गोरा उपन्यास भाग-7

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

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subah gora kuchh kam kar raha tha. achanak vinay ne akar chhootate hi kaha, "us din pareshababoo ki l dakiyoan ko maian sarkas dikhane le gaya tha."

likhate-likhate gora ne kaha, "maianne suna?"

gora, "avinash se. us din vah bhi sarkas dekhane gaya tha."

age kuchh n kahakar gora phir likhane mean jut gaya. gora ne yah bat pahale hi sun li hai aur vah bhi avinash se, jisane namak-mirch lagakar kahane mean koee kasar nahian rakhi hogi; vinay ko is bat se apane purane sanskar ke karan b da sankoch hua. sarkas jane ki bat ki samaj mean aisi am charcha n huee hoti tabhi achchha hota!

tabhi use yad aya, kal rat vah man-hi-man bahut der tak jagate rahakar lalita se jhag data raha. hai. lalita samajhati hai, vah gora se darata hai aur bachche jaise mastar ko manate haian vaise hi vah gora ko manakar chalata hai. koee kisi ko kya itana galat samajh sakata hai! gora aur vah to ekatma haian. yah thik hai ki gora ki asadharanata ke karan usaki us par shradhda bhi hai, lekin isi se lalita ka aisa soch lena gora ke sath to anyay hai hi vinay ke sath bhi hai. vinay bachcha nahian hai, n hi gora usaka abhibhavak hai!

chupachap gora likhata raha aur lalita ke vahi do-tin tikhe prashn bar-bar vinay ko yad ane lage. asani se vinay unhean man se n hata saka.

achanak vinay ke bhitar ek vidroh ne sir uthaya- sarkas dekhen gaya to kya hua? kaun hota hai avinash is bat ki gora se charcha karane vala- aur gora bhi kyoan mere kam ke bare mean us vachal se batachit karane gaya, maian kya gora ka nazaraband hooan? maian kahaan ata-jata hooan, gora ke samane kya isaka bhi javab dena hoga? yah to dosti ka apaman hai.

vinay ko gora aur avinash par itana gussa n aya hota yadi apani bhiruta sahasa usake samane itani spasht prakat n ho gee hoti. vah jo tho di der ke lie bhi koee bat gora se chhipane ke lie majaboor hua, isake lie vah aj man-hi-man mano gora ko hi aparadhi thaharana chahata hai. sarkas jane ki bat ko lekar agar gora vinay se jhag de ki do-ek batean kahata to bhi unaki dosti ki ekalayata bani rahati aur vinay ko tasalli hoti- lekin gora itana ganbhir hokar vicharamagn ban baitha hai aur apani chuppi se usaka apaman kar raha hai, yah dekhakar lalita ki bat ki chubhan use phir-phir biandhane lagi.

isi samay vahaan hath mean huqqa lie mahim ne kamare mean pravesh kiya. dibbe mean band gile kap de ke bhitar se nikalakar ek pan vinay ke hath mean dete hue bole, "bhaee vinay, idhar to sab thik ho gaya, ab to tumhare kaka mahashay ki ek chitthi a jay to nishchant ho sakean. tumane unhean likh to diya hai n?"

vinay ko vivah ka yah agrah aj bahut bura laga, yadyapi vah janata tha ki mahim ka koee dosh nahian hai- unhean to vachan diya ja chuka hai. kiantu us vachan dene mean ek hinata-si use jan p di. anandamee ne to use ek prakar se mana hi kiya tha- is vivah ke mamale mean usaka apana bhi koee akarshan nahian tha-h dab di mean kshan-bhar mean hi yah bat kaise pakki ho gee? yah bhi nahian kaha ja sakata ki gora ne koee jaldi ki thi. agar vinay ne kuchh apatti ki hoti tab bhi gora us par dabav dalata hi, aisi bat bhi nahian thi. lekin phir bhi.... ! is "par bhi' ko lekar hi lalita ki bat use salane lagi. koee vishesh ghatana us din nahian huee thi, kiantu jo hua usake pichhe anek dinoan ka shasan tha. vinay keval apane sneh ke karan aur nitaant bhalamanasahat ke karan gora ke adhipaty ko sahate rahane ka adi ho gaya hai. isilie prabhutv ka yah sanbandh bandhutv ke sir par chadh baitha hai. itane din vinay ne isako mahasoos nahian kiya, kiantu ab ise svikar kie bin nahian chalega. to kya shashimukhi se vivah karana hi hoga?

vinay ne kaha, "nahian, abhi kaka ko to nahian likha."

mahim bole, "vah meri hi galati hai. yah chitthi tumhare likhane ki to chiz nahian hai, vah maian hi likhooanga. una poora nam kya hai zara batana."

vinay ne kaha, "ap chianta kyoan karate haian? ashvin-kartik mean to vivah ho hi nahian sakata. ek agahan hai- lekin usamean bhi mushkil hai. hamare parivar ke itihas mean n jane kab kisake sath kaun-si durghatana agahan ke mahine mean ghati thi, tab se hamare vansh me agahan mean vivah adi shubh-karm band haian."

huqqa kamare ke kone mean divar ke sath tekakar mahim ne kaha, "vinay, tum log bhi yah sab manate ho to sari likhaee-padhaee kya kitaboan ko ratate-ratate mar jana hi hai is kamabakht desh mean avval to vaise hi shubh din dhooandhe nahian milata, us par agar har ghar apana niji pothi-patr lekar baith jaega to kam kaise chalega?"

vinay ne kaha, "phir ap bhadr-ashvin mahine bhi kyoan manate haian?"

mahim bole, "maian kahaan manata hooan? kabhi nahian manata. lekin kya karooan bhaiya- is desh mean ek bar bhagavan ko mane bina maje mean chal sakata hai, lekin bhadr-ashvin, brihaspati-shani, tithi-nakshatr mane bina koee gati nahian! phir yah bhi kahooan ki kahane ko to maianne kah diya ki nahian manata, lekin kam karane ke samay tithi-muhoort idhar-udhar hone se man prasann nahian rahata- desh ki hava maian jaise maleriya hota hai, vaise hi isaka bhay bhi hota hai, usase oopar nahian utha ja sakata."

vinay, "hamare vansh mean agahan ka dosh bhi kisi tarah nahian mitata. kaki maan to kisi tarah raji nahian hoangi."

is tarah us din to vinay ne jaise-taise karake bat tal diya.

vinay ke bat karane ke dhang se gora ne yah samajh liya ki vinay ke man mean ek duvidha bas gee hai. kuchh dinoan se usaki vinay se bheant hi nahian ho rahi thi, isase hi gora ne samajh liya tha ki pareshababoo ke ghar vinay ka ana-jana aur bhi badh gaya hai tis par aj ke is vivah-prastav ko talane ki koshish se gora ke man mean aur bhi sandeh hua.

jaise saanp kisi ko nigalana shuroo karane par use kisi tarah chho d hi nahian sakata, mano gora bhi usi tarah apane kisi bhi sankalp ko chho d dene ya usamean zara bhi parivartan karane mean asamarth tha. doosari or se kisi tarah ki badha athava shithilata ane par vah aur bhi hath pak d leta tha. duvidha mean p de hue vinay ko jak d rakhane ke lie gora poore aant:karan se utavala ho utha.

likhana chho d muanh uthakar usane kaha, "vinay, jab ek bar tumane dada ko vachan de diya hai, tab anishchay mean rakhakar kyoan vyarth du:kh dete ho?"

sahasa vinay ne big dakar kaha, "maianne vachan diya hai, ya ki mujhe h dab dakar jaldi mean mujhase vachan le liya gaya hai?"

vinay ke is achanak vidroh ko dekhakar gora vismit ho gaya. k da p date hue usane poochha, "tumane!"

gora, "maianne! is bare mean meri tumase do-char bat se adhik nahian huee- yahi kya zabaradasti vachan le lena ho gaya?"

vinay ke paksh mean praman vastav mean khas kuchh nahian tha, gora ka kahana sach hi tha ki unaki batachit bahut tho di hi huee thi aur usamean aisa koee bahut agrah bhi nahian tha jise ki dabav dalana kaha ja sake. phir bhi yah bat bhi sach thi ki aprakatat: vinay se gora hi ne usaki sammati zabaradasti le li thi. jis abhiyog ka praman jitana kam hota hai, use lagane vale ka krodh utana hi adhik hota haian tabhi vinay ne kuchh asangat krodh se kaha, "kahalava lene ke lie adhik batachit karana zaroori to nahian hai."

mez chho dakar gora uth kh da hua aur bola, "to le jao apani sammati vapas. yah koee itani b di ya moolyavan bat nahian hai ki isake lie tumase bhikh maangi jay ya zabaradasti ki jay."

mahim sath ke kamare mean hi the, vajr-svar mean gora ne unhean pukara, "dada!"

h dab dakar kamare mean ate mahim se gora ne kaha, "dada, maianne kya apako shuroo mean hi nahian kaha tha ki shashimukhi ke sath vinay ka vivah nahian ho sakata-isamean meri ray nahian hai?"

mahim, "zaroor kaha tha. aisi bat tumhare shiva aur kaun kah sakata tha? aur koee bhaee hota to bhatiji ke vivah ki bat shuroo mean hi utsah dikhata!"

gora, "phir kyoan mere dvara apane vinay se anurodh karavaya?"

mahim, "yahi sochakar ki isase kam ho sakega, aur to koee karan nahian hai."

gora ka muanh lal ho aya. vah bola, "maian is sabamean nahian p data, byah thik karana mera dhandha nahian hai, mujhe any kam hai."

gora aisa kahakar ghar se bahar ho gaya. hatabudhdi mahim vinay se is bare mean koee prashn poochhate, isase pahale vah bhi nikalakar s dak par pahuanch gaya. divar ke kone mean tika hua huqqa mahim ne uthaya aur chupachap baithakar kash lagane lage.

isase pahale bhi kee bar gora ke sath vinay ke kee jhag de hue haian lekin aisa jvalamukhi ki tarah achanak phat p dane vala jhag da pahale kabhi nahian hua. pahale to vinay apane krity par stanbhit-sa ho raha, phir ghar pahuanchane ke bad bhitar-hi-bhitar yah bat use salane lagi. zara-si der mean vah gora ko kitani b di chot pahuancha aya hai, yah sochakar usaki khane-pine ya vishram karane ki koee ichchha n rahi. is mamale mean visheshataya gora ko aparadhi thaharana kitana galat aur betuka hua, bar-bar yah bat use chubhane lagi. bar-bar usaka man use dhikkarane laga anyay, anyay, anyay!

lagabhag do baje anandamee kha-pikar silaee lekar baithi hi thian ki vinay unake pas ja baitha. subah ki tho di-bahut charcha to unhoanne mahim se sun li thi. bhojan ke samay gora ka chehara dekhakar bhi unhoanne samajh liya tha ki ek toofan akar guzar chuka hai.

vinay ne ate hi kaha, "maan, maianne jyadati ki hai. shashimukhi se vivah ki bat ko lekar gora ko maianne jo kuchh kaha usaka koee arth nahian hota."

anandamee ne kaha, "ho sakata hai vinay- koee dard man mean daba rakhane ki koshish karane se vah isi tarah phoot nikalata hai. yah thik hi hua. is jhag de ki bat do din bad tum bhi bhool jaoge, gora bhi bhool jaega."

vinay, "lekin maan, shashimukhi se vivah karane mean mujhe kaee apatti nahian hai, yahi bat tumhean batane maian aya hooan."

anandamee, "beta, jaldi se jhag da khatm karane ki koshish mean ek aur musibat mean mat p do. jhag da to din ka hai, vivah to hamesha ki bat hai."

unaki koee bat vinay ne nahian suni. vah phauran yah prastav lekar gora ke pas to nahian ja saka isalie mahim se hi jakar usane kaha ki vivah mean koee badha nahian hai aur magh mean hi vah prasann ho sakega tatha is bat ka zimma bhi vinay hi lega ki usake kaka mahashay ko koee apatti n ho.

mahim bole, "to phir sagaee ho jay n!"

vinay ne kaha, "thik hai, vah ap gora se salah karake kar lijie."

ghabarakar mahim ne kaha, "phir gora se salah?"

vinay bola, "haan, usake bina to nahian ho sakata."

mahim bole, "yadi nahian ho sakata tab to koee upay nahian hai, lekin.... " kahate-kahate jhat unhoanne ek pan uthakar muanh mean rakh liya.

20

us din to mahim ne gora se kuchh nahian kaha, kiantu agale din usake kamare mean ge. unhoanne socha tha ki phir se gora ko razi karane ke lie lanbi bakajhak karani hogi. par jab unhoanne akar bataya ki kal dopahar vinay ne akar vivah ke bare mean pakka vachan de diya hai aur sagaee ke bare mean gora ki salah lene ko kaha hai, tab turant gora ne apani ray zahir kar di, "thik hai, to sagaee ho jay."

acharaj se mahim ne kaha, "abhi to 'thik hai' kah rahe ho- isake bad phar to taang nahian a daoge?"

gora ne kaha, "maianne badha dekar taang nahian a daee, anurodh karake hi a daee thi."

mahim, "isilie tumase meri yahi prarthana hai ki tum badha bhi n dena, aur anurodh bhi mat karana. n to mujhe kauravoan ki or se narayan ki sena ki zaroorat hai, aur paandavoan ki or se svayan narayan ki zaroorat hi dikhati hai. mujh akele se hi jo ban sakega vahi thik haian mujhase bhool huee- tumhari sahayata bhi itani viparit p degi, yah maian pahale nahian janata tha. khair, vivah ho yah to tum chahate ho n?"

"haan, chahata hooan."

mahim, "to chahane tak hi raho, koshish karane ki zaroorat nahian hai."

gora ko jab krodh ata hai to usake kshanik avesh mean vah kuchh bhi kar sakata hai, yah saty hai; lekin us gusse ko sahejakar apane sankalp nasht karana usaka svabhav nahian hai. jaise bhi vah vinay ko baandhana chahata hai, roothane ka samay yah nahian hai. kal ke jhag de ki pratikriya svaroop hi vivah ki bat pakki huee, vinay ke vidroh ne hi vinay ke bandhan mazabooj kar die, yah bat sochakar kal ki ghatana par gora ko man-hi-man khushi hi huee. vinay ke sath hamesha ka sahaj sanbandh phir se sthapit karane mean gora ne zara bhi der nahian ki. lekin donoan ke bich jo ek sahajata ka bhav tha, usamean to kuchh kami a hi gee.

ab gora ne yah bhi samajh liya ki vinay ko door se baandhakar rakhana kathin hoga; jahaan se khatare ka udgam haian vahian jakar pahara dena hoga. man-hi-man usane socha, agar pareshababoo ke ghar maian barabar ana-jana rakhooan to vinay ko thik raste par rakhe rah sakooanga.

usi din, arthath jhag de ke agale hi din, qarib tisare pahar gora vinay ke ghar ja pahuancha. vinay ko isaki bilh‍kul ummid nahian thi ki gora usi din a pahuanchega, isilie use man-hi-man jitani khushi huee utana hi ashchary bhi hua.

isase bhi b de ashchary ki bat yah thi ki gora ne apane-ap pareshababoo ki l dakiyoan ki bat chalaee, aur us bat mean zara bhi viroopata nahian thi. is charcha mean vinay ka utsah jaga dene ke lie adhik parishram ki zaroorat bhi nahian thi.

vinay sucharita ke sath jin batoan ki charcha karata raha tha, vah sab vistar se gora ko batane laga. svayan sucharita vishesh agrah se ye sab batean uthati haian, aur chahe jitani bahas kare; dhire-dhire anajane mean unase sahamat bhi hoti ja rahi hai, yah bat gora ko batakar vinay ne use utsahit karane ki koshish ki.

vinay ne batoan-batoan mean kaha, "nand ki maan ne ojha ko bulakar bhoot ke bhram mean kaise nand ke pran le lie aur is vishay mean tumhare sath kya bat huee thi, jab maianne yah bataya tab kahane lagi, 'ap log sochate haian, l dakiyoan ko ghar mean band karake chauke-bartan aur saphaee karane dene se hi unaka sara kartavy poora ho jata hai. ek or to aisa karake unaki samajh-boojh sab chaupat karake rakh deange, udhar jab ve ojha ko bulaeangi tab un par big dane se bhi nahian chookeange. jinake lie sari duniya a dos-p dos ke do-ek gharoan tak hi simit hai, ve kabhi sanpoorn manav nahian ho sakatian-aur adhoori rahakar purushoan ke b de kamoan ko biga dakar, adhoore karake, purush ko bojh se ladakar niche ki or khianchakar, ve apani durgati ka badala to leangi hi. ap hi ne nand ki maan ko aisa banaya hai aur aisi jagah gherakar rakha hai ki aj ap jan lagakar bhi use subudhdi dena chahean to vah us tak pahuanchegi hi nahian.' is bare mean maianne tark karane ki bahut koshish ki, lekin sach kahooan gora, man-hi-man unase sahamat hone ke karan koee joradar dalil maian nahian de saka aur unase to phir bhi bahas ho jati hai, lekin lalita se bahas karane ka mujhe qatee sahas nahian hota. jab lalita ne bhanvean siko dakar kaha, 'ap log jo sochate haian ki duniya-bhar ka kam to ap log kareange, aur ap logoan ka kam ham kareangi, yah nahian hone ka. ya to ham bhi duniya ka kam sanbhaleangi, nahian to bojh hokar rah jaeangi. ham bojh hoangi to phir ap big dakar kaheange- pathe nari vivarjita. ap yadi nari ko bhi chalane dean to phir usaka vivarjan karane ki zaroorat n hogi- n ghar mean, n path par.'- tab mujhase koee javab nahian ban p da aur maian chup rah gaya. asani se koee bat lalita nahian kahati, lekin jab kahati hai tab bahut soch-samajhakar javab dena hota hai. tum chahe jo kaho gora, mujhe poora vishvas ho gaya hai ki hamari nariyaan agar chini nariyoan ke pairoan ki tarah baandhakar rakhi jaeangi to usase hamara koee kam age nahian badhega.'

gora ne kaha, "l dakiyoan ko shiksha n di ja, yah to maianne kabhi nahian kaha."

vinay, "charu-path tisara bhag padha dene se hi kya shiksha ho jati hai?"

gora, "achchhi bat hai, ab se vinay- bole pratham bhag padhaya jaega."

is prakar donoan mitroan ke ghoom-phirakar pareshababoo ki l dakiyoan ki bat karate-karate rat ho gee.

akele ghar lautate samay ye sab batean gora ke man mean ghoomati rahian. ghar pahuanchakar charapaee par lete-lete bhi jab tak gora so nahian gaya, pareshababoo ki l dakiyoan ki bat man se nahian hata saka. aisi bat gora ke jivan mean pahale kabhi nahian huee thi; usane l dakiyoan ki bat kabhi sochi hi nahian. aj vinay ne yah pramanit kar diya ki sansar mean yah bhi ek sochane ki bat hai-ise yoan hi u daya nahian ja sakata, ya to isaka samajhauta karana hoga ya l dana hoga.

vinay ne jab doosare din gora se kaha, "ek bar pareshababoo ke ghar chale hi chalo n; bahut dinoan se ge nahian, aksar vah tumhari bat poochhate haian", tab bina apatti kie gora taiyar ho gaya. keval taiyar hi nahian ho gaya, balki usaka man bhi pahale-sa udas nahian tha. pahale sucharita aur pareshababoo ki any l dakiyoan ke astitv ke bare mean sanpoorn bhav se gora udasin tha, phir bich mean unake virudhd usake man mean avajna ka bhav utpann hua tha, ab usake man mean ek utsukata ka uday ho aya tha. kaun-si chiz vinay ke chitt ko itana akarshit karati hai, yah janane ke lie usake man mean ek vishesh utsukata utpann ho gee thi.

jis samay donoan pareshababoo ke ghar pahuanche us samay saanjh ho rahi thi. doosari manzil ke ek kamare mean laianp ki roshani mean haranababoo apana ek aangrezi lekh pareshababoo ko suna rahe the. vastav mean is samay pareshababoo keval upalakshy-matr the- lekh sucharita ko sunana hi unaka uddeshy tha. sucharita mez ke parale sire par chauandh se aauankhoan ko ot dene ke lie ta d ke patte ka pankha chehare ke samane rakhe chupachap baithi thi. apane svabhav ke karan vah lekh ko ekagr hokar sunane ki cheshta rahi thi, kiantu rah-rahakar usaka man idhar-udhar hua ja raha tha.

isi bich naukar ne akar jab gora aur vinay ke ane ki soochana di to vah chauank uthi. kursi chho dakar vah jane ko hi thi ki pareshababoo ne kaha, "kahaan ja rahi ho radha, aur koee nahian hai, apane vinay aur gaur ae haian."

sakuchati huee sucharita phir baith gee. haran ke lanbe aangrezi lekh-pathan ke ruk jane se use kuchh tasalli huee. gora ke ane ki bat sunakar sucharita ke man mean kuchh uttejana n huee ho, yah bat nahian thi; kiantu haranababoo ke hote gora ke ane se man-hi-man use ek bechaini aur sankoch hone laga tha- kahian donoan mean kuchh bahas n ho jay is bhay se athava kisi doosare karan se, yah kahana kathin hai.

haranababoo ka man gora ka nam sunate hi bhitar-hi-bhitar bilh‍kul vimukh ho utha. jaise-taise gaur ke namaskar ka javab dekar ve ganbhir hokar baithe rahe. haran ko dekhate hi gora ki yuddh karane ki ichchha hathiyar bhaanjakar taiyar ho gee.

apani tinoan l dakiyoan ko lekar varadasuandari kahian nimantran par gee thian; saanjh hone par pareshababoo dvara unhean liva lane ki bat tay thi. pareshababoo ke jane ka samay ho gaya tha. isi madhh‍y gora aur vinay ke a jane se vah sankoch mean p d ge. kiantu aur der karana thik n samajhakar dhire se unhoanne haran aur sucharita se kaha, "tum log zara inake sath baitho, maian phauran lautakar ata hooan." aur chale ge.

gora aur haranababoo mean dekhate-dekhate bahas shuroo ho gee. bahas jis prasang ko lekar huee vah kuchh yoan tha : kalakatta ke pas ke kisi zile ke majistret braunalo ke sath pareshababoo ki jan-pahachan dhaka mean rahate samay huee thi. pareshababoo ki stri aur kanyaean ghar se bahar nikalati haian, isalie sahab aur unaki stri inaki bahut avabhagat karate the. sahab apane janmadin par har sal krishi pradarshani ka mela ayojit kiya karate the. is bar varadasuandari ke braunalo sahab ki mem ke sath batachit karate samay aangrezi kavy-sahity mean apani l dakiyoan ki ruchi ki bat karane par sahasa mem sahab ne kaha ki is bar mele mean laiphtineant gavarnar sapatnik aeange- agar apaki l dakiyaan unake samane kisi chhote-se aangreji kavy-natay ka abhinay kar dean to b da achchha ho. is prastav par varadasuandari atyant utsahit ho uthi thian. aj vah l dakiyoan ko usi ki riharsal karane ke lie kisi bandhu ke ghar le gee haian. yah poochhane par ki s mele mean gora ka upasthiti hona sanbhav hoga ya nahian, gora ne kuchh zyada hi rukhaee ke sath kah diya, 'nahian'. isi bat ko lekar desh mean aangrez-bangali sanbandh aur paraspar samajik sammilan ki badha ko lekar bakayada donoan janoan mean l daee chhi d gee.

haran ne kaha, "bangali ka hi dosh hai. hamare yahaan itane kusanskar aur kuprathaean haian ki aangrezoan se milane ke yogy ham haian hi nahian."

gora ne kaha, "yadi yahi sach ho to is ayogyata ke rahate aangrez se milane ke lie lalachana hamare lie lajjajanak hai."

haran bole, "lekin jo yogy ho ge haian unako aangrez se kafi samman milata hai- jaise in sabako."

gora, "ek adami ke samman se jahaan aur sabaka asamman prakat hota ho, vahaan aise samman ko maian apaman manata hooan."

haranababoo dekhate-dekhate atyant krudhd ho uthe, aur gora rah-rahakar unhean bagbanoan se ghayal karane laga.

jab donoan mean is prakar ki bahas ho rahi thi tab sucharita mez ke pas baithi pankhe ki ot se ekatak gora ko dekh rahi thi. jo batean ho rahi thian ve usake kanoan mean p d zaroor rahi thian, lekin usaka man udhar bilh‍kul nahian th. vah jo apalak netroan se gora ko dekh rahi thi, usaki khabar use svayan hoti to sucharita lajjit ho jati; kiantu jaise atm-vismrit hokar hi vah gora ko dekh rahi thi. gora apani dono balishth bhujaean mez par tekakar tho da age jhukakar baitha tha; usake prashast ujjval lalat par laianp ki roshani p d rahi thi; chehare par kabhi avajna ki hansi, kabhi ghrina ki chhavi lahara jati thi. usake chehare ki pratyek bhav-bhangima se ek atm-maryada ka gaurav prakat hota tha. jo kuchh vah kah raha hai vah kelav samayik bahas ya akshep ki bat nahian hai, pratyek bat usake anek dil ke chiantan aur vyavahar se asandigdh roop se sidhd huee hai. usamean kisi prakar ki duvidha, durbalata ya akasmikata nahian hai, yah matr usaki avaz se hi nahian, usake chehare aur usake samooche sharir ke dridh bhav se prakat ho raha tha. vismit hokar sucharita use dekhane lagi. apane jivan mean itane dinoan bad jaise yahian pahale-pahal usane kisi ko ek vishesh vyakti, ek vishesh purush ke roop mean dekha. us vyakti ko vah aur das logoan se milakar n dekh saki. aise gora ke virudhd kh de hokar haranababoo mano tuchchh ho ge. unake sharir aur chehare ki akriti, unaki bhav-bhangima, yahaan tak ki unake kap de aur chadar tak un par vyangy karane lagi. itane dinoan tak vinay ke sath bar-bar gora ki charcha karate rahakar sucharita gora ko ek vishesh mat ka asadharan vyakti-bhar samajhane lagi thi; usake dvara desh ka koee vishesh mangal lakshy sidhd ho sakata hai, usane itani hi kalpana ki thi. aj ekatak usake chehare ki or dekhate-dekhate sucharita ne gora ko jaise sabhi daloan, sabhi matoan, sabhi uddeshyoan se alag rakhakar keval gora ke roop mean dekha. jaise chaand ko samudr sare prayojanoan aur vyavaharoan se pare karake dekhakar akaran hi udvelit ho uthata hai, sucharita ka man bhi aj vaise hi sab-kuchh bhoolakar, sari budhdi aur sanskar chho dakar, apane sare jivan ka atikraman karake mano charoan or uchchhvasit hone laga. manushy kya hai, manushy ki atma kya hai, yah mano sucharita ne pahale-pahal dekha aur is apoorv anubhooti se vah jaise apane astitv ko bilh‍kul bhool gee.

haranababoo ne sucharita ka yah bhav lakshy kiya. isase bahas mean unaki yuktiyoan ka dam kuchh badha nahian. aant mean atyant adhir hokar ekaek asan chho dakar vah uth kh de hue aur bilh‍kul atmiy ki tarah sucharita ko pukarate hue bole, "sucharita, zara is kamare mean ao, tumhean ek bat kahani hai."

ekabaragi sucharita chauank uthi, jaise use kisi ne pit diya ho. haranababoo ke sath usaka jaisa sanbandh hai, usamean use vah kabhi is tarah nahian bula sakate, aisa nahian hai; koee doosara samay hota to vah isaki kuchh paravah bhi n karati, kiantu aj gora aur vinay ke samane usane apane ko apamanit anubhav kiya. visheshataya gora ne to usake chehare ki or kuchh aise dhang se dekha ki vah haranababoo ko kshama n kar saki. vah pahale to vaise hi chupachap baithi rahi jaise usane haranababoo ki bat suni hi n ho. is par haranababoo ne apane svar mean kuchh khijh late hue phir pukara, "sunati ho sucharita- mujhe ek bat kahani hai, ek bar us kamare mean ana to."

unake chehare ki or dekhe bina sucharita ne uttar diya, "abhi rahane dijie- baba a jaean, phir ho jaegi."

kh de hote hue vinay ne kaha, "nahian to ham log chalean.... "

jaldi se sucharita ne kaha, "nahian vinayababoo, baithe rahie! baba apako baithane ko kah ge haian- bas abhi ate hi hoange."

usake svar se ek vyakul vinati ka bhav prakat ho raha tha. mano hirani ko vyaghr ke hathoan sauanpakar chale jane ka prastav ho raha ho.

"maian aur nahian ruk sakata- achchha maian chal diya", kahate hue haran baboo jaldi se kamare se nikal ge. gusse mean vah bahar to a ge, kiantu agale hi kshan unhean pachhatava hone laga. lekin tab phir se lautane ka koee bahana n dhooandh sake.

haranababoo ke chale jane ke bad sucharita jab gahari lajja se lal chehara jhukae hue baithi thi, kya kare ya kya kahe yah nahian soch pa rahi thi, tab gora ko usake chehare ki or achchhi tarah dekhane ka mauqa mil gaya. shikshit l dakiyoan mean jis ghamand aur pragalbhata ki kalpana gora ne kar rakhi thi, sucharita ke chehare par usaka abhas tak bhi nahian tha. usake chehare par budhdi ki ujjvalata avashy prakashit ho rahi hai, kiantu namrata aur lajja se aj vah kaisi suandar aur komal dikhaee de rahi hai! chehara kitana sukumar hai, bhanvoan ke oopar matha mano sharadh ke akash-jaisa svachchh-nirmal! oth chup haian, kiantu anuchcharit bat ka madhury donoan othoan ke madhh‍y ek komal kali-sa ataka hua hai. adhunaki striyoan ki vesh-bhoosha ki or isase pahale gora ne kabhi dhh‍yan se nahian dekha, aur bina dekhe hi usake prati ek dhikkar-bhav pale raha hai- aj sucharita ki deh par ne dhang ki sa di pahanane ki kala use vishesh achchhi lagi. sucharita ka ek hath mej par tha, usaki astin ke siku de hue bhag se nikala hua vah hath gora ko aj kisi komal hriday ke kalyanamee rag-sa laga. prakashit shaant sandhh‍ya mean sucharita ko ghere hue sara kamara apane prakash, apani divaroan ke chitr, apani sajavat aur apani suvyavastha ke karan jaise ek vishesh aniandy roop lekar dikhaee diya. vah ghar hai, vah seva-kushal nari ke yatn, sneh aur sauandary se mandit hai, vah matr divaroan aur shahatiroan par tiki huee chhat se kahian adhik kuchh hai- yah sab aj mano kshan-bhar mean gora ke samane pratyaksh ho utha. apane charoan or ke akash mean gora ne jaise ek sajiv satta ka anubhav kiya- usake hriday par charoan or se ek any hriday ki laharean akar aghat karane lagian; n jane kaisi ek nivi data-si use gherane lagi. aisi adbhut upalabdhi use jivan mean pahale kabhi nahian huee. dekhate-dekhate sucharita ke mathe par bikhare keshoan se lekar usake pairoan ke pas sa di ke kinare tak kramash: sab atyant saty aur atyant vishesh ho utha. ek hi sath samagr roop mean sucharita, aur svatantr roop mean sucharita ka pratyek aang gora ki drishti ko akarshit karane laga.

kuchh der kisi ke kuchh n bol sakane se sabhi or sannata pasara tha. tabhi vinay ne sucharita ki or dekhakar kaha, "us din ham logoan mean bat ho rahi thi ki...." aur is prakar bat ka silasila chalaya.

vah bola, "ap se to maian pahale hi kah chuka hooan, mera ek samay aisa tha jab mere man mean yah vishvas jama hua tha ke apane desh ke lie, samaj ke lie ham koee ummid nahian kar sakate- chirakal tak ham abodh hi raheange aur aangrez hamare abhibhavak bane raheange- jo jaisa hai vah vaisa hi bana rahega- aangrez ki prabal shakti aur samaj ki prabal j data ke virudhd kahian koee upay bhi ham n kar sakeange. hamare desh ke adhikatar logoan ke man ka aisa hi bhav hai. aisi sthiti mean manushy ya to apane svarth mean hi lipt rahata hai, ya phir udasin ho jata hai. hamare desh ke madhh‍y-varg ke log isilie naukari mean taraqqi ke alava doosari koee bat soch hi nahian sakate, aur dhani log sarakar se khitab pane ko hi jivan ki sarthakata manate haian. hamari jivan-yatra ka path tho di door jakar hi rudhd ho jata hai- kisi sudoor uddeshy ki kalpana bhi hamare dimag mean nahian ati, aur usake lie sadhan jutane ko bhi ham bilh‍kul anavashyak man lete haian maianne bhi kabhi socha tha, gora ke pita ki sipharish se koee naukari thik kar looanga. aise hi samay mujhase gora ne kaha tha- nahian, sarakari naukari tum kisi tarah nahian kar sakoge."

sancharita ke chehare par is bat se halka-sa ashchary ka bhav dekhakar gora ne kaha, "ap yah n samajhie ki gavarnameant par rusht hokar maianne aisi bat kahi thi. jo log garvanameant ka paksh lete haian ve gavarnameant ki shakti ko apani shakti manakar ghamand karate haian aur desh ke am logoan se alag ek varg ke ho jate haian- jyoan-jyoan din bitate haian hamara yah bhav bhi tyoan-tyoan badhata jata hai. maian janata hooan, mere parichay ke ek purane dipti the- ab kam chho d chuke haian- unase distrikt majistret ne poochha tha, 'baboo, tumhari kachahari mean itan zyada log kaise bari ho jate haian?' is par unhoanne javab diya tha, 'sahab, usaki ek vajah hai. jinhean ap jel bhi bhejate haian, ve apake lie kutte-billi ke saman haian, aur maian jinhean jel bhejata hooan ve to mere apane bhaee-bandhu haian.' tab tak bhi aise dipti the jo itani b di bat kah sakean, aur aise aangrez majistretoan ki bhi kami nahian thi jo aisa sun sakean. lekin jaise-jaise din bitate jate haian, naukari ke phande aang ke gahane hote ja rahe haian, aur ajakal ke diptiyoan ke lie bhi desh ke log dhire-dhire kutte-billi ke saman hue ja rahe haian. aur is prakar taraqqi pate rahane se unaki jo keval adhogati ho rahi hai, is bat ki anubhooti bhi unako nahian ho rahi hai. doosare ke kandhe ka sahara lekar apano ko nicha samajhana, aur nicha samajhakar unake sath anyay karane ko udhdat hona, isase koee mangal nahian ho sakata."

kahakar mutthi se mez par gora ne aghat kiya; tel ka laianp kaanp utha.

vinay ne kaha, "gora, yah mez gavarnameant ki nahian hai, aur yah laianp bhi pareshababoo ka hai."

gora ooanche svar se hansa. usaki prabal hansi ki gooanj se sara kamara bhar gaya. mazak karane par aise bachchoan ki tarah gora khulakar hans sakata hai, isase sucharita ko achanbha hua aur man-hi-man anand bhi hua. jo log b di-b di batoan ki chianta karate haian vah aise ji kholakar hans bhi sakate haian, yah vah nahian janati thi.

us din gora ne bahut batean kian. yadyapi sucharita chup hi rahi phir bhi usake chehare ka bhav kuchh aisi sahamati ka tha ki gora ka hriday utsahit ho utha. aant mean jaise vishesh roop se sucharita ko sanbodhit karake hi usane kaha, "dekhie, ek bat yad rakhie. agar hamean yahi galat dharana ho ki aangrez kyoanki itane prabal ho ge haian, isalie ham bhi thik aangrez hue bina kisi prakar prabal nahian ho sakate, to phir yah asanbhav kabhi sanbhav nahian hoga aur ham log nakal karate-karate hi ghar se bahar khade d die jaeange. ap nishchiy janie, bharat ki ek vishesh prakriti hai, vishesh shakti aur vishesh sachchaee hai, usi ke sanpoorn vikas dvara hi bharat sarthak hoga, bharat ki raksha hogi. aangrez ka itihas padhakar bhi yadi hamane yah nahian sikha to sab kuchh galat sikha hai. apase meri yahi prarthana hai ap bharatavarsh ke bhitar aie, usaki sab achchhaee-buraee ke bichoan-bich utarakar kh di hoie- vikriti ho to bhitar se sudhar kar dijie; lekin use dekhie, samajhie, usako janie, usaki or mu die, usake sath ek hoie! usake virudhd kh de hokar, bahar rahakar bachapan se khristani sanskaroan mean dikshit hokar ap use samajh hi nahian sakeangi, use keval kshati hi pahuanchati raheangi, usake mangal ke kam nahian a sakeangi."

gora ne kaha to 'meri prarthana' kiantu yah prarthana nahian thi; mano adesh tha. bat mean kuchh aisa prachand bal tha ki doosare ki sammati ki use upeksha n thi. sir jhukakar sucharita ne sab sun liya. vishesh roop se gora ne usi ko sanbodhit karake itane prabal agrah ke sath ye batean kahian, isase sucharita ke man mean ek uthal-puthal mach gee. yah bechaini kis bat ki hai, yah sochane ka samay tab nahian tha. bharatavarsh nam ki ek mahanh prachin satta hai, yah bat sucharita ne kshan-bhar ke lie bhi kabhi nahian sochi thi. yah satta chhipi rahakar bhi adhikar poorvak sudoor atit se lekar sudoor bhavishy tak manav-jati ke virat bhagy-jal mean ek vishesh rang ka sootr ek vishesh dhang se bunati rahi hai, yah sootr kitana sookshm aur anokha hai aur kitani door tak usaka kitana gahara prabhav hai, yah aj gora ke prabal svar ke roop mean sucharita ke samane mano sahasa prakat ho gaya. pratyek bharatavasi ka jivan itani b di ek satta se ghira hua aur adhikrit hai, use chetan bhav se anubhav n karane se ham log kitane chhote ho jate haian aur apane charoan or ki sthit se kaise bekhabar hokar kam karate haian, yah sucharita ke sammukh kshan-bhar mean spasht ho gaya. isi akasmik sphoorti ke aveg se sucharita apana sab sankoch tyagakar sahaj hi vinay se kah uthi, "desh ki bat kabhi maianne is dhang se use itana b da aur saty manakar nahian sochi. lekin ek bat maian poochhana chahati hooan- dharm ke sath desh ka kya sanbandh hai? kya dharm desh se pare nahian hai?"

dhir svar mean poochha gaya sucharita ka yah prashn gora ko b da saras laga. sucharita ki b di-b di aauankhoan mean yah prashn aur bhi rasapoorn dikhaee diya. gora ne kaha, "desh se jo pare haian, desh se jo kahian b da hai, vah desh ke bhitar se hi prakat hota hai. aise hi vichitr bhav se eeshvar apane anant svaroop ko vyakt karate haian. jo kahate haian ki saty ek hai, isalie keval ek hi dharm saty ho sakata hai, ya dharm ka ek hi roop saty ho sakata hai, ve is saty ko to manate haian ki saty ek hai, lekin is saty ko nahian manana chahate haian ki saty aantahin hota hai. vah jo aantahin ek hai, vah aantahin anek mean apane ko ekashit karata rahata hai- usi ki lila to sare jagath mean ham dekhate haian. isilie dharm-mat bhi vibhinn roop lekar kee dishaoan se usi dharm-raj ki upalabdhi karate haian. maian nishchayapoorvak ap se kahata hooan, bharatavarsh ki khuli khi daki se ap soory ko dekh sakeangi- isake lie sagar-par jakar khristan girajaghar ki khi daki mean baithane ki koee avashyakata n hogi."

sucharita ne kaha, "ap yah kahana chahate haian ki bharatavarsh ka dharm-tantr hamean ek vishesh marg se eeshvar ki or le jata hai. vah vishesh kya hai?"

gora ne kaha, "vah yah ki brahm jo nirvishesh hai, vah vishesh mean hi vyakh‍t hota hai, kiantu usaka vishesh aantahin hai. jal bhi usaka vishesh hai, sthal bhi usaka vishesh hai; agni, vayu, pran usake vishesh haian; budhdi, prem sabhi usake vishesh haian. ginakar usaka koee aant nahian paya ja sakata, isilie vijnan ka sir chakara jata hai. jo nirakar hai usake akar ka aant nahian hai- hrasv-dirgh, sthool-sookshm ka anant pravah hi usaka hai. jo anant vishesh hai vahi nirvishesh hai, jo anant roop hai vahi aroop hai. doosare deshoan mean eeshvar ko kam ya adhik matra mean kisi ek vishesh mean baandhane ki koshish hoti hai- bharatavarsh mean bhi eeshvar ko vishesh mean dekhane ki koshish hoti hai avashy; kiantu bharatavarsh usi vishesh ko ekamatr aur charam nahian kahata. eeshvar us vishesh ka bhi anant prakar se atikraman karata rahata hai, is tathy ko bharatavarsh mean koee bhakt kabhi asvikar nahian karate."

sucharita ne kaha, "jnani nahian karate, lekin ajnani?"

gora bola, "maianne to pahale hi kaha, sab deshoan mean ajnani sab satyoan ko vikrit karate haian."

sucharita ne kaha, "lekin hamare desh mean yah vikriti kya adhik door tak nahian pahuanch gee hai?"

"ho sakata hai, kiantu usaka karan yahi hai ki dharm ke sthool sookshm, aant: aur bahy, sharir aur atma, bharatavarsh in donoan aango ko poornaroopen svikar karana chahata hai; isalie jo log sookshm ko grahan nahian kar pate ve sthool ka hi varan karate haian aur ajnanavash us sthool mean anek vikar paida karate rahate haian. lekin jo roop mean bhi aur aroop mean bhi saty hai, sthool mean bhi aur sookshm mean bhi saty hai dhh‍yan mean bhi aur pratyaksh mean bhi saty hai, unhean sharir-man-karm sabhi se prapt karane ka jo ashcharyajanak aur vishal prayatn bharatavarsh kar raha hai, moorkhoan ki tarah usaki avajna karake atharahavian shatabdi ke yoorop ke nastikata aur astikata-mishrit ek sankirn, niras, aangahin dharm ko ham ekamatr dharm manakar grahan kar lean, yah kaise sanbhav ho sakata hai? maian jo kah raha hooan vah ap shayad apane bachapan mean p de hue sanskaroan ke karan achchhi tarah n samajh sakeangi, socheangi ki is adami ko aangrezi padhakar bhi shiksha ka kuchh phal nahian mila. lekin apamean kabhi bharatavarsh ki saty prakriti aur saty sadhana ke prati shradhda utpann ho saki- hazaroan badhaoan aur vikritiyoan ke bich bhi bharatavarsh jaise apane ko prakashit kar raha hai, us prakash ki gaharaee mean ap phir pakar ap mukti-labh kar sakeangi."

bahut der tak sucharita ko chup baithe dekhakar gora ne kaha, "mujhe ap ek kattar vyakti n samajh lijiega. kattar log, visheshakar jo log ne dhang se kattar ho ge haian ve jis dhang se hiandoo-dharm ke bare mean bat karate haian meri bat ko us dhang se n lijiega. bharatavarsh ki anek prakar ki chhavi aur vichitr cheshtaoan ke bich maian ek gahara aur brihath aiky dekh paya hooan, usi aiky ke anand se maian pagal hooan. usi aiky ke aannad se, bharatavarsh mean jo sabase moodh haian unake sath hil-milakar dhool mean bhi baithane mean mujhe tho da bhi sankoch nahian hota. bharatavarsh ke is sandesh ko koee samajhate haian, koee nahian samajhate-to n sahi; maian apane desh ke sab logoan ke sath ek hooan; ve sabhi mere apane haian. un sabake bich chianratan bharatavarsh ka goo avirbhav barabar apana kary kar raha hai, is vishay mean mere man mean zara bhi shanka nahian hai."

gora ki ye zoradar batean jaise kamare ki divaroan se, mez se, sabhi saman se pratidhh‍vanit hokar ane lagian.

ye sab batean sucharita ke poornat: spasht samajhane ki nahian thi. kiantu anubhooti ka pahala sookshm sanchar bhi b da prabal hota hai. jivan kisi charadivari ya gut ki sima mean bandha nahian hai, yah upalabdhi sucharita ke man mean kasakane lagi.

sidhi ke pas se sahasa l dakiyoan ki ooanchi hansi ke sath pairoan ki tej chap sunaee di. varadasuandari tatha l dakiyoan ko lekar pareshababoo laut ae the. sudhir sidhiyaan chadhate samay kuchh danga kar raha tha, yahi us hansi ka karan tha.

lavany, lalita aur satish kamare mean ate hi gora ko dekh sanbhalakar kh de ho ge. lavany kamare se bahar chali gee, satish vinay ki kursi ke pas kh de hokar usake kan mean kuchh kahane laga. lalita ek kursi sucharita ke pichhe khianchakar usaki ot mean adrishy-si hokar baith gee.

pareshababoo ne akar kaha, "mujhe lautane mean b di der ho gee. jan p data hai, panoo baboo chale ge?"

sucharita ne koee uttar nahian diya. vinay ne hi kaha, "haan, vah aur nahian ruk sake."

uthakar gora ne kaha, "ab ham log bhi chalean." kahakar usane jhukakar pareshababoo ko namaskar kiya.

pareshababoo ne kaha, "aj tum logoan se batachit ka mauqa hi nahian mila. baba, jab bhi tumhean phurasat ho ate rahana!"

gora aur vinay kamare se nikal rahe the ki varadasuandari a geean. donoan ne unhean namaskar kiya. unhoanne kaha, "ap log ab ja rahe haian kya?"

gora ne kaha, "haan."

vinay se varadasuandari ne kaha, "lekin vinay baboo, abhi ap nahian ja sakate- apako bhojan karake hi jana hoga. aj kuchh kam ki bat karani hai."

satish ne uchhalakar vinay ka hath pak d liya aur kaha "haan maan, vinay baboo ko jane mat dena; aj vah mere pas raheange."

vinay kuchh sakucha raha hai aur koee uttar nahian de pa raha hai, yah dekhakar varadasuandari ne gora se kaha, "vinayababoo ko kya ap sath hi le jana chahate hai-unaki kya abhi zaroorat hai?"

gora ne kaha, "nahian, bilh‍kul nahian. vinay, tum rah jao n- maian jata hooan." kahata hua gora jaldi se utar gaya.

jaise hi vinay ke ruk jane ke bare mean varadasuandari ne gora se anumati maangi, vaise hi lalita ki or dekhe bina vinay n rah saka. lalita ne dabe othoan se muskarakar muanh pher liya.

lalita ke is chhote-se vihansate vyangy ke sath vinay jhag da nahian kar sakata, par use yah kaante sa chubhata hai. kamare mean akar vinay ke baithate hi lalita ne kaha, "vinay baboo, aj to apaka bhag jana hi thik rahata."

vinay ne kaha, "kyoan?"

"maan ne apako mushkil mean dalane ki sochi hai. majistret ke mele mean jo abhiyan hoga usake lie ek adami kam p d raha hai- maan ne ap hi ka chunav kiya hai."

ghabarakar vinay ne kaha, "mare ge! mujhase to yah kam nahian hoga!"

hansakar lalita ne kaha "yah to maianne pahale hi maan se kah diya hai. vaise bhi is abhinay mean apake dost kabhi apako bhag nahian lene deange."

chot khakar vinay ne kaha, "dost ki bat chho die. maianne sat janm mean kabhi abhinay nahian kiya-mujhe kyoan chuna?"

lalita ne kaha, "aur ham log to mano janm janmaantar se abhinay karati a rahi haian n?"

isi samay kamare mean varadasuandari baith geean. lalita ne kaha, "maan, abhinay ke lie tum vinay baboo se yoan hi kah rahi ho? pahale unake dost ko razi kar sako tabhi.... "

katar hokar vinay ne kaha, "dost ke razi hone ki kuchh bat nahian hai. abhinay yoan hi to nahian ho jata-mujhe to ata hi nahian."

varadasuandari ne kaha, "unaki chianta n karean- ham ap ko sikha padhakar taiyar kar deangi. chhoti-chhoti l dakiyaan kar sakeangi aur ap nahian kar sakeange?"

vinay ke bachav ka koee rasta nahian raha.

21

apani svabhavik tez chal chho dakar gora anyamanask-sa dhire-dhire ghar ki or ja raha tha. ghar ka sidha rasta chho d usane bahut ghoomakar ganga ke kinare ka rasta pak da. us samay kalakatta ki ganga aur usaka kinara vanik-sabhyata ki labh.... lolup kuroopata se jal-thal par akraant nahian hua tha; kinare par rel ki patari aur pani par pul ki be diyaan nahian p di thian. un dinoan ja doan ki sandhh‍ya mean shahar ke ni:shvasoan ki kalikh akash par itani saghan nahian chhati thi. sudoor himalay ki nirjan chotiyoan se nadi tab kalakatta ki dhool-lipati vyastata ke bich shaanti ki varta lie hue hi utarati thi.

gora ke man ko akrisht karane ka prakriti ko kabhi avasar nahian mila tha. usake apane kam-kaj ke veg se hi usaka man barabar tarangit rahata tha, jo jal-thal akash mukt roop se usake kam-kaj ka kshetr bane hue the unhean jaise usane kabhi lakshy hi nahian kiya tha.

kiantu aj nadi ke oopar ka vahi akash nakshatroan se khachit apane aandhakar ke dvara bar-bar gora ke hriday ko maun bhav se chhoone laga. nadi shaant thi, kalakatta ke ghatoan par kuchh naukaoan mean roshani ho rahi thi aur kuchh par prakashahin sannata tha. doosari taraph ke pe doan ke jhuramutoan par ghani kalima chhaee thi. usake oopar aandhakar ke aantaryami-sa brihaspati apani timir-bhedi apalak drishti lie chamak raha tha.

aj is vishal ni:sh‍tabdh prakriti ne jaise gora ke tan-man ko pulakit kar diya. akash ka virat aandhakar gora ke hriday ki gati par mano tal dene laga. itane dinoan se prakriti dhiraj dhar sthir baithi thi-aj gora ke aantash ka koee dvar khula pakar usane is asavadhani mean kshan-bhar mean durg ko vijit kar liya. ab tak apani vidya-budhdi, chianta aur karm ke bich gora bilh‍kul svatantr tha- aj sahasa kya hua, n jane kahaan aj usane prakriti ko svikar kiya aur usake svikar karate hi is gahare kale jal, nivi d kale tat, is udar kale akash ne use varan kar liya. aj n jane kaise gora prakriti ki pak daee mean a gaya.

raste ke kinare par vyaparik daftar ke bagiche ki kisi vilayati lata se kisi anajane phool ki mohak komal gandh gora ke vyakul hriday ko sahalane lagi. nadi ne use bhi d-bhare karm-kshetr se kisi anirdisht sudoor ki or iangit kar diya jahaan nirjan jal ke kinare pe doan ki gumphit daloan mean n jane kaun-se phool khilate haian, kaun-si chhayaean phailati haian. vahaan nirmal nilavh‍yom ke niche din mano kisi ki aauankhoan ki unmilit chamak hai aur ratean mano kisi ki jhuki huee palakoan ki lajja-j dit chhaya. charoan taraph se madhury ki laharean akar gora ko jis ek atal, anadi shakti ke akarshan mean samet liya, usaka koee jnan gora ko isase pahale nahian tha. vah ek sath hi vedana aur anand se usake samooche man ko ek sthan se doosare sthan ki or le jane lagi. aj is hemanti rat mean nadi ke kinare nagar ke kolahal se door aur nakshatroan ke asphut prakash mean gora kisi vishvavyapini avaguanthit mayavini ke sammukh atmavismrit-sa kh da hua tha. itane din is maharatri ko usane sir jhukakar nahian kiya, isilie achanak aj usake shasan ke jadoo ne gora ko apani sah-varn dor se jal, thal, akash ke sath charoan or se baandh liya. apane oopar gora svayan hairan hota hua nadi ke soone ghat ki ek sidhi par baith gaya. bar-bar vah apane-apase poochhane laga ki usake jivan mean yah kis nee chiz ka avirbhav ho raha hai aur isaka prayojan kya hai! jis pran ke dvara usane apane jivan ko ek sire se doosare sire tak vyavasthit kar rakha tha usake bich isaka sthan kahaan hai? yah kya usake virudhd hai- ise kya sangharsh karake parast karana hoga? yah sochakar jaise hi gora ne mutthiyaan kasakar baandhi, vaise hi budhdi se ujjval, namrata se komal ko snigdh aauankhoan ki jijnasu drishti usake man ke sammukh a gee- kisi anindy suandar hath ki uangaliyoan ne sparsh-saubhagy ka anachakha amrit usake dhh‍yan ke samane la rakha- gora ke sare sharir mean pulak ki bijali-si kauandh gee. aandhakar ke soonepan mean yah saras aubhooti usake sabhi sandehoan ko, usaki duvidha ko bilh‍kul nirast kar gee. apane poore tan-man se vah is nee anubhooti ka upabhog karane laga, ise chho dakar uth jane ki usaki ichchha nahian huee.

jab bahut rat ge vah ghar lauta tab anandamee ne poochha, "itani rat kar di, beta? khana to thanda ho gaya hai."

gora ne kaha, "kya jane maan, aj kya soojha ki bahut der ganga ke ghat par baitha raha."

anandamee ne poochha, "kya vinay sath tha?"

gora ne kaha, "nahian, maian akela hi tha."

man-hi-man aannadamee ko kuchh acharaj hua. bina prayojan gora itani rat tak ganga ke kinare baithakar soche, aisi ghatana pahale to kabhi nahian huee. chupachap baithe rahana to gora ka svabhav hi nahian hai. jab anamana-sa gora khana kha raha tha tab anandamee ne lakshy kiya ki usake chehare par ek ne dhang ki ulajhan bikhari huee hai.

anandamee ne tho di der ke bad dhire-se poochha, "shayad aj vinay ke ghar ge the?"

gora ne kaha, nahian, ham donoan hi aj pareshababoo ke yahaan ge the."

anandamee yah sunakar tho di der chup baithi sochati rahi. phir unhoanne poochha, "un sabake sath tumhara parichay ho gaya hai?"

gora ne kaha, "haan, ho gaya."

anandamee, "unaki l dakiyaan samane ati haian?"

"haan, unhean koee jhijhak nahian hai."

aur kisi samay gora ke aise uttar ke sath tho di uttejana bhi prakat hoti, kiantu aj usake koee lakshan n dekhakar anandamee phir chupachap sochane lagian.

agale din gora sabere uthakar any dinoan ki bhaanti phauran muanh-hath dhokar daini‍k kamoan ke lie taiyar hone nahian gaya. anyamanask-sa sone ke kamare ke poorab ki or ka daravaza kholakar kuchh der kh da raha. poorab ki or unake ghar ki gali ek b di s dak mean ja milati hai, us s dak ke poorab ki or ek skool hai, us skool se lage maidan mean ek purane jamun ke pe d ke oopar halka kuhasa tair raha tha aur usaki a d mean sooryoday ki arun rekha dhuandhali-si dikh rahi thi. bahut der tak gora ke chupachap udhar dekhate-dekhate vah halka kuhasa lupt ho gaya aur khili dhoop pe d ki daloan ke bhitar se anaginat chamachamati sanginoan ki tarah par ho gee aur dekhate-dekhate kalakatta ki s dakean logoan se aur kolahal se bhar uthian.

isi samay gali ke mo d par avinash ke sath kuchh aur vidyarthiyoan ko apane ghar ki or ate dekhakar gora ne apane is svapn ke jal ko zor se jhatakakar to d diya. apane man ko sthir kar unase kaha, "nahian, yah sab kuchh nahian hai, aise nahian chalega." aisa kahate hue vah shighrata se sone ke kamare se nikal gaya. gora ke gut ke log usake ghar aean aur unake ane se pahale gora taiyar ho gaya ho, aisi ghatana isase pahale kabhi nahian ghati. is zara-si bhool ne hi gora ko bahut gahare dhikkara. man-hi-man usane nirnay kiya ki phir vah pareshababoo ke ghar nahian jaega aur aisi koshish karega ki vinay se bhi kuchh din tak milana n ho aur in batoan ki charcha band rahe.

us din niche jakar salah karake sabaki sammati se yahi tay hua ki gut ke do-tin adamiyoan ko sath lekar gora paidal graand trank rod ki yatra karane nikalega, sath mean rupaya-paisa kuchh nahian lega, raste mean grihasthoan ka atithy svikar kiya jaega.

is adbhut sankalp ko sadhakar gora kuchh atirikt hi utsahit ho utha. is tarah khuli s dak par sare bandhan katakar chal nikalane ka ek anokha anand us par chha gaya. use laga ki usaka hriday bhitar-hi-bhitar jis jal mean phans gaya tha, usase chhutakare ki is kalpana se hi vah toot gaya hai. yah sab bhavavesh sirph maya hai aur karm hi saty hai, yah bat b de zor se apane man mean duharakar aur pratidhh‍vanit karake, yatra ki taiyari karane ke lie gora ghar ki nichali manzil ke baithak vale kamare se yoan lagabhag dau data hua bahar nikala jaise l dake skool ki chhutti hone par nikalate haian.

us samay krishnadayal ganga-snan karake, lote mean gangajal lie, namavali odhe, man-hi-man mantrajap karate ghar laut rahe the. ekaek gora unase takara gaya. lajji‍t hokar jaldi se usane unhean pair chhookar pranam kiya, vah "rahane do, rahane do" kahakar sakapakae hue-se aandar chale ge. pooja par baithane se pahale gora ka sansparsh ho jane se unake ganga-snan ka phal to nasht ho gaya. krishnadayal gora ke sansparsh se hi visheshat: bachane ki koshish karate haian, yah gora thik-thik nahian samajhata tha. vah yahi sochata tha ki chhuachhoot manane ke karan sabhi ke har tarah ke sansarg se bachane ke lie hi vah itane satark rahate haian. anandamee ko to mleksh kahakar vah door rakhate hi the, mahim kam-kaji adami tha so usase to bheant hone ka mauqa nahian ata tha. sare parivar mean matr mahim ki l daki shashimukhi ko apanakar use vah sanskrit ke srot ratate the aur pooja-archana ki vidhi sikhalate the.

gora dvara paanv chhue jane se krishnadayal ke vyast hokar jaldi se hat jane par gora ka dhh‍yan unake sankoch ke karan ki o gaya aur vah man-hi-man hansa. isi tarah pita ke sath gora ka sanbandh dhire-dhire pray: khatm-sa ho gaya tha, aur maan ke anachar ki vah chahe jitani buraee kare, isi acharadrohini maan ki hi vah apane man ki sari shradhda ke sath pooja karata tha.

bhojan ke bad kuchh kap doan ki potali baandhakar aur use videshi paryatakoan ki tarah kandhe par dalakar vah maan ke nikat ja upasthit hua. bola, "maan, maian kuchh din ke lie bahar jaooanga."

anandamee ne poochha, "kahaan jaoge, beta?"

gora ne kaha, "yah to maian thik nahian bata sakata."

anandamee ne poochha, "koee kam hai?"

gora ne kaha, 'jise kam kaha jata hai vaisa to kuchh nahian-bas bahar jana hi kam hai."

gora ne anandamee ko chup hote dekhakar kaha, "maan, maian hath jo data hooan, mujhe mana mat karana. tum to mujhe janati ho, mere sannyasi ho jane ka to koee bhay hai nahian. phir socho tumhean chho dakar adhik din kya maian kahian rah sakata hooan."

maan ke prati apane pyar ki bat kabhi gora ne apane muanh se is tarah nahian kahi thi, isalie yah bat kahakar vah lajjit ho gaya.

anandamee ne pulakit hokar jaldi se usaki lajja ko ot dete hue kaha, "to vinay bhi sath jaega?"

h dab dakar gora ne kaha, "nahian maan, vinay nahian jaega! yah lo, ab maan ne yah sochana shuroo kar diya ki vinay n gaya to saphar mean usake gora ki dekh-bhal kaun karega! vinay ko mera rakhavala samajhati ho yah tumhari buri adat hai maan- is bar mere bhale-change laut ane se hi tumhara yah bhram door hoga."

anandamee ne poochha, "bich-bich mean khabar to milati rahegi n?"

gora ne kaha, "tum yahi samajh lo ki khabar nahian milegi- phir bhi agar mil jay to tumhean achchha hi lagega. ghabarane ki koee bat nahian hai, tumhare gora ko koee le nahian jaega. jitana tum mujhe moolyavan samajhati ho maan, utana aur koee nahian samajhata n! ya is gathari par hi kisi ko lobh ho to yah use dan dekar chala aooanga, isako bachane ke lie jan nahian ganvaooanga- yah to nishchay samajho."

anandamee ki charan-dhool lekar gora ne pranam kiya. unhoanne usake sir par hath pherakar hath choom liya, kisi tarah ka nishedh nahian kiya. apane kasht ya kisi anishh‍t ki ashanka ki bat kahakar anandamee kabhi kisi ko nahian rokati thi. unhoanne apane jivan mean anek badhaean aur vipattiyaan sahi thian, bahar ki duniya unake lie ajani n thi. bhay ka unake man mean lesh bhi nahian tha. yah shanka unhean nahian huee ki gora par koee musibat a sakati hai, kiantu pichhale din yahi sochakar vah chiantit thian ki n jane gora ke man mean kya uthal-puthal ho rahi hai. sahasa aj yah sunakar ki gora akaran hi bhraman karane ja raha hai, unaki chianta aur bhi gahari ho gee.

gora jaise gathari kandhe par rakhakar bahar nikala vaise hi vinay hathoan mean gahare lal rang ke gulaboan ka ek jo da b de yatn se sanbhale hue samane a kh da hua. gora ne kaha, "vinay, tumhara darshan asagun hai ki sagun, isaki jaanch ab ho jaegi."

vinay ne poochha, "kahian ja rahe ho kya?"

gora ne kaha, "haan."

vinay ne poochha, "kahaan?"

gora ne kaha, "anugooanj uttar deti hai, kahaan."

vinay, "anugooanj se achchha aur uttar nahian hai kya?"

gora, "nahian. tum maan ke pas jao, unase sab pata lag jaega. maian chalata hooan."

gora tezi se chala gaya, vinay ne bhitar anandamee ko pranam karake gulab ke phool unake charanoan par rakh die.

phool uthate hue anandamee ne poochha, "ye kahaan mile, vinay?"

vinay ne prashn ka sidha uttar n dekar kaha, "achchhi chiz milane par pahale use maan ke charanoan mean chadhane ka man hota hai."

phir anandamee ke takhtaposh par baithate hue vinay ne kaha, "lekin maan, aj tum kuchh anamani jan p dati ho."

anandamee ne kaha, "bhala kyoan?"

"kyoanki aj mujhe mera pan dena to bhool hi gee."

lajjit hokar anandamee ne vinay ko pan la diya.

phir dopahar-bhar donoan mean batachit hoti rahi. gora ke niruddeshy bhraman ke asali karan ke bare mean vinay kuchh thik-thak n batala saka.

batoan-batoan mean anandamee ne poochha, "kal shayad gora ko sath lekar tum pareshababoo ke ghar ge the?"

pichhale din ki sari bat vinay ne byaurevar suna di, anandamee poora man lagakar sunati rahian.

jate samay vinay ne kaha, "maan, pooja to sanpann ho gee, ab tumhare charanoan ka prasad ye do phool sir par dharan karake le jaooan?"

hansakar anandamee ne donoan gulab vinay ke hath mean de die aur man-hi-man socha, keval sauandary ke lie in gulaboan ko itana samman mil raha ho so bat nahian hai- avashy hi inamean vanaspati tatv se pare kisi goodh tatv ki bhi bat hai. tisare pahar vinay ke chale jane par vah bahut-kuchh sochati rahian aur bhagavan ko pukarakar bar-bar prarthana karati rahian ki gora ko koee kasht n ho aur vinay se usake man-mutav ki koee ghatana n ghatit ho.