रहस्य- प्रेमचंद

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

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vimal prakash ne sevashram ke dvar par pahuanchakar jeb se roomal nikala aur baloan par p di huee gard saf ki, phir usi roomal se jootoan ki gard jha di aur andar dakhil hua. subah ko vah roj tahalane jata hai aur lautati bar sevashram ki dekh-bhal bhi kar leta hai. vah is ashram ka bani bhi hai, aur sanchalak bhi.

sevashram ka kam shuroo ho gaya tha. adhyapikaean l dakiyoan ko padha rahi thian, mali phooloan ki kyariyoan mean pani de raha tha aur ek daraje ki l dakiyaan hari-hari ghas par dau d laga rahi thian. vimal ko l dakiyoan ki sehat ka b da khayal hai.

vimal ek kshan vahian kh da prasann man se l dakiyoan ki bal-kri da dekhata raha, phir akar daftar mean baith gaya. klark ne kal ki ayi huee dak usake samane rakh di. vimal ne sare patr ek-ek karake khole aur sarasari taur par padhaqar rakh diye, usake mukh par chinta aur nirasha ka dhoomil rang dau d gaya. usane dhan ke lie samachar-patroan mean jo apil nikali thi, usaka koee asar nahian hua? kaise yah sanstha chalegi? log kya itane anudar haian? vah tan-man se is kam mean laga hua hai. usake pas jo kuchh tha vah sab usane is ashram ko bheant kar di. ab log usase aur kya chahate haian? kya ab bhi vah unaki daya aur vishvas ke yogy nahian hai?

vah isi chinta mean dooba hua utha aur ghar par akar sochane laga, yah sankat kaise tale? abhi sal ka adha bhi nahian gujara aur ashram par barah hazar ka karz ho gaya tha. sal poora-poora hote vah bis hazar tak pahuanchega. agar vah l dakiyoan ki fis ek-ek rupaya badha de, to paanch sau rupaye ki amadani badh sakati hai. hostal ki phis do-do rupaye badha de, to paanch sau rupaye aur a sakate haian. is tarah vah ashram ki amadani mean barah hazar salana ki badhati kar sakata hai; lekin phir usaka vah adarsh kahaan rahega ki gariboan ki l dakiyoan ko namamatr phis lekar ooanchi shiksha di jae! kash, use aisi adhyapikaoan ki kafi tadad mil jati jo keval gujare par kam karatian. kya itane b de desh mean aisi das-bis padhi-likhi deviyaan bhi nahian haian? usane kee bar akhabaroan mean yah zaroorat chhapavaee thi, magar aj tak kisi ne javab n diya. ab fis badhane ke siva usake lie kaun-sa rasta hai?

isi vakt usake dvar ke samane ek taanga akar ruka aur ek mahila utarakar baramade mean ayi. vimal ne kamare se bahar nikalakar unaka svagat kiya aur unhean andar le jakar ek kurasi par baitha diya. deviji roopavati to n thian, par unake mukh par shishtata aur kulinata ki abha zaroor thi. ausat kad, komal gat, champee rang, prasann mukh, khoob bani-sanvari huee; magar us banav-sanvar mean hi jaise abhav ki jhalak thi. vimal ke lie yah koee nee bat n thi. jab se usane sevashram khola tha, bhale gharoan ki deviyaan akasar usase milane ati rahati thian.

deviji ne kurasi par baithate hue kaha-pahale apana nam bata dooan. mujhe manjula kahate haian. maianne kuchh din hue, ‘lidar’ mean apaki notis dekhi thi aur usi prayojan se apaki seva mean ayi hooan. yoan to apase milane ka shauq bahut dinoan se tha; par koee avasar n nikal pati thi, aur barabas akar apaka kimati samay nasht n karana chahati thi. apane jis tyag aur tanmayata se nariyoan ki seva ki hai, usane apake prati mere man mean itani shraddha paida kar di hai ki maian use prakat karooan to shayad ap khushamad samajhean. mere man mean bhi isi tarah ki seva ki ichchha bahut dinoan se hai; par jitana sochati hooan; utana kar nahian sakati. apake protsahan se sambhav hai; maian bhi kuchh kar sakooan!

vimal maun sevakoan mean tha. apani prashansa usake lie sabase kathin pariksha thi. usaki thik vahi dasha ho jati thi, jaise koee pani mean dubakiyaan kha raha ho. vah khud kisi ke muanh par usaki tarif n karata tha, isalie tarif ke bhookhe use tangadil samajhate the. vah pith ke pichhe tarif karata tha. haan, buraiyaan vah muanh par karata tha aur doosaroan se bhi yahi asha rakhata tha.

usane apana ukh da hua paanv jamate hue kaha-yah to bahut achchhi bat hogi. ap shauq se aean. sevashram ki dasha to apako maloom hogi?

‘maian is irade se yahaan nahian ayi hooan.’

‘yah maian pahale hi samajh gaya tha. meri yah asha n thi. yoan hi kah diya. achchha, apaka makan yahian hai?

manjula devi ka ghar lakhanoo mean hai. jalandhar ke kanya-vidyalay mean shiksha payi hai. aangreji mean achchhi liyakat hai. ghar ke kam-dhandhe mean bhi kushal haian. aur sabase b di bat yah hai ki unake hriday mean seva ka utsah hai. agar aisi stri sevashram ka bhar apane oopar le le, to kya kahana!

magar vimal ke man mean ek prashn utha. poochha-apake pati bhi apake sath raheange?

sadharan-sa saval tha; magar manjuula ko nagavar laga. boli-ji nahian. vah apane ghar raheange. vah ek baiank mean naukar haian aur achchha vetan pate haian.

vimal ke man ka prashn aur bhi jatil ho gaya. jo adami achchha vetan pata hai, usaki patni kyoan usase alag, kashi mean rahana chahati hai?

keval itana muanh se nikala-achchha!

manjula ne shayad unake man ka bhav tadaqar kaha-apako yah kuchh anokhi-si bat lagati hogi, lekin kya apake khyal mean shadi ka ashay yah hai ki stri ko purush ke daman mean chhipi rahana chahie?

vimal ne josh ke sath kaha-‘hargij nahian.’

‘jab maian apani zarooratoan ko ghatakar sifar tak pahuancha sakati hooan, to kisi par bhar kyoan banooan?’

‘beshak!’

‘ham donoan mean matabhed hai aur usake anek karan haian. maian bhakti aur pooja ko manav jivan ka saty samajhati hooan. vah ise lachar samajhate haian, yahaan tak ki eeshvar mean bhi unaka vishvas nahian hai. maian hindoo sanskriti ko sabase ooancha samajhati hooan. unhean hamari sanskriti mean aib-hi-aib najar ate haian. aise adami ke sath mera nibah kaise ho sakata hai.’

vimal khud bhakti aur pooja ko dhoang samajhate the, aur itani si bat par kisi stri ka purush se alag ho jana unaki samajh mean n aya. unhean aisi kee misalean yad thian, jahaan striyoan ne pati ke vidharmi ho jane par bhi apane vrat ka palan kiya. is samasya ka vyavaharik aang hi unake samane tha. poochha-unhean koee apatti to n hogi?

manjula ne garv ke sath kaha-maian aisi apattiyoan ki paravah nahian karati. agar purush svatantr hai, to stri bhi svatantr hai.

phir usane narm hokar karun svar mean kaha-yoan kahie ki ham aur vah tin sal se alag haian. rahate haian ek hi makan mean; lekin bolate nahian. jab kabhi vah bimar p de haian, maianne unaki timaradari ki hai. un par koee sankat aya hai, to maianne unase sachchi sahanubhooti ki hai; lekin maian mar bhi jaooan to unhean du:kh n hoga. vah khush hi hoange ki gala chhoot gaya. vah mera palan-poshan karate haian, isalie ......

usaka gala bhar aya tha. ek kshan tak vah chupachap zamin ki or takati rahi. phir use bhay hua ki kahian vimal use halaka aur ochhi n samajh raha ho, jo apane jivan ke gupt rahasyoan ka dhiandhora pitati phirati hai. is bhram ko vimal ke man se nikalana zaroori tha. usane unhean yakin dilaya ki aj tak kisi ne usake muanh se ye shabd nahian sune, yahaan tak ki usane apane man ki vyatha kabhi apani mata se bhi nahian kahi. vimal vah pahale vyakti haiai jinase usane ye batean kahane ka sahas kiya hai aur isaka karan yahi hai ki vah janati hai; unake dil mean dard hai aur ek stri ki vivashata ka andaja kar sakate haian.

vimal ne lajate hue kaha-yah apaki kripa hai, jo mere bare mean aisa khayal karati haian.

aur unake man mean manjula ke prati shraddha utpann huee. bahut dinoan ke bad use ek devi najar ayi, jo siddhant ke lie itana sahas kar sakati hai. vah khud man-hi-man samaj se vidroh karata rahata tha. sevashram bhi unake manasik vidroh ka hi phal tha. aisi stri ke hathoan mean vah sevashram b di khushi se sauanp dega. manjula isake lie taiyar hokar ayi thi.

2

manjula ke jivan mean atmadan ki matra hi zyada thi. deh ko vah is bhavana ki poorti ka sadhan-matr samajhati thi. duniya ki b di se b di vibhooti bhi use shanti n de sakati thi. mistar mehara se use keval isalie aruchi thi ki vah bhi sadharan praniyoan ki bhaanti bhog-vilas ke premi the. jivan unake lie ichchhaoan mean bahane ka nam tha. svarth ki siddhi mean niti ya dharm ki badha unake lie asahy thi. agar unamean kuchh udarata hoti aur manjula se matabhed hone par bhi vah usaki bhavanaoan ka adar karate aur kam-se-kam mukh se hi usamean sahayog karate, to manjula ka jivan sukhi hota; par us bhale adami ko patni se jara bhi sahanubhooti n thi aur vah har ek avasar par usake marg mean akar kh de ho jate the aur manjula man-hi-man simatakar rah jati thi. yahaan tak ki usaki bhavanaean vikas ka marg n pakar tedhe-medhe rastoan par jane lagian. agar vah is abhav ko kala ka roop de sakati, to usaki atma ko usamean shanti milati. jivan mean jo kuchh n mila, use kala mean pakar vah prasann hoti; magar usamean vah pratibha, vah rachana-shakti n thi. aur usaki atma pianj de mean band pakshi ki bhaanti hamesha bechain rahati thi. usaka ahambhav itana prachchhann ho gaya tha ki vah jivan se virakt hokar baith sakati thi. vah apane vyaktitv ko svatantr aur prithakh rakhana chahati thi. use isamean garv aur ullas hota tha ki vah bhi kuchh hai. vah keval kisi vriksh par phailane vali aur usake sahare jine vali bel nahian hai. usaki apani alag hasti hai, apana alag karyakshetr hai.

lekin yatharthataoan ke is sansar mean akar use maloom hua ki atmadan ka jo ashay usane samajh rakha tha, vah sarasar galat tha. sevashram mean aise log akasar ate rahate the, jinase tho di-si khushamad karake bahut kuchh sahayata li ja sakati thi; lekin manjula ka atmabhiman khushamad kar kisi tarah raji n hota tha. unake yash-gan se bhare hue abhinandan-patr padhऩa, unake bhavanoan par jakar unhean sevashram ke muayane ka nevata dena, ya relave steshan par jakar unaka svagat karana, ye aise kam the jinase use hardik ghrina hoti thi; lekin sevashram ke sanchalan ka bhar us par tha aur use apane man ko dabakar aur kartavy ka adarsh samane rakhakar yah sari najabaradariyaan karani p dati thian, yadyapi vah in vidrohi bhavoan ko maqadoor-bhar chhipati thi. par jis kam mean man n ho, vahaan ullas aur utsah kahaan se aye? jin samajhautoan se ghabarakar vah bhagi thi, vah yahaan aur bhi vikrit roop mean usaka pichha kar rahe the. usake man mean katuta ati jati thi aur ekagr-seva ki dhun mitati jati thi.

isake viruddh vah vimal ko dekhati thi ki usake chehare par kabhi shikan nahian ati. vahi sahasy mukh, vahi utsarg se bhara hua udbhav, vahi kriyashil tanmayata. chhote-se-chhote kam ke lie hamesha hazir, sevashram ki koee kanya ya adhyapika bimar p d jae, vimal usaki timaradari ke lie maujood hai. sahanubhooti ka n jane kitana b da kosh usake pas hai ki usamean jara bhi kshati nahian ati. usake man mean kisi prakar ka sandeh ya sanshay nahian hai. usane ek rasta pak d liya hai, or us par qadam badhata chala ja raha hai. use vishvas hai, isi raste se vah apane dhyey par pahuanchega. rah mean jo yatri mil jate haian, unhean apana sangi bana leta hai. jo kaleva lekar chala hai, vah sangiyoan ko baantakar khane mean anand pata hai. use nity pareshaniyaan uthani p dati haian, khushamadean karani p dati haian, apaman sahane p date haian, ayogy vyaktiyoan ke samane sir jhukana p data hai, bhikh maangani p dati hai; magar use gam nahian. vah kabhi nirash nahian hota, kabhi bura nahian manata. usake andar koee aisi chiz hai, jo hajaroan thokarean khane par bhi jyoan-ki-tyoan uchhalati aur dau dati rahati hai. adhyapikaean akasar sadharan-si batoan par shikayatean karane lagati haian, kabhi-kabhi rooth jati haian aur sevashram se vida ho jana chahati haian. agar dhoban ne kap de kharab dhoye ya kaharin ne unaki sa di mean dag dal diye ya chaukidar ne unake kutte ko dutkar diya, ya unake kamare mean jha doo nahian lagi, ya gvale ne doodh mean pani mila diya, to isamean sevashram ke adhikariyoan ka kya dosh? magar inhian batoan par yahaan rona-gana mach jata hai, duniya sir par utha li jati hai. aur vimal sevak ki bhaanti anunay-vinay karake unaka gussa thanda karata hai. unaki ghu dakiyaan sunata hai aur hansakar rah jata hai. phal yah hai ki adhyapikaoan ki us par shraddha hoti jati hai. vah use apana afasar nahian, apana mitr aur bandhu samajhati haian.

magar manjula vimal se kuchh khianchi rahati hai. kabhi usase koee shikayat nahian karati, kabhi usase kisi muamale mean salah nahian leti. yadyapi vah dil mean samajhati hai ki jis duniyadari ko vah atma ka patan kahakar use hey samajhati hai, vah vastav mean vikasit manavata ka hi roop hai, phir bhi apane siddhant-prem ke abhiman ko to d dalana usake lie kathin hai. aur is abhiman ke hote hue bhi vimal ki vishuddh, ni:svarth vyavaharikata use jabaradasti apani or khianchati hai. usane sadharan manushyoan ke vishay mean anubhav se man mean jo simaean khianch li thian, vimal unase oopar tha. usamean svarth ka lesh bhi nahian hai. abhiman use chhoo bhi nahian gaya hai. usake tyag ki koee sima nahian. manjula ke adhyatmik jivan mean manushy ka yahi sabase ooancha adarsh tha; lekin vimal ko us adarsh ke samip dekhakar use ek prakar ka har ka bodh hota tha. adarsh ka mahatv isi mean hai ki vah pahuanch ke bahar ho. agar vah sadhy ho jae, to adarsh hi kyoan rahe? manjula apani adarsh-bhavana ko aur ooancha banakar is vichar mean santosh pana chahati hai ki vimal abhi us adarsh se bahut door hai; lekin vimal jaise jabaran unaka shraddhapatr banata jata hai, vah apane ko pravah mean bahane se rokane ke lie lak di ka sahara leti hai; par usake pairoan ke sath vah lak di bhi ukh d jati hai, aur vah phir kisi doosari rok ki talash karane lagati hai. aur ant mean use yah sahara mil jata hai.

usane apani tivr drishti mean dekh liya hai ki vimal usaki karagujariyoan se santusht nahian hai. phir vah usase shikayat kyoan nahian karata, usase javab kyoan nahian maangata? usi tivr drishti se usane yah bhi ta d liya hai ki vimal usake roop-rang se aprabhavit nahian hai. phir yah shitalata aur udasinata kyoan? kya isase yah siddh nahian hota ki vah kapati ya kayar hai? auroan se vah kitana khulakar milata hai, kitani hamadardi se pesh ata hai, to manjula se vah kyoan door-door rahata hai? kyoan usase oopari man se batean karata hai? vah pahale din ka nishkapat vyavahar kahaan gaya? kya vah yah dikhana chahata hai ki manjula ki use bilakul parava nahian hai ya usase keval isalie naraz hai ki dhaniyoan ki chaukhat par sir nahian jhukati? yah khushamad use mubarak rahe. manjula seva karegi; par apane atmabhiman ko achhoota rakhakar.

ek din prat:kal manjula bagiche mean tahal rahi thi ki vimal ne akar use pranam kiya aur use soochana di ki sevashram ka varshikotsav nikat a raha hai. usake lie taiyari karani chahie.

manjula ne udasin bhav se poochha-yah jalasa to har sal hi hota hai.

vimal ne kaha-ji haan, har sal; magar abaki zyada samaroh se karane ka vichar hai.

‘mere kiye jo kuchh ho sakata hai, vah maian bhi karooangi, halaanki ap janate haian, maian is vishay mean zyada nipun nahian hooan.’

‘isaki saphalata ka sara bhar ap hi ke oopar hai.’

‘mere oopar?’

‘ji haan, ap chahean to yah ashram kahian-se-kahian pahuanch jae’

‘mere vishay mean apaka anuman galat hai.’

vimal ne vishvas-bhare svar mean kaha-mera anuman galat hai ya apaka anuman galat hai; yah to jald hi maloom hua jata hai.

aj yah pahali prerana thi, jo vimal ne manjula se ki. jis din se usane sevashram usake hath mean sauanpa tha, us din se kabhi is vishay mean koee adesh n diya tha. use kabhi isaka sahas hi n hua. mulakatoan mean idhar-udhar ki batean hokar rah jatian. shayad vimal samajhata tha ki manjula ne jo tyag kiya hai, vah kafi se zyada hai. aur us par ab aur bojh dalana julm hoga. ya shayad vah dekh raha tha ki manjula ka man is sanstha mean ram jae to kuchh kahe. aj jo usane vinay aur agrah se bhara hua yah adesh diya to manjula mean ek nee sphoorti dau d gayi. sevashram se aisa nijatv use kabhi n hua tha. vimal se use jo durbhavanaean thian, sab jaise kaee ki tarah phat geean aur vah poorn tanmayata ke sath taiyariyoan mean lag gayi. ab tak vah kyoan ashram se itani udasin thi is par use ashchary hone laga. ek saptah tak vah rat-din mehamanoan ke adar-satkar mean vyast rahi. khane tak ki phurasat n milati. dopahar ka khana tisare pahar milata. koee mehaman kisi ga di se ata, koee kisi ga di se. aksar use rat ko bhi steshan jana p data. us par tarah-tarah ke karataboan ka riharsal bhi karana p data. apane bhashan ki taiyari alag. is sadhana ka puraskar to mila, ki jalasa har ek drishti se saphal raha aur kee hazar ki rakam chande mean mil gayi. magar jis din mehaman rukhsat hue usi din manjula ko naye mehaman ka svagat karana p da, jisane tin din tak use sir n uthane diya. aisa bukhar use kabhi n aya tha. tin hi din mean aisi ho gayi, jaise barasoan ki bimar ho.

vimal bhi dau d-dhoop mean laga hua tha. pahale to kee din pandal banavane aur mehamanoan ki davat ka intazam karane mean laga raha. jalasa khatm ho jane par jahaan-jahaan se jo saman aye the unhean sahej-sahejakar lautane ki p d gayi. manjula ko dhanyavad dene bhi n a saka, kisi ne kaha zaroor ki devi ji bimar haian, magar usane samajha, thakan se kuchh hararat ho ayi hogi, zyada parava n ki. lekin chauthe din khabar mili ki bukhar abhi tak nahian utara aur b de zor ka haian, to vah badahavas dau da hua aya aur aparadhi-bhav se usake samane kh da hokar bola-ab kaisi tabiyat hai? apane mujhe bula kyoan n liya?

manjula ko aisa jan p da ki jaise ekaek bukhar halka ho gaya hai. sir ka dard bhi kuchh shant hua jan p da. lete-lete vivash aankhoan se takati huee boli-baith jaie, ap kh de kyoan haian? phir mujhe bhi uthana p dega.

vimal ne is bhav se dekha mano usaka bas hota, to yah sara tap aur dard khud le leta. phir agrah se bola-nahian-nahian, ap leti rahean, maian baith jata hooan. isaka aparadhi maian hooan. maianne hi apako is jahamat mean dala. mujhe kshama kijie. maianne apase vah kam liya jo mujhe khud karana chahiye tha. maian abhi jakar daktar ko bula lata hooan. kya kahooan, mujhe jara bhi khabar n huee. fijool ke kamoan mean aisa phansa raha....

aur usane pith pheri hi thi ki manjula ne hath uthakar mana karate hue kaha-nahian-nahian; daktar ki koee zaroorat nahian. ap jara bhi pareshan n hoan. maian bilakul achchhi hooan. kal tak uth baithooangi.

usake man mean aur kitani hi batean uthian, magar usane oth band kar liye. is avesh mean vah n jane kya-kya bak jaegi. abhi tak vimal ne shayad use devi samajhakar usake samane sir jhukaya hai. usase door avashy raha hai; magar isalie nahian ki vah samip ana nahian chahata, balki isalie ki apani saralata mean, apani sadhana mean, usake samip ane mean jhijhakata hai, ki kahian devi ko nagavar n gujare. vimal ne apane man mean use jis ooanche asan par baitha diya hai usase niche vah n aegi. vimal ko maloom nahian, vah kitana satvik, kitana vishalatma purush hai. aise adami ki smriti mean hamesha ke lie ek akash mean udऩe vali, nishkalank, nishkapat, sati ki dhuandhali chhaya chho d jana kitana b da moh hai!

usane vinod-bhav se kaha-haan; kyoan nahian; kyoanki ap to manushy haian aur maian kath ki putali.

‘nahian ap devi haian.’

‘nahian, ek nadan aurat.’

‘apane jo kuchh kar dikhaya, vah maian sau janm lekar bhi n kar sakata tha.’

‘usaka karan bhi apane socha? yah stri ki vijay nahian, usaki har hai. agar in doshoan ke sath maian stri n hokar purush hoti, to shayad isaki chauthaee saphalata bhi n milati. yah meri jit nahian, meri naritv ki jit hai. roop to asar vastu hai, jisaki koee haqikat nahian. vah dhokha hai, phareb hai, durbalataoan ke chhipane ka parada matr!’

vimal ne avesh mean kaha-yah ap kya kahati haian manjula devi! roop sansar ka sabase b da saty hai. roop ko bhayankar samajhakar hamare mahatmaoan aur panditoan ne duniya ke sath ghor anyay kiya hai.

manjula ki sundar chhavi garv ke prakash se chamak uthi. roop ko asaty samajhane ke prayas mean sadaiv asaphal rahi thi. aur apani nishtha aur bhakti se mano apane roop ka prayashchit kar rahi thi. usi roop ke is samarthan ne ek kshan ke lie use mugdh kar diya magar vah sanbhalakar boli-ap dhokhe mean haian, vimal baboo, mujhe kshama kijiega; magar yah roop ki upasana apamean koee nee bat nahian hai. maradoan ne hamesha roop ki upasana ki hai. tho de panditoan ya mahatmaoan ne chahe roop ki ninda ki ho, par maradoan ne pray: roopasakti hi ka praman diya hai. yahaan tak ki roop ke lie dharm ki parava nahian ki aur un panditoan aur mahatmaoan ne bhi jaban ya kalam se chahe roop ke viruddh vish ugala ho; lekin ant:karan mean ve bhi usaki pooja karate haian. jab kabhi roop ne unaki pariksha ki hai unaki tapasya par vijay payi hai. phir bhi jo asaty hai, vah asaty hi rahega. roop ka akarshan keval bahari aankhoan ke lie hai. jnaniyoan ki nigah mean usaka koee mooly nahian. kam-se-kam apake mukh se maian roop ka bakhan nahian sunana chahati, kyoanki maian apako devatuly samajhati hooan aur dil se ap par shraddha rakhati hooan.

vimal vikshipt-sa zamin ki taraph takata raha aur barabar takata hi chala gaya; jaise vah moorchhavastha mean ho. phir chauankakar utha aur aparadhiyoan ki bhaanti sir jhukaye, sandigdh bhav se qadam uthata hua kamare se nikal gaya.

aur manjula nishchint baithi rahi.

3

us din se ekaek vimal ka sara utsah aur karmanyata jaise thandi p d gayi. jaise usamean ab apana muanh dikhalane ki himmat nahian hai. manoan is rahasy ka parda khul gaya hai aur charoan taraph usaki hansi u d rahi hai. vah ab sevashram mean bahut kam ata hai aur ata bhi hai, to adhyapikaoan se kuchh batachit nahian karata. sabase jaise muanh churata phirata hai. manjula ko milane ka koee avasar nahian deta, aur jab manjula harakar usake ghar jati hai, to kahala deta hai, ghar mean nahian hai, halaanki vah ghar mean chhipa baitha rahata hai.

aur manjula usake manoharasy ko samajhane mean asamarth hai. vimal ne apani sadhana aur sadbhavana se use apani or akarshit kar liya hai, isamean sandeh nahian. vah ek nari ki gahari antardrishti se dekh rahi hai ki vimal bhi usaka upasak ban baitha hai or jara bhi protsahan pane par apane ko usake charanoan par dal dega. usane barasoan se jo zindagi basar ki hai usamean prem nahian hai seva aur kartavy ka daman pakadaqar bhi use apani apoornata ka jnan hota rahata hai. jis purush mean usaka prem nahian hai, n vishvas hai, usake prati vah kisi tarah ka naitik ya dharmik bandhan nahian svikar karati. vah apane ko svachchhand samajhati hai. chahe samaj usaki svachchhandata n mane, par usaki atma is vishay mean apane ko azad samajhati hai; magar vimal ki nazaroan mean adar aur bhakti pane ka moh usamean itana prabal hai ki vah us svachchhandata ki bhavana ko sir nahian uthane deti. vah vimal se sansarg ki ghanishthata to chahati hai; par apane atmabhiman ki raksha karate hue. isake sath hi vimal ke pavitr aur nirmal jivan mean vah dag nahian lagana chahati. usane socha tha, vimal ko dava ka halka-sa ghooant pilakar vah svasth kar degi. vah svasth hokar usake manodyan mean aega, phooloan ko dekhakar prasann hoga, hari-hari doob par letega, pakshiyoan ka gana sunega. usase vah itana hi sansarg chahati thi. dipak ke prakash ka anand to dipak se door rahakar hi liya ja sakata. use sparsh karake to vah apane ko jala sakata hai; magar ab use maloom hua ki dava ki vah ghooant badha ko harane ke badale ek doosara rog paida kar gayi. vimal mean nirlep hokar rahane ki shakti n thi. vah jis chiz ki or jhukata tha, tan-man se usi ka ho jata tha aur jab khianchata tha, to mano nata hi to d leta tha. usake is naye vyavahar ko manjula apana apaman samajhati hai. aur man yahaan se uchat ho jata hai.

akhir ek din usane vimal ko pak d hi liya tha. manjula janati thi, vimal roj dariya kinare sair karane jata hai. ek din usane vahian ja ghera aur apana istipha usake hath mean rakh diya.

vimal ke gale mean jaise phaansi p d gayi. zamin ki or takata hua bola-aisa kyoan?

‘isalie ki maian apane ko is kam ke yogy nahian pati.’

‘sanstha to khoob chal rahi hai?’

‘phir bhi maian yahaan rahana nahian chahati.’

‘mujhase koee aparadh hua hai?’

‘ap apane dil se poochhie.’

vimal ne is vaky ka vah ashay samajh liya, jo manjula ki kalpana se bhi kosoan door tha. usake mukh ka rang u d gaya, jaise rakt ki gati band ho gayi ho. isaka usake pas koee javab n tha. aisa phaisala tha jisaki kahian apil n thi.

ahat svar mean bola-jaisi apaki ichchha. mujh par daya kijie.

manjula ne adrr hokar kaha-to maian chali jaooan?

‘jaise apaki ichchha!’

aur vah jaise gale ka phanda chhu dakar bhag kh da hua. manjula karun netroan se use dekhati rahi, mano samane koee nauka doobi ja rahi ho.

4

chabuk khakar vimal phir sevashram ki ga di mean jut gaya. kah diya gaya manjula devi ke pati bimar the. chali gayian. kam-kaji adami prem ka rog nahian palata, use kavita karane aur prem-patr likhane aur thandi ahean bharane ki kahaan phurasat? usake samane to kartavy hai, pragati ki ichchha hai, adarsh hai. vimal bhi kam-dhandhe mean lag gaya. haan, kabhi-kabhi ekant mean manjula ki yad a jati thi aur lajja se usaka mastak ap-hi-ap jhuk jata tha. use hamesha ke lie sabak mil gaya tha. aisi sati-sadhvi ke prati usane kitani behoodagi ki!

tin sal gujar gaye the. garmiyoan ke din the. vimal abaki mansoori ki sair karane gaya hua tha aur ek hostal mean thahara tha. ek din baind staind ke samip kh da baind sun raha tha ki bagal ki ek beanch par manjula baithi najar ayi, abhooshanoan aur rangoan se jagamagati huee. usake pas hi ek yuvak kot-paint pahane baitha hua tha. dono muskara-muskarakar batean kar rahe the. donoan ke chehare khile, donoan prem ke nashe mean mast. vimal ke man mean saval utha, yah yuvak kaun hai? manjula ka pati nahian ho sakata. ya sanbhav hai, usaka pati hi ho. dampati mean ab mel ho gaya ho. use manjula ke samane jane ka sahas n hua.

doosare din vah ek aangareji tamasha dekhane sinema h aaul gaya tha. intaraval mean bahar nikala to kephe mean phir manjula dikhayi di. sir se paanv tak aangreji pahanave mean. vahi kal vala yuvak aj bhi usake sath tha. aj vimal se jabt n ho saka. isake pahale ki vah man mean kuchh nishchay kar sake, vah manjula ke samane kh da tha.

manjula use dekhate hi sannate mean a gayi. muanh par havaiyaan udऩe lagian, magar ek hi kshan mean usane apane ap ko sanbhal liya aur muskarakar boli-hallo, vimal baboo! ap yahaan kaise?

aur usane us navayuvak se vimal ka parichay karaya-ap mahatma purush haian, kashi ke sevashram ke sanchalak aur yah mere mitr mi0 khanna haian jo abhi hal mean ianglaiand se ayi0si0eph0 hokar aye haian.

donoan adamiyoan ne hath milae.

manjula ne poochha-sevashram to khoob chal raha hai. maianne usaki varshik riport patroan mean padhi thi. ap yahaan kahaan thahare hue haian?

vimal ne apane hotal ka nam batalaya.

khel phir shuroo ho gaya. khanna ne kaha-khel shuroo ho gaya, chalo andar chalean.

manjula ne kaha-tum jakar dekho, maian jara mistar vimal se batean karooangi.

khanna ne vimal ko jalati huee aankhoan se dekha aur ak data hua andar chala gaya. manjula aur vimal bahar akar hari-hari ghas par baith gaye. vimal ka hriday garv se phoola hua tha. ashamay ullas ki chaandani-si hriday par chhitaki huee thi.

manjula ne gambhir svar mean poochha-apako meri yad kahe ko ayi hogi. kee bar ichchha huee ki apako patr likhooooan, lekin sankoch ke mare n likh saki. ap maje mean to the.

vimal ko usaka yah ulahana bura laga. kahaan abhi hasy-vinod mean magn thi, kahaan use dekhate hi gambhirata ki putali ban gayi. rookhe svar mean bola-haan, bahut achchhi tarah tha. ap to aram se thian?

manjula adrr kanth se boli-mere bhagy mean to aram likha hi nahian hai, mistar vimal. pichhale sal pati ka dehant ho gaya. unhoanne jitani jayadad chho di usase zyada karz chho da. inhian ulajhanoan mean p di rahi. svasthy bhi big d gaya. daktaroan ne paha d par rahane ki salah di. tab se yahian p di huee hooan.

‘apane mujhe khat tak n likha.’

‘apake sir yoan hi kya kam bojh hai ki maian apani chintaoan ka bhar bhi rakh deti?’

‘phir bhi ek mitr ke nate mujhe khabar to deni hi thi.’

manjula ne svar mean shraddha bharakar kaha-apaka kam in jhag doan mean padऩa nahian hai, vimal baboo. apako eeshvar ne seva aur tyag ke lie racha hai. vahi apaka kshetr hai. maian janati hooan, apaki mujh par dayadrishti hai. maian kah nahian sakati, meri nazaroan mean usaka kitana mooly hai. jise kabhi daya aur prem n mila ho vah inaki or lapake to kshama ke yogy hai. ap samajh sakate haian, unaka parityag karake maianne kitani b di kurbani ki hai; magar maianne isi ko apana kartavy samajha. maian sab kuchh sah looangi; par apako devatv ke ooanche asan se niche n giraooangi. ap jnani haian, sansar ke sukh kitane anity haian, ap khoob janate haian. inake pralobhan mean n aie. ap manushy haian. ap mean bhi ichchhaean haian; vasanaean haian; lekin ichchhaoan par vijay pakar hi apane yah ooancha pad paya hai. usaki raksha kijie. aur adhyatm hi apaki madad kar sakata hai. usaki sadhana se apaka jivan satvik hoga aur man pavitr hoga.

vimal ne abhi-abhi manjula ko amod-pramod mean kri da karate dekha tha. khanna se usaka sambandh kis tarah ka hai, yah bhi vah samajh raha tha. phir bhi is upadesh mean use sachchi sahanubhooti ka sandesh mila. vilasini manjula use devi ke roop mean najar ayi. usake bhitar ka ahankar usaki lolupata se balavanh tha. sadbhavana se bharakar bola-deviji, apane jin shabdoan se mera samman kiya hai unake lie apaka ehasanamand hooan. kahie, maian apaki kya seva kar sakata hooan?

manjula ne uthate hue kaha-apaki kripa-drishti kafi hai.

usi vakt khanna sinema-h aaul se bahar ata dikhaee diya.

sanbandhit lekh

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