विपात्र (कहानी) -गजानन माधव मुक्तिबोध

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

lanbe-lanbe path‍toanvali ghani b di ilayachi ki jha di ke pas jab ham kh de ho ge to pichhe se hansi ka thahaka sunaee diya. hamane paravah nahian ki, yadyapi us hansi mean ek halh‍ka upahas bhi tha. ham b di ilayachi ke saphed-pile, kuchh lanbe pankhuriyoanvale phooloan ko mugh‍dh ho kar dekhate rahe. maianne ek pankhuri to di aur muanh mean dal li. usamean b di ilayachi ka sh‍vad tha. maian khush ho gaya. b di ilayachi ki jha di ki paant mean hiang ki ghani-hari jha di bhi thi aur usake age, usi paant mean, parijat khil raha tha. mera sathi, b di hi ganbhirata se prath‍yek pe d ke baute nikal nam samajhata ja raha tha. lekin mera dimag apani mash‍ti mean kahian aur bhatak raha tha.

sabhi taraph hariyala aandhera aur hariyala ujala chhaya hua tha aur bich-bich mean sunahali chadarean bichhi huee thian. ajib laharean mere man mean dau d rahi thian.

maian apane sathi ko pichhe chho date hue, ek kh‍yari par kar, katahal ke pe d ki chhaya ke niche a gaya aur mugh‍dh bhav se usake ubhare reshevale path‍toan par hath pherane laga.

udhar kuchh log, sidhe-sidhe ooanche-uthe boodhe chharahare badam ke pe d ke niche gire hue kachh‍che badamoan ko hath se utha-utha kar tatolate ja rahe the. maianne unaki or dekha aur muanh pher liya. jeb mean se diyasalaee nikal kar bi di sulagaee, unake bare mean sochane hi vala tha, itane mean mujhe door se ek mote sajh‍jan ate dikhaee die. unake hath mean phooloan ke kee guchh‍chhe the - ve vilayati phool the, alag dijainoan ke, alag roop-rang ke, - gujarati striyoan ki sadi kiantu saph-saphed sa diyoan ki kinariyoan ki yad dilate the. jane kh‍yoan mujhe laga ki ve phool unake hathoan mean shobha nahian dete kh‍yoanki ve hath un phooloan ke yogh‍y nahian haian.

maianne apani pariksha karani chahi. akhir maian unake bare mean aisa kh‍yoan sochata hooan? ek khayal tair aya ki ve sajh‍jan kisi doosare ki, kisi doosare b de ki hoobahoo nakal kar rahe haian isalie ki unh‍hoanne apane jane-anajane kisi b de adami ke rash‍te par chalana manjoor kiya hai. unake hath mean phool isalie nahian haian ki unh‍hean ve ph‍yare haian balki isalie ki unaka aradhh‍y vh‍yakti bagavani ka shaukin hai aur door ahate ke pas kahian vah khud bhi phooloan ko danthaloan-sahit chun raha hai.

ve sajh‍jan mere pas a jate haian. mujhe phooloan ka ek guchh‍chha dete haian, kahate haian, 'kitana khoobasoorat hai.'

maian unake chehare ki taraph dekhata rah jata hooan. tanapoore par ganevali kisi naujavan shash‍triy sangitakar ki mujhe yad a jati hai. haan, vaisa hi usaka riyaj hai. lekin, kahe ka? aradhh‍y ki upasana ka!

apane khayal par maian muskara uthata hooan aur unake kandhe par hath rakh kar kahata hooan, 'yar, in phooloan mean maja nahian ata. ek kap chay pilavao.'

chay ki bat sun kar ve thatha kar hans p date haian. bahut saragarami se, aur ph‍yar bhar kar ve apane saphed-jhak kurate mean se ek rupe ka not nikal kar mujhe de dete haian, 'jaie siang sahab ke sath. pi aie.'

maian khushi se uchhal p data hooan. ve age badh jate haian. maian pichhe se chilh‍la kar kahata hooan, 'rav sahab ki jay ho!'

maian sochata hooan ki meri avaj bagiche mean door-door tak jaegi. lekin log apane mean doobe hue the. sirph siang sahab hiang ki jha di ka ek path‍ta mujhe la kar de raha tha.

maianne kaha, 'siang sahab, tumh‍hara hemiangh‍ve mar gaya!'

vah sh‍tabh‍dh ho gaya. vah kuchh nahian kah saka. usane sirph itana hi poochha, 'kahaan padha? kab mara?

maianne use hemiangh‍ve ki mrith‍yu ki poori paristhiti samajhaee. samajhate-samajhate mujhe bhi du:kh hone laga. maianne kaha, 'yah jan-boojh kar usane kiya.'

jagatasianh ne, jise ham siang sahab kahate the, poochha, 'bandook usane khud apane ap par chala li?'

maianne kaha, 'nahian, vah chal gee aur phat p di. mrith‍yu akasmik huee.'

jagatasianh ne kaha, 'ajib bat hai.'

maian age chalane laga. mere muanh se bat jharane lagi - hemiangh‍ve kee dinoan se chup aur udas tha, sanbhav hai, apani ath‍mahath‍ya ke bare mean sochata raha ho, yadyapi usaki mrith‍yu huee akasmik karanoan se hi.

mer samane ek lekhak-kalakar ki sanvedanaoan ke, usake jivan ke sh‍vakalpit chitr tairate ja rahe the. itane mean maianne dekha ki bagiche ke ahate ke pashchimi chhor par kh de hue toote phavh‍vare ke pas vali kh‍yari ke pas se rav sahab gujar rahe haian. unaki saphed dhoti sharad ke atap mean jhalamala rahi hai... ki itane mean vahaan se ghabaraee huee lekin sanyamit avaj ati hai, 'saanp, saanp!'

maian aur jagatasianh thithak jate haian. mujhe lagata hai ki jaise apashakun hua ho. sab log ek uth‍tejana mean udhar nikal p date haian. am ke pe doan ke jamaghat mean kh de ek boodhe yukaliph‍tas ke pe d ki ot mean hath-bhar ka mota saanp laharata hua bhaga ja raha hai.

maian sh‍tabh‍dh rah gaya. kh‍ya mash‍t laharati huee chal hai! bilakul kala lekin saanvali pili dijayanoanvala. naujavan mali hath mean danda le kar kh da tha. us par var nahian kar raha tha. sabane kaha, 'maro, maro.' lekin vah kh da raha.

'maian nahian marooanga sahab! yah yahaan ka devata hai.'

itane mean hamare bich kh de hue ek naujavan ne usake hath se danda chhin liya. lekin tab tak vah saanp jha diyoan mean gayab ho chuka tha.

ek viphalata aur pratikriya-hinata ka bhav ham sabamean chha gaya. saanp ke kish‍se chalane lage. vah kret tha, ya kobra! vah paniyal saanp tha ya ajagar! hamare yahaan ka jual aaujish‍t jh‍yada nahian janata tha. lekin hamare dayarekh‍tar sahab lagatar batate ja rahe the. ashh‍chary ki bat hai ki saanp sardi ke mausam mean likala. jh‍yadatar ve barasat ya garami ke mausam mean nikalate haian. maian aur jagatasianh us bhi d se hat ge aur kh‍yariyoan ke bich bani huee pagadandiyoan par chalane lage. maianne jagatasianh se kaha, 'sab log batoan mean lage haian. jalh‍di nikal chalo; nahian to ve jane nahian deange.'

hamako maloom nahian tha ki hamare pichhe, jara doori par, rav sahab chal rahe haian. unh‍hoanne vahian se kaha, 'jalh‍di nikal jao nahian to log ataka deange.' yah kah kar ve hans p de. unaki hansi mean bhi hamane halh‍ke se vh‍yangh‍y ki gooanj suni.

ab ve hamare barabar-barabar ae aur kahane lage, 'saanp ke bare mean to sab log bat kar rahe haian. koee mujhase nahian poochhata ki akhir maianne use dekha kaise, vah kaise nikala, kaise bhaga!' yah kah kar ve apane par hi hansane lage.

maianne kaha, 'shayad mali ne use pahale-pahal dekha tha. kh‍ya yah sach hai ki nag yahaan ki rakhavali karata hai?'

'kahate haian ki is bagiche mean kahian dhan g da hua hai aur aj ke malik ke paradade ki ath‍ma nag ban kar us dhan ki rakhavali karane yahaan ghooma karati hai. isalie mali ne use mara nahian.'

jagat ne kaha, 'ajib aandhavishh‍vas hai!'

is bich ham gulab ki phooloan-ladi bel se chhae hue kuanj-dvar se nikal kar, lukat ke pe d ke pas a ge. udhar, amarak ka ghana pe d kh da hua tha. bagicha sachamuch mahak raha tha. phooloan se lada tha. bahar mean aya tha. ek am ke niche dayarekh‍tar sahab ke as-pas bahut-se log kh de hue the jinake sir par am ki daliyaan chhaya kar rahi thian. sab or romaantik vatavaran chhaya hua tha.

maianne apane-apase kaha, 'kh‍ya phool-pe d mahak rahe haian! bagicha lahak utha hai.'

bich mean hi rav sahab bol p de, 'kuth‍te mar kar dale haian pe doan ki j doan mean.'

maian vismit ho utha. jagat sh‍tabh‍dh ho gaya.

mere muanh se sirph itana phoot p da, 'aisa!'

lekin jagat ne kaha, 'nag ko chho d dete ho aur kuth‍toan ko mar dalate ho.'

rav sahab ne hansate hue kaha, 'kuth‍te janata haian. nag devata hai, adhikari haian.' yah kah kar rav sahab ne mujhe dekha. lekin mera muanh pila p d chuka tha. asal mean us ashay ke mere shabh‍d the jisaka prayog kisi din maianne kiya tha. unaka sandarbh nahian samajh saka.

maian tezise kadam badha kar phatak ki or jane laga. maianne jagat se kaha, 'ek bar mujhe 'b aaus' par gush‍sa a gaya tha. shayad tum bhi the us vakh‍t! jab darabar barakhash‍t hua tab b aaus ki alochana karate hue maianne kaha ki ye log janata ko kuth‍ta samajhate haian. rav sahab mere us vakh‍y ki or ishara kar rahe the.'

jagat mere du:kh ko samajh nahian saka. lekin mere rukh ko aur b aaus ke rukh ko, bahutoan-se mamaloan mean jaisa ki dikhaee diya karata tha, khoob samajhata tha. usane sirph kaha, 'rav sahab se bach kar rahana. vah kahian tumh‍hean gaddhe mean n gira dean.'

jagat ke man mean rav sahab ke sanbandh mean jo guth‍thi thi, use maian khoob samajhata tha. donoan adami duniya ke do siroan par kh de ho kar ek-doosare ko tokate najar a rahe the. donoan ek-doosare ko agar bura nahian to siraphira zaroor samajhate the. agar man-hi-man di jane vali galiyoan ki chhanabin ki jae to pata chalega ki rav sahab jagat ko adha pagal ya dimagi phitoor rakhanevala khabh‍ti zaroor samajhate the. isaki evaj mean jagat rav sahab ko kuanji rat-rat kar em.e. pas karane vala koee ganvar midilachi manata tha. rav sahab jagat ke hemiangh‍ve, ph aaukanar aur pharratedar aangreji ko achh‍chhi najaroan se nahian dekhata tha aur udhar jagat rav sahab ki ganbhirata, anushasanapriyata, shram karane ki apoorv shakti aur dhairy ke samane parajit ho gaya tha. rav sahab jab dekhate ki vibhinh‍n nagaroan se har mah anevale push‍takoan ke bandal ko uthate vakh‍t jagat ka chehara bag-bag ho raha hai to ve khud apane aauphis ki tebal se uth kar do gilh‍lauriyaan muanh mean dalate hue is tarah mush‍kara uthate mano unh‍hoanne kisi bevakooph ko kripapoorvak kshama kar diya hai. tab ve vh‍yangh‍y-smit dvara apane hriday ka samadhan kar liya karate. aur jab 'sh‍pain' ya 'nh‍yoojavik' ke aank jagat ke nam se ate to ve keval is apriy tathh‍y ko apane lie moolh‍yahin samajh unh‍hean apane tebal ke doosari or pheank dete. yah nahian ki unh‍hean amerika se kisi bhi prakar ki koee dushh‍mani thi, varanh yah ki ve is bat ko manane ke lie taiyar nahian the ki 'nesh‍philh‍d gramar' aur 'meyar aauv kaish‍tarabrij' se age koee aur bhi chij ho sakati hai.

jnan unake lekhe jab moksh ka sadhan nahian hai, mukti ka sopan nahian hai to ni:sandeh vah kisi bhautik lakshh‍y ki poorti ka ek sadhan hai - usi prakar jaise lak di ke kuth‍te ko mar bhagaya ja sakata hai, ya san dasi se jalati sig di par se tava niche utara ja sakata hai. sankshep mean, jo vh‍yakti jnan ki up‍labdhi ka saubhagh‍y praph‍t karake bhi yadi apane jivan mean asaphal raha aya, arthat kirti, pratishh‍tha aur ooancha pad n praph‍t kar saka to us vh‍yakti ko siraphira ya dimagi phitooravala nahian to aur kh‍ya kaha jaega. adhik se adhik vah tirash‍karaniy aur kam se kam vah dayaniy hai - upekshaniy bhale hi n ho.

rav sahab is vakh‍t jis sidhi ka nakh‍sha barabar dhh‍yan mean rakhate the. us agali sidhi par chadhane ki tarakibean bhi janate the aur phir apana muanh hamesha usi taraph rakhate. vah sirph maujooda zaroorat ke layak padh liya karate. samajik vartalap mean pichh d jane ke bhay se vijay praph‍t karane ke lie, ve do-char akhabar bhi roj dekh liya karate.

ve chup rahate, khoob mehanat karate. mahakavh‍y ke dhirodath‍t nayak ki bhaanti hi ve dharm, buddhi, kartavh‍yaparayanata aur dayashilata ki sushilpit moorti the. lekin, kam p dane par, avasar ke anusar pavitr niyamoan se idhar-udhar hat kar apana matalab bhi sadh lete.

isalie unake lekhe jagat moorkh tha. vah khoob padhata. akele aandhere mean p da rahata. bahar kam nikalata. bahar ki duniya mean vah ajanabipan mahasoos karata. manasik roop se vah kailiphorniya ya h aauvard yoonivarsitiyoan ke ilakoan mean ghoomata. amariki sahith‍y mean vah sachamuch ram chuka tha, usi tarah jaise shakh‍‍kar mean gulab ki pankhuriyaan, jinase gulakand banata hai. yah koee galat bat nahian thi. kal saiandabarg ith‍yadi prasiddh lekhakoan ke sahith‍y ne use jivan-sh‍vaph‍n pradan kie the. vah ek bhavuk sh‍vaph‍nashil vh‍yakti ki bhaanti un batoan ke anusar acharan aur jivan banata jata tha; kiantu vah bhool jata tha ki un batoan mean, jo sahith‍y mean prakat hueean, unake kartaoan ko kuchh nahian diya. jisane diya, vah thi unaki rachana, n ki us rachana ka sath‍y. jagat vidvan tha, lekin lekhak nahian tha. sirph sachh‍chaee adami ko kuchh nahian de pati, sachh‍chaee ko samane lane ke lie bhi jor aur takat ki zaroorat hoti hai. aisi sachh‍chaee jo adami mean jor paida nahian kar pati, vah sirph janakari ban kar rah jati hai. jagat ko sachh‍chaee sirph sapana de jati thi aur lekhak n hone ke karan tatha karyakarta n hone ke karan ya kriyashakti n hone ke karan, vah un sapanoan mean doob kar ni:sang aantarmukh jivan vh‍yatit karata tha. kam se kam aj to jagat ki yahi halat haian yah ho sakata hai ki chand roj bad vah sudhar jay jisaki ki poori sanbhavana hai.

usake is ekaantapriy jivan se hamare yahaan koee khush nahian tha. log samajhate haian, ki vah ban raha hai ki apane ko doosaroan se b da samajhane ki usaki adat hai, ki ham sab dehati haian aur vah khas h aauvard ya aaukh‍saphord se d aaukh‍taret le kar yahaan chala aya hai. pahale-pahale log usaki sh‍vachh‍chh, ash‍khalit, aangreji bhasha-pravah se dabate aur ghabarate. kiantu baki ke log jo khud b di digrivale the, usaki aangreji ke karan use tavabaj ya desh-kal sthiti ko dhh‍yan mean n rakh kar bat karane vala bevakooph samajhate. kuchh log, jaise rav sahab, abhi bhi ashankit hi rahate. agar vah sachamuch amerika se ooanchi digri le kar laut ata to sanbhav hai log usake rob mean rahate; lekin vah to ja hi nahian pa raha tha. usake samane amerika jane ki thali bhi parasi gee thi, lekin apane mata-pita (jo dhani to the, kiantu the bahut avh‍yavaharik) ke kahane se aur (usaka durbhagh‍yapoorn vivah bhi ho chuka tha) anh‍y kee jhameloan ke a de ane se vah nahian ja saka tha. vah garib nahian tha. aaukh‍saphord ya h aauvard khud apane paisoan se ja sakata tha. vah vahaan jane aur bas jane ki ichh‍chha karata tha; kiantu us ichh‍chha ki poorti ke poorv ghar ke jhameloan se nipatane ki kala usake pas nahian thi. asal mean vah bachh‍cha tha, jiandagi ka usake pas tajurba nahian tha. durbhagh‍y ki bat yah thi ki roodhivadi gharane mean vivahit hone ke jhameloan ki ek lanbi dash‍tan ne usaki jiandagi ka ras nicho d liya tha. is prakar apani naujavani mean hi usake chehare par asaphalata ki rakh aur virakti ki dhool ka lep laga hua tha. kiantu isake viparit vah manasik lila mean dooba rahata... sainh‍phransisako ke kisi k aaulej mean v aaulh‍t hravitamain par bhashan de raha hai. sare hal mean shrotaoan ke jhuand-hi-jhuand dikhaee dete haian. unamean ek sanvedanashil, sh‍vaph‍nashil l daki bhi jo kisi doosari ya tisari beanch par baithi hai, vah usaki or khianch rahi hai. bhashan samaph‍t. parichay. vaicharik adan-pradan, phir 'bh‍loo men' resh‍taraan. donoan ek-doosare ki soorat dekhana chahate haian. aankhe chura kar vah vahaan bharat ke sanbandh mean poochhati hai. vah jheanpate hue, aur bad mean khul kar, apana jnan pahale pradarshit aur phir samarpit karata hai. donoan ka prem ho jata hai. ve vivahit hote haian. donoan adhh‍yapak haian athava inamean se koee ek patrakar hai. ve saral, sh‍vachh‍chhand, uth‍sahapoorn jivan vh‍yatit karate haian. phir vah apani sh‍tri ko bharat lata hai. usaka nam rakh lijie - irina. irina aur vah donoan taji-taji hava khate hue madras jate haian. vahaan se tren pak d kar ve kodaeekanal pahuanch jate haian. ahata, daravaja, ghar kamara, saanvala soonapana! do akritiyaan. mata-pita. donoan agantuk aansoo barasate hue unake pair chhoote haian... sh‍vaph‍n toot jata hai aur jagat ke man mean achanak saval paida hota hai ki irina usake mata-pita ke pair chhuegi ki nahian!

rav sahab in sab batoan ko nahian janate haian. agar jagat apani vishal jnan-rashi ke dvara koee thos aur b di chij hasil karata jisase use charoan or samh‍man aur ooanchi sthiti tatha dhan praph‍t hota to ve ni:sandeh usaki saphalata par shraddhaan‍jali chadhate. lekin jiandagi mean ooanchi sidhi praph‍t n karane ke karan, usase ju de hue doosare karanoan se manushh‍y ki jo ek durdashagrash‍t sthiti praph‍t hoti hai, vah usaki kamazor nas hai. sabhh‍yata aur shil ke karan apane vh‍yaktith‍v ke jhoothe pratibianb girate hue log use durdashagrash‍t sthiti se sahanubhooti pradarshit karate haian. rav sahab chhote pad se b de pad par pahuanch chuke the. kiantu unaki pr‍gati mean nirnayak yog unaki pratibha ka nahian tha varanh un sanyogoan ka tha jo paristhitiyoan ke banate aur badhate hue tane-banoan ke anukool parinam ke roop mean prash‍tut ho jate haian.

mere vh‍yaktigat itihas ka yah ek sabase vichitr rahash‍y hai ki mujhe apane jivan mean aise hi log praph‍t hue jo kisi-n-kisi prakar se ahat the. in ahatoan ko pahachanane mean mujhe takaliph hoti. ahatoan ka bhi apana ek ahankar hota jise maian khoob pahachanata tha aur vah ahankar bahut dridh hota hai. vah us muand-hin kabandh ke saman hai, jo parajay ke bavajood ranakshetr mean khoon ke phavh‍vare chho date hue l data rahata hai. usamean matr aveg aur gati hoti hai jo ki sir n hone ke sabab shoonh‍y mean charoan or talavar chalata rahata hai. kh‍ya jagat vaisa hai? mere khh‍yal se vah aisa ho bhi sakata hai, nahian bhi ho sakata hai.

doosari or, rav sahab kisi vishh‍vavikhh‍yat, vishh‍vapoojit sh‍toop ke chapate tal par, haan, kisi prachin gaurav-sh‍toop par, koee chay-parti jama rahe the - abhiman sahit, shalinatapoorvak, namrata aur gaurav ke sath. logoan ka abhivadan karate hue vah ek-ek tuk da aur saiandavich khane ka anurodh kar rahe haian. unake gadabade aur prithul sharir ke shh‍yamal mukhamandal par prachin gaurav ki samh‍manapoorn abha ke sath hi sh‍vayan ke prati gahara santosh vh‍yakh‍t ho raha tha.

maian in donoan ko isi roop mean apani aankhoan ke samane pata hooan. jagat ni:sandeh bevakooph tha. lekin vah isalie bevakooph nahian tha ki usake pas yooropiy sahith‍y ka jnan tha. yah sach hai ki n ham, n hamara shahar, n hamara praant, usake jnan ka upayog kar pata tha, n usaka moolh‍y samajhata tha. lekin isamean jagat ka sh‍vayan ka dosh nahian tha. yadi vah aisa jnan rakhata hai aur us jnan mean rama rahata hai jisaka ham moolh‍y nahian samajhate ya jise praph‍t karane ki hamamean ichh‍chha nahian hai to hamare lekhe vah jnan nirarthak hai, usi se nirmit aur vikasit vh‍yaktith‍v ko ham yadi adar pradan n karean, upeksha hi karean, magar us par daya to n karean. sach bat to yah hai ki unake lekhe jagat ki b di bhool yah thi ki vah unake saman nahian tha, unake dhaanche mean jamata nahian tha aur aise nirarthak jnan mean vh‍yarth hi dooba rahata tha jisase phijool hi vakh‍t barabad hota, ooancha ohada n mil pata aur unake lekhe jiandagi akarath ho kar barabad ho jati.

jagat bevakooph isalie tha ki yadyapi vah kairiyar nahian bana sakata tha (thali mean parase laddoo ko uthane ki bhaanti bhale hi vah aaukh‍saphord ya h aauvard se digri le ae) lekin usake bare mean socha karata tha. usamean samajik kshetr mean ghusane aur paithane ki shakti bilh‍kul nahian thi. use vibhinh‍n prakar ke, vibhinh‍n sh‍vabhav aur vibhinh‍n vh‍yaktigat itihas rakhanevale logoan ka anubhav nahian tha. vah abhi bachh‍cha hi tha. usaki umr teees-chaubis sal ki thi. usake dil aur dimag ka cham da abhi majaboot nahian tha. vah abhi manushh‍yata ka sahaj vishh‍vas kar jata tha aur use maloom hi nahian ho pata tha ki akhir log us par kh‍yoan hans rahe haian!

jagat mean b di-b di khamiyaan thian jinamean se ek yah thi ki usake aant:karan mean naphis lekin sade aur kimati poshak pahanane vale un ganbhir mudraoan ke prophesaroan aur adhh‍yapakoan ki k aaular mean uchh‍chatar jnan ke hire-moti lage hue the jo yunivarsiti aur k aaulejoan ki b di bildiangoan ke k aauridaroan aur kamaroan mean ghoomate rahate haian. yah bilh‍kul sahi hai ki hamare yahaan dhan vah suvidha uth‍panh‍n karata hai jisake adhar par log ooancha jnan praph‍t karate haian aur b di saphaee ke sath ooanchi batachit karate haian. lekin jnan ke alok ko dhan ke alok mean mila karake aur phir jnan ki uddiph‍t manomoorti kh di karake dekhane se apani bauni paristhitiyoan se aur un paristhitiyoan se ghoomanevale logoan se ajib phasale paida ho jate haian.

jagat apane bachapan mean eesaee k aaunaveant sh‍kooloan mean padha tha. isilie usaki aangareji b di saral aur sh‍vabhavik ho gee thi. usane eesaiyat ke uth‍tamoth‍tam naitik gunoan ko ath‍masat karana chaha tha aur sath hi unh‍hean apane nij ki bharatiy sansh‍kriti se mila liya tha. 'sarman aauph d mauant' se le kar 'prithh‍vi sookh‍t' tak mean vah ras leta tha.

jagat bevakooph isalie bhi tha ki amariki janata ki mahanh upalabdhiyoan ko amariki sarakar aur usaki videsh-niti se mila kar dekhata. parinamat:, jab dales koee galati karata ya aauijanah aauvar kuchh g dab d kar jata to use apar du:kh hota! usake pas koee rajanitik drishtikon nahian tha aur us abhav ke rikh‍t sh‍than par amarika ya yoorop tatha bharat ke bhayanak dakshinapanthi rajanitijn usake hriday mean asan jamae baithe the. yahaan tak ki banbee-chunav mean menan ki jit bhi use achh‍chhi lagi nahian. usaka khh‍yal tha ki banbee amarika mean bharatiy dosh‍toan ne jitana kam kiya, vah kam adhe dil se kiya hoga. vah samh‍yavad se aur roos-chin se bhayanak dushh‍mani rakhata tha aur vah is sanbhavana se darata rahata tha ki kahian aisa n ho ki am‍rika se pahale roos chaand par pahuanch jae.

hamare b aaus jagat ke is rajanitik rukh se bahut khush the. lekin ve janata se darate the kh‍yoanki amarika-parash‍ti janata mean n keval lokapriy nahian thi varanh samane ka panavala aur usake as-pasavale gandi aur bauni hotal mean baithe hue maile-kuchaile log bhi amarika ko gali dete the. amarika par kisi ka vishh‍vas nahian tha.

is bhavana ko jagat bhi janata tha. isalie u date-u date hi vah mujhase rajanitik bat-chit karata aur us bat-chit ke dauran mean bharatiy akhabaroan mean prakashit samacharoan ka ek dhaancha banate hue lekin koee alochana n karate hue, maian usaki bat ka khandan kar deta, kisi virodhi tathh‍y par usaka dhh‍yan khianchata. yahi karan hai ki kramash: usaki jnan-grahi buddhi meri avahelana n kar saki aur meri or khianchati chali gee. isaka shrey maian avashh‍y looanga ki maianne use kisi bhi desh ke shasak aur janata - in do ke bich ki ekata aur mitrata pahachanane ki yuktiyaan sikhalaeean.

yah nishchit tha ki maian aur vah donoan apas mean takara jate.

vh‍yaktiyoan ki takarahat bahut buri hoti hai, jahar pachane se phailata hai, kich d uchhalane se uchhalanevale ke aur jhelanevale ke - donoan ke chehare badasoorat ho jate haian. maian hamesha do prakar ke parash‍par-virodhoan mean bhed karata aya hooan. ek ve jo sahi haian, jahaan ve tej hote rahane chahie;ahrabhh‍jn

aur ek ve jo galat haian, jahaan ve hone hi nahian chahie. jaise rajaniti mean vaise hi manav-sanbandhoan ke kshetr mean bhi hamean sahi virodhoan ko, unake sahi-sahi anupat mean, sahi-sahi jagah aur sahi-sahi dhang se zaroor banae rakhana chahie - yahaan tak ki tej karana chahie. yahaan jhukane ki zaroorat nahian hai. lekin kuchh aise parash‍par-virodh hote haian, jo ham hamari nasamajhi, kam samajhi athava kshudr ahanmoolak sh‍varth se uth‍panh‍n hote haian. manav-sanbandh ulajh isilie jate haian ki ham galat jagah jhag da kar lete haian aur galat jagah jhuk jate haian.

agar koee doosara shahar hota to shayad jagat ka aur mera yadi parichay hota to bhi pat nahian sakata tha, jam nahian sakata tha. lekin paristhiti donoan ko ek sath le aee. maian logoan mean uthata-baithata. unase phijool takarane ki koee koshish n karata aur sare samaj mean rah kar bhi ek ath‍yant tivr ni:sangata aur ajanabipan mahasoos karata. lagabhag do varshoan ke kramash: badhate hue praranbhik parichay ke anantar maianne jagat ki apekshik nikatata praph‍t ki. aur jh‍yoan hi hamane ek-doosare ke samiph‍y anubhav kiya aur sath rahane lage, th‍yoan hi logoan ki najaroan mean a ge aur akharane lage. is tarah mano hamamean se koee-n-koee vh‍yakti apattijanak ho aur doosare ko apani suhabat se biga d raha ho.

ek bat saph hai ki hamean us mahaphil mean maja nahian ata tha jisamean vividh prakar ke bhojaniy padarthoan se le kar kaiansar aur lh‍yookimiya tak tatha bhootoan se le kar kamh‍yunish‍toan tak charcha hoti. ye mahaphilean jo sham ke paanch baje se le kar rat ke barah-ek baje tak chalati rahatian, us abhav ka parinam thian jise akelapan kahate haian. ham jo yahaan bis the, ve chahe parivar mean hi kh‍yoan n rahean, apane ko akela, kisi shakha se kata hua aur adhoora mahasoos karate the. aur apane akelepan ki vedana se bhagane ke lie, vakh‍t katane ki ek tarakib ke taur par, samoohik bhojan, samoohik parti, gapabaji, mahaphilabaji ka asara liya karate. log bhale hi usaka maja liya karean, maian aise bedhange, bejo d aur bemel sosaiti mean rah kar b di hi ghutan mahasoos karata. yahi hal jagat ka bhi tha. phark yahi tha ki mujhe is tarah akelepan se bhagane aur vakh‍t katane ki ichh‍chha nahian rahati thi, n jagat ko hi rahati thi, isalie ham log 'anasoshal' kahalate the. kh‍lab ki jiandagi agar samajikata ka lakshan hai to maian aisi samajikata se baj aya.

logoan ko tajh‍jub hota ki akhir ham apana vakh‍t kaise katate haian! aur jab unh‍hoanne yah dekha ki brij, saanpoan aur bhootoan ki charcha, ek-doosare ki taang khianchane ki ho d aur rajanitik gap ki bajay ham ghoomane nikal jate haian aur kabhi haimiangh‍ve ya dikeans athava edna vinh‍seant mile ki charcha karate haian to unh‍hoanne apani narajagi jahir ki. ek bar jab ham tarah-tarah ki charchaoan mean vilin rat ke ath baje ghar par lautane ki bajay sadhe nau ke qarib laute to unamean se ek ne kaha, 'kh‍yoan bhee! janate nahian, bhale adami rat mean nahian ghooma karate!'

aur, ham tajh‍jub karane lage ki akhir ye ooanchi digriyoanvale log, jinh‍hoanne b di upadhiyaan praph‍t ki haian, itane j d aur moorkh kh‍yoan haian!

dubale, ooanche, ikahare badam ke pe d ke niche hamare sathiyoan ko jhuka hua dekh kar maian samajh gaya ki unaki aankhe hare kachh‍che badamoan ko khoj rahi haian jo ya to asapas ki kh‍yariyoan ki kali mitti mean jam ge haian ya kh‍yariyoan ke bichoan-bich janevali khushanuma pagadandi par gire p de haian. badam ke pe d ke age poorab-dakshin ki taraph b di aur ooanchi bhoori-bhoori divar dikhaee de rahi hai, usake is taraph aur badam ke pe d ke us taraph matar aur tamatar ki hariyali phaili huee hai aur maianne dekha ki kuchh log vahaan bhi pahuanch ge haian. udhar bagiche ke dakshin ki taraph jo muander hai usake niche lal kanh‍her ki jha diyoan ke age door tak talab lahara raha hai jisaki matamaili nili laharean sooraj ki kiranoan ko vapas pheank rahi haian aur is tarah chaandi aur kaanch ke chamachamate tuk doan ki dharadar chamak paida kar rahi haian. talab ke us par, am ke darakhh‍toan ke niche koee saikil par tej chala ja raha hai. ek man hua ki akhir ham apane sathiyoan ke pas badam ke pe d ke niche kh‍yoan n pahuanch jaean aur kuchh matar jeb mean bhar lean. lekin phir socha ki phir ve log hamara piand nahian chho deange. yah khayal mere aur jagat ke man mean ek sath aya. maianne usase kaha, 'chalo, jalh‍di chalo, nahian to atak jaeange!'

yah bat hamare muanh se nikali hi thi ki pichhe se ek aur avaj aee, 'aisi bhi kh‍ya jalh‍di hai, ham bhi to chal rahe haian!'

tabiyat to yah huee ki pichhe ghoom kar n dekhean lekin ham janate the ki mote talh‍loan ke boot hamara pichha nahian chho deange. boganabila ke phooloan se ladi huee meharabavale bagiche ke phatak tak pahuchate hi usane hamean pak d liya aur jagat ki pith par dhap p d gee aur ek gora sunahala chehara, hamean chidhata hua, bol utha, b aaus tumh‍hean bula rahe haian!

shayad us navagantuk ne meri aankhoan mean krodh aur ghrina ki chinagari dekhi hogi. tabhi usane ek saans mean kah dala, 'maian kuchh nahian kah raha hooan. maian to tumh‍hean chay pilana chahata hooan!'

ham log chupachap bahar nikal ge. aur pata nahian kh‍yoan hamamean ek chuph‍pi, ek phasala aur sath-hi-sath apana-apana ghirav badhata gaya. mashin ke pahiyoan ki bhaanti hamare pair dahini or mu d ge jahaan se rash‍ta, talab ke kinare-kinare, am ke darakhh‍toan ke niche se chala ja raha tha.

jh‍yoan hi ham bis gaj age badh ge hoange, hamare sunahare cheharevale sathi ne kaha, 'yar, niche utar kar chalean.'

maianne ekadam thahar kar, sh‍tabh‍dh ho kar poochha, 'kh‍yoan?'

usane kaha, 'yah naya rash‍ta hai!'

maianne jagat ki or dekha. vah kati dal-sa, nijath‍vahin aur shithil dikh raha tha. maianne kaha, 'chalo.'

jis rash‍te par ab tak ham chal rahe the, vah talab ke baandh par bana hua tha. baandh ke bahut niche ek chhota-sa nala bah raha tha aur idhar-udhar ghane-ghane pe d titar-bitar dikhaee de rahe the. ham apane ko sanbhalate hue niche utar ge aur nala phaand kar us or ja pahuanche jahaan se ek pagadandi shahar ki or ja rahi thi. phaand karake maian nale ki or kshan-bhar dekhata raha. vahaan chhoti-chhoti machhaliyaan anandapoorvak kri da kar rahi thian. aisa lagata tha ki unaki kri da ko ghantoan dekha ja sakata hai.

pagadandi par do hi kadam age badha hooanga ki samane lakhoan aur karo doan lal-lal diyoanvala gulamuhar ka mahanh vriksh mere samane ho liya. usake tal mean adhasookhe, murajhae aur sanvalae phool bikhare hue the. aur do-char phati chaddhiyoanvale maile-kuchaile l dake vahaan n maloom kh‍ya-kh‍ya bin rahe the!

maianne shahar ka yah hish‍sa dekha hi nahian tha. baeean or ash‍patal ki pili divar chali gee, jisake khatam hote hi chhote-chhote makan, chhote-chhote ghar, mitti ke ghar chale ge the. ni:sandeh ash‍patal ke pichhava de ki yah gali thi. dahini or khula maidan tha, jisamean imali aur nim ke pe doan ke alava chhote-chhote khet the. ek khet ke bad doosara khet. ye tarakariyoan ke khet the. chhoti-chhoti medhean bani huee thian. un khetoan par khoob mehanat ki gee thi. aisa lagata tha ki ye khet nahian varanh kalh‍panashil chitrakar-dvara nikale ge manav hath ke chitr hoan. sab kuchh chitrath‍mak tha. ye chhote-chhote khet! vo imali ke darakhh‍t, jisake niche gayean char rahi thian aur ve nim ke pe d jisake tale ek chattan par koee beghar-bemakan avara apani maili kuchaili gathari khol raha tha. usane hamari taraph dekha, hamane usaki taraph. usaka chehara saanvala aandakar tha, us par bholepan se bhari huee ek ajib muradani chhaee huee thi. usane meri kalh‍panaoan ko ukasa diya. vah kaun tha? kisi garib khetihar ka l daka, jo phat se bhag gaya tha aur jo shahar mean ab chay n milane se thaka-hara yahaan baitha tha! ab khet khatam ho ge. ek ne s dak ki puliya door se dikhaee dene lagi. baeean taraph ke ghar gaanv ke gariboan ke the. bahar khatoan par pe doan ki saya mean maanean leti huee thian. kuchh l dake oodham kar rahe the. lekin meri aankhe ek jagah ja kar thithak geean. ek maili-kuchaili khat par ek boodhe ki jianda thathari p di huee thi aur us thathari ke dubale chehare ki aankhoan mean ek jh‍yoti thi. aisi jh‍yoti jo mamatapoorvak ek balak ko dekh rahi thi.

vah do sal ke shishu ki thathari thi, jisake sare badan par silavatean p di huee thian aur usake salavat-bhare bal-mukh par vedana ki chikh niahshabh‍d ho kar j d ho uthi thi. vah boodhi thathari apane h diyal hathoan se shishu-thathari ko khila rahi thi, ph‍yar karati-si dikhaee de rahi thi aur vah shishu anajani duniya ko apani trash‍t aankhoan se dekh raha tha. us shishu ka chehara bilakul maila tha yadyapi moolat: usaki th‍vacha gori rahi hogi.

mere avachetan mean se apane anajane mean hi ek jabardash‍t hay nikali aisi ki sunahare cheharevala sathi mujhe tho de vish‍may se dekhane laga.

usane kaha, 'kh‍ya hua?'

maianne kaha, 'kuchh nahian.'

phir maian apane khayaloan mean doob gaya. itane mean gali ko par karati huee ek gatar dikhaee di, jo thik bich mean a kar phail kar phool gee thi. usamean ka kalapan bhayanak tha. usake kich d mean ek dubali murgi phans gee thi aur pankh ph daph da kar nikalane ki koshish kar rahi thi.

sunahare cheharevale ne mujhase kaha, 'agar b aaus ne dekha ki ham is gali mean se ja rahe haian to samajh jaie ki maut a gee!'

maianne kaha, 'kh‍yoan?'

usane kaha, 'is gali mean kamin log rahate haian aur sabhh‍y logoan ko yahaan se gujarana nahian chahie.'

maianne kaha, 'kh‍yoan?'

lekin yah kahate-kahate meri bhauanean tan geean, sharir mean ek uth‍tejana samane lagi, shayad meri aankhoan mean bhi tezia gee hogi.

sunahare chehare ne phir kaha, 'b aaus ke anusar, n sirph yahaan kamin log rahate haian, varanh aise ghar bhi haian jahaan...'

maian samajh gaya. usaka matalab tha ki yahaan vh‍yabhichar hota hai. maianne kaha, 'khul kar kaho n! kh‍ya tum yah kahana chahate ho ki yah veshh‍yaoan ka muhalh‍la hai?'

mere is kathan se sunahare cheharevale ko ek dhakh‍ka laga. usane kaha, 'kaun k‍hata hai!'

maianne ulat kar poochha, 'to phir kh‍ya?'

usane javab diya, 'yahaan khule vh‍yabhichar hota hai.'

'hoga! hamase kh‍ya?'

'hamase kh‍yoan nahian! ham is vishal saansh‍kritik keandr ke sadash‍y haian aur agar ham is gandi aur kuprasiddh galiyoan mean pae ge to hamara aur hamare keandr ka nam badanam hoga!'

'tumh‍hari aur tumh‍hare b aaus ki aisi-taisi!' yah kah kar maian chup ho gaya.

maian age kahata gaya, 'tumh‍hare b aaus ka chal-chalan bhi to bahut prasiddh hai!'

sunahare cheharevala navayuvak b di shadyantr-bhari mush‍kan prakat karane laga. jagat ne usaki pith par dhaph‍p j d di aur vah bol utha, 'kh‍yoan mar rahe ho bhaee!'

bat asal mean yah thi ki hamare b aaus, jo is saansh‍kritik keandr ke sarvesarva haian, b di phrik ke sath ham logoan ki dekhabhal karate haian. hamean khoob sahayata dete haian. is keandr ke ve pramukh haian, evaj mean usase ek paisa nahian lete. n keval is keandr ko varanh usake karmachariyoan ko bhi yathashakti sahayata dete rahate haian, ve ham sabase prem rakhate haian, chahate haian ki ham achh‍chhe dhang se rahean aur yahaan ke sarvochh‍ch varg mean gine jaean. isalie ve hamari chal-dhal, kap de-lath‍te, yahaan tak ki hamari gati-vidhi par bhi najar rakhate haian. shahar mean unake bare mean yah kaha jata hai ki ve apane purane papoan ko dho rahe haian.

ve 'pap' kh‍ya haian! ham log nahian janate. kish‍sa mukhh‍tasar yah hai ki ve yahaan ki sooti mil ke asish‍teant mainejar the. yah sooti mil ek prasiddh aangarej kanpani ki thi. in aangarejoan mean se bahuteroan ke apane parivar n the. ve aangarej aphasar nichi jati ki sh‍thaniy auratoan se prem karate. naukaraniyoan ke roop mean ve unake ghar mean rahatian. maja yah hai ki (jaise ki mujhe kee logoan ne bataya) ve naukaraniyaan, jo unake yahaan pahuanch jatian, is bat ka abhiman rakhati thian ki ve b doan ke 'ghar' mean haian. sh‍vadhinata ke bad, yah mil jab hiandush‍taniyoan ko bech di gee to kee aangarejoan ne apani 'ph‍yari' naukaraniyoan ke lie b de-b de ghar-makan banava die aur unaki ek jayadad kh di kar di.

yah kish‍sa hai. manushh‍y ka charitr usaki sangat se pahachana jata hai. sanbhav hai, hamare b aaus ki bhi isi tarah ki premikaean rahi hoan. kaun nahian janata ki ek pradesh ke ek mantri - jinaka nam maian yahaan nahian lena chahata - ki ek rakhail yahaan alishan makan mean rahati hai, jise shahar ke bahar ke muhalh‍le mean banaya gaya hai. shahar mean kisi se bhi poochh lijie, usake makan ka ata-pata apako mil jaega.

b aaus ke viruddh tirash‍kar ke kee karan the, jinamean se ek yah bhi tha ki ve sh‍thaniy naresh ke etarni rahe. vahaan khoob ana-jana raha. aur usi ki (vah ab mar gaya hai) sahayata se usane parishram karake yah vidya keandr khola. ve ek b di-si jamin ke malik haian aur kee chhote-mote dhandhoan mean unaka paisa laga hua hai. lekin chooanki ve ek prasiddh vilayati mil ke asish‍teant mainejar rah ae to isalie unh‍hoanne yahaan ke bahut-se seth-sahoo‍karoan par upakar kiya. ve upakar karane ki shakti rakhate the. logoan par ahasan karake unh‍hean apani kathaputali banane mean b da maja ata tha. yoan kahie ki logoan ko unaki kathaputali banane mean maja ata tha. bat donoan or se thi. mahath‍v ki bat yah hai ki ve kayade ke paband the aur kanoon ke anusar kam karane mean hichakichate nahian the. yooniyanoan mean sangathit mazadoor-varg unase kabhi khush nahian rah sakata tha, kh‍yoanki ve aangarejoan ke vaphadar naukar the, aur isilie unaki chalati bhi thi. sh‍vadhinata ke bad bhi kuchh dinoan tak ve mil ke asish‍teant mainejar rahe. lekin ne malik se unaki nahian pati. unh‍hoanne naukari chho d di. udhar, bhootapoorv mukhh‍yamantri (jo ab mar ge haian) - unase unaki khoob patati thi isalie adhikari varg par bhi unaka achh‍chha-khasa asar tha. sankshep mean, ve is shahar ke bahut prabhavashali aur shaktishali logoan mean se the. aur poore samajik sandarbh ko dekhate hue unake sanbandh mean bahut-se logoan ki dharanaean buri hona sh‍vabhavik hi tha.

yah ek tathh‍y hai. phir bhi doosara yah bhi hai ki vidyakeandr kholane ke sath-hi-sath unaka sh‍vabhav badalane laga.

pahale ve bahut tej mijaj ke, jiddi, nh‍yay-priy (prachalit nh‍yay ke simit arth mean) lekin apani karake chho danevale logoan mean se the. unaki sh‍tri bahut jalh‍di mar gee thi, isalie do bachh‍choan ke pita hote hue bhi ve ekadam akele the. ab jabase unh‍hoanne yah vidya keandr khola, unamean ek ajib si narami a gee. unaki sanvedanashilata itani bani huee thi ki ve, jo pahale adami ko sooangh kar usaki pahachan bata dete the, ab keval usaki mukhamudra ko dekh kar aur usake chehare ki shikan ko dekh kar usake dil ko ta d jate, sh‍vabhav jan jate. ve bahut jh‍yada akele the aur unake samane yah samash‍ya bani rahati thi ki vakh‍t kaise katean. isalie ve vidya keandr ke karmachariyoan mean baith kar apana samay vh‍yatit karate the.

bas isi sh‍than par chhupe hue sangharsh ki vah prishh‍thabhoomi thi, jisake bina yah kish‍sa samajh mean nahian a sakata. yah unaki sanvedanashil manushh‍yata thi, jisase prerit ho kar ve apane sathiyoan ki sahayata ke lie dau d p date aur apane nukasan ki paravah nahian karate the. ve raja adami the. ve prem karate the. aur, prem ki tanashahi bhi unamean thi jo shasakavarg ki tanashahi manovritti se ghul-mil kar itani ek pran ho gee thi ki yah kahana kathin tha ki vah shasakavarg ki tanashahi hai ya prem ka adhinayakath‍v hai. unake hath se jitani adhik seva aur sahayata hoti jati unaki manovaijnanik rachana mean parivartan hota jata. prem-bhav badhata jata aur prem ki tanashahi badhati jati. unaka bholapan bhi badhata jata. unaki khushamad kar, unh‍hean vishh‍vas le kar unh‍hean dhokha dena b da hi saral tha. yadyapi aisi koee varadat abhi tak huee nahian. lekin sabako yah bat saph najar a rahi thi. lihaja, kuchh log isi kam mean jute rahate. itana achh‍chha tha ki ve is rahash‍y ko khoob achh‍chhi tarah samajhate the, kh‍yoanki apane jivan-kal mean unh‍hean aisoan ka khoob tajurba mil chuka tha.

aur, jaisa ki hota hai, ve prem ke adhikar ka prayog karate ni:sh‍varth bhav se. lekin yahian g dab d thi; kh‍yoanki ab unh‍hean prem ke adhikar se doosaroan ka jivan-nirman karane mean b da maja a raha tha.

log is bat ke lie taiyar nahian the ki unake dhaanche mean apani jiandagi phit karean. unaka khayal tha ki khoob achh‍chhi jiandagi bitaee jae - paisa ho, thath ho, samaj par asar ho, aur ho sake to hath se achh‍chhi chij ban jae. unake is khayal se hamare yahaan lagabhag sabhi ekamat the. lekin jivan ke vibhinh‍n vishayoan par logoan ke alag-alag achar-vichar the. ek tarah se dekha jae to apani khud ki jiandagi se ve ritayar ho chuke the. jiandagi mean thath se matalab kh‍ya! ghar, jamin, jayadad, aish! aur m‍haphil ya darabar mean masaledar gapabaji. sab log to vaisa karane se rahe, kh‍yoanki unh‍hean utani tanakhah hi nahian milati thi. sirph mahaphil mean baith kar masaledar gapabaji hi bach rahi thi. so log karate hi the. aur ghar, jamin, jayadad ka moh, unh‍nati ka moh sabako tha, basharte ki vah poora ho! aur, phir bhi, adami ki pasandagi-napasandagi, rahan-sahan adi ke tarike alag-alag hote haian! kisi doosare adami ke dhaanche mean ve phit nahian kie ja sakate. apani-apani unh‍nati ki kalh‍pana bhi alag-alag hoti hai!

jo ho, ek or unake ahasan aur doosari or unake prem se dab kar ham log unh‍hean apana 'sath' pradan karate, ki ve apana vakh‍t kat sakean. apana sath unh‍hean pradan karana ek tarah se anivary kartavh‍y ho gaya tha. doosare ve bhi aj chay ke bahane, kal parti ke bahane, parasoan autiang ke bahane, usake agale sinema-philh‍mh‍s ke pradarshan ke bahane sab logoan ko bula kar apana darabar laga hi liya karate. dhire-dhire logoan ko unake darabar mean jane ki adat p d gee. jo karmachari unake darabar mean n baithata vah apane ko asurakshit anubhav karata; jin karmachariyoan ka karyavash vahaan jane ko nahian milata, unake man mean ek guth‍thi paida ho jati ki kahian aisa n ho ki unaki anupasthiti mean kuchh ka kuchh ho jae.

is tarah logoan mean ek ajib do-rukhi paida ho gee thi. ek or to ve darabar chho d kar jane mean achakachate the, doosari or ve chahate the ki darabar n ho aur unh‍hean ghoomane-phirane ki khoob sh‍vatantrata rahe. donoan batean ek sath nahian ho sakatian. is prakar kabhi-kabhi ve apane hi par jhuanjhala uthate, kabhi napuansak krodh se bhar jate. lekin ve prakat roop se yah n kahate ki hamean darabar achh‍chha nahian lagata. udhar, lagabhag roj lanch, dinar, parti, philh‍m-sho adi-adi hua karate aur chooanki sabhi log nimantrit hote to aisa nimantran ash‍vikar karana bhi mushkil hota. ye lanch ya dinar kabhi ek vh‍yakti deta to kabhi doosara vh‍yakti, kabhi (adhikaansh ve hi) b aaus! haphte mean kam se kam char-paanch bar isi tarah khana-pina hota. yadi koee hajir n ho to nimantran denevala khud bura manata. matalab yah ki kul mila kar yah halat thi ki koee bhi jan-boojh kar darabar mean jana tal nahian sakata, bhale hi vah is lanbe vakh‍t se tang a kar, bad mean pith pichhe chi dachi dae ya kuchh kare!

maja yah hai ki har adami kisi-n-kisi tarah se, b aaus mean apane saman koee-n-koee gun dekh, aur bhale hi vah use kahe ya n kahe, is bat par vah khud phida ho jata tha. aur har ek ko to lagata ki b aaus us par vh‍yaktigat roop se prasanh‍n haian. shayad is dharana ko b aaus khud apane karmachariyoan mean badhate the. ve ahasan, prem aur sang-dvara doosaroan ki gatividhiyoan par shasan kar apana prabhuth‍v-lobh poora karate the; aisi meri kalh‍pana hai.

doosari taraph us darabar ka ek sadash‍y doosare sadash‍y se sirph oopari taur se milata tha kh‍yoanki jh‍yadatar log bedhange, bejo d aur bemel adami the. jiandagi kaise jiyi jae, sab logoan ke alag-alag khayal the. sab ek-doosare se alag the aur har ek mean aisa gahara akelapan tha, jise katane ke lie masaledar gapabaji ke alava koee doosara rash‍ta nahian dikhaee de raha tha. mahaphilabaji ke bavajood, unake akelepan ki gaharaiyaan b di hi aandheri aur niji thian. is mahaul mean sab log yadi ek-doosare ki sahayata bhi karate to bhi katane ke lie dau date. ek-doosare ki taang khianchana ek mamooli bat thi. ek ajib kaid thi, jisamean prath‍yek vh‍yakti apane-apako viphal anubhav kar raha tha.

aur, phir bhi kisi mean yah sahas nahian tha ki is ulajhi guth‍thi ko to de. kh‍yoanki yah sanbhav tha ki yadi koee use to dane ki koshish kare, to doosara adami usake viruddh aur apane hit mean najayaj phayada utha leta. aur log apana-apana hit usi prakar dekhate the, jaise chianti gu d ko.

is vidya keandr mean kisi ko bhi vidyanurag nahian tha. yahaan tak ki padhane ka jo kam hai usase sanbandhit batoan ko chho d kar jo vh‍yakti idhar-udhar kitabean tatolata ya apane vishay mean ras lene lagata aur us vishay mean rasamagh‍n ho kar bat-chit karata to log bura man jate. samajhate ki vah padhakoo ho raha hai. hamare yahaan se jo log pi-ech.di. ya di.es-si. hone ge, ve apane aank de samajha kar ge the. ve sirph pi-ech.di. chahate the, jisase ki ve agali sidhi par chadh sakean. yahi kh‍yoan, hamare yahaan ka jo sabadivijanal aauphisar tha, vah khud di.es-si. tha, jabaki vah padha-padhaya sab-kuchh bhool chuka tha.

is prakar, chahe jaise vh‍yaktigat unh‍nati karana ek prakritik niyam ka uchh‍ch aur anivary pad praph‍t kar chuka tha. in tathh‍yoan ko maian kan-bhar bhi badha-chadha kar nahian kah raha hooan. vijnanavaloan ko yah maloom nahian tha ki hal hi mean kaun-kaun se mahath‍vapoorn avishh‍kar ho rahe haian aur hiandivaloan ko yah jnan nahian tha ki ajakal is kshetr mean kh‍ya chal raha hai. aur jo maloom bhi tha, vah keval suna-sunaya tha, ash‍pashh‍t tha, dhuandhala aur ulajha hua tha. aur, is bich hamare yahaan ke ek 'vidvan' ne apane vishay ke aur doosare vishay ke apane vishh‍vavidyalay ke aur doosare vishh‍vavidyalay ke tarah-tarah ke 'ges-pepars' nikal kar ek prakashak se ath-ek sau rupe kama bhi lie the.

vaise ham sab naujavan the, kee upadhiyoan se vibhooshit the, apane vishay ke achary mane jate. ek tarah se ham bhole the, saral hriday bhi the, ham kisi ke du:kh se pighal sakate the, sahayata bhi karate. lekin, hamamean samajik aantarath‍ma nahian thi, samajik chetana nahian thi kh‍yoanki asal mean ham sab log haramakhor the. aur maja yah ki vaise vh‍yaktish: ham bure bhi nahian the; bhalemanas kahalate the, achh‍chhe adami the. achh‍chha adami vah hota hai jisaki buraee dhanki rah jati hai chahe ap-hi-ap, chahe kie-karae se. ham aise bhalemanas the.

hamane us gali ke bich mean se gatar par ki hi thi ki ek saanvali aurat dikhaee di, jisaka nak-nakh‍sh sangamoosa ki chattan mean se kata gaya dikhaee deta tha. vah itani majaboot thi, usaka sh‍nayu-sansh‍than itana dridh tha, ki lagata tha, usaka chehara bhi, jisaki rekhakriti saral aur nirdosh thi, usi shakti aur dridhata ka parichayak hai. koee bhi kah deta ki usake shh‍yamal mukhamandal par ek gauravapoorn abhiman, ek majaboot gush‍sa aur ek thami huee raphtar hai. mujh par usake sauandary ka (yadi vah sauandary kaha jae to) ek halh‍ka-sa aghat hua. aur mujhe gorki ki kahaniyoan ke patr yad ane lage. gulamohar ke pe d ke niche jane kh‍ya binate hue phatehal l dake pe d ke niche path‍thar par baitha hua avara chehara, aur ab yah sh‍tri-moorti jo mano sangamoosa ki chattan kat karake banaee gee ho.

sunahare cheharevale ne kaha, 'yah dhobin hai, mehanat se usaka sharir bana hai.'

mere muanh se nikal gaya, 'chandidas ki premika.'

jagat ne mujhe sudhara, 'shi:, chandidas ki premika ke chehare par itane kathor bhav nahian ho sakate​!'

maianne turant hi apane-apako sudhar kar kaha, 'vah chandidas ki premika ki bahan to ho sakati hai. nahian-nahian! vah to gorki ki koee patra hai!'

sunahare cheharevala samajashash‍tri aur rajanitishash‍tri tha. usane kaha, 'yah mikh‍sh‍d bh‍lad (varnasankar) hai, mestijo (dakshin amerika ke varnasankar ke saman) hai.' aur mujhe dekh kar vah hans p da.

maian usaka bhav samajh gaya. is shahar ki samajashash‍triy lok-prakriya ki or usaka ishara tha. yahaan ke, is kshetr ke, is pradesh ke mool deshavasiyoan ne shayad hi kabhi rajh‍y kiya ho. sadharan janata moolat: kisan thi. vah nichali jatiyoan se bani thi. rajash‍than ke aur pashchim uth‍tar pradesh ke, aandhr ke aur maharashh‍tr ke logoan ne a kar yahaan jamin-jayadad banaee. yahaan ka madhh‍yavarg inh‍hian logoan se bana. aur purane jamane se in jamin-jayadad badhate hue yahaan ki nimh‍navargiy striyoan ko apane ghar mean rakha aur usase jo varnasankar santanean paida hueean, ve bhi aantat: usi nichali janata mean mil geean. ni:sandeh, is janata mean bhitar-hi-bhitar uchh‍chavargiy hianduoan ke prati asantosh aur virodh ka bhav paida hota gaya, aur rajaniti ke abhav mean usane purane jamane mean hi samudayik roop grahan kar liya. natija yah hua ki nichali jatiyoan mean, sudoor atit mean hian, satanamiyoan aur kabir-panthiyoan ka jor badha aur prabhav badha, aur adhunik kal mean eesaee mishanariyoan ka aur at to bahutere nav-bauddh bhi ho ge. phir bhi us nichali janata mean jo sanatanadharmi bane rahe, unh‍hoanne apana saansh‍kritikaran karate hue janeoo pahanana shuroo kar diya aur apane-apane bachh‍choan ko adhunik prakar ki shiksha-diksha dilane ka prayas karane lage.

unaki duniya hi alag thi. vah ek alag hi rashh‍tr tha. vah shh‍yamal jan-samuday apane dhang se sochata tha. aur unake muhalh‍loan mean aur gaanv-gaanv mean unake apane-apane lidar paida ho rahe the. ve lidar samane dikhaee nahian dete the. rajaniti mean unaki dilachash‍pi nahian thi. lekin rajanitik partiyaan votoan ke lie, unh‍hian mukhiyaoan ke pas jati thian aur phir us shh‍yamal jan-samuday ko b de thath se bhool jaya karati thian.

sunahare cheharevala hamara sathi b da majedar adami tha. vah tha to marava di ka bachh‍cha, jisake kee makan bikaner mean the, lekin usaka ghar isi shahar se bahath‍tar mil door ek gaanv mean tha. vah b da hi ghumakh‍k d tha. use ek jagah chain nahian p dati thi. vah apane achar-vichar se samaj ke chhote aur samaj ke b doan mean bhed nahian karata tha. usaki nirikshan-shakti adbhut thi. vah is pradesh ki janata ko khoob achh‍chhi tarah janata tha. unaki gandi aur dhueandhar hotaloan mean chay pine mean use maja ata. bahut hi apanepan se unase pesh ata.

ab mujhe samajh mean aya ki vah mujhe kahaan le ja raha hai. vah hamean isi prakar ki ek hotal mean le ja raha tha.

sunahare cheharevale ne mujhase kaha, 'ab ap hemiangh‍ve bhool jaie, maian apako gandi jagah mean bahut achh‍chhi chay pilane le ja raha hooan.'

ab s dak a gee thi. hotal s dak par hi tha. panavaloan ki tin dukanean vahaan thian.

ham jh‍yoan hi hotal mean ghuse, jagat ne apani pharratedar aangareji mean kaha, 'agar b aaus ne dekh liya to vah turant hi hamean iansh‍tityooshan (sansh‍tha) se nikal bahar karega. maian to mish‍tar bhachavat ko age kar dooanga. kahooanga ki yah mujhe vahaan le gaya tha, maian to bhola-bhala adami hooan, maian kh‍ya janooan ki vah mujhe kis disareph‍yootebal (badanam) jagah le jata hai...' yah kah kar jagat jor se hans p da.

sunahare cheharevale ne usaki or aankhean g date hue aur gandi gali dete hue kaha, 'jaban band karo. disareph‍yootebal tum ho. sale, tumh‍hare... disareph‍yootebal haian, aur tumh‍hara b aaus disareph‍yootebal hai aur tumh‍hari jeb disareph‍yootebal hai.'

jagat ne in galiyoan ko, ph‍yar ke phooloan ki barasat ke roop mean grahan kar sunahare cheharevale ki pith thapathapate hue kaha, 'mere upanh‍yas ka naya adhh‍yay tumh‍hare charitr se aur hotal se shuroo hoga mish‍tar bhachavat.'

mish‍tar bhachavat ek ajib shakhsiyat rakhata tha. b aaus ne sabase jh‍yada ahasan usi par kie the, aur aj is 'gandi hotal ki achh‍chhi chay' pite hue, vah b aaus ki kathor nianda kar raha tha. mujhe yah kuchh achh‍chha nahian laga. majedar bat hai ki maian khud unaki alochana kar jata tha. tab mujhe bura nahian lagata tha. lekin usake muanh se unaki buraee sun, mujhe ashh‍chary aur du:kh hua. maianne ganbhir ho kar, chay ki chush‍ki lete hue usase poochha, 'kh‍yoan yar, tumh‍hara kanoon kh‍ya kahata hai. jo vh‍yakti tumh‍hari sahayata karata hai, usaki alochana ki jae ya nahian.'

mish‍tar bhachavat ko mere vakh‍y ki nok p d gee. unh‍hoanne bhajie ka kaur muanh mean dalate hue kaha, 'dekho bhaee, apani bhoomika saph hai. apana bap bhi achh‍chhaee ke sath bahut-si buraiyoan ka malik hai. ham bap ki buraiyoan ki yani bap ki alochana avashh‍y kareange. akhir kh‍yoan n karean. lekin isaka matalab yah nahian ki bap se ph‍yar nahian karate. usake lie dau d jaeange. lekin usaki bahut-si batoan ko dekh kar ag-baboola bhi ho jaeange, bhale hi shaish‍tagi ke nate ham unase kuchh n kahean.'

maian musakara utha. mish‍tar bhachavat ke pita, jo ek dukan par munim the, l dake ke hath mean tarajoo pak davana chahate the. unh‍hoanne apane bete ko tijarat ke sab gur bata die the. lekin l dake ne bagavat kar di. apane pairoan par kh de ho kar rajaniti-shash‍tr mean em.e. kiya aur lovar divijan kh‍lark ho gaya. aur is samay vah yahaan hamara sathi adhh‍yapak hai.

usaki bat samajh mean ane layak thi. lekin uth‍sukatavash maianne poochha, 'man lijie ki b aaus ko pata chal jae ki tum us gali mean baithe-baithe unh‍hean gali de rahe the.'

usane mujhase kaha, 'koee mera dushh‍man hi vaisa karega.'

maianne kaha, 'lekin tum us vh‍yakti ki alochana karana bura nahian samajhate, jisane tum par bahut upakar kie haian?'

usane saph-saph kaha, 'bilakul bura nahian samajhata. akhir tumh‍hi batalao mish‍tar jagat, kisi doosare mean jo buraiyaan hamean mahasoos hoti rahati haian aur kaante-si khatakati haian unaki alochana kh‍yoan n ki jae.'

maianne javab diya, 'manushh‍yata yah kahati hai ki upakar ka badala apakar se n diya jae.' bhachavat ne jid karake kaha, 'lekin alochana yadi galat ho to apakar ka hi ek roop kh‍yoan n samajha jae.'

maianne bat age badhaee, 'lekin, b aaus to vaisa nahian samajhata; duniya to vaisa nahian samajhati; log to vaisa nahian samajhate!'

bhachavat ne ab jid pak d li. usane kaha, 'dekho bhaee, yah saph-saph bat hai. yah hamare-tumh‍hare bich ki bat hai. janate ho n ki hamare b aaus sahab kaun haian? is shahar ke nami-girami shaitan haian. unake jamane mean mazadooroan par kitani bar lathi-charj nahian hua, ya goliyaan nahian chalaee geean! riyasat ke jamane mean aangarej politikal ejeant ke kahane se kitane hi kaangresi jel mean s da die ge aur mar dale ge. yah sab purana kish‍sa hai. lekin is kish‍se ka ek pramukh patr kaun hai - jisake jarie yah sab kiya jata raha? hamare b aaus ke jarie!... aj bhi dekho n! bagiche mean se aanvale to d kar le janevale l dakoan ko us shakhh‍s ne, jise do kadam chalane mean bhi takaliph hoti hai, kitana nahian pita! aur hamare darabar ke log takate rah ge. rishh‍vat dena, rishh‍vat lena buraee to hai n! usaka prayog karate hue kitane kam nahian kie-karae jate. lekin chori, aur vah bhi khane-pine ki chijoan ki, jamin-jayadad ki, usake lekhe, jaghanh‍y aparadh hai. samane ke talab mean phatehal l dake machhali churane ate haian. unhean kis tarah thoanka-pita jata hai! kh‍yoan? isalie ki vah phatehal haian, ekadam garib haian. aur usake lekhe jo phatehal haian unake l dake chor aur avara ho hi jate haian. yah ek manovaijnanik granthi hai! use usake dimag ka aaupareshan karake bhi nahian nikal sakate. yahi dekho n! maian chay pine yahaan kabhi-kabhi ata hooan. maian yahaan isalie ata hooan ki mujhe yahaan ki chay bahut pasand hai. lekin yahaan is gandi hotal mean ye sab log a-ja rahe haian, ve usake lekhe kamin haian! aur kamin log guande hote hi haian - yah sab usaki manh‍yataean haian! isalie usane avantilal ka mere sath yahaan ana band karava diya! aur ab vah tumh‍hare bhi pichhe p da hai! usake vidya keandr ka vh‍yakti yahaan a kar chay pie! ram-ram! yah to us vidya keandr ki badanami hai. lekin janate ho, maianne is hotal ka kh‍ya nam rakha hai - 'kaphe-d-mazadoor'! kh‍ya bura nam hai yah! maian marava di ka bachh‍cha hooan aur inh‍hian logoan se bh‍yajabatta karake unaki jamin kurk karake hamane apane ghar bhare haian - maian saph kahata hooan ki is bure kam mean hamara bhi hath hai. ham shaitan ke bachh‍che haian! aur ab is samay maian shaitan ka naukar hooan. shaitan isilie doosare par meharabani karata hai ki vah bhi shaitani ke dhaanche mean phit ho! maian us dhaanche mean phit hone se inakar kar deta hooan!'

maianne usake lanbe vh‍yakhh‍yan par ek gahari saans lete hue kaha, 'lekin jab b aaus ke samane ho jate ho tab to tum apane ko tuchh‍chh samajhate hue, use mahanh man kar kam karate ho!'

mish‍tar bhachavat ne nirlajh‍j ho kar javab diya, 'bila shak! mujhe vaisa karana hi chahie!'

maian avak ho utha, 'bhee, kaise, kh‍yo, kis tarah?'

vah kshan-bhar chup raha. phir usane kaha, 'kaha jata hai ki hamamean vh‍yakti-sh‍vatantry hai. lekin yah manh‍yata jhooth hai. hamean kharidane aur bechane ki, kharide jane ki aur beche jane ki ajadi hai! hamane apana vh‍yakti-sh‍vatantry bech diya hai, ek had tak to isalie...'

jagat jhalh‍la gaya. usane kaha, 'maian is bat se inakar karata hooan ki hamane apani sh‍vatantrata bech di hai.'

bhachavat ek ajib hansi hansa, jise dekh kar mujhe kisi aghorapanthi sadhu ki yad a gee.

usane kaha, 'tum kh‍ya samajhate ho aur kh‍ya nahian samajhate - isaka saval nahian hai! saval yah hai ki kh‍ya us majalis mean apane dimag mean uthanevale ya pahale se uthe hue khayaloan ko jh‍yoan ka th‍yoan jahir karane ki ajadi hai!'

yah kah kar bhachavat jagat ki taraph aankh g da kar dekhane laga. to maianne is bat ka javab diya, 'akhir kisi ne apako apani man ki bat kahane se roka to nahian hai!'

bhachavat ne chay pine ki samapti ka karyakram pan khane se shuroo kiya. pan khate-khate vah kahane laga, 'to tum kh‍ya yah sochate ho ki apane man ki batean saph-saph kahane se apaki naukari tik jaegi? aji, do din mean lat mar kar nikal die jaeange. janab yah meri chaudahavian naukari hai. jh‍yada khatara ab maian nahian utha sakata. sach kahata hooan isalie badamash kaha jata hooan, kh‍yoanki maian ab tak vh‍yakti, sthiti aur paristhiti ko n dekh kar bat karata tha. maian badamash tha. ab maian soch-samajh kar, apane ko bhitar chhupa kar, mauka dekh karake bat karata hooan, isalie log mujhe achh‍chha samajhate haian. saval likhit kanoon ka nahian hai. likhit niyam to yah hai ki vh‍yakti sh‍vatantr hai. kiantu vash‍tavikata yah hai ki vh‍yakti ko kharidane aur bechane ki, kharide jane aur beche jane ki, doosaroan ki sh‍vatantrata ko kharidane ki ya apani sh‍vatantrata ko bechane ki ajadi hai. likhit niyam aur chij hai, vash‍tavikata doosari bat hai. khane ke daant ek hote haian, dikhane ke daant doosare. poore yatharth ko mila kar dekhie. maian to marava di ka bachh‍cha hooan. ap kavi log haian. sachh‍chi ajadi unh‍hean hai, jinake pas paisa hai. ve paisoan ke bal par doosaroan ki sh‍vatantrata kharid sakate haian... maian khud kharidata tha.'

mish‍tar bhachavat ke vakh‍tavh‍y se hamara samadhan nahian hua. agar maian vahi bat kahata to doosare dhang se kahata. dhang bahut hi mahath‍vapoorn hota hai. sach hai ki ham shram bech kar paisa kamate haian. lekin shram ke sath-hi-sath, ham n keval shram ke ghantoan mean varanh usake bad bhi apana sangharsh-sh‍vatantry, vichar-sh‍vatantry aur likhit abhivh‍yakti sh‍vatantry ko bhi bech dete haian. aur yadi ham apane is sh‍vatantry ka prayog karate-karate haian to pet par lat mar di jati hai. yah yatharth hai. is yatharth ke niyamoan ko dhh‍yan mean rakh kar hi, pet pala ja sakata hai, apana aur bal-bachh‍choan ka.

to kh‍ya bhachavat sachamuch thik kahata hai. kh‍ya meri apani unh‍nati ke lie samaj mean meri badhati ke lie mujhe bhi usi tarah pooanchh hilani p degi? vash‍tavikata yah hai ki alag-alag log alag-alag dhang se pooanchh hilate haian. mera bhi pooanchh hilane ka apana tarika hai. maian pahale apane paise malik ki god mean rakh dooanga. aur phir daant nikal kar malik ke muanh ki taraph dekhate hue pooanchh hilaooanga. doosare kuth‍te daravaje mean kh de ho kar pooanchh hilate haian. kuchh kuth‍te pas ane ki lagan batate hue bich-bich mean bhauankate haian, gurrate haian aur pooanchh hilate rahate haian. matalab yah ki sthiti-bhed aur sh‍vabhav-bhed ke anusar, pooanchh hilane ki alag-alag shailiyaan haian.

to maian yah nahian kah sakata ki maian pooanchh nahian hilata. lekin yah zaroor hai ki maian apane malik ke prati samarpit nahian hota - jis prakar rav sahab haian - n apane ko unake samane tuchh‍chh dekhata hooan. to hona yah chahie ki saph-saph kahooan. lekin saval yah hai ki jhag da kaun mol le, hamean kh‍ya matalab, hamase kh‍ya kam hai!

lekin bhachavat? bhachavat badamash hai. vah yah dhokha kh da karana chahata hai ki vah unaka hai, lekin maian aisa nahian kar sakata.

aur phir bhi bhachavat ne jo batean kahian, unamean bahut-kuchh sar dikhaee diya.

ham jh‍yoan hi pan kha kar rash‍te par chalane lage, maianne bhachavat se kaha, 'mish‍tar ham jara ghoomate hue aeange, tum idhar se nikal jao!'

usane javab diya, 'kh‍yoan, iantaraneshanal bat karani hai! khair, jao. lekin vo log mujhe kh‍ya kaheange. khair, jao! maian kah dooanga ki ve iantaraneshanal bat karane nikal ge haian.'

bhachavat dag badhata hua nikal gaya, aur maian vahian do-char kadam idhar-udhar hua. maianne kaha, 'jagat, kidhar chalean!' jagat sh‍tabh‍dh kh da raha. usane koee javab nahian diya. maian ta d gaya ki vah darabar mean jalh‍di hajir hona chahata hai jisase ki vah phijool ki batachit ka vishay n bane.

bhachavat jab age ke chaurahe par pahuanch gaya hoga, tab ham bijali ke charakhanbhe ke pichhe dhire-dhire pair badha rahe the. maian bahut udas ho gaya tha, dil bhari ho utha tha. lagata tha ki pair age nahian uth rahe haian. agar vahian kahian koee baithane ki jagah hoti to maian avashh‍y baith jata. ek gamagin soonapan dil mean ghir raha tha; dimag mean aandhere ke pankh bhanh‍na rahe the; bhayanak vh‍yarthata ka bhav rah-rah kar um d uthata tha aur apani asamarthata ka bhan ghutanoan mean dard aur dil mean kalor paida karata tha. aur mujhe galib ka sher yad aya-

koee umh‍bid bar nahian ati

koee soorat najar nahian ati

maut ka ek din muyayyan hai

niand kh‍yoan rat bhar nahian ati

apane bachapan aur naujavani mean aise hi kinh‍hian kshanoan mean mujhe mrith‍yu ke aandhere mean chirakal ke lie sama jane ki ichh‍chha hoti thi. lekin ab maian is prakar ke kalh‍pana-vikas ki suvidha bhi nahian utha sakata. mujhe in jalate regish‍tanoan par pair rakhate hue hi chalana hai.

...lekin mujhe ab age chalana bhi doobhar ho gaya. samane aandhere mean ek siandhi ki chay ki dukan p dati thi. usake bhitar kamare mean ekaant tha. us ekaant ke lie maian t dap utha. ekaant mera rakshak hai. vah mujhe pran deta hai, aur bahate hue khoon ko apane phave se poanchh deta hai. jagat meri ichh‍chha samajh gaya. aandhere-bhare ekaant kamare mean, jisake oopar ek roshanadan se dhuandhala prakash a raha tha, ham donoan ja kar dhap se baith ge. aur lagabhag das minat tak chupachap baithe rahe. pani piya aur usake bad ek-ek kap chay.

maianne jagat se kaha, 'ham kitane akele haian! jivan mean kahian koee miniang, koee arth chahate haian, aur vah bhi mil nahian pata.'

jagat ne aangareji mean kaha, 'yah isalie hai ki hamamean sankalh‍p-shakti nahian hai. agar ham inh‍hean dhutakar dean to ye hamara kh‍ya kar leange.'

maian pal-bhar chup raha. phir kaha, 'dhutakarana asan hai. meri bhi yah pandrahavian naukari hai. lekin pet palana bahut mushkil hai. mere ghar mean sare durbhagh‍y maujood haian - lanbe-lanbe rog, bhari karj, kalah aur manasik ashaanti, ye bisiyoan sal se ghar kie baithe haian, unh‍hoanne mujhe hi chuna hai. bal-bachh‍choan ko s dak par pheank kar, bhale hi maian kuchh kar jaooan. lekin maian itana kathor nahian ho pata, koee bhi nahian ho sakata!...' maianne jagat se kaha, 'hamean apane varg mean rahane ka moh hai, nichale varg mean jane se dar lagata hai. lekin kramash: hamari sthiti girate-girate un jaisi hi hoti jati hai to vahaan saharsh hi kh‍yoan n pahuanch jaean! lekin vahaan bhi mukti nahian hai, kh‍yoanki us sh‍than par bhi ghoratar uth‍pi dan hai.'

'aur phasale? kitane phasale haian, hamare aur tumh‍hare bich mean. tumh‍hare aur bhachavat ke bich mean, bhachavat ke aur kisi ke bich mean, ye dil milane nahian dete.'

aur thik isi kshan jagat n maloom kis sh‍phoorti se chal-vichal ho gaya. vah bich mean kood p da. usane mere ath‍manivedan mean hash‍takshep kiya aur kahane laga, 'amariki lekhakoan ne bhi isi tarah ki paristhitiyoan ka samana kiya hai. yah koee nee paristhiti nahian hai.'

maian sirph hans diya, yadyapi jagat ki bat mean sar-tath‍v tha.

aur, phir ham mashin ki bhaanti vahaan se uth kh de hue. nishh‍chay-ash‍pashh‍t aur adhoora - mere dimag mean chal-vichal hone laga.

maianne muanh lataka kar rash‍te mean jagat se kaha, 'adami-adami ke bich ke phasale door kaise hoange?'

jagat ne ek gahari saans li. usane kaha, 'inako batachit se door nahian kiya ja sakata, kh‍yoanki vahaan tarah-tarah ke bhedoan ki daladal hai.'

tab maianne mano jor se chikh kar kaha, 'haan, hamean is daladal ko sukhana hoga. lekin usake lie to kisi jh‍valamukhi ki hi ag chahie.'

batachit aur bhi thakae dal rahi thi, ek aboojha dard bhar raha tha. lagata tha ki ham kisi aandheri surang mean bhatakate-bhatakate ab yahaan pahuanch kar ek divar ka samana kar rahe haian jisake age rash‍ta nahian hai.

jh‍yoan hi ham bagiche mean vapas pahuanche, hamean door se dikhaee diya ki darabar laga hua hai. ek gahari jheanp hamare chehare par chhane ka prayath‍n karane lagi. keandr mean hamare b aaus baithe hue the.

b aaus ek thigane kad ke aur chauras pith ke vyakti the jinake chehare par tikonapan tha. ek chhoti sanvedanashil nak thi aur chhoti thuddi! aankhe b di-b di aur gol thian. ek kshan-bhar mean ve krodh mean uth‍tejit ho sakate the aur doosare hi kshan thande ho kar musakara kar koee majedar kish‍sa suna sakate the. unh‍‍hean dekh kar mere hriday mean anayas ph‍yar um data. unake vh‍yaktith‍v mean ek chamath‍kar avashh‍y tha. vaise vah bahut buland adami the aur kisi ke age jhukana unase n ho pata, yadyapi kisi bhavavesh mean a kar ve namr hriday bhi ho sakate the! is samay unake chehare par ek musakarata prem-bhav aur aankhoan mean ardr talh‍lin drishti thi, jo yah batati thi ki unase sukumar kaanpate chitr uth‍tejit ho kar ne-ne komal bhav tarangit karate rahate haian.

usake pas shri bhachavat baithe hue the. aisa lagata tha ki unh‍hoanne apana bolana abhi band kar diya hai aur unake mastishh‍k mean abhi bhi vakh‍y-chitr ubharate ja rahe haian. jab aisa hota hai tab ye sadharanatah apani ek jaangh par doosara pair rakh kar, dh d ko age karake kisi uth‍tejit, ganbhir, bhav-pravan mudra ke samane jhuke hue dikhaee dete haian. is samay ki unaki mudra bhi usi prakar ki hai.

unake pas apane ko astith‍vahin bana kar, ni:shesh bana kar, ek namahin chhaya baithi huee hai, jo itani pi‍li hai ki aisa lagata hai, maraghat mean se, chita par se abhi uth kar chali aee hai. ye sajh‍jan ganit-shash‍tri haian. unake bagal mean ek mahoday baithe hue haian, jinaki bail ki-si moti garadan par ek nila roomal lipata hua hai. ye mahoday thigane aur chau de to haian hi, unake chehare par j di huee aankhe bahut barik haian aur ek aankh kani hai. unake mathe ka dhal oopar se niche ki jor ja raha hai. matha ekadam chhota, tang hai; usaki chau daee tin aangul se shayad hi b di ho. sir lagabhag chapata hai aur pichhe ki taraph ekadam samaph‍t hota hai, jisase yah lagata hai ki garadan hi sir par chadh gee hai. chehara khoob bhara hua gol aur chhota hai. nak chhoti, tikhi aur sanvedanashil hai aur chhote-chhote hoth haian. kul mila kar, log unaki taraph emadam akarshit hote haian, kiantu un par us vh‍yaktith‍v ka prabhav bura p data hai.

is samay unake muanh mean ch aaukalet ki goliyaan bhari huee haian - jeb mean to ve unh‍hean hamesha rakhate hi haian. unake pas, kurasi par ekadam durbalakay ooanchi l daki baithi huee hai, jisake lanbe chehare par chashh‍ma laga hua hai. sara chehara char lanbi salavatoan mean baanta ja sakata hai aur vah aisa big da hua-sa lagata hai mano unh‍hoanne koee nihayat k duee dava abhi-abhi khaee ho aur usaki dakar oopar a rahi ho aur a n pati ho. ve rasayanashash‍tri haian. unake bagal mean ek bhimakay vh‍yakti baithe hue haian jinaki pith kam se kam dhaee phut ooanchi hogi aur khoob chau di. ve jab hansate haian to aisa lagata hai ki pratidhh‍vani ki laharoan se kahian darakhh‍t hi n toot jaean. unaka chehara aisa bhoora-saphed hai jaise bal ka puttha ho. vah oopar se gol, maansal aur pushh‍t haian, niche se ekadam tikona! ve bhi chashh‍ma pahane hue haian aur aisa lagata hai jaise ve har chij ko ghoor kar dekh rahe hoan. ve bhoori neharoo jaiket pahane hue haian, aur is samay hath mean rakhe apane dande ko hila-dula rahe haian. ve sansh‍kriti ke vidya-varidhi haian. unh‍hoanne bharatiy sansh‍kriti par ek shodh-granth bhi likha hai. ve yahaan kafi pratishthit mane jate haian. sirph mish‍tar bhachavat unh‍hean chhe date rahate haian.

unake bagal mean kurasi par do dubale-patale sajh‍jan simate-simate baithe haian mano unh‍hean yah najh‍jara bhayabhit kar raha ho! donoan soot-boot se lais haian aur lagata hai ki unamean se har ek ka soot kam se kam dhaee sau rupayoan ka to hoga hi. unamean se ek nekataee lal aur doosare ki nili hai aur sirph is dar mean haian ki kahian unake sanbandh mean charcha n chhi d jae. unake bagal mean, b di hi gaurav-bhavana aur shalinata ke sath kanji aankhoanvala ek gora navayuvak baitha hua hai, jisake bare mean kaha jata hai ki k aaulej ke jamane mean us par kee l dakiyaan marati thian. vah is samay sade poshak mean apane prabhavashali vh‍yaktith‍v mean khoya hua hai. musakara raha hai. ve darshanashash‍tr haian. unake pas kurasi ke ek hish‍se par jhuk kar aur tirachhe ho kar rav sahab baithe hue haian, jinake mukhamandal par shram ki thakan ke sath-hi-sath santosh ki nish‍tabh‍dhata bhi virajaman hai. unake bajoo mean char-paanch ku‍rasiyaan khali p di haian.

is par mandali par maulasiri ke ooanche-poore, bhare-bhare vrikshoan ka saghan chhaya-prakash gir raha hai.

h‍mane b aaus ko namash‍kar kiya aur chupachap apani kurasiyoan par ja kar baith ge. tin-char minat mean hamane ne vatavaran se apane-apako jama liya aur apeksha bhav se charoan or dekhane lag ge. kiantu, vatavaran poorn prashaant tha. aur mujhe samajh mean nahian aya ki aisa kh‍yoan hai.

itane mean rav sahab ke pas baithe hue chamakadar darshanashash‍tr ne kaha, 'sahab, pairasayak aaul aauji mean yahi padhaya jata hai.'

maian samajh chuka ki bat pahale ho chuki hai. isalie chup raha ki sansh‍krit ke vidyavaridhi mahoday apani g dag dati avaj mean pairasayak aaul aauji ka ek purana udaharan batane lage, jo unh‍hean kisi jagah padhane ko mila tha. asal mean vah pishach-bodh ka udaharan tha. logoan ne unaki kahani ka achh‍chha-khasa ras liya, sath hi unake vh‍yaktith‍v ka bhi. pata nahian kaise, unaki kahani ke silasile mean hi aparadhoan ki charcha chal p di, jo 'blitj' namak patr mean nikala karati thi. aparadhoan par se hoti huee vah dhara maharaja tukojirav hol kar tak gee aur vahaan se bahati huee veshh‍yaoan tak aee. phir sansh‍krit ke vidyavaridhi ne ganika aur veshh‍ya ka bhed bataya aur phir un shaharoan par charcha chal p di, jahaan veshh‍yaoan ke prasiddh muhalh‍le haian. phir un shaharoan ki anh‍y visheshataoan par drishti jate hi yunivarsitiyoan ke prashasan par charcha chal p di aur phir vidyarthiyoan ki anushasanahinata ki ghati mean se bahati huee vah dhara rajanitijnoan par gee aur vahaan se bahati huee chunav tak a pahuanchi, banbee ke chunav tak!

krishh‍namenan ke chehare par bhi charcha chali aur vahaan se vah aantarrashh‍triy rajaniti ka kinara chhooti huee, rajanitijnoan dvara di janevali partiyoan tak pahuanchi. aur un partiyoan se bahati huee vah sharab ki kish‍moan tak aee, aur phir vahaan vahaan se aangarejoan ke khan-pan se hoti huee vah maha-rashh‍triy 'varan' aur 'pooranapo di' tak pahuanchi aur phir vahaan se ek vish‍phot ki bhaanti moti garadanavale arthashash‍tri se prashh‍n poochha gaya, (poochhanevale sh‍vayan b aaus the) - 'batao tum kitane rasagulh‍le kha sakate ho?'

mish‍tar rajabhoj ne kaha, 'yahi lagabhag do ser.'

b aaus ne kaha, 'tin ser khaoge?'

rajabhoj ne kaha, 'nahian, itana nahian kha sakate!'

'achh‍chha, tumh‍hean paanch rupe dooanga, agar tum itana kha jao to!'

'nahian sa'b, itani kam kimat mean itani takaliph nahian uthaee ja sakati.'

'achh‍chha, das rupe dooanga.'

moti garadanavale mahoday ekadam uth kh de hue aur kahane lage, 'ekadam taiyar hooan; itani mithaee to maian bachapan mean kha jata tha.' aur thahaka mar kar hansane lage.

mish‍tar rajabhoj ke lie tin ser, ham sab logoan ke lie do ser mithaee ka ardar diya gaya.

yadyapi log ukatae hue the (kh‍yoanki isi tarah ki batean jara-se ulat-pher ke sath roj chalati thian,) par mithaee ki pratiksha mean baithe rahe aur uth p dane ke jabaradash‍t moh ko daba ge.

ki itane mean...

door se, ek chamakadar adami aur usake sath di-tin adami aur jate dikhaee die. ve abhi boganavila se lade phatak ke pas hi the. chamakadar adami kala mahin ooni paiant aur saphed bushakot pahana hua ooancha gora-chitta vh‍yakti tha. usaka chehara lanba tha, jis par kulin abhijath‍y ki abha phaili huee thi, jo usaki ath‍m-vishh‍vasapoorn chal dhal, majak-bhari mush‍karahat aur uangaliyoan mean phaansi sigaret ki rakh jhi dakane ki tarakiboan se prakat ho rahi thi. kali phrem ke chashh‍me ke oopar, do-char rekhaoanvale mathe ke niche ghani-ghani bhauanhean thian aur kan ke oopar do-char lanbe bal ooanche uthe the. vah is tarah chal raha tha, jaise yahaan ka sara ilaka usi ka hai.

vah lanbi asan dagean uthata hua chala a raha tha. usake pichhe ek chhote kad ka, gore rang ka pachas-sala adami chal raha tha, jisake age ke daant toote hue the. usaka chhota lanba chehara pan ki pik se bhara tha. vah khaddar ki poshak se lais yahaan ka kaangresi lagata tha. usaki chal-dhal aisi thi ki logoan ko yah bhay tha ki kahian phir se yahaan ka chunav n ho. usake pichhe ek lanba kala paha di kad ka adami chal raha tha, jisaka har aang sudaul, majaboot aur bhara-poora tha. usake chehare par chiken path‍thar ki kathor nish‍tabh‍dhata thi. sath hi, usaka mukhamandal chamachama raha tha, yadyapi vah muanh par tel nahian lagata tha lekin chehara teliya dikhata tha. vah paiant aur bushakot pahane hue tha. usaki poshak gandi thi. vah eesaee motar-draivar tha. ne agantukoan ko dekh kar, hamamean se kuchh log bechain hone lage, kuchh apani sit chho d kar bechain hona chahane lage.

moti garadan ne idhar-udhar takana shuroo kiya. maian sabase pahale uth kar mitiang bhang karane ki chahalakadami karate hue ek pe d ki chhaya mean chahalakadami karane laga. dhire-dhire idhar-udhar dekh kar kisi-n‍-kisi guanta de ya bahane se logoan ne uthana shuroo kiya.

mere pas jagat bhachavat aur rav sahab a kar kh de ho ge. rav sahab ki chaandi ki dibiya khul gee. pan ki loot machi. har adami ne do-do gilh‍lauriyaan muanh mean jamaeean - yahaan tak ki jagat ne bhi. dibh‍ba khali hote dekh ham sab prasanh‍n ho kar hansane lage.

mujhe rav sahab ka la d a gaya. maianne unh‍hean ekaek chhati se chipaka liya aur unake samane unaka diya ek rupaya vapas karate hue kaha, 'bhachavat ne chay pila di thi. mere pas bhi chilh‍lar thi. yah lijie, apaka ek rupaya vapas.'

'rakho n bhee, rakho n bhee. abhi to bahut zaroorat p degi.'

mish‍tar bhachavat ne uddandatapoorvak use chhinana chaha aur kaha, 'samajhate nahian ho. abhi to bhojan bhi nahian hua hai. us samay sadhe barah baje haian. mahaphil chalegi rat ke kam se kam das baje tak. rupaya to apane ko lagega. ghoomane-ghamane ke lie.'

rav sahab pan chabate hue premapoorvak bhachavat ke chibalh‍lepan ko dekh rahe the. usaki nok unh‍hean kee bar g d chuki thi. lekin ve ab usaka anand bhi lete the.

asal chij yah hai ki mish‍tar bhachavat logoan ke aib dekhane mean bahut hoshiyar haian. agar sirph aiboan ko dekhate tab bhi koee bat nahian thi, ve un kamazoriyoan ko apani kri da-vh‍yavahar ka vishay banate. yah b di khataranak bat thi. aise log dushh‍man paida kar lete haian. aur agar yahaan unake shatru nahian hue to isaka karan yahi tha ki yahaan ke log ath‍yant sadashay the aur kisi ki char batean sah lena janate the.

bhachavat ne bataya, 'yah jo b aaus ke pas baithe hue sunahare aur ooanche poore vh‍yakti haian, jo bushakot pahane hue haian aur b di adao aandazake sath sigaret pi rahe haian ve yahaan ke ek rees haian. apane shahar ke pas ke zamiandar (vidhava sh‍tri hai vah) ke divan ke ve l dake haian. unaki apani koee kamaee nahian, unaki apani koee mehanat nahi haian. unh‍hoanne sirph vidhava jamiandarin ke sath mehanat ki hai, (ham sab log hansate haian) usi ka shubh parinam ve bhog rahe haian. shahar mean poochh lijie, unake apane gharavaloan se poochh lijie, ve sab yahi kahani bataeange, kh‍yoan rav sahab?'

rav sahab ko kato to khoon nahian. ve sh‍tabh‍dh ho uthe. aur kuchh nahian bole. bhachavat age kahata gaya, 'yahaan ke reesoan ko biga dane aur dhool mean mila dene ka karyakram unh‍hoanne saphal karake dikhaya. kee rees unaki suhavat mean prasiddh sharabi aur randibaj ho kar chaupat ge! ab to apane b aaus ke sath bijanes karana chah rahe haian. har tisare sal apani kar badalate haian aur har doosare sal apani premika.'

ravasahab ne khankharane ki, gala saph karane ki cheshh‍ta ki. nak mean se sh‍var ka ek vish‍phot kiya; aur kaha, 'apane b aaus unake chakh‍kar mean nahian a sakate.'

bhachavat ne kaha, 'lekin, bijanes to kar hi rahe haian!'

rav sahab bole, 'vo b aaus ke samane tik nahian sakate. bijanes hai.'

mujhe is batachit se vitrishh‍na ho uthi. mujhe bijanes nahian dikhata tha, varanh manav-samuday dikhate the jo vishesh-vishesh sh‍varthoan aur hitoan ki disha mean karyashil the. mujhe manav-samudayoan ke khas vh‍yakti aur unake vh‍yaktith‍v, unake parash‍par sanbandh aur unaki jivan-pranali dikhati thi. mere man mean uth‍panh‍n vitrishh‍najanak jivan-chitroan se mukti pane ke lie maian vahaan se hat gaya, aur door phavh‍vare ki taraph dekhane laga, jisake kuand mean sirph gili mitti aur s da hua pani tha, jisake bhitar gee sidhiyoan par haanphate hue medhak apani bhaddi, khuli-khuli, chamakili batananuma aankhoan se duniya ko dekhate the. maianne kee bar kaha tha ki is phavh‍vare ko bhi chaloo kar diya jae aur usaki toanti sudhar di jae, aur kuand saph kiya jae, lekin kisi ne meri bat nahian suni.

phavh‍vare ke kuand se hat kar khushanuma meharab par chadhi gulab ki bel ke niche se gujarata hua maian buddhe yukaliph‍tas ke us pe d ki or jane laga jisaka tana - sirph tana - am ke darakhh‍toan se oopar nikal aya tha aur jisaki shakhaean akashonh‍mukh hoti huee phail gee thian. vahian hari chanpa (madanamash‍t) ke chhote pe d the, jinaki ghani tahaniyaan prasanh‍n aur shaant dikhaee de rahi thian.

is asha se ki maian usaka ekadh phool to d sakooanga, vahaan pahuancha hi tha ki us pe d ke pichhe se terilin ka paiant aur bushakot pahane gathiyal, thiangane, kanji aankhavale darshanashash‍tri ka chamakila chehara samane aya jis par udasi aur ukatahat ki matamaili abha phaili huee thi. mujhe dekh kar, apane sharir ko dhil de kar ve ek pair par jor de kar kh de ho ge aur chiantashil aankhoan se mujhe dekhane lage.

maianne unase hath milaya. aur us hath milane mean hi mujhe maloom ho gaya ki pal-bhar ke lie hi kh‍yoan n sahi, dil mil gaya hai. maian kshan-bhar ke lie un udas, shithil, kanji aankhoan ke kath‍thee sitare dekhane laga ki itane mean usane aangareji mean kaha, 'man lijie ki yahaan ek hath‍ya ho gee hai.'

chauankate hue maianne javab diya, 'kitana bura vichar hai.'

usane kaha, 'lekin kitana maujooan hai.'

ham to sa'b, khayaloan ki maujooniyat dekhate haian.'

maian musakara utha. kisi ki hath‍ya ko ya n ho, hamari to ho hi rahi thi. yah saph tha. aur mujhe devakinandan khatri ke us tilish‍m ki yad aee, jisamean se bahar nikalana asanbhav tha, lekin jisake bhitar ke praanganoan mean bagiche bhi the, tahakhane bhi the aur jisamean kee navayuvatiyaan aur kishoriyaan giraphtar rahati thian. ve ghoom-phir sakati thian, tilish‍mi pe doan ke phal kha sakati thian, lekin apani had ke bahar nahian nikal sakati thian. ye hadean vo divarean thian jo pahale se hi bani huee thian aur jinako to d pana lagabhag asanbhav tha athava jinh‍hean to dane ke lie aparisim sahas, kashh‍t sahan karane ki apar shakti aur dhairy tatha virata ke atirikh‍t, vishesh karyakaushal aur gahare chatury ki zaroorat thi. meri aankhoan mean us gahare aandhere tilish‍m ke tahakhanoan aur kothariyoan ke bahar ke maidanoan mean ghoomati huee lal-pili aur nili sa diyaan abhi bhi dikh rahi haian. unake murajhae, gore kapol aur dhili bandhi veniyoan ki laharati latean abhi bhi dikh rahi haian aur man-hi-man maian kalh‍pana kar raha hooan ki kh‍ya yahaan phanse hue bahut-se logoan ki ath‍maean isi prakar ki to nahian ho gee haian.... lekin, prashh‍n to yah hai ki is tilish‍m ko kaise to da jae!

mujhe apane mean khoya jan darshanashash‍tri ne poochha, 'kahaan gum ho ge the? lo, yah phool lo.'

madanamash‍t ka phool sachamuch khoob mahak raha tha. lekin usaki mithi-mithi mahak dil ki rakh par phail to gee lekin jaharili ho gee aur us jahar ko maian dhire-dhire sooanghata raha.

darshanashash‍tri mere samh‍mukh upasthit ho gaya aur mera hath pak d bagiche ki us muander ki or jane laga jahaan hamare makanoan ke pichhava de mean lage hue keleandar ke lanbe-lanbe chamakadar hare path‍toanvale jha d jhool rahe the. usane mujhe apane vishh‍vas mean lete hue kaha, 'suno, maian jalh‍di hi yahaan se chala jaooanga.'

'sachamuch?'

'haan.'

maian ekadam chup ho gaya. apane akelepan ka du:kh mujhe g d utha. mujhe abhi se us sthiti ki yad ane lagi jab vah chala jaega aur maian ni:sang rah jaooanga. (yadyapi maian usake sath ke bavajood akela tha.)

maianne darshanashash‍tri mish‍tar mishra se kaha, 'tum javan ho, tumh‍hean to jiandagi mean zaroor sahas karana chahie. aur nee talash mean jana chahie. lekin... maian? maian kahaan jaooanga. mere sat bachh‍che haian aur mata-pita ki bhi jimh‍medariyaan haian. rog, karj aur tarah-tarah ki ulajhane mujh par haian.'

aur maian usaans le kar chup ho gaya.

darshanashash‍tri kuchh nahian bola. vah mere ghar ki halat janata tha. aur mere samane ab yah saval tha ki maian kahian agale sangharshoan mean toot to nahian jaooanga. kh‍yoanki ab mera sharir bhi sath nahian deta. to kh‍ya ab maian yahian baitha rahooan?

aur, mere samane yatharth ke kale bhayanak aandhere-bhare chitr ane lage, mujhe vah adami yad ane laga, jo paradesh mean saloan se bimar raha aya, lekin apane sh‍nehiyoan se sirph apani lash uthavane ke lie, aantim kshan mean unake sh‍parsh ke lie tarasata hua vah desh a gaya aur phir usi kuttharavas ke do din bad hi usaki mrith‍yu ho gee. maian aj se das sal pahale apane daphtar jate vakh‍t us rash‍te se gujarata jis par us mitti ke aandhere kutthar ka daravaja khulata tha aur meri aankhe us vh‍yakti ki or akarshit ho chuki thian kh‍yoanki vah ekadam pila p d gaya tha aur paanv pasare hath ke bal chalata tha. kahian aisi dasha meri bhi n ho! hay!

ki itane mean kisi pe d se ek path‍ta toot kar mere sharir par‍ gira. maianne anajane hi use utha kar dekha aur usake ghane hare rang mean tahalati huee nasoan ko dekhane laga. usamean javani thi. naya rakh‍t tha. mujhe us path‍te ko choomane ki aur apane galoan par use laga lene ki tabiyat huee goki sankochavash maianne vaisa nahian kiya.

itane mean, jagat pichhe se dau data hua aya aur usane haanphate hue samachar diya, 'roos ne ek aur adami asaman mean chho d diya. titov. vah ab tak atharah bar pradakshina kar chuka hai.'

darshanashash‍tri mish‍tar mishra aur jagat ki ho d laga karati thi. mishra ne poochha, 'tumh‍hean to bahut bura laga hoga, jagat! sala roos kh‍yoan asaman mean pahuanch raha hai. use to nashh‍t hona chahie tha!'

mishra ne jagat par 'bhadda ataik' kiya tha. maian kh‍ya kar sakata tha. jagat chup raha. mishra kahata gaya, 'lumuanba ki kavita jagat ne nahian padhi, padh nahian saka; usake dosh‍toan ke viruddh jati thi. log kamh‍yunish‍toan ko galiyaan dete hai ki ve roos chin ki or dekhate haian. lekin ye sale n sirph briten amerika ki taraph dekhate haian, unake baiankoan mean apane rupe rakhate haian. kh‍yoan be sale, aaukh‍saphord ya havard ja raha tha n! tere pas itana ph aauren ekh‍sacheanj kahaan se aya. tera aantararashh‍triy pooanjivad yahaan se le kar to amerika tak ek janjir mean baandhe hue haian, paisoan ki janjir se!'

bechara jagat! bhoola-bhataka jagat! aj gush‍se se lal ho utha. use mahasoos hua ki us par jhootha arop lagaya ja raha hai. vah to amariki sahith‍y ka premi hai!

akash‍mat jagat ne mishra par buri tarah 'ataik' kar diya tha. pichhe se usaki moti kamar pak d kar usake santulan ko biga date hue use niche gira diya ki itane mean mishra ne use apane aliangan mean jak d liya, itani jor se use kasa aur itani jor se hans p da ki jagat hakh‍ka-pakh‍ka rah gaya.

mishra ne kaha, 'hamare-tumh‍hare bich koee jhag da nahian hai, jagat! tumh‍hara-hamara prakritik sah-astith‍v hai kh‍yoanki ham donoan ebilards haian.'

ebilard! dimag mean ek bijali kauandh uthi. ekaek mujh par vajr-sa gir p da.

ebilard! sant! jisane apani jananeandriy ko chakoo se kat diya tha. sant bane rahane ke lie.

panne ki pragati avastha

adhar

prarambhik

madhyamik

poornata

shodh