam umr-aur aisa nand aj sabere mar gaya. gora apane sare sharir ko k da karake kisi tarah sanbhalakar kh da rah saka. nand ek mamooli badhee ka l daka tha- usake n rahane se sansar ki raphtar mean kshan-bhar ki jo badha p degi use bahut tho de hi log dekh sakeange- lekin aj gora ko nand ki mrityu asahaniy roop se asamay aur asanbhav jan p d rahi thi. gora ne to dekha tha ki usamean kitana atmabal hai- itane aur log jite haian lekin us-jaisa pranavan to koee nahian dikhata.

kaise mrityu huee, yah poochhane par maloom hua ki use dhanushtankar ho gaya tha. nand ke bap ne d aauktar ko bulana chaha tha, kiantu nand ki maan ne zor dekar kaha tha ki usake l dake ko bhoot lag gaya hai. ojha sari rat mantr padhakar aur marakar use jha date rahe. behosh hone se pahale nand ne gora ko khabar dene ka anurodh kiya tha, lekin gora akar kahian d aauktari ilaj ke lie zid n karane lage, is bhay se kisi ko nand ki maan ne gora tak khabar pahuanchane jane nahian diya.

vinay ne vahaan se lautate samay kaha, "kaisi ajnanata hai! aur usaki kaisi bhayanak saja!"

gora ne kaha, "is ajnan ko ek taraph karake aur svayan ko isase bahar manakar apane ko tasalli mat do, vinay! yah ajnanata kitani b di hai, aur usaki saza bhi kitani bhishan hai, yah agar tum saph-saph dekh sakate to aise akshep ka ek vaky kahakar palla jha d sare mamale se tatasth ho jane ki cheshta n karate!"

man ke aveg ke sath kramash: gora ke qadam bhi tez hote ge. vinay usaki bat ka koee uttar n dekar usake barabar qadam rakhata hua sath chalane ki koshish mean lag gaya.

gora kahata raha, "sari jati ne aandhata ke hathoan apani akl bech di hai. devata, bhoot-pret, ulloo, chhiank, brihaspativar, billi-kis-kisaka dar hai, isaka koee aant nahian haian saty ke sath jagath mean kaise mardanagi se joojhana hota hai, yah ye log kaise janeange? aur ham-tum jaise samajh lete haian ki ham logoan ne do-char panne vijnan padh liya hai isalie ham inake gut mean nahian hai. lekin yah nishchit janoan, charoan or phaili huee hinata ki jak d se tho de-se log kitabi vidya ke sahare kabhi apane ko bachakar nahian rah sakate. ye log jab tak duniya ke chalane ke niyam ke adhipaty mean vishvas nahian kareange, jab tak log mithyachar mean jak de raheange, tab tak hamare shikshit log bhi isake prabhav se bach nahian sakate."

vinay ne kaha, "shikshit log yadi bach bhi jaeange to kya! shikshit haian hi kitane? padhe-likhoan ko unnat karane ke lie hi doosaroan ko unnat hona hoga, aisi bat nahian haian balki doosaroan ko unnat karane mean hi padhe-likhoan ki shiksha ka sadupayog hai."

vinay ka hath pak dakar gora ne kaha, "thik yahi bat to maian kahana chahata hooan. lekin tum log apani bhadrata aur shiksha ke abhiman mean sadharan logoan se alag hokar maje mean nishchiant ho sakate ho, yah maianne aksar dekha hai; isilie tumhean maian savadhan kar dena chahata hooan ki niche ke logoan ka nistar kie bina yatharth mean tumhara nistar kabhi nahian hoga. nav ke tal mean chhed ho to nav ka mastool kabhi ak dakar nahian chal sakata, chahe vah kitana hi ooancha kyoan n ho."

niruttar hokar vinay gora ke sath chalata raha.

gora tho di der chup rahakar phir bol utha, "nahian vinay, ise maian kisi tarah sahaj bhav se bardasht nahian kar kar sakata! jo ojha akar mere nand ko mar gaya hai, usaki mar mujh par p d rahi hai, sare desh par p d rahi hai. in sab batoan ko maian alag-alag, chhoti-chhoti ghatanaoan ke roop mean kisi tarah nahian dekh pata."

phir bhi vinay ko niruttar dekhakar gora bh dak utha, "vinay, maian yah khoob samajhata hooan ki man-hi-man tum kya sochate ho. tum sochate ho, yah jo sab aandhavishvas aur jhooth bharatavarsh ki chhati par savar hai, isaka bojh himalay ke bojh ki tarah adig hai, ise kaun saraka sakata hai, lekin maian aise nahian sochata, sochata to bachata nahian. jo kuchh bhi hamare desh ko chot pahuanchata hai usaka pratikar zaroor hai, phir vah chahe kitani hi prabal kyoan n ho. aur pratikar ekamatr hamare hi hath mean hai, aisa mera atal vishvas hai; tabhi maian charoan or phaile is du:kh-apaman-durgati ko sah sakata hooan."

vinay ne kaha, "desh-vyapi itani b di durgati ke samane apane vishvas ko dridh rakhane ka mujhe to sahas hi nahian hota."

gora ne kaha, "aandhera vistrit hota hai aur die ki shikha chhoti. par itane b de aandhakar ke bajay itani chhoti-si shikha par hi maian adhik astha rakhata hooan. durgati chirasthaee ho sakati hai, kisi tarah bhi yah bat maian nahian man sakata. sare vishv ki jnan-shakti, pran-shakti us par bhitar aur bahar se barabar chot kar rahi hai. ham log chhote hi kyoan n hoan, usi jnan aur pran ke gut mean ja shamil hoge. vahaan kh de-kh de yadi mar bhi jaean to man mean yah nishchay janakar marean ki hamare gut ki jit hogi. desh ki j data ko hi sabase b da aur prabal manakar usi ka rona lekar p de nahian raheange. maian to kahata hooan, sansar mean shaitan ke oopar shradhda rakhana aur bhoot se darana ek barabar hai; donoan ka phal yahi hota hai ki rog ki sahi chikitsa ki or pravritti hi nahian hoti. jaisa jhootha dar vaisa hi jhootha ojha; donoan hi hamean marate rahate haian. vinay, tumase maianne bar-bar kaha hai, is bat ko ek kshan-bhar ke lie bhi, kabhi sapane mean bhi, asambhav mat samajho ki hamara yah desh mukt hoga hi nahian; ajnan use hamesh jak de nahian rahega tatha yah aangrez bhi use apani vyapar ki nauka ke pichhe-pichhe saankal se baandhe hue nahian le ja sakega. man mean yahi bat dridh rakhakar hamesha taiyar rahana hoga. bharatavarsh ki svadhinata ke lie bhavishy mean kisi ek din ki l daee shuroo hogi, tum log isi par apani kismat chho dakar nishchiant baithe ho. kiantu maian kahata hooan, l daee aranbh ho gee hai- har kshan ho rahi hai; aise samay mean bhi agar tum nishchiant rah sakate ho to isase b di ka purushata aur nahian ho sakati."

vinay ne kaha, "dekho gora, tumamean aur apane mean ek aantar mujhe yah dikhata hai, ki hamare desh mean pratidin rah chalate jo kuchh hota rahata hai, aur bahut din se jo hota chala a raha hai, tum use mano roj nee drishti se dekh pate ho. jaise ham saans lene ko bhool rahate haian, hamare lie yah sab bhi vaisa hi hai- n hamean asha deta hai, n hatash karata hai- usamean hamean n anand hai, n du:kh hai- din par din shoony bhav se bitate jate haian aur is sabake madhh‍y ham apana ya apane desh ka anubhav hi nahian karate."

gora ka muanh sahasa lal ho gaya aur mathe ki nasean tan geean.... donoan hathoan ki mutthiyaan bhianchakar vah raste ke bich jati huee do gho doan vali ga di ke pichhe dau da aur rah chalate logoan ko apani garaj se chauankata hua chillaya, "ga di roko!" bhari gh di-chen pahane hue ek baboo ga di haank rahe the, unhoanne ek bar pichhe mu dakar dekha aur donoan gho doan ko chabuk marakar kshan-bhar mean bhagakar door nikal gee.

ek boodha musalaman sir par phal-sabji, anda, roti, makkhan adi khane-pine ki chizean ko lekar kisi aangrez prabhu ki rasoee ki or chala ja raha tha. chen pahane hue baboo ne use ga di ke age se hat jane ki haank bhi lagaee thi, par boodhe ke n sun pane se ga di usake oopar se nikal gee thi. boodhe ke pran to bach ge, lekin tokari ki sab chizean ludhakakar s dak par bikhar geean. krudhd baboo ne koch-baks se 'daim sooar!' ki gali dekar chabuk uthaya aur t dak se boodhe ke sir par jama diya. usake mathe par lahoo ki lal rekha khianch gee. boodhe ne 'allah!' kahakar lanbi saans li aur chizean bach gee thi unhean utha-uthakar tokari mean rakhane laga. gora bhi mu dakar bikhari huee chizean bin-binakar usaki tokari mean rakhane laga. boodha musalaman ek achchhe-bhale bhadr pathik ka aisa vyavahar dekhakar sakuchate hue bola, "ap kyoan kasht karate haian baboo- ab ye kisi kam nahian aeangi."

yah gora bhi janata tha ki jo vah kar raha hai anavashyak hai, aur yah bhi janata tha ki jisaki sahayata ki ja rahi hai use sankoch ho raha hai. vastav mean sahayata ke us kary ka koee vishesh mooly nahian tha. lekin ek bhadrajan ne jisaka apaman kiya hai, usi apamanit ke sath ek doosara bhadrajan apane ko milakar dharm ki kshubdh vyavastha mean samanjasy lane ka prayatn kar raha hai, yah bat rahagir logoan ke lie samajhani asanbhav thi. tokari bhar jane par gora ne boodhe se kaha, "tumase to itana nukasan saha nahian jaega. chalo, hamare ghar chalo, poore dam chukakar ham sab le leange. lekin baba, ek bat tumase kahooan- tumane jo yah apaman bina kuchh kahe sah liya, usake lie allah tumhean maph nahian kareange."

musalaman ne kaha, "kusoor jisaka hai, allah usako saza deange mujhe kyoan deange?"

gora ne kaha, "jo anyay sahata hai, vah bhi doshi hai. kyoanki duniya mean anyay ko badhava deta hai. tum meri bat samajhoge nahian, par yad rakho, dusht ke sath bhalamanasahat dharm nahian hai; usase dusht logoan ka hausala badhata hai. tumhare muhammad sahab is bat ko samajhate the, tabhi bhalemanas ke dhang se unhoanne dharm-prachar nahian kiya."

gora ka ghar vahaan se najadik nahian tha, isalie us musalaman ko gora vinay ke ghar le gaya. vinay ki mej ke daraj ke samane kh de hokar vah vinay se bola, "paisa nikalo!"

vinay ne kaha, "utavale kyoan hote ho, tum baitho to, maian de raha hooan!"

lekin ekaek chabi nahian mil saki. adhir hokar gora ne daraj ko jhataka diya to vah khul gaya.

daraj ke khulate hi pareshababoo ke ghar ke logoan ka ek b da photo sabase pahale dikhaee p da. use vinay ne apane mitr satish se prapt kiya tha.

gora ne us musalaman ko paise dekar vida kar diya. kiantu photograph ke bare mean koee bat nahian ki. is vishay mean gora ke chup laga jane se vinay bhi kuchh bat nahian kah saka, halaanki do-char batean ho jane se vinay ka man svasth ho jata.

gora ne sahasa kaha, "maian chalata hooan."

vinay ne kaha, "vah, akele kaise chal die? mujhe maan ne to tumhare yahaan khane ko bulaya hai. chalo, maian bhi chalata hooan."

donoan s dak par a ge. kiantu gora ne raste-bhar aur koee bat nahian ki. mej ke daraj mean vah photo dekhakar phir ek bar gora ko yad ho aya tha ki vinay ke chitt ki ek mukhy dhara ek ais disha mean bah rahi hai jisase gora ke jivan ka koee sanpark nahian hai. age chalakar aisa ho sakata hai ki bandhutv ki sneh-ganga sookh jay aur nadi ka sara pravah is doosari or bahane lage, yah chhupi ashanka gora ke hriday ki gaharaee mean kahian ek bojh-si ban gee. har kam aur soch-vichar mean ab tak donoan bandhuoan ke bich koee rukavat nahian thi, lekin ab yah sthiti banae rakhana kathin ho gaya hai- ek biandu par vinay svatantr ho gaya hai.

vinay yah samajh gay ki gora kyoan chup laga gaya hai. lekin niravata ke is baandh ko zabaradasti to dane mean use sankoch hua. jis jagah gora ka man akar ulajh jata haian vahaan sachamuch ek rukavat hai, yah vinay ne svayan bhi anubhav kiya.

unhoanne ghar pahuanchate hi dekha ki mahim raste ki or dekhate hue daravaze par kh de haian. unhoanne donoan bandhuoan ko dekhakar kaha, "mamala kya hai kal ki rat to tum donoan ne soe bina hi kat di- maian to samajh raha tha, shayad donoan aram se kahian phutapath par p de so rahe hoge. kitani der ho gi hai! jao vinay, jakar nahao!"

vinay ko nahane ke lie bhejakar mahim gora ki or mu de. bole, "dekho gora, tumase jo bat kahi thi us par zara sochakar dekho. vinay bhi agar tumhean anachari jan p data hai, to phir ajakal ke saman mean hiandoo patr milega kahaan? aur kora hiandoopan hone se bhi to nahian chalega, likhaee-padhaee bhi to chahie. likhaee-padhaee aur hiandoopan milane se jo chiz banati hai, vah hamare hiandoo mat se thik shastriy chiz to nahian hoti- lekin aisi buri chiz bhi nahian hoti. agar tumhare l daki hoti tab is mamale mean tumhari ray meri ray se bilh‍kul mil jati!"

gora ne kaha, "to achchha hi hai- mere khayal mean vinay ko koee apatti n hogi."

mahim ne kaha, "suno gora! vinay ki apatti ki bat kaun soch raha hai! tumhari apatti se to pahale nibat lean. ek bar tum apane muanh se vinay se anurodh karo, aur mujhe kuchh nahian chahie. bhale hi usase phal n ho, to n ho."

gora bola, "achchha"

man-hi-man mahim ne kaha- ab to mehara ki dukan se sandesh aur gayala ki dukan se dahi-rab di ki pharamaish ki ja sakegi!"

gora ne mauqa pakar vinay se kaha, "shashimukhi ke sath tumhare vivah ke lie dada dabav dal rahe haian. tumhari ray hai?"

vinay ne poochha, "tumhari kya ray hai, pahale yah batao!"

gora, "maian to kahata hooan, bura kya hai."

vinay, "pahale to tum bura hi kahate the. ham donoan mean se koee byah nahian karega, yah to ek tarah se tay ho chuka tha."

gora bola, "ab yah tay samajho ki tum byah karoge aur maian nahian karooanga."

vinay ne kaha, "kyoan, ek hi yatra ke alag-alag p dav kyoan?"

gora, "'alag p dav hone ke bhay se hi to yah vyavastha ki ja rahi hai. kisi ko vidhata yoan hi zyada bojh se lad dete haian, aur kisi ko bilh‍kul sahaj bhar-mukt. aise asam praniyoan ko ek sath jotakar chalana ho to inamean se ek bahar se bojh ladakar donoan ka bojh barabar karana p data hai. tum vivah karake kuchh zimmedari se lad jaoge to phir ham tum ek-si chal se chal sakeange!"

kuchh hansakar vinay ne kaha, "agar yahian mansha hai to thik hai, bat usi pal de mean dal do!"

gora ne poochha, "bat ke bare mean to koee apatti nahian hai?"

vinay, "bhar barabar karane ke lie to hath p d jay usi se kam chal sakata hai- vah patthar ho to bhi chal sakata hai, dhela ho to bhi!"

is vivah ke prastav mean gora ne kyoan utsah dikhaya hai, yah samajhane mean vinay ko der n lagi. gora ko ashanka huee thi ki vinay kahian pareshababoo ke parivar me vivah n kar le, yah samajhakar man-hi-man vinay hansa. aise vivah ka sankalp to kya, sanbhavana bhi kshan-bhar ke lie usake man mean udit nahian huee. vah to ho hi nahian sakata! jo bhi ho, shashimukhi se vivah ho jane par aisi ashanka j d-mool se ukh d jaegi, aur vaisa hone par donoan ka bandhu-bhav phir svasth aur nirbadh ho jaega; aur pareshababoo ke parivar se milane-julane mean bhi kisi or se use sankoch karane ka koee karan n karega, yahi sochakar shashimukhi se vivah ke lie usane sahaj hi sammati‍‍ de di.

dopahar ke bhojan ke bad rat ki niand ki kami poori karate-karate din bit gaya. donoan bandhuoan mean din-bhar aur koee bat nahian huee. par saanjh ko, jab sare jagath par aandhakar ka parda p d jata hai tab mano bandhuoan ke man ka parda uth jata hai, aise jhutapute ke samay chhat par baithe-baithe vinay ne sidhe akash ki or takate hue kaha, "dekho gora, maian tumhean ek bat kahana chahata hooan. mujhe lagata hai, hamare svadesh-prem mean ek bahut b da adhoorapan hai. ham log bharatavarsh ko adha hi karake dekhate haian."

gora ne poochha "vah kaise?"

vinay, "bharatavarsh ko ham keval purushoan ka desh manakar dekhate haian, striyoan ko bilh‍kul dekhate hi nahian."

gora, "to tum aangrejoan ki tarah shayad ghar mean aur bahar, jal-thal aur akash mean, ahar-vihar aur karm mean, sab jagah striyoan ko dekhana chahate ho? usaka natija yahi hoga ki striyoan ko purushoan se adhik manana hoga- usase bhi drishti mean samanjasy nahian rahega."

vinay, "nahian-nahian, meri bat ko aise u da dene se to nahian chalega. aangrejoan ki tarah dekhane ya n dekhane ka saval kahaan uthata hai? maian to yah kahata hooan ki itana to saty hai ki svadesh mean striyoan ke aansh ko ham logoan ne apane chiantan mean uchit sthan nahian diya hai. tumhari hi bat lo. striyoan ke bare mean tum kabhi kshan-bhar bhi nahian sochate- tumhari ray mean desh mano narihin hi hai. aisa samajhana kabhi saty samajhana nahian ho sakata."

gora, "maianne apani maan ko jab dekha hai, jana hai, tab apane desh ki sabhi striyoan ko ek usi roop mean dekh aur jan liya hai."

vinay, "yah to apane ko bhulava dene ke lie tum alankarik bat kah rahe ho. ghar ke kam-kaj ke bich ham ghar ki striyoan ko ati-parichit bhav se dekhate haian, usase hi vastavik dekhana nahian hota. grihasthi ke kam-kaj se bahar yadi‍ hamare desh ki striyoan ko ham dekh pate to svadesh ke sauandary aur sanpoornata ko dekhate. desh ki ek aisi chhavi dikhaee deti jisake lie pranotsarg asan hota- kam-se-kam yah manane ki bhool hamase kabhi n hoti ki desh mean striyaan mano kahian haian hi nahian. maian janata hooan ki aangrejoan ke samaj se apani tulana karane lagate hi tum ag-baboola ho uthoge- vah maian karana bhi nahian chahata. yah bhi maian nahian janata ki thik kis had tak ya kis dhang se hamare samaj mean striyoan ke age ane se unaki maryada ka ullanghan nahian hoga. lekin yah hamean manana hoga ki striyoan ke chhipe rahane se hamara svadesh hamare lie adha hi sach hai- yah hamare hriday ko poora ya poori shakti nahian de sakata."

gora, "lekin tumhean hathath yah bat is samay kaise soojh gee?"

vinay, 'haan, abhi hi soojhi hai aur hathath soojhi hai. itana b da saty maian itane din se nahian janata tha. ab jan saka hooan, apane ko isake lie bhagyavanh samajhata hooan. jaise ham log kisan ko keval usaki kheti ke, ya julahe ko keval usaki bunaee ke bich dekhate haian, isilie unhean chhoti jati manakar unaki avajna karate haian, ve hamean poori dikhati hi nahian, aur is chhote-b de ke bhed ke karan hi desh kamazor hua hai. thik usi tarah desh ki striyoan ko bhi keval chauka-basan aur kutaee-pisaee se ghiri huee dekhakar ham striyoan ko keval 'mada' manakar unhean ochhi nazar se dekhate haian.... isase hamara sara desh adhoora ho jata hai."

gora, "jaise din aur rat, poorn divas ke do bhag haian, vaise hi purush aur stri samaj ke do aansh haian. samaj ki svabhavik avastha mean stri rat ki tarah ojhal hi rahati hai- usaka sara kary goodh aur nibhrit hai. apane kary ke hisab mean ham rat ko nahian ginate. lekin n ginane se hi usaka jo ganbhir kary hai usamean se kuchh bhi ghat nahian jata. vah gopan-vishram ke bahane kshati-poorti karati hai, hamare poshan mean sahayak hoti hai. jahaan samaj ki vyavastha asvabhavik hai vahaan zabaradasti rat ko din banaya jata hai- gais jalakar mashinean chalaee jati haian, battiyaan jalakar rat-bhar nach-gana jamata hai. usaka parinam kya hota hai? yahi ki rat ka jo svabhavik alakshit kam hai vah nasht ho jata hai, anidra se thakan badhati jati hai, kshati-poorti nahian ho pati, iansan unmadi ho uthata hai. aise hi striyoan ko bhi yadi ham khule karm-kshetr mean khianchakar le aean to usase unake nigoodh karm ki avastha nasht ho jati hai-usase samaj ka svasthy aur shaanti nasht hoti hai, samaj par ek pagalapan savar ho jata hai. us pagalapan se kabhi shakti ka bhram ho sakata hai, kiantu yah shakti vinash karane ki shakti hai. shakti ke do aansh hote haian- ek vyakt aur ek avyakt; ek udyog aur ek vishram; ek prayog aur ek sanvaran. shakti ka yah samanjasy nasht karane se vah kshubdh ho uthati hai, lekin vah kshobh mangaladayak nahian hai. nar-nari samaj-shakti ke do paksh haian; purush vyakt haian, lekin vyakt hone se hi vah b da hai aisa uchit nahian hai. nari avyakt hai; is avyakt shakti ko agar keval vyakt karane ki koshish ki jaegi to samaj ka sara mool-dhan kharch karake tezi se use divaliyapan ki or le jana hi hoga. isilie kahata hooan, ki purush log agar yajn ke kshetr mean rahe aur striyaan bhandare ke pichhe, tabhi striyoan ke adrishy rahane par bhi yajn thik se sanpann hoga. sari shakti ko jo log ek hi jagah, ek hi disha mean, ek hi dhang se kharch karana chahate haian, ve pagal haian."

vinay, "gora, jo tumane kaha hai maian usaka prativad nahian karana chahata. kiantu jo kuchh maianne kaha tha, tumane bhi usaka prativadan nahian kiya. asal bat.... "

gora, "dekho vinay, isase age is mudde ko lekar aur adhik bahas karana kori dalilabaji hogi. maian yah manata hooan ki tum ajakal striyoan ke mamale mean jitane sajag ho uthe ho maian abhi utana nahian hua. isilie jo anubhav tum karate ho mujhe bhi vahi anubhav karane ki cheshta kabhi saphal nahian ho sakati. isalie philahal yahi kyoan n man liya jay ki is mamale mean ham donoan ki ray nahian mil sakati!"

is tarah gora ne bat u da di. lekin bij ko u da dene se bhi aant mean vah bhoomi par girata hi hai aur girakar suyog hone par usamean aankur bhi phootata hi hai. ab tak jivan ke kshetr mean gora ne stri-jati ko alag kar rakha tha; usane ise kabhi sapane mean bhi abhav ya kshati ke roop mean anubhav nahian kiya tha. aj vinay ki badali huee avastha dekhakar sansar mean stri-jati ki vishesh satta aur prabhav usake samane prakat ho utha. lekin isaka sthan kahaan hai, isaka prayojan kya hai, yah vah kisi tarah sthir nahian kar saka, isalie vinay ke sath is bare mean aur bahas karana use achchha nahian laga. is vishay ko n vah asvikar kar pa raha th, n us par adhikar kar pa raha tha, isilie vah use vartalap se alag hi rakhana chahata tha.

vinay jab rat ko ghar laut raha tha tab anandamee ne use bulakar poochha, "vinay, sunati hooan ki tumhara vivah shashimukhi ke sath thik ho gaya hai- yah sach hai?"

lajaee huee hansi ke sath vinay ne kaha, "haan maan, gora hi is shubh karm ka kartta hai."

anandamee bolian, "shashimukhi achchhi l daki hai. lekin beta, tum bachapana mat karo! tumhara man maian samajhati hooan, vinay- tum kuchh duchitte ho rahe ho isilie jaldi-jaldi mean yah kie dal rahe ho. ab bhi sochakar dekhane ka samay hai ab tum sayane ho ge ho- itana b da kam bina vichare mat karo!"

yah kahate hue anandamee ne vinay ka kandha sahala diya. vinay kuchh kahe bina vahaan se dhire-dhire chala gaya.

anandamee ki bat ke bare mean sochata-vicharata vinay ghar pahuancha. anandamee ki kahi huee koee bhi bat kabhi usake lie upekshaniy nahian huee; yah bat bhi rat-bhar usake man ko bechaini karati rahi.

doosare din sabare uthakar mano use mukti ka-sa anubhav hua. use laga ki gora ki mitrata ka bahut b da dam usane chuka diya hai. ek or shashimukhi se vivah karane ko raji hokar usane jo jivan-bhar ka bandhan svikar kiya hai, usake badale ek doosari or apane bandhan kat dene ka adhikar bhi use mil gaya hai. us par gora ko jo atyant anyayapoorn sandeh hua tha ki vah apana samaj chho dakar brahm-parivar mean vivah karane ke lie lalacha raha hai, shashimukhi se vivah ki sammati dekar is sandeh se vinay ne apane ko mukt kar liya hai. tab se pareshababoo ke ghar vinay ne ni:sankoch bha se aur aksar ana-jana praranbh kar diya.

use jo achchhe lagean, unake sath ghar ke adami jaisa ghul-mil jana vinay ke lie kathin nahian hai. jo sankoch gora ke karan tha use man se nikal dene par vah dekhate-dekhate pareshababoo ke ghar ke sabhi logoan se aisa ghul-mil gaya mano barasoan se parichay ho.

keval jitane din lalita ke man mean yah sandeh raha ki sucharita ka man shayad vinay ki or kuchh akrisht hai, utane din usaka man vinay ke virudhd mano astr dharan kie raha. kiantu usane jab spasht samajh liya ki sucharita ka vinay ki or aisa jhukav nahian hai tab svat: usake man ka vidroh door ho gaya, aur use b di shaanti mili. phir vinay baboo ko bahut hi bhala adami manane mean use koee hichak n rahi.

haranababoo bhi vinay se vimukh nahian hue- balki kuchh adhik zor dekar yah svikar kiya ki vinay ko bhadr acharan ka jnan hai. is svikarokti ka abhipray matr yahi tha ki gora mean itani tamij nahian hai.

haranababoo ke samane vinay kabhi koee bahas ki bat nahian chhe data tha, aur sucharita ki bhi koshish rahati ki aisi koee bat n uthe. isilie itane dinoan chay ki mej par shaanti bhang nahian huee.

lekin haran ki anupasthiti mean jan-boojhakar sucharita vinay ko apane samajik vicharoan ki charcha ke lie ukasati. gora aur vinay jaise padhe-likhe log desh ke kusanskaroan ka kaise samarthan kar sakate haian, yah janane ka usaka utavalapan kisi tarah shaant nahian hota tha. gora aur vinay ko vah svayan n janati hoti, to yah sochakar hi ki in sab batoan ko ve manate haian, aur kuchh jane-sune bina sucharita unhean avahelana ke yogy thahara deti. kiantu gora ko dekhane ke bad kisi tarah bhi vah use avahelana ke sath man se door nahian kar saki. tabhi mauqa milate hi ghuma-phirakar vah vinay ke sath gora ke vicharoan aur jivan ki charcha uthati, aur prativad ke dvara koanchakar sab kuchh nikalane ki koshish karati. pareshababoo ki ray mean sabhi sanpradayoan ke vichar sunane dena hi usaki shiksha ka tarika tha, isalie is sab vad-vivad mean unhoanne kabhi koee paksh nahian liya, n kabhi badha di.

ek din sucharita ne poochha, "achchha gauramohan baboo kya sachamuch jati-bhed nahian manate, ya vah keval desh-prem ka atirikt josh hai?"

vinay ne kaha, "ap kya sidhi ke alag-alag charanoan ko manati haian? ve bhi to sab vibhag haian- koee oopar hai, koee niche."

sucharita, "vah manati hooan to isilie, ki niche se oopar uthana hota hai- nahian to aisa manane ki koee zaroorat nahian thi. samatal bhoomi par sidhi ko n manane se bhi kam chal jaega."

vinay, "ap thik kahati haian. hamara samaj bhi ek sidhi hai. usaka ek uddeshy tha- vah tha niche se oopar uthane dena- manav-jivan ko ek shikhar tak le jana. agar ham is samaj ko, is sansar ko hi manzil samajhate tab to kisi vibhag-vyavastha ki koee zaroorat hi nahian thi; tab to yooropiy samaj ki tarah ham bhi pratyek doosare se adhik kuchh jhapat lene ke lie chhina-jhapati aur marapit karate hote! jo saphal hota sansar mean vahi sir uthata aur jisaki koshish nishphal ho jati vah bilh‍kul niche dab jata. ham log sansar mean rahate hue sansar ke par ho jana chahate haian, isilie hamane sansar ke kartavyoan ko pravritti aur pratiyogita ke adhar par sthir nahian kiya.... saansarik karm ko bhi mana, kyoanki karm ke dvara koee doosari upalabdhi nahian, mukti hi pani hogi. isilie ek or sansar ka kam, doosari are sansar ke kam ki parinati, donoan ko manakar hi hamare samaj mean varn-bhed ki arthath vritti-bhed ki sthapana huee."

sucharita, "apaki bat maian bahut achchhi tarah samajh pa rahi hooan, aisa nahian hai. kiantu mera prashn yah hai ki jis uddeshy se ap samaj mean varn-bhed ka chalan shuroo hua manate haian, us uddeshy ko kya saphal hota dekh rahe haian?"

vinay, "duniya mean saphalata ko thik-thik pahachanana b da kathin hai. gris ki saphalata aj gris mean nahian hai, par isilie yah nahian kaha ja sakata ki gris ka sara vichar hi bhraant ya vyarth raha. gris ka vichar ab bhi manav-samaj mean kee prakar ki saphalata prapt kar raha hai. bharatavarsh ne jati-bhed nam se samajik samasya ka ek bahut satik uttar diya tha- vah uttar abhi bhi lupt nahian hai- ab bhi duniya ke samane maujood hai. yoorop bhi samajik samasya ka koee aur achchha hal abhi tak nahian de saka; vahaan keval thela-theli aur chhina-jhapati hi chal rahi hai. bharatavarsh ka yah uttar manav-samaj mean ab bhi saphalata ki pratiksha kar raha hai- ek tuchchh sanpraday ki ochhi aandhata ke karan hamare use u da dena chahane se hi vah u d jaega, aisa kabhi n maniega. hamare chhote-chhote sanpraday pani ki booand jaise samudr mean mil jaeange, lekin bharatavarsh ki sahaj pratibha se prakaand mimaansa udbhoot huee hai, vah tab tak sthir kh di rahegi, jab tak ki prithvi par usaka kary poorn n ho jae."

sakuchate hue sucharita ne poochha, "bura n maniega, lekin sach bataie, ye sab batean kahian gauramohan baboo ki pratidhh‍vani matr to nahian hai, ya ki sachamuch ap in par poora vishvas karate haian?"

hansakar vinay ne kaha, "apase saty hi kahata hooan, mere vishvas mean gora jaisa bal nahian hai. jab jati-bhed ke adanbar aur samaj ke vikaroan ko dekhata hooan tab kee bar maian sandeh bhi prakat karata hooan, kiantu gora ka kahana hai ki b di chiz ko chhota karake dekhane ke karan hi sandeh utpann hota hai.... pe d ki b di chiz ko chhota karake dekhane ke karan hi sandeh utpann hota hai.... pe d ki tooti huee dal ya sookhe patte ko hi pe d ki charam prakriti manana vivek ki asahishnuta hai- tooti dal ki tariph karane ko nahian kahata, lekin vanaspati ke mahatv ko bhi dekho aur usaka kary samajhane ki koshish karo."

sucharita, "pe d ke sookhe patte yadi n bhi dekhe sahi kiantu pe d ka phal to dekhana hoga? hamare desh ke lie jati-bhed ka phal kaisa hai?"

vinay, "ap jise jati-bhed ka phal kahati haian, vah avastha ka phal hai, keval jati-bhed ka nahian. hilati huee dadh se chabane par dard hota hai, vah daant ka dosh nahian hai, hilati dadh ka dosh hai. vibhinn karanoan se ham logoan mean vikar aur durbalata a gee hai, isalie ham bharatavarsh ke vichar ko saphal n karake use aur vikrit kie de rahe haian.... vah vikar vichar ka moolagat nahian hai. hamamean atmabal aur svasthy bharapoor ho to sab apane-ap thik ho jaega. isilie gora bar-bar kahate haian ki sir dukhata hai isalie sir u da dene se nahian chalega.... svasth bano, sabal bano!"

sucharita, "achchha to ap brahman-jati ko nar-devata manane ko kahate haian? kya ap manate haian ki brahman ke pairoan ki dhool se manushy sachamuch pavitr ho jata hai?"

vinay, "prithvi par bahut-se samman to hamare apane banae hue haian. jab tak raja ki zaroorat rahati hai- chahe jis karan se bhi ho- tab tak tanushy use asadharan hi kahakar charcha karate haian. lekin vastav mean to raja asadharan nahian hai. phir bhi apani sadharanata ki had laanghakar use asadharan ho uthata hoga, nahian to vah raj hi nahian kar sakega. raja se sucharoo dhang se vyavastha pane ke lie ham use asadharan bana dete haian- hamare us samman ki zimmedari raja ko sanbhalani p dati hai, yani use asadharan banana p data hai. manushy ke sabhi sanbandhoan mean aisi hi kritrimata hai. yahaan tak ki mata-pita ka jo adarsh ham sabane milakar kh da kiya hai, usi ke karan mata-pita ko samaj mean vishesh roop se adaraniy mana jata hai, keval svabhavik sneh ke karan nahian. sanyukt parivar mean b da bhaee chhote bhaee ke lie bahut-kuchh sahata hai aur tyag karata hai- kyoan karata hai? b de bhaee ko hamare samaj mean b de bhaee ka vishesh pad isilie diya gaya hai, doosare samajoan mean vaisa nahian hai. agar brahman ko bhi sachamuch brahman banaya ja sake to vah kya samaj ke lie mamooli upalabdhi hogi? ham log nar-devata chahate haian. yadi sachche man se aur vivekapoorvak ham nar-devata ko chahean to avashy paeange-aur agar moorkhoan ki tarah chahean to jo sab apadevata tarah-tarah ke dhoang karate rahate haian, aur hamare mathe par apane charanoan ki dhool dalana jinaki jivika ka sadhan hai, unaka gut aur dharati ka bojh-badhega hi!"

sucharita, "apake ye nar-devata kahian haian bhi?"

vinay, "jaise bij mean paudha chhupa hota hai vaise hi haian, bhavatavarsh ke aantarik abhipray aur prayojan mean haian. any desh veliangatan-jaisa senapati, nyootan-jaisa vaijnanik, rathsachaild-jaisa lakhapati chahate haian, hamara desh brahman chahata hai. brahman-jise dar nahian hai, jo lalach se ghrina karata hai, jo du:kh par vijay pata hai, jo abhav ki paravah nahian karata, jo 'parame brahmani yojitachitt:' hai, jo atal haian, shaant hai, moort hai- us brahman ko bharatavarsh chahata hai- sachamuch use pa lene se bharatavarsh svadhin ho sakega. hamare samaj ke pratyek aansh mean, pratyek rm mean, navarat mukti ka svar guanjane ke lie hi brahman chahie- khane aur ghanti bajane ke lie nahian! samaj ki sarthakata ko har samay samaj ki aauankhoan ke samane pratyaksh kie rahane ke lie hi brahman chahie. brahman ke is adarsh ko ham jitana b da anubhav kareange, brahman ke samman ko bhi utana hi b da kare rakhana hoga. vah samman raja ke samman se bhi kahian adhik hai; vah samman devata ka hi samman hai. jab brahman desh mean is samman ka yatharth adhikari hoga, tab is desh ko koee apamanit nahian kar sakega. ham log kya svayan raja ke samane sir jhukate haian? atyachari ka bandhan gale mean pahanate haian? apane dar ke samane hi hamara sir jhukata hai, apane lalach ke jal mean hi ham bandhe haian, apani moodhata ke hi ham dasanudas hai. brahman tapasya karean, us dar se, lalach se, moodhata se hamean mukt kare- ham unase yuddh nahian chahate, vyapar nahian chahate, aur kuchh bhi nahian chahate- hamare samaj mean ve keval mukti-sadhana ko jivit kie rahean!"

ab tak pareshababoo chupachap sun rahe the. ab dhire-dhire bole, "bharatavarsh ko maian poornat: janata hooan, yah to nahian kah sakata; aur bharatavarsh ne kya chaha tha, ya jo chaha tha vah kabhi paya bhi nahian, yah maian nishchayapoorvak nahian janata. lekin jo samay bit gaya hai usaki or kya kabhi lauta ja sakata hai? aj jo kuchh sambhav hai vahi hamari sadhana ka vishay hai- atit ko pak dane ke lie hath badhakar samay nasht karane se koee kam nahian hoga."

vinay ne kaha, "jaisa ap kahate haian maian bhi vaisa hi sochata hooan, aur maianne kee bar kaha bhi hai. gora ka kahana hai, hamane atit ko atit kahakar nirast kar diya hai, kya isi se vah atit ho gaya hai? vartaman ki chikh-pukar ki ot hamari drishti se vah ojhal ho gaya hai, itane se hi vah atit nahian ho jata- vah bharatavarsh ki majja mean basa hua hai. kabhi bhi koee bhi saty atit nahian ho sakata, isilie bharatavarsh ke is saty ne ham par chot karana aranbh kiya hai. hamamean se ek manushh‍y bhi ek din ise saty manakar pahachan aur grahan kar sakega to usi se hamare shakti srot ka rasta khul jaega, atit tab vartaman ki samagri ho uthega! ap kya samajhate haian ki bharatavarsh mean kahian bhi aise sarthak-janma vyakti ka avirbhav nahian hua?"

sucharita ne kaha, "jis dhang se ap ye batean kahate haian, sadharan log usi dhang se nahian kahate. isilie apaki ray ko sare desh ki ray man lene mean sankoch hota hai."

vinay bola "dekhie, sooryoday ki vaijnanik log ek tarike se vyakhya karate haian, aur sadharan log ek doosare tarike se. isase soory ke uday ka kuchh ghatata-badhata nahian hai. phir bhi saty ko thik tarah janane mean ham logoan ka labh hi hai. ham log desh ke jin sab satyoan ko khandit karake ya biga dakar dekhate haian, gora un sabako ek karake, sanyukt karake dekh sakate haian- isaki unamean ashcharyajanak kshamata hai- lekin kya isi se gora ke aise dekhane ko drishti ka bhram man lena hoga aur jo log to d-maro dakar dekhate haian, unake dekhane ko saty?"

sucharita chup ho gee. vinay ne kaha, "sadharanataya hamare desh mean jo sab log apane ko param hiandoo manakar garv karate haian, mere mitr gora ko ap unake gut ka n samajhiega. agar unake pita krishnadayal baboo ko ap dekhatian to bap-bete ka aantar sahaj hi samajh sakatian. krishnadayal baboo hamesha apane ko supavitr kie rakhane ke lie kap de utarane, gangajal chhi dakane, pothi-patr baanchane ko lekar hi din-rat vyast rahate haian. rasoee ke mamale mean vah bahut shudhd brahman par bhi vishvas nahian karate ki usake brahmanatv mean kahian koee truti n rah gee ho; gora ko bhi apane kamare ki sima mean ghusane nahian dete. kabhi agar kisi kam ke lie unhean patni ke kamare mean jana p de to phir lautakar apane ko pavitr kar lete haian. din-rat prithvi par bilh‍kul alag rahate haian ki kahian jane-anajane kisi niyam-bhang ki dhool ka ek kan bhi unhean n chhoo jay! jaise koee bahut hi 'chhaila baboo' apane ko dhool se bachate hue apane rang-roop ki, baloan ki sanvar ki, kap doan ki chunnat ki raksha ke lie sachet rahata hai vaise hi! gora bilh‍kul aise nahian hai. hiandoopan ke niyamoan mean ve ashradhda nahian karate, lekin aise jha d-poanchhakar bhi nahian chal sakate. hiandoo-dharm ko vah bhitar se aur bahut ooanchi drishti se dekhate haian, aisa vah kabhi nahian sochate ki hiandoo-dharm ke pran itane najuk haian ki jara-si chhuan se hi murajha jaeange ya thes lagate hi dhh‍vast ho jaeange!"

sucharita, 'lekin lagata to yahi hai ki chhua-chhoot ke mamale mean vah b de satark hokar chalate haian."

vinay, "unaki yah satarkata hi ek adbhut vastu hai. agar unase poochha jay to vah turant kaheange, 'haan, maian yah sab manata hooan- chhoo jane se jati jati hai, khane se pap hota hai, ye sab abhraant saty haian.' lekin maian achchhi tarah janata hooan ki ye sab unaki zabaradasti ki batean haian- ye batean jitani hi asangat hoangi mano vah utani hi zor se suna-sunakar sabako kahate haian. vartaman hiandoopan ki mamooli-si bat ko bhi n manane par any moorkh logoan dvara kahi hiandutv ki b di batoan ka bhi asamman n ho, aur hiandutv par jinhean shradhda nahian hai kahian ve use apani jit samajhean, is khayal se bina vichare gora sabhi kuchh manakar chalana chahate haian. mere samane bhi is bare mean koee shithilata prakat nahian karana chahate."

pareshababoo bole, "aise to brahm logoan mean bhi bahut haian. ve hiandutv ki sabhi batoan ko bina vichare door kar dena chahate haian, jisase koee bahar ka vyakti bhool se bhi yah n samajhe ki ve hiandoo-dharm ki kuprathaoan ko svikar karate rahe haian. aise log sahaj bhav se duniya mean chal hi nahian sakate; ya to dikhava karate haian ya ho d karate haian; samajhate haian ki saty durbal hai aur use chaturaee ya zabaradasti se bachana kartavy ka hi aang hai. jo log aisa manate haian ki 'saty ham par nirbhar karata hai, saty par ham nirbhar nahian haian', unhian ko to kathamulla kahate haian. saty ki shakti par jinhean vishvas hai, ve apane bal ko sanyat rakhate haian. do-char din bahar ke log galat samajh bhi lean, yah koee b da nukasan nahian hai. lekin kisi tuchchh sankoch ke karan sachh‍chaee ko svikar n kar sakana bahut b di kshati hai maian to sarvada eeshvar se yahi maangata hooan ki chahe brahm-sabha mean ho chahe hiandoo chandi-mandap mean, maian saty ko sarvatr sir jhukakar sahaj bhav se aur bina vidroh ke naman kar sakooan- bahar ki koee badha mujhe rok n sake."

pareshababoo ne itana kahakar kshan-bhar stabdh hokar mano apane man ka bhitar-hi-bhitar samadhan kiya. pareshababoo ne mridu svar mean jo yah bat kahian usane itani der ki sari batachit mean mano ek ganbhir svar la diya- vah svar pareshababoo ki is bat ka svar nahian tha, balki unake apane jivan ki ek prashaant ganbhirata ka svar tha. sucharita aur lalita ke chehare par ek anandamay bhakti ki dipti phail gee. vinay chup rah gaya. man-hi-man vah janata tha ki gora mean ek prachand hathadharmita hai- saty ke vahakoan ke man, vachan aur karm mean jo ek sahaj, saral shaanti rahani chahie ki vah gora mean nahian hai. pareshababoo ki bat ne mano usake man par aur bhi spasht aghat kiya. avashy hi itane din vinay gora ke paksh mean man-hi-man yah dalil deta raha hai ki jab samaj ki vyavastha dagamag hai, jab bahar ke desh-kal ke sath l daee ho rahi hai, tab saty ke sipahi svabhavikata ki raksha nahian kar sakate- tab samayik zarooratoan ke dabav se sachh‍chaee mean bhi milavat a jati hai. pareshababoo ki bat se aj kshan-bhar ko vinay ke man mean prashn utha- 'tatkalik prayojan sadhane ke lobhavash sachh‍chaee ko biga dana sadharan logoan ke lie to svabhavik hai, par usake gora bhi kya aise hi sadharan logoan ke gut ke haian?"

jab sucharita rat ko bistar par a leti tab lalita akar usaki khat ke kinare par baith gee. sucharita ne jan liya ki lalita ke man mean koee bat chakkar kat rahi hai. us bat ka sanbandh vinay se hai, yah bhi usane samajh liya.

sucharita ne isilie svayan bat chalaee, "lekin vinay baboo mujhe bahut achchhe lagate haian."

sucharita ne bat ka iangit samajhakar bhi nahian samajha ho aisa ek saral bhav dharan karate hue usane kaha, "sach hi, unake muanh se gora baboo ki bat sunakar b da anand hota hai. mano unhean maian spasht dekh rahi hooan."

lalita ne kaha, "mujhe to bilh‍kul achchha nahian lagata- mujhe to gussa ata hai."

achanbhe se sucharita ne kaha, "kyoan?"

lalita boli, "gora, gora, gora din-rat keval gora! man liya ki unake dost gora bahut b de adami haian, achchhi bat hai- lekin vah khud bhi to adami haian!"

hansakar sucharita ne kaha, "so to hai! lekin isamean harj kya hai?"

lalita, "unake dost un par aise chhae haian ki vah apani bat kah hi nahian sakate. mano ek m di ne ek tidde ko gher liya ho.... vaisi halat mean mak di par bhi mujhe gussa ata hai, aur tidde par shradhda hoti ho aisa bhi nahian hai."

lalita ki bat ke painepan par sucharita kuchh n kahakar hansane lagi.

lalita ne kaha, "didi, tum hans rahi ho, lekin maian tumase kahe deti hooan, koee mujhe vaise dabae rakhane ki koshish karata to ek din bhi maian sahan n karati. tum yahi socho- log chahe jo samajhean, tumane mujhe achchhann karake nahian rakha- vaisi prakriti hi tumhari nahian hai- isilie to tum itani achchhi lagati ho. asal mean tumane yah baba se hi sikha hai- vah har kisi ke lie usake layaq sthan chho d dete haian."

sucharita aur lalita is parivar mean pareshababoo ki param bhakt haian. "baba' kahate hi unaka hriday jais khil uthata hai.

sucharita ne kaha, "ab baba se kisi ki tulana tho de hi ho sakati hai? lekin jo ho bhee, vinay baboo bat ko b de achchhe dhang se kah sakate haian."

lalita, "ve sab batean unake man ki nahian haian n, tabhi itane achchhe dhang se kah sakate haian! apani batean kahate to b di sidhi-saral batean hotian, yah n lagata ki soch-sochakar, bana-banakar kah rahe haian. is sab badhiya-badhiya batoan ke mukabale vah mujhe kahian zyada achchha lagata."

sucharita, "to too naraj kyoan hoti hai! gauramohan baboo ki batean unaki apani batean ho gee haian."

lalita, "agar aisa hai to yah aur bhi bura hai. bhagavan ne budhdi kya isilie di hai ki doosaroan ki bat ki vyakhya karate rahean, aur muanh isalie diya hai ki doosaroan ki hi batean achchhe dhang se kahate rahean? mujhe aise achchhe dhang ki koee zaroorat nahian hai."

sucharita, "lekin yah bat too kyoan nahian samajhati ki vinay baboo gauramohan baboo ko bahut chahate haian- unake sath unake man ka sachcha ju dav hai?"

adhir hokar lalita ne kaha, "nahian, nahian, nahian! poora ju dav nahian hai gauramohan baboo ko adarsh manakar chalana unaki adat ho gee hai- vah prem nahian hai, gulami hai. phir bhi zabaradasti manana chahate haian ki unake sath unaki ray bilh‍kul milati hai. unaki ray ko isilie itane yatn se saja-sajakar apane ko aur doosare ko bhulane ki koshish karate haian. vah keval apane man ke sandeh aur virodh ko daba dena chahate haian, taki gauramohan baboo ko kahian amany n karana p de. unako amany karane ka hausala unamean nahian hai. prem ho to ray alag hone par bhi bat mani ja sakati hai- bina aandhe hue bhi apane ko chho d diya ja sakata hai- unaka ravaiya vaisa nahian hai. gauramohan baboo ko vah manate to shayad prem ke karan hi haian, par kisi tarah is bat ko svikar nahian kar pate. unaki bat sunane se saf pata chal jata hai. achchha didi, batao, kya tumhean nahian pata lagata?"

lalita ki bhaanti sucharita ne yah sab bat is dhang se sochi hi nahian thi. usaka kautoohal gora ko poori tarah janane ke lie hi itana vyagr tha ki akele vinay ko svatantr roop se samajhane ki or usaka dhh‍yan hi nahian tha. lalita ke prashn ka sucharita ne spasht uttar n dekar kaha, "achchha chal; teri bat hi man li- to bata, phir kya kiya jay?"

lalita, "mera man to karata hai, unake dost ke bandhan se unhean chhu dakar svadhin kar diya jay."

sucharita, "to prayas karake dekh le n!"

lalita- "mere prayas se nahian hoga- zara tum dhh‍yan dogi to ho sakega."

yadyapi sucharita ne man-hi-man samajh liya tha ki vinay usake prati anurakt hai, tab bhi lalita ki bat ko usane hansakar tal dena chaha.

lalita ne kaha, "gauramohan baboo ka adesh to dakar bhi tumhare pas vah jo aise pak daee dene ate haian, isilie vah mujhe achchhe lagate haian. unaki jagah aur koee hota to brahm l dakiyoan ko galiyaan dekar natak likhata. unaka man ab bhi khula hai, isaka yahi saboot hai ki vah tumhean chahate haian aur baba ka adar karat haian. vinay baboo ko ab unake apane roop mean kh da karana hi hoga, didi! keval gauramohan baboo ka vah jo prachar karate rahate haian, vah mujhe asahaniy lagata hai."

satish isi samay 'didi' pukarata hua a pahuancha. aj vinay use b de maidan mean sarkas dikhane le gaya tha. yadyapi rat bahut bit gee thi phir bhi apane pahali bar sarkas dekhane ka utsah usase sanbhal nahian raha tha. sarkas ka poora varnan suna dene ke bad vah bola, "vinay baboo ko pak dakar aj maian apane bistar par la raha tha- vah ghar ke aandar ae bhi the, phir chale ge. bole ki kal aeange. didi, unase maianne kaha hai ek din ve ap logoan ko bhi sarkas dikha lavean."

lalita ne poochha, "unhoanne is par kya kaha?"

satish ne kaha, "vah bole, l dakiyaan bagh dekhakar dar jaeangi. lekin mujhe bilh‍kul dar nahian laga."

kahate-kahate paurush ke abhiman se chhati phulakar satish baith gaya.

lalita ne kaha, "aisi bat hai! tumhare dost vinay baboo ka sahas kitana prabal hai, khoob samajh sakati hooan. nahian didi, sarkas dikhane ke lie unhean hamean apane sath le jana hi hoga."

satish bola, "kal to sarkas din mean hoga."

lalita ne kaha, "vah to aur achchh hai- din mean hi jaeange."

doosare din vinay ke ate hi lalita bol uthi, "lijie, thik vakt par ae haian, vinay baboo! chalie!"

vinay ne poochha, "kahaan chalana hoga?

lalita, "sarkas dekhane."

sarkas dekhane! vah bhi din daha de shamiyana-bhar logoan ke samane l dakiyoan ko lekar sarkas dekhane jana! hakka-bakka ho gaya vinay.

lalita boli, "aisa jan p data hai, gauramohan baboo naraz hoange?"

lalita ke is prashn se vinay kuchh chakit hua.

lalita ne phir kaha, "sarkas dikhane l dakiyoan ko le jane ke bare mean bhi kya gauramohan baboo ki koee ray hai?"

vinay ne kaha, "zaroor hai."

lalita, "usaki vyakhya ap kis dhang se karate haian, zara bataie to? maian didi ko bula laooan, vah bhi sun leangi."

jheanpakar vinay hansa. lalita ne kaha, "hansate kyoan haian, vinay baboo? apane kal satish se kaha tha ki l dakiyaan bagh se darati haian. jaise ap kisi se nahian darate!'

vinay is par l dakiyoan ko sarkas dikhane le gaya tha. itana hi nahian, gora ke sath usaka sanbandh lalita ko, aur shayad parivar ki sabhi l dakiyoan ko kaisa jan p data hai- man-hi-man is bat ko lekar bhi vah kafi udhe d-bun karata raha tha.

is prakaran ke bad vinay se jis din lalita ki bheant huee usane b de bholepan se poochha, "us din ki sarkas jane vali bat kya apane gauramohan baboo ko bata di?"

vinay ko yah prashn bahut akhara, kyoanki kanoan tak lal hote hue use kahana p da, "nahian, abhi tak mauqa nahian mila.'

hansate hue lavany ne kamare mean akar kaha, "vinay baboo, aie n."

lalita boli, "kahaan? sarkas dekhane?"

lavany ne kaha, "vah, aj kaisa sarkas? maian isalie bula rahi hooan ki peansil se mere roomal ke charoan or ek bel aauank dean- maian kadhooangi. vinay baboo b da suandar aauankate haian."

kahati huee lavany vinay ko khianchakar le gee.