प्रतिज्ञा उपन्यास भाग-11

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

poorna pratahkal aur dinoan se adh ghanta pahale uthi. usane dabe paanv sumitra ke kamare mean qadam rakha. vah dekhana chahati thi ki sumitra soti hai ya jagati. shayad vah usaki soorat dekh kar nishchay karana chahati thi ki use rat ki ghatana ki kuchh khabar hai athava nahian. sumitra charapaee par p di kuchh soch rahi thi. poorna ko dekh kar vah muskara p di. muskarane ki kya bat thi, yah to vah jane, par poorna ka kaleja sann-se ho gaya. chehare ka rang u d gaya. bhagavan, kahian isane dekh to nahian liya?

sumitra ne uth kar ulajhe keshoan ko sanbhalate hue kaha - 'aj itane savere kaise jag geean, bahan?'

prashn bilkul sadharan tha, kiantu poorna ko aisa jan p da ki yah us mukhy vishay ki bhoomika hai. itane sabere jag jana aisa laanchhan tha, jise svikar karane mean kisi bhayankar badha ki shanka huee. boli - 'kya bahut sabera hai? roj hi ki bela to hai.'

sumitra - 'nahian, bahan, aj bahut sabera hai. tumhean rat ko niand nahian aee kya? aankhean lal ho rahi haian.'

poorna ka kaleja dhak-dhak karane laga. yah doosara aur pahale se bhi b da laanchhan tha. ise vah kaise svikar kar sakati thi? boli - 'nahian bahan, tumhean bhram ho raha hai. rat bahut soee. ek hi niand mean bhor ho gaya. bahut so jane se bhi aankhean lal ho jati haian.'

sumitra ne hans kar kaha - 'hoti hoangi, mujhe nahian maloom tha.'

poorna ne zor de kar kaha - 'vah! itani bat tumhean maloom nahian. tumhean alabatta niand nahian aee. kya sari rat jagati rahian?'

sumitra - 'meri bala jage. jise hazar bar garaj hogi, aega. yahaan aisi kya p di hai? vah raji hi rahate the, to kaun-sa svarg mila jata tha. tab to aur bhi jalate the. yahaan to bhagy mean rone ke sivay aur kuchh likha hi nahian.'

poorna - 'tum to vyarth ka man kie baithi ho bahan! ek bar chali kyoan nahian jati?'

sumitra ke ji mean aya ki rat ki katha kah sunae, par sankoch ne jaban band kar di. boli - 'yah to n hoga bahan, chahe sara jivan isi tarah kat jae. mera koee aparadh ho, to maian ja kar manaooan. anyay vah karean, manane maian jaooan - yah nahian ho sakata.'

yah kahate-kahate use rat ka apaman yad a gaya. vah ghantoan dvar par kh di thi. vah jagate the - avashy jagate the, phir bhi kiva d n khole. tyoriyaan chadha kar boli - 'phir kyoan manane jaooan? maian kisi ka kuchh nahian janati. chahe ek kharch kiya, chahe sau, mere bap ne die aur ab bhi dete jate haian. inake ghar mean p di hooan, itana gunah alabatta kiya hai. akhir purush apani stri par kyoan itana rob jamata hai? bahan, kuchh tumhari samajh mean ata hai?'

poorna ne rahasyamay bhav se muskara kar kaha - 'kya yah aj ki nee bat hai? purush ne sadaiv stri ki raksha ki hai, phir rob kyoan n jamae?'

sumitra - 'raksha ki hai to apane svarth se, kuchh isalie nahian ki striyoan ke prati unake bhav b de udar haian. apani jayadad ke lie santan ki zaroorat n hoti, to koee stri ki bat bhi n poochhata. jo striyaan baanjh rah jati haian, unaki kitani durdasha hoti hai roj hi dekhati ho. haan, lanpatoan ki bat chho do, jo veshyaoan par pran dete haian.'

poorna - 'maian to aisi kee auratoan ko janati hooan, jo purushoan hi par rob jamati haian, yah kyoan?'

sumitra - 'vah nikamme purush hoange.'

poorna - 'nahian bahan, vah nikamme nahian. sau kamauoan mean kamau. ek nahian, das-paanch to apane muhalle mean hi ginava dooan aur bahar kahaan jaooan. mere hi mama the jo mamiji ki ajna ke bina dvar se talate n the. yahaan tak ki ek bar kachahari ka samman aya to aandar ja kar poochhane lage - "are sunati ho, kachahari ka samman aya hai. jaean ki n jaean.

sumitra - 'agar tumhari mami mana kar detian to n jate?'

poorna - 'maian to samajhati hooan, n jate. chaparasi jabaradasti pak d le jata.'

sumitra - 'to tumhari mami dhani ghar ki beti hoangi?'

poorna - 'kaisa dhani ghar? mol laee geean thian - mama ji ki pahali stri mar gee to ye unhean mol lae the.'

sumitra - 'kya kahati ho, bahan? kahian auratean bikati haian?'

poorna - 'auratean aur mard donoan bikate haian. l daki ka bap kuchh le kar l daki byahe aur l dake ka bap kuchh le kar l daka byahe. yah bechana nahian to aur kya hai? magar l dake valoan ke lie lena koee nee bat nahian hai. l daki ka bap yadi kuchh le kar l daki de, to nianda ki bat hi hai. isaki pratha nahian hai.'

sumitra - 'maja to tabhi ae, jab l daki vale bhi l dakiyoan ka dahej lene lagean. bina bharapoor dahej lie vivah hi n karean. tab purushoan ke hosh thikane ho jaean. mera to agar babooji vivah n karate, to mujhe kabhi isaka khyal bhi n ata. meri samajh mean yahi bat nahian ati ki l daki valoan ko hi l daki byahane ki itani garaj kyoan hoti hai.'

poorna - 'tum bahan, bachchoan ki-si batean kyoan karati ho. l dakiyoan ke vivah mean sal do-sal ka vilamb ho jata hai, to charoan or hansi hone lagati hai. l dakoan ka vivah kabhi n ho, to bhi koee nahian hansata. lok-riti bhi koee chiz hai.'

sumitra - 'aangarejoan mean bahut-si auratean kvaanri rah jati hai, to kya hota hai? kya ve bhrasht hoti haian?'

poorna - 'kisi ke dil ka hal koee kya janata hai bahan! aurat abala hoti hai. ek rakshak ke bina usaka jivan sukh shaanti se nahian kat sakata.'

sumitra - 'to phir yah misean kvaanri kaise rah jati haian?'

poorna - 'isalie ki vah jivan ko vilas-poorvak katana chahati haian, ya santan ke lalan-palan ka kasht nahian uthana chahatian, ya kisi se dab kar n rahana chahati hoangi.'

sumitra - 'achchha, tumhare mama ji stri se kyoan dabate the? b de dubale-patale mariyal se adami the? aur tumhari mamiji bhari-bharakam stri thian?'

poorna - 'are nahian bahan, mami ji to aisi dubali-patali thian ki phooank do to u d jaean, aur mama ji to poore bhim the. pakki sava ser to unaki khurak thi. magar mami ki aankhoan ke ishare par chalate the. kya majal ki apani marzi se ek kau di bhi kharch karean. din-bhar ke bad bhi jajamani se lautate, to khana ghar hi par khate.'

sumitra - 'to vah nirbuddhi hoange.'

to bas, usi tarah purush bhi unhian striyoan par rob jama lete haian, jo nirbuddhi hoti haian. chatur stri par purush rob nahian jama sakate, n chatur purush par stri hi rob jama sakati hai. do mean jisaki buddhi tivr hogi, usaki chalegi.'

sumitra - 'maian to moorkho ko bhi striyoan ko daantate-dapatate dekhati hooan.'

poorna - 'yah to sansar ki pratha hi hai, bahan. mard stri se bal mean, buddhi mean, paurush mean aksar badh kar hota hai, isilie usaki hukoomat hai. jahaan purush ke badale stri mean yah gun haian, vahaan striyoan hi ki chalati hai. mard kama kar khilata hai, kyoan rob jamane se bhi jae.'

sumitra - 'bas-bas, tumane lakh rupe ki bat kah di. yahi maian bhi samajhati hooan bechari aurat kama nahian sakati, isilie usaki yah durgati hai lekin maian kahati hooan, agar mard apane parivar bhar ko khila sakata hai, to stri apani kamaee se apana pet bhi nahian bhar sakati?'

poorna - 'lekin prashn to raksha ka hai. unaki raksha kaun karega?'

sumitra - 'raksha kaisi? kya unhean koee kha jaega, loot lega?'

poorna - 'lanpatoan ke mare unaka rahana kathin ho jaega.'

sumitra - 'jab aisi kee striyaan mil kar raheangi, to koee unaka kuchh nahian biga d sakega. harek stri apane pas tej chhura rakhe. agar koee purush unhean chhe de, to jan par khel jae - chhuri bhoank de. aisi das-bis ghatanaean ho jaeangi to mardoan ki nani mar jaegi. phir koee stri ki or aankh bhi n utha sakega.'

poorna ne ganbhir bhav se kaha - 'samay aega, to vah bhi ho jaega, bahan abhi to stri ki raksha mard hi karata hai.'

sumitra - 'hamian ne mardoan ki khushamad karake unhean sir chadha diya hai.'

poorna - 'ye sari batean tabhi tak haian, jab tak pati-dev roothe hue haian. abhi a kar gale laga lean, to tum pair choomane lagogi.'

sumitra - 'kaun, maian? maianne hamesha phatakar batalaee hai, tabhi to mujhase lala ki kor dabati hai. vah ek-ek kau di daantoan se pak date haian aur mujhase jo kuchh kharch karate banata hai, karati hooan, unase maangati nahian. is par aur bhi jalate haian. aj hi ganga-snan karane jaooangi. yah mani huee bat hai ki ghar ki bagghi n milegi. vah mere lie khali nahian rahati. kirae ki bagghi par jaooangi. char rupe se kam n kharch hoange, dekhana kaise jame se bahar hote haian?'

itane mean kahar ne a kar kaha - 'bahoo ji, baboo ji ne reshami achakan maangi hai.'

sumitra ne tinak kar kaha - 'ja kar kah de, jahaan rakhi ho dhooandh kar le jaean. yahaan koee unaki lauandi nahian hai bahar baithe-baithe navaboan ki tarah hukm jamane chale haian.'

kahar ne hath jo d kar kaha - 'sarakar, nikal ke de dean, nahian hamar kuandi hoy lagi, cham di udhe d le haian.'

sumitra - 'teri takadir mean lat khana likha hai, ja kar too lat kha. too to mard hai, kya tujhe bhi aur kahian kam nahian milata?'

kahar chala gaya, to poorna ne kaha - 'bahan, kyoan rar badhati ho. lao mujhe kuanji de do, maian nikal kar de dooan. unaka krodh janati ho?'

sumitra - 'yahaan kisi ki dhauans sunane vali nahian hooan. sau daphe garaj ho, a kar apani achakan le jaean. mujhe koee tanakhvah nahian dete.'

kahar ne laut kar kaha - 'sarakar kahate haian ki achakan lohe vali sandook mean dhari hai.'

sumitra - 'toone kaha nahian ki ja kar nikal lao. kya itana kahate jibh giri jati thi?'

kahar - 'i to ham nahian kaha sarakar! ap doonoan parani chhin bhar maan ekke hoi haian, bich mean hamara kutammas hoi jaee.'

sumitra - 'achchha, to yahaan se bhag ja, nahian pahale maian hi pitooangi.'

kahar muanhalaga tha. bola - 'sarakar ka jitana marai ka hoy mar lean, muda babooji se n pitavean. as ghooansa marat haian sarakar ki kos-bhar lai dhamaka sunat hai.'

sumitra ko hansi a gee. hansati huee boli - 'too bhi to isi tarah apani mehariya ko pitata hai. yah usi ka dand hai.'

kahar - 'are sarakar, jo ee hot t ka poochhai ka raha. mehariya as gunan ki poori mili hai ki bat pichhoo karat hai, jha doo pahale chalavat hai. jo sarakar, sun-bhar pave ki kauno dusari mehariya se hansat raha, to kh de lil jae, sarakar, kh dai lil jae! thar-thar kaanpit hai, bahooji se taur itana nahian derait hai.'

sumitra - 'to too janm ka latakhor hai bhag, ja kah de apani achakan le jaean. kya pair mean meanhadi lagi hai? yah zaroor kahana.'

kahar - 'jait hai sarakar, aj bhale ka muanh nahian dekha jan parat hai.'

kahar chala gaya to poorna ne kaha - 'sakhi, tum chhe d-chhe d l dati ho. maian to yahaan se bhagi jati hooan.'

sumitra ne usaka aanchal pak d liya - 'bhagati kahaan ho? jara tamasha dekho! kya sher haian jo kha jaeange.'

poorna - 'krodh mean adami aandha ho jata hai bahan. kahian koee kuvachan kah baithean to?'

sumitra - 'kuvachan kah baitheange, to kuvachan suneange.'

poorna - 'aur jo hath chala diya.'

sumitra - hath kya chala deange, koee hansi hai? phir soorat n dekhooangi.

kamalaprasad ke kh daooan ki ahat sunaee di. poorna ka kaleja dhak-dhak karane laga. aur sumitra bhi ek kshan ke lie sitapita-si gee, par shighr hi vah sanbhal baithi aur is bhaanti satark ho gee, jaise koee phikait vadi ki chot rokata hai.

kamalaprasad ne kamare mean qadam rakhate hi kathor svar mean kaha - 'baithi gappean l da rahi ho. jara-si achakan maang bheji, to uthate n bana. bap se kaha hota, kisi karo dapati seth ke ghar byahate. yahaan ka hal to janate the.'

sumitra ne t dap kar kaha - 'bap-dade ka nam n lena, kahe deti hooan. vah charapaee par kuanji p di hai aur vah samane sandook hai. achakan lo aur bahar jao. yahaan koee tumhari lauandi nahian hai. jab apani kamaee khilana tab daant lena. bap yah nahian janate the ki vah that-bat bahar-hi-bahar hai.'

kamalaprasad - 'tum to b di samajhadar thian, tumhian ne pata laga liya hota.'

sumitra - 'jhag da karana chahate ho ya achakan le kar bahar jana chahate ho.'

kamalaprasad - 'nahian jhag da karana chahata hooan.'

sumitra - 'achchhi bat hai. vaisa sunoge.'

kamalaprasad - 'meri achakan nikalati ho ya nahian?'

sumitra - 'agar bhalamanasi se kahate ho to haan, rob se kahate ho to nahian.'

kamalaprasad - 'maian to rob se hi kahata hooan.'

sumitra - 'to nikal lo?'

kamalaprasad - 'tumhean nikalana p dega.'

sumitra - 'maian nahian nikalati.'

kamalaprasad - 'anarth ho jaega sumitra, anarth ho jaega. kahe deta hooan.'

sumitra - 'jo kuchh ji mean ae kar lena. bal barabar paravah nahian hai.'

kamalaprasad - 'tum apane ghar chali jao.'

sumitra - 'mera ghar yahi hai. yahaan se aur kahian nahian ja sakati.'

kamalaprasad - 'lakhapati bap ka ghar to hai.'

sumitra - 'bap ka ghar jab tha tab tha, ab yahi ghar hai. maian adalat se l d kar paanch sau rupaya mahina le looangi lala, is pher mean n rahana. pair ki jooti nahian hooan ki nee thi to pahana, purani ho gee to nikal pheanka.' aisa turki-baturki javab aj tak kamalaprasad ne kabhi n paya tha. usake tarakash mean paine-se-paine jo tir the, ve sab usane aj chho d die. ghar se nikal jane ki dhamaki di, par sumitra par kuchh bhi asar n hua, ab vah kya kare, purush par stri ka kitana namamatr ka adhikar hai, yah aj use maloom hua. vah sumitra ko mar nahian sakata. ghar se nikal nahian sakata. adhik-se-adhik yahi kar sakata hai, ki usaki soorat n dekhe aur isaki sumitra ko koee chianta nahian jan p dati thi. ab vivash ho kar use duhaee dena p da - nirbaloan ka to yahi astr hai. poorna se bola - 'dekhati ho poorna, inaki batean. maian jitana hi tarah deta hooan, utana hi yah sher huee jati haian.' poorna - 'ap samajhadar ho kar jab kuchh nahian samajhate to unhean kya kahooan?'

sumitra ne aianth kar kaha - 'bahan, muanh dekhe ki sanad nahian. kahe ke yah b de samajhadar ban ge aur maian besamajh ho gee? isi mooanchh se. jo adami mujh jaisi bholi-bhali stri ko aj tak apani mutthi mean n kar saka, vah samajhadar nahian, moorkh bhi nahian, bail hai. akhir maian kyoan inaki dhauans sahooan. jo das batean pyar ki kare, usaki ek dhauans bhi sah li jati. jisaki talavar sada myan se bahar rahati ho, usaki koee kahaan tak sahe?'

kamalaprasad - 'kahe deta hooan sumitra, ro-ro kar din katogi.'

sumitra - 'meri bala roe. haan, tum rooge.'

kamalaprasad - 'maian apani sau shadiyaan kar sakata hooan.'

sumitra tilamila uthi. is chot ka vah itana hi kathor uttar n de sakati thi. vah yah kah n sakati thi ki maian bhi hazar shadiyaan kar sakati hooan. tiraskar se bhare hue svar mean boli - 'jo purush ek ko n rakh saka, vah sau ko kya rakhega. haan, chakala basae to doosari bat hai.'

kamalaprasad parast ho gaya. jisaki nak par makkhi n baithane pati thi, use ek abala ne parast kar diya. koee shabd usake muanh se n nikala. raktamay aankhoan se ek bar sumitra ki or dekh kar ulte paanv chala gaya.

do-tin minat tak donoan mahilaean maun rahian, donoan hi apane-apane dhang par is sangram ki vivechana kar rahi thian. sumitra vijay garv se phooli huee thi, usaki atma usaka leshamatr bhi tiraskar nahian kar rahi thi. usane vahi kiya, jo use karana chahie tha. kiantu poorna ke vichar mean sara dosh sumitra ke hi sir tha. jara uth kar achakan nikal deti, to is thayan-thayan ki naubat hi kyoan ati. aurat ko mard ke muanh lagana shobha nahian deta. n jane inake muanh se aise kathor shabd kaise nikale? patthar ka kaleja hai. bechare kamalaprasad baboo to jaise thage rah ge. aisi aurat ki agar mard bat n poochhe to gila kaisa?

sahasa sumitra boli - 'bahut tav dikha kar ge haian, mera kya kar leange. ab sidhe ho jaeange, dekh lena. aise mardoan ki yahi dava hai. tumhara maianne b da lihaz kiya nahian to aisa-aisa sunati ki kan ke ki de mar jate.'

poorna - 'sunane mean to tumane koee bat utha nahian rakhi, bahan doosara mard hota to jane kya karata.'

sumitra - 'jo kahega vah sunega hi, hazar bar sunega. dabe vah, jo kisi ka diya khati ho. maian to apane bap se kabhi nahian dabi, inako maian kya janati hooan. sau-sau shadiyaan karane ki bat kahate hue bhi jinhean lajja n ae, vah bhi koee adami hai.'

poorna - 'bahan, aur dinoan ki to maian nahian chalati par aj tumhari hi hathadharmi thi.'

sumitra - 'achchha, jale par namak n chhi dako, sakhi jisake oopar p dati hai, vahi janata hai.'

poorna - 'maianne to aisi koee bat nahian kahi bahan, mujh par nahak big dati ho.'

sumitra - 'sara dosh sir madh rahi ho aur kya lathiyoan se marogi? aurat nirbal hoti hai, use upadesh denevale bahut hote haian. mardoan ko koee nahian samajhata. itani der baithi sunati rahian, ek bar bhi tumhare muanh se n nikala ki babooji. yah kaisi batean kar rahe ho. tum khush ho rahi hogi ki achchha ho raha hai, isaki durgati ho rahi hai.'

poorna ko yah aantim vaky ban ke saman laga. vah hakki-bakki ho kar sumitra ka muanh takane lagi. yadyapi vah sadaiv sumitra ki thakurasuhati kiya karati thi, phir bhi vah yah janati thi ki jis din kamalaprasad sa diyaan lae the, usi din se sumitra use sandeh ki drishti se dekhane lagi hai, kiantu us avasar par poorna ne kamalaprasad ka upahar vapas karake apani samajh mean sandeh ko mita dene ka saphal prayatn kiya tha. phir aj sumitra akaran hi kyoan us par yoan nirday prahar kar rahi hai. use phir bhram hua ki kahian sumitra ne rat ki bat jan to nahian li. vah bhit aur ahat ho kar dabi jaban se boli - 'bahan, tumhare man mean jo bat ho, vah saph-saph kah do. mujh anath ko jala kar kya paogi? agar mera yahaan rahana tumhean bura lagata hai to maian aj hi muanh mean kalikh laga kar yahaan se chali jaooangi. sansar mean lakhoan vidhavaean p di haian, kya sabhi ke rakshak baithe haian? kisi bhaanti unake din bhi katate hi haian. mere bhi usi bhaanti kat jaeange aur phir kahian ashray nahian hai to ganga to kahian nahian gee hai.'

sumitra ne phir bhi poorna ke ahat hriday par phaha rakhane ki cheshta nahian ki aur bhi nak siko d kar boli - 'mujhe tumhara rahana kyoan bura lagega bahan. kya meri chhati par baithi ho. n mera ghar, n mera dvar, n maian lene mean, n maian dene mean - maian kyoan bura manane lagi? maian hi kyoan n doob marooan ki sara ghar shaant ho jae. vish ki gaanth to maian hooan. sare ghar ka to mere mare nak mean dam hai. maian hi sabaki aankhoan mean khatakati hooan.'

poorna ne ye batean mano suni hi nahian. bahuean pati se rooth kar prayah aisi viragapoorn batean kiya hi karati haian. yah koee nee bat nahian thi. vah apane hi ko suna kar boli - 'maian janati thi ki apane jhoanp de se paanv bahar nikalana mere lie bura hoga. jan-boojh kar maianne apane paanv mean kulha di mari. maian kamalaprasad baboo ki batoan mean a gee. itani jag-hansaee aur bhag mean likhi thi.'

sumitra ne tivr svar mean kaha - 'to un baboo sahab ne tumhean kuchh nahian kaha?'

usane apana vaky samapt to kar diya, par mukh ki cheshta se jnat hota tha ki vah aur kuchh kahana chahati hai, lekin kisi karanavash nahian kah rahi hai.

poorna ne dvar ki or jate hue rookhe svar mean kaha - 'mere lie jaise kamalaprasad baboo vaisi tum.'

sumitra - 'to jati kahaan ho, jara baitho to.'

poorna - 'nahian bahan, baithane ka prasad pa gee, ab jane do.'

poorna idhar apane kamare mean a kar rone lagi. udhar sumitra ne haramoniyam par gana shuroo kiya -

oodho svarath ka sansar

yah gana tha ya poorna par vijay pane ka ahlad! poorna ko to yah vijay-gan-sa pratit hua. ek-ek svar usake hriday par ek-ek shar ke saman chot kar raha tha. kya ab is ghar mean usaka nirvah ho sakata hai? asanbhav! n jane vah kaun-si manahoos gh di thi, jab vah is ghar mean aee? apane us jhoanp de mean rah kar silaee karake ya chakki pis kar kya vah jivan vyatit n kar sakati thi? bechari billo aant tak use samajhati rahi, par bhagy mean to dhakke khane likhe the, usaki bat kaise manati?

ab poorna ka hriday ek bar kamalaprasad se batean karane ke lie vyakul ho utha. vah unake samane spasht kah dena chahati thi ki vah is ghar mean nahian rah sakati. unake sivay aur kisase kahe? lala badariprasad hans kar tal dean. ammaan samajheangi ki yah meri bahoo ki barabari kar rahi hai. abhi se chale jane mean kushal hai. kahian koee doosara upadrav uth kh da ho to kahian muanh dikhane layaq bhi n rahooan. sumitra chahe jo laanchhan laga de, duniya usi ki bat manegi.

poorna rat hi se ekaant mean rat ke samay kamalaprasad ke pas jane par pachhata rahi thi. un bhale adami ko bhi us samay chuhal karane ki soojh gee. magar vah sa di mujh par khoob khil rahi thi. mujhe vahaan jana hi n chahie tha, par ek bar aur unase milana hoga. maian dvar par kh di rahooangi, mujhe kamare mean jane ki zaroorat hi kya hai? kh de-kh de kah dooangi - baboo ji, ab mujhe ap jane dijie aur kahian jagah nahian hai to baboo amritaray ka vidhavashram to hai. das-paanch vidhavaean vahaan rahati bhi to haian. maian bhi vahian chali jaooan, to kya harj hai? vah samajhaeange to bahut, sumitra ko daantane par bhi taiyar ho jaeange, par is daant-dapat se aur bhi jhamela badhega, tarah-tarah ke sandeh logoan ke man mean paida hoange. abhi kam-se-kam logoan ko mujh par daya ati hai, phir to koee bat bhi n poochhega. vidhava ko kulata banate kitani der lagati hai.

din-bhar poorna man mare baithi rahi. kisi kam mean ji n lagata tha. ichchha n rahate hue bhi bhojan karane gee. bhay hua ki kahian sumitra a kar jali-kati n sunane lage. jaise-taise kisi tarah din kata, rat aee. sumitra ne saresham hi se kiva d band kar lie. bhojan karane ke bad achchhi tarah sota p d gaya to poorna ne dabe paanv kamalaprasad ke dvar par a kar dhire-se pukara. kamalaprasad abhi-abhi sinema se lauta tha. lapak kar kiva d khol die aur bola - 'ao-ao poorna tumhean dekhane ke lie ji vyakul ho raha tha.'

poorna ne dvar par kh de-kh de kaha - 'mere vahaan ane ka koee kam nahian hai. maian keval apase vida maangane aee hooan. is ghar mean ab mera nirvah nahian ho sakata. akhir maian bhi to adami hooan. kahaan tak sabaka muanh takooan aur kis-kis ki khushamad karooan?'

kamalaprasad ne dvar par a kar kaha - 'aandar to ao, tum to is tarah kh di ho mano chapat mar kar bhag jaogi. jara shaant ho kar baitho to sunooan kya bat hai. is ghar mean kaun hai, jo tumhean adhi bat bhi kahane ka sahas kar sakata hai, apana aur usaka khoon kar dooan. magar aandar to ao.'

poorna - 'mere aandar ane ki zaroorat nahian. yoan hi tane mil rahe haian, phir to n jane kya kalank lag jaega.'

kamalaprasad ne tyoriyaan chadha kar kaha - 'kisane tana diya hai, sumitra ne?'

poorna - 'kisi ne diya ho, apaka poochhana aur mera kahana donoan vyarth hai. tanevali bat hogi to sabhi tane deange. ap kisi ka muanh nahian band kar sakate. kele ke lie to thikara bhi paini chhuri ban jata hai. sabase achchha yahi hai ki maian yahaan se chali jaooan. ap logoan ne mera itane din palan kiya, isake lie mera ek-ek roaan ap logoan ka jas gaega.'

'kahaan jana chahati ho?'

'kahian-n-kahian thikana lag hi jaega aur kuchh n hoga to ganga ji to haian hi.'

'to pahale mujhe tho da-sa-sankhiya deti jao.'

poorna ne tiraskar ke bhav se dekh kar kaha - 'kaisi bat muanh se nikalate ho, babooji. mera pran bhi ap logoan ke kam ae to mujhe usako dene mean anand milega, lekin bat badhati jati hai aur age chal kar n jane aur kitani badhean isalie mera yahaan se jana hi achchha hai.'

kamalaprasad ne poorna ka hath pak d kar balat aandar khianch liya aur dvar band karata hua bola - 'haan, ab kaho kya kahati ho? sumitra ne tumhean kuchh kaha hai.'

poorna dvar se chipaki huee boli - 'pahale dvar khol do to maian bataooan. kyoan vyarth mera jivan nasht kar rahe ho.'

'khol dooanga, aisi jaldi kya hai? pani mean bhi to bhig nahian rahi ho, ya maian koee haua hooan? agar sumitra ne tumhean kuchh kaha hai to maian eeshvar ki kasam kha kar kahata hooan, kal hi use ghar se nikal bahar karooanga aur phir kabhi muanh n dekhooanga. dekho poorna, agar tumane dvar khola to pachhataogi. chhati mean chhuri mar looanga. sach kahata hooan, chhati mean chhuri mar looanga. chhah mahine hue, jab maianne tumhean pahale-pahal dekha tab se mere chitt ki jo dasha ho rahi hai, vah tum nahian jan sakati. itane dinoan kisi tarah sabr kiya, par ab sabr nahian hota. khair, jab-tab darshan ho jate the, jisase hriday ko kuchh dhadhas hota tha, ab tum yahaan se jane ki bat kahati ho. tumhara yahaan se jana mere sharir se pranoan ka jana hai. maian tumhean rok nahian sakata, tumhean rokane ka mujhe koee adhikar nahian hai. sansar vivah ke svaang ko to solaho ane adhikar de deta hai, par prem ko, jo eeshvar ka svaroop hai, ratti-bhar bhi adhikar nahian deta. jao, magar kal hi sunogi ki kamalaprasad is sansar se kooch kar gaya.'

poorna ka nishkapat hriday is prem-darshan se ghor asamanjas mean p d gaya. usaka ek hath kiva d ki chatakhani par tha, vah ap-hi-ap chatakhani ke pas se hat gaya. vah svayan ek qadam age badh aee. usaki dasha us manushy ki-si ho gee, jisane anajane mean kisi balak ka pair kuchal diya ho aur jo use vedana se chhatapatate dekh, jaldi se dau d kar use god mean utha le. kamalaprasad jis din sa di lae the, usi din se poorna ko kuchh shanka ho gee thi, par usane purushoan ka vinod samajh liya tha. atev is samay yah premalap sun kar bhayabhit ho gee. ghabaraee huee avaz se boli - 'aisi batean n karo, babooji. mera lok aur paralok mat biga do. phir maian sachamuch marane tho de hi ja rahi hooan. kahian-n-kahian to rahooangi hi. kabhi-kabhi ati rahooangi. magar is samay mujhe jane do. meri badanami se kya tumhean duahkh n hoga?'

kamalaprasad - 'poorna, nekanami aur badanami sab dhakosala hai. prem eeshvar ki prerana hai, usako svikar karana pap nahian, usaka anadar karana pap hai. mujhe eeshvar ne dhan diya hai, ek-se-ek roopavati striyoan ko nity dekhata hooan. dhan ke bal se jise chahooan apani vasana ka shikar bana sakata hooan, par aj tak kasam le lo jo kisi ki or aankh utha kar bhi dekha ho. mere mitr log mujhe boodhe baba kaha karate haian. sumitra ko ae tin sal ho ge par use kabhi maianne prem ki drishti se nahian dekha. magar tumhean dekhate hi mujhe aisa maloom hua, mano meri aankhoan ke samane se parada hat gaya. aisa jan p da, mano tum mere hriday mandir mean bahut dinoan se baithi ho. magar maian ajnan ke karan is vedana ka rahasy n samajh sakata tha. bas, jaise koee bhooli huee bat yad a jae. ab kitana chahata hooan ki tumhean bhool jaooan, man ko doosari or pherana chahata hooan, par koee bas nahian chalata. yahi samajh lo ki mera jivan tumhari daya par hai.'

yah kahate-kahate kamalaprasad ka gala bhar aya. usane roomal nikal kar aankhean poanchhian, mano unamean aansoo chhalak rahe haian.

poorna pashan-pratima ki bhaanti nispand kh di thi. usaki sari buddhi, sari chetana, sari atma mano um dati huee laharoan mean bahi ja rahi ho, aur koee usaki art dhvani par kan n deta ho. manushy, pashu-pakshi, tat ke vriksh aur bastiyaan sab bhagi jati hoan - usase door - kosoan door! vah kh di n rah saki. bhoomi par baith kar usane ek thandi saans li aur phoot-phoot kar rone lagi.

kamalaprasad ne samip ja kar usaka hath pak d liya aur gala saf karake bola - 'poorna, tum jis sankat mean ho, maian use janata hooan, lekin socho, ek jivan ka mooly kya ek poorv-smriti ke barabar bhi nahian? maian tumhari patibhakti ke adarsh ko samajhata hooan. apane svami se tumhean kitana prem tha, yah dekh chuka hooan. unhean tumase kitana prem tha, yah bhi dekh chuka hooan. aksar park mean hari-bhari ghas par lete hue vah ghantoan tumhara kirtigan kiya karate the. maian sun-sun kar unake bhagy ko sarahata tha aur ichchha hoti thi ki tumhean ek bar pa jata to tumhare charanoan par sir rakh kar rota. sumitra se din-din ghrina hoti jati hai. yah unhian ka boya hua bij hai, jo phoolane aur phalane ke lie vikal ho raha hai.'

poorna ne sisakate hue kaha - 'babooji, tumhare pairoan p dati hooan, mujhe jane do. mera ji n jane kyoan ghabara raha hai.'

kamalaprasad ne sir thok kar kaha - 'hay, phir vahi bat. achchhi bat hai. jao, ek bar bhi baithane ko n kahooanga.'

poorna jyoan-ki-tyoan baithi rahi. use kisi bhishan parinam ki shanka ho rahi thi.

kamalaprasad ne kaha - 'ab jati kyoan nahian ho? maianne tumhean baandh to nahian liya hai.'

poorna ne kamalaprasad ki or katar netroan se dekha aur sir jhuka kar kaha - 'vayada karate ho ki apane pranoan ki raksha karate rahoge?'

kamalaprasad ne udasin bhav se kaha - 'tumhean mere pranoan ki raksha ki kya paravah jis tarah tumhare oopar mera kuchh zor nahian hai, usi tarah mere oopar bhi tumhara koee zor nahian hai. ya tumhean bhool hi jaooanga, ya pranoan ka aant hi karooanga, magar isase tumhara kya banata-big data hai. ji mean ae, jara-sa shok kar lena, nahian vah bhi n karana. maian tumase gila karane n aooanga.'

poorna ne muskarane ki cheshta karake kaha - 'to is tarah to maian n jaooangi.'

kamalaprasad - 'isaka yah ashay hua ki tum mujhe n jine dogi, n marane. tumhari ichchha hai sadaiv t dapata rahooan. yah dasha mujhase n sahi jaegi. tum ja kar aram se leto aur meri chianta chho d do. magar nahian, yah meri bhool hai, jo maian samajh raha hooan ki tum mere pranoan ki chianta se mujhase yah vayada kara rahi ho. yah keval bhikhari ko mithe shabdoan mean javab dene ka ek dhang hai. haan, vayada karata hooan ki apane pranoan ki raksha karata rahooanga, usi tarah jaise tum mere pranoan ki raksha karati ho.'

'yah vayada maian nahian manati. sachcha vayada karo.'

'to priye, yah gaanth mean baandh lo ki kamalaprasad virah-vedana sahane ke lie jivit nahian rah sakata.'

poorna ne karoon svar mean kaha - 'baboo ji, tumane mujhe b de sankat mean phansa diya. tum mujhe mayajal mean phansa kar mera sarvanash karane par tule hue ho. mera kartavy jnan nasht hua jata hai. tumane mujh par mohini mantr-sa dal diya hai.

kamalaprasad ne avesh mean a kar kaha - 'achchha ab chup raho, poorna. aisi batoan se mujhe manasik kasht ho raha hai. tum samajh rahi ho ki maian apani nich vasana ki tripti ke lie tumhean mayajal mean phansa raha hooan. yah tum mere sath ghor anyay kar rahi ho. tumhean kaise vishvas dilaooan ki yah mayajal nahian, shuddh atm-samarpan hai. yadi isaka praman chahati ho, to yah lo...'

yah kah kar kamalaprasad ne khooanti par lataki huee talavar utar li aur use khianch kar bola - 'lash ko samane ph dakate dekh kar nishchay kar lena ki prem tha ya kaushal.'

yadi poorna ek kshan hi dhairy se baithi rah sakati to use avashy yah praman mil jata, par ramani ka katar hriday saham utha. yah bat jan kar hi kamalaprasad ne yah abhinay kiya tha. poorna ne talavar usake hath se chhin li aur boli - 'maian to tumase koee praman nahian maang rahi hooan.'

'phir tumane mayajal kaise kaha?'

'bhool huee, kshama karo.'

'abhi tumhean kuchh sandeh ho to maian use mitane ko taiyar hooan. isase uttam mrityu mere lie aur kya ho sakati hai ki apane prem ki satyata ka praman dete hue tumhare samane pranoan ka utsarg kar dooan?'

poorna ne talavar ko myan mean rakhate hue kaha - 'tum isi talavar se mere jivan ka aant kar sakate to kitana achchha hota? mujhe vishvas hai ki maian jara bhi n jhijhakati, sir jhukae kh di rahati.'

yah vaky kutil kamalaprasad ke hriday mean chubh gaya. ek kshan ke lie use apani nichata par glani a gee. gadgad kanth se bola - 'agar brahma ne bhi mere hathoan tumhari hatya likhi hoti, agar us hatya ke puraskar mean mujhe trailoky ka rajy, svarg ki sari apsaraean aur devataoan ki sari vibhootiyaan milati hotian, to bhi maian tumhare pavitr sharir se rakt ki ek booand bhi n baha sakata. yadi meri atma kalushit ho jati to bhi mera hath talavar n pak d sakata. tumane is samay b di k di bat kah dali, poorna jara meri chhati par hath rakh kar dekho, kaisi dh dak rahi hai, ek pan bana kar khila do. isi ki yad karake dil shaant karooanga.'

poorna ne pan ke do bi de bana kar kamalaprasad ko dene ke lie hath badhaya. kamalaprasad ne pan le kar kaha - 'bhojan ke bad kuchh dakshina milani chahie.'

poorna ne vinod karake kaha - 'prema hoti to unase kuchh dakshina dila deti. jab aeangi tab dila dooangi.'

kamalaprasad pan badhata hua bola - 'meri dakshina yahi hai ki yahi bi de mere hath se kha lo.'

poorna - 'na maian aisi dakshina nahian leti! tumhari kaun chalae, bi doan par koee mantr phooank diya ho. purush is vidya mean bhi nipun hote haian. maian pakka irada karake aee thi ki dvar par kh di-kh di tumase yahaan se jane ki bat karake chali aooangi, par tumane kuchh aisa mantr mara ki sab kuchh bhool gee.'

kamalaprasad ne bi de usake muanh ke samip le ja kar kaha - 'maian apane hath se khilaooanga.'

'mere hath mean de do.'

'ji nahian, guru ji ne mujhe yah path nahian padhaya hai.'

'koee shararat to n karoge?'

poorna ne muanh khol diya aur kamalaprasad ne use pan khila diya. poorna ki chhati dhak-dhak kar rahi thi. kamalaprasad kahian koee natakhati n kar baithe. magar kamalaprasad itana beshur n tha ki samip ate hue shikar ko door se hi chauanka deta. usane pan khila diya aur charapaee par baith kar bola - 'ab yahaan se kahian jane ka nam mat lena. sara jamana chhoot jae, par tum mujhase nahian chhoot sakati. jivan-bhar ke lie yahi ghar tumhara ghar hai aur maian tumhara das hooan. jis din tumane yahaan se jane ka nam liya, usi din maianne kisi taraph ka rasta liya.'

poorna ne ek kshan tak vichar karane ke bad kshin svar mean kaha - 'isaka natija kya hoga baboo ji, meri samajh mean kuchh nahian ata. chori-chhipe ka dhandha kab tak chalega? akhir ek din tumhara man mujhase phir jaega. samajhane lagoge - yah kahaan ka rog maianne pala, tab meri gati kya hogi, socho.'

kamalaprasad ne dridhata se kaha - 'aisi shankaoan ko man mean n ane do priye, akhir vivahita hi kya purush ko janjir se baandh rakhati hai. vahaan bhi to purush vachan hi ka palan karata hai? jo vachan ka palan nahian karana chahata, kya vivah use kisi tarah majaboor kar sakata hai? sumitra meri vivahita ho kar hi kya zyada sukhi ho sakati hai? yah to man mile ki bat hai. jab vivah ke avasar par bina jane-boojhe kahi jane vali bat ka itana mahatv hai, to kya prem se bhare hriday se nikalane vali bat ka koee mahatv hi nahian? jara socho. adami jivan mean sukh hi to chahata hai ya aur kuchh? phir jis prani ke sath usaka jivan sukhamay ho raha hai, use vah kaise chho d sakata hai, usake sath kaise nithurata ya kapat kar sakata hai?'

poorna ne komal apatti ke bhav se kaha - 'vivah ki bat aur hoti hai babooji, maian aisi nadan nahian hooan.'

kamalaprasad ne muskara kar kaha - 'nahian, tum bhala nadan ho sakati ho, ram-ram! tum ved-shastr sabhi ghote baithi ho. achchha batao, vivah kai prakar ke hote haian?'

'vivah kai prakar ke hote haian, isaka matalab kya?'

'b di buddhimati ho, to isaka matalab samajho?'

'kya vivah bhi kee tarah ke hote haian! hamane to ek hi tarah ka vivah sab jagah dekha hai.'

kamalaprasad ne vivah ke sat bhed batae. kis samay mean kaun pratha prachalit thi, usake bad kaun-si pratha chali, aur vartaman samay mean kin-kin prathaoan ka rivaj hai, yah sari katha bahut hi besir-pair ki batoan ke sath kautoohalamagn poorna se kah sunaee. smritiyoan ka dhurandhar jnata bhi itane sandeh-rahit bhav se is vishay ki charcha n kar sakata.

poorna ne poochha - 'to gandharv-vivah abhi tak hota hai?'

'haan, yoorop mean isaka bahut rivaj hai. musalamanoan mean bhi hai. is desh mean bhi pahale tha, par ab ek qanoon ke anusar phir isaka rivaj ho raha hai.'

'is vivah mean kya hota hai?'

'kuchh nahian, stri-purush ek-doosare ko vachan dete haian, bas vivah ho jata hai. mata-pita, bhaee-bandhu, pandit-purohit kisi ka kam nahian. haan, var aur kanya donoan hi ka balig ho jana zaroori hai.'

poorna ne avishvas ke bhav se kaha - 'vivah kya l dakoan ka khel hai?'

kamalaprasad ne prativad kiya - 'meri samajh mean to jise tum vivah samajh rahi ho, vahi l dakoan ka khel hai. dhol-majira baja, atishabajiyaan chhootian aur do abodh balak, jo vivah ka marm tak nahian samajhate, ek-doosare ke gale jivan-paryant ke lie madh die ge. sach poochho to yahi l dakoan ka khel hai.'

poorna ne phir shanka ki - 'duniya to is vivah ko manati nahian.'

kamalaprasad ne uttejit ho kar kaha - 'duniya aandhi hai, usake sare vyapar ulte haian. maian aisi duniya ki paravah nahian karata. manushy ko eeshvar ne isalie banaya hai ki vah ro-ro kar ziandagi ke din kate, keval isalie ki duniya aisa chahati hai? sadharan kamoan mean jab hamase koee bhool ho jati hai, to ham use turant sudharate haian. tab jivan ko ham kyoan ek bhool ke pichhe nasht kar dean. agar aj kisi daivi badha se yah makan gir p de to ham kal hi ise banana shuroo kar deange, magar jab kisi abala ke jivan par daivi aghat ho jata hai, to usase asha ki jati hai ki vah sadaiv usake nam ko roti rahe. yah kitana b da anyay hai. purushoan ne yah vidhan, keval apani kam-vasana ko tript karane ke lie kiya hai. bas, isaka aur koee arth nahian. jisane yah vyavastha ki, vah chahe devata ho ya rrirshi athava mahatma, maian use manav samaj ka sabase b da shatru samajhata hooan. striyoan ke lie pativrat-dharm ki pakh laga di. punah sanskar hota, to itani anath striyaan usake panje mean kaise phansatian. bas, yahi sara rahasy hai. nyay to ham tab samajhate, jab purushoan ko bhi yahi nishedh hota.'

poorna boli - 'smritiyaan purushoan ki banaee huee to hoangi hi?'

'aur kya? dhoortoan ka pakhand hai.'

'achchha, tab tum baboo amritaray ko kyoan badanam karate ho?'

'keval isalie ki unaka charitr achchha nahian. vah vivah-bandhan mean n p d kar chhoote saan d bane rahana chahate haian. unaka vidhavashram keval unaka bhogalay hoga, isilie ham unaka virodh kar rahe haian. yadi vah vidhava se vivah karana chahate haian, to desh mean vidhavaoan ki kami hai? par vah vivah n kareange. baje adamiyoan ko tatti ki a d se shikar khelane mean hi maja ata hai, magar eeshvar ne chaha to unaka ashram ban kar taiyar n ho sakega. sare shahar mean unhean kau di bhar ki madad n milegi. (gh di ki or dekh kar) are! do baj rahe haian ab vilamb nahian karana chahie. ao, us dipak ke samane eeshvar ko sakshi karake ham shapath khaean ki jivan-paryant ham pati-patni vrat ka palan kareange.'

poorna ka mukh vivarn ho gaya. vah uth kh di huee aur boli - 'abhi nahian baboo ji! sal bhar nahian. tab tak soch lo. maian bhi soch looan. jaldi kya hai?'

yah kahati huee vah kiva d khol kar tezise bahar nikal gee aur kamalaprasad kh de takate rah ge. chi diya dana chugate-chugate samip a gee thi; par jyoan hi shikari ne hath chalaya, vah phur se u d gee; magar kya vah sadaiv shikari ke pralobhanoan se bachati rahegi?