श्रीकांत उपन्यास भाग-11

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

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sadhuji khushi se chale gaye. unaki vihar-vyatha ne ratan ko kaisa sataya, yah usase nahian poochha gaya, sambhavat: vah aisi kuchh saanghatik n hogi. aur ek vyakti ko maianne rote-rote kamare mean ghusate dekha; ab tisara vyakti rah gaya maian. us adami ke sath poore chaubis ghante ki bhi meri ghanishthata n thi, phir bhi mujhe aisa maloom hone laga mano hamari is anarabdh grihasthi mean vah ek b da-sa chhidr kar gaya hai. aur jate vakt yah bhi n bata gaya ki akhir yah anisht apane ap hi thik ho jayega ya svayan vahi, phir ek din isi tarah akasmath apani davaoan ki bhari peti lade, ise marammat karane sasharir a pahuanchega. aur mujhe svayan koee bhari udveg ho raha ho, so nahian. nana karanoan se, aur khasakar kuchh dinoan se jvar mean p de-p de mere sharir aur man mean aisa hi ek nistej niralamb bhav a gaya tha ki ekamatr rajalakshmi ke hath mean hi sarvatobhav se atm-samarpan karake duniyadari ki sabhi bhalaee-buraiyoan se maianne chhutti pa li thi. lihaza, kisi bat ke lie svatantr roop se chinta karane ki n mujhe zaroorat thi aur n shakti hi. phir bhi, manushy ke man ki chanchalata ko mano viram hai. hi nahian- bahar ke kamare mean takie ke sahare maian akela baitha tha ki n jane kitani ikhari-bikhari chintaean mere chakkar lagane lagian-samane ke aauangan mean prakash ki dipti dhire-dhire mlan hokar asann ratri ke ishare se mere anyamanask man ko bar-bar chauanka dene lagian- maloom hone laga, is jivan mean jitani bhi ratean aeean aur gayian haian, unake sahit aj ki is anagat nisha ki aparijnat moorti mano kisi adrishtapoorn nari ke avagunthit mukh ki tarah hi rahasyamay hai. phir bhi, is aparichita ki kaisi prakriti hai aur kaisi pratha, is bat ko bina jane hi isake ant tak pahuanchana hi hoga, madhh‍y-path mean is vishay mean kuchh vichar hi nahian chal sakata. phir, doosare hi kshan mano aksham chinta ki sari saankalean tootakar sab kuchh ulat-pulat jane laga. jab ki mere man ki aisi halat thi, tab pas ka daravaza kholakar rajalakshmi ne kamare mean pravesh kiya. usaki aauankhean kuchh-kuchh surkh ho rahi thian aur kuchh phooli-si. dhire-se mere pas baithakar boli, "so gayi thi."

maianne kaha, "isamean ashchary kya hai! jis bhar aur jis shranti ko tum dhoti chali ja rahi ho, doosara koee hota to usase toot hi p data- aur maian hota to din-rat mean mujhase kabhi aauankhean bhi n kholi jatian-kumbhakarn ki niand so jata."

rajalakshmi ne musakarate hue kaha, "lekin, kumbhakarn ko to maleriya nahian tha. khair, tum to din mean nahian soe?"

maianne kaha, "nahian, par ab niand a rahi hai, jara so jaooan. karan kumbhakarn ko maleriya nahian tha, is bat ka valmiki ne bhi kahian ullekh nahian kiya hai."

usane ghabarakar kaha, sooge itane sidau se. maph karo tum-phir kya bukhar ane mean koee kasar rah jayegi? yah sab nahian hone ka- achchha, jate vakt anand kya tumase kuchh kah gaya hai?"

maianne poochha, "tum kis bat ki asha karati ho?"

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "yahi ki kahaan-kahaan jayega-athava..."

yah 'athava' hi asali prashn hai. maianne kaha, "kahaan-kahaan jaanyage, isaka to ek tarah se abhas de gaye haian, magar is 'athava' ke bare mean kuchh bhi nahian kah gaye. maian to unake vapas ane ki koee khas sambhavana nahian dekhata."

rajalakshmi chup bani rahi, parantu maian apane kutoohal ko n rok saka, poochha, "achchha, is adami ko kya tumane sachamuch pahichan liya hai jaise ki mujhe ek din pahichan liya tha?"

usane mere chehare ki taraph kuchh der tak chupachap dekhakar kaha, "nahian."

maianne kaha, "sach batao, kya pahale kabhi kisi din dekha hi nahian?" ab ki bar rajalakshmi ne musakarate hue kaha, "tumhare samane mean saugandh to kha nahian sakati. kabhi-kabhi mujhase b di galati ho jati hai. tab aparichit adami ko dekhakar bhi maloom hota hai ki kahian dekha hai, usaka chehara pahichana hua-sa maloom hota hai, sirph itana hi yad nahian p data ki kahaan dekha hai. anand ko bhi shayad kabhi kahian dekha ho."

kuchh der tak chupachap baithi rahane ke bad dhire se boli, "aj anand chala to gaya, par agar vah kabhi vapas aya to use apane maan-bap ke pas zaroor vapas bhejooangi, yah bat tumase nishchay se kahati hooan."

maianne kaha, "isase tumhari garaj?"

usane kaha, "aisa l daka hamesha bahata phirega, is bat ko sochate hue bhi mano meri chhati phatane lagati hai. achchha, tumane khud bhi to ghar-grihasthi chho di thi-sannyasi hone mean kya sachamuch ka koee anand hai?"

maianne kaha, "maian sachamuch ka sannyasi hua hi nahian, isalie usake bhitar ki sachchi khabar tumhean nahian de sakata. agar kisi din vah laut ave, to usi se poochhana."

rajalakshmi ne poochha, "ghar rahakar kya dharm-labh nahian hota? ghar bina chho de kya bhagavan nahian milate?"

prashn sunakar maianne hath jo d ke kaha, "donoan mean se kisi ke lie bhi vyakul nahian hooan lakshmi, aise ghoratar prashn tum mujhase mat kiya karo, isase mujhe phir bukhar a sakata hai."

rajalakshmi hans di, phir karun kanth se boli, "maloom hota hai anand ke ghar sab kuchh maujood hai, phir bhi usane dharm ke lie isi umar mean sab chho d diya hai. magar tum to aisa nahian kar sake?"

maianne kaha, "nahian, aur bhavishy mean bhi shayad n kar sakooanga."

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "kyoan bhala?"

maianne kaha, isaka pradhan karan yah hai ki jise chho dana chahie vah ghar-grihasthi mere kahaan hai, aur kaisi so maian nahian janata, aur jisake lie chho di jay us paramatma ke lie bhi mujhe ranchamatr lobh nahian. itane din usake bina hi kat gaye haian, aur baki din bhi atake n raheange, mujhe is bat ka poora bharosa hai! doosari taraph, tumhare ye anand bhaee sahab gerua vasan dharan karane par bhi eeshvar-prapti ke lie hi nikal p de hoan; aisa maian nahian samajhata. karan yah ki maianne bhi kee bar sadhuoan ka sang kiya hai, par unamean se kisi ne bhi aj tak davaoan ki peti lade ghoomane ko bhagavath-prapti ka upay nahian bataya hai. isake siva unake khane-pine ka hal to tumane aauankhoan se dekha hi hai."

rajalakshmi kshan-bhar chup rahakar boli, "to kya vah jhoothamooth ko hi ghar-grihasthi chho dakar itana kasht uthane ke lie nikala hai? sabhi ko kya tum apane hi saman samajhate ho?"

maianne kaha, "nahian to, b da bhari antar hai. ve bhagavan ki khoj mean n nikalane par bhi, jisake lie nikale haian vah unake asapas hi maloom hota hai, arthath apana desh. isalie unaka ghar-dvar chho d ana thik ghar-grihasthi chho dana nahian hai. sadhuji ne to sirph ek chhoti grihasthi chho dakar b di grihasthi mean pravesh kiya hai."

rajalakshmi mere muanh ki or dekhati rahi, shayad thik se samajh n saki. usane phir poochha, "jate vakt vah kya tumase kuchh kah gaya hai?"

maianne garadan hilakar kaha, "nahian to, aisi koee bat nahian kahian."

kyoan maianne jara-sa saty chhipaya, so maian khud bhi nahian janata. chalate samay sadhu ne jo bat kahi thi, vah ab tak mere kanoan mean jyoan ki tyoan gooanj rahi thi. jate samay ve kah gaye the, 'vichitr desh hai yah bangal! yahaan rah-chalate maan-bahinean mil jati haian- kisamean samarthy hai jo inase bachakar nikal jay!"

mlan mukh se rajalakshmi chupachap baithi rahi, mere man mean bhi bahut dinoan ki bahut-si bhooli hueean ghatanaean dhire-dhire jhaankakar dekhane lagian. maianne man-hi-man kaha, "thik hai! thik hai! sadhuji, tum koee bhi kyoan n ho, itani kam umar mean hi tumane apane is kangal desh ko achchhi tarah dekh liya hai. nahian to, aj tum isake yatharth roop ki khabar itani asani se itane kam shabdoan se nahian de sakate. janata hooan, bahut dinoan ki trutiyoan aur anek vichyutiyoan ne hamari matribhoomi ke sarvaang mean kich d lep diya hai, phir jise is saty ki pariksha karane ka avasar mila hai, vah janata hai ki yah kitana b da saty hai."

isi tarah chupachap das-pandrah minat bit jane par rajalakshmi ne muanh uthakar kaha, "agar yahi uddeshy usake man mean ho, to maian kahe deti hooan ki kisi n kisi din use ghar lautana hi hoga. is desh mean ekamatr paraya bhala karane valoan ki durgati se shayad vah parichit nahian hai. isaka svad kuchh-kuchh mujhe mil chuka hai, maian janati hooan. meri tarah ek din jab sanshay badha aur katuvachanoan se usaka sara man virakt ras se bhar jayega, tab use bhi vapas bhagane ko rah dhooandhe n milegi."

maianne haan mean haan milate hue kaha, "yah koee asambhav bat nahian, par mujhe maloom hota hai ki in sab du:khoan ki bat vah achchhi tarah janata hai."

rajalakshmi bar-bar sir hilakar kahane lagi, "kabhi nahian, haragij nahian. janane ke bad phir koee bhi us raste par nahian ja sakata, maian kahati hooan."

is bat ka koee javab n tha. bankoo ke muanh se suna tha ki sasural ke gaanv mean ek bar rajalakshmi ke anek sadhu-sankalpoan aur puny karmoan ka atyant apaman hua tha. usi nishkam paropakar ki vyatha bahut dinoan se usake man mean lagi huee thi. yadyapi aur bhi ek pahaloo dekhane ka tha, parantu us avalupt vedana ke sthan ko chihnit karane ki meri pravritti n huee, isalie chupachap baitha raha. halaanki rajalakshmi jo kuchh kah rahi tha vah jhooth nahian hai. maian man hi man sochane laga, kyoan aisa hota hai? kyoan ek ki shubh cheshtaoan ko doosari sandeh ki drishti se dekhata hai? adami kyoan in sabako viphal karake sansar mean du:kh ka bhar ghatane nahian deta? man mean aya ki agar sadhuji hote ya kabhi vapas ate, to is jatil samasya ki mimaansa ka bhar unhian ko sauanp deta.

us din sabere se pas hi kahian naubat ki avaz sunaee de rahi thi. ab kuchh adami ratan ko agravati karake aauangan mean a kh de hue. ratan ne samane akar kaha, "maanji, ye apako 'raj-varan' dene ae haian- ao n, de jao n!" kahate hue usane ek praudh-se adami ki or ishara kiya. vah adami vasanti rang ki dhoti pahane tha aur usake gale mean lak di ki nayi mala thi. usane atyant sankoch ke sath age badhakar baramade ke niche se hi naye shal-pattoan par ek rupaya aur supari rajalakshmi ke charanoan ke uddeshy se rakhakar zamin par matha tekakar pranam kiya, aur kaha, "mata rani, aj meri l daki ka byah hai."

rajalakshmi uthakar aee aur use svikar karake pulakit chitt se boli, "l daki ke byah mean kya yahi diya jata hai?"

ratan ne kaha, "nahian maanji, so bat nahian, jisaka jaisa samarthy hota hai, usi ke maphik zamiandar ki bheant karata hai- ye chhoti jatavale thahare, dom, isase zyada ye payeange kahaan, yahi kitani mushkil se..."

parantu nivedan samapt hone ke pahale hi dom ka rupaya sunate hi rajalakshmi ne jhatapat use niche rakhakar kaha, "to rahane do, rahane do, yah bhi dene ki zaroorat nahian- tum log aise hi l daki ka byah kar do."

is bheant lauta dene ke karan l daki ka pita aur usase bhi adhik ratan khud b di aphat mean p d gaya; vah nana prakar se samajhane ki koshish karane laga ki is raj-varan ke samman ke bina manjoor kiye kisi tarah chal hi nahian sakata. rajalakshmi us supari samet rupaye ko kyoan nahian lena chahati. is bat ko maian kamare ke bhitar baithe hi baithe samajh gaya tha, aur ratan kisalie itana anurodh kar raha hai, so bhi mujhase chhipa n tha. jahaan tak sambhav hai diya janevala rupaya aur bhi zyada pane aur gumashta kushari mahashay ke hath se chhutakara pane ke lie hi yah karravaee ki gayi hai; aur ratan 'huzoor' adi sambhashan ke badale unaka mukhapatr hokar arji pesh karane aya hai. vah kafi ashvasan dekar unhean laya hoga, isamean to koee shak hi nahian. usaka yah sankat ant mean maianne hi door kiya. uthakar maianne hi rupaya uthaya aur kaha, "maianne le liya, tum ghar jakar byah ki taiyariyaan karo."

ratan ka chehara mare garv ke chamak utha, aur rajalakshmi ne asprishy ke prati-grah ke dayitv se chhutakara pakar sukh ki saans li. vah khush hokar boli, "yah achchha hi hua, jinaka hak hai khud unhianne apane hath se le liya." yah kahakar vah hans di.

madhu dom ne kritajnata se bharakar hath jo dakar kaha, "huzoor pahar rat ke bhitar hi lagan hai, ek bar agar huzoor ke pairoan ki dhool garib ke ghar p dati..." itana kahakar vah ek bar mere aur ek bar rajalakshmi ke muanh ki or karun drishti se dekhata raha.

maian raji ho gaya, rajalakshmi khud bhi jara hansakar naubat ki avaz se andaja lagakar boli, "nahian hai n tumhara ghar madhu ? achchha, agar samay mila to maian bhi jakar ek bar dekh aooangi." ratan ki taraph dekhakar boli, "b da sandook kholakar dekh to re, meri nayi sa diyaan aee haian ki nahian? ja, l daki ko unamean se ek de a. mithaee shayad yahaan milati n hogi, batashe milate haian? achchha, so hi sahi. kuchh ve hi lete jana. achchha haan, tumhari l daki ki umar kya hai madhu? var kahaan ka rahane vala hai? kitane adami jimeange? is gaanv mean kinate ghar haian tum logoan ke?"

jamiandar-grihini ke ek sath itane prashnoan ke uttar mean madhu ne samman aur vinay ke sath jo kuchh kaha, usase maloom hua ki usaki l daki ki umar nau sal ke bhitar hi hai, var yuvak hai, umar tis-chalis se zyada n hogi, vah char-paanch kos uttar ki taraph kisi gaanv mean rahata hai- vahaan usake samaj ka ek b da hissa rahata hai, vahaan jatiy pesha koee nahian karata-sabhi log kheti-bari karate haian- l daki khoob sukh se rahegi- dar hai to sirph aj ki rat ka. karan baratiyoan ki tadad kitani hogi aur ve kahaan kya phasad kar baitheange, so bina sabera hue kuchh kaha nahian ja sakata. sabhi koee paise vale thahare-kaise unaki man-maryada qayam rakhakar shubh-kary sampann hoga, isi chinta mean bechara sookh ke kaanta hua ja raha hai. in sab batoan ka vistar ke sath varnan karake ant mean usane katarata ke sath nivedan kiya ki chiu da, gu d aur dahi ka intazam ho gaya hai, yahaan tak ki akhir mean do-do b de batashe bhi pattaloan mean parose jaanyage; magar phir bhi agar koee g dab di huee to ham logoan ko raksha karani hogi.

rajalakshmi ne kutoohal ke sath dhaandhas dekar kaha, "g dab di kuchh n hone payagi madhu, tumhari l daki ka byah nirvidhh‍n ho jayega, maian ashirvad deti hooan. tumane khane-pine ki itani chizean ikatthi ki haian ki tumhare samadhi ke sathi log kha-pikar khushi-khushi ghar jaanyage."

madhu ne zamin se matha tekakar pranam karake apane sathiyoan ke sath prasthan kiya, parantu usaka chehara dekhakar maloom hua ki is ashirvad ke bharose usane koee khas santvana prapt nahian ki; aj ki rat ke lie l daki ke pita ke andar kafi udveg bana hi raha.

shubh karm mean pairoan ki dhool dene ke lie madhu ko asha di thi; parantu, sachamuch hi jana hoga, aisi sambhavana shayad hamamean se kisi ke bhi man mean n thi. sham ke bad die ke samane baithakar rajalakshmi apane ay-vyay ka ek chittha padhakar suna rahi thi, maian bistar par p da hua aauankhean miche kuchh sun raha tha aur kuchh nahian sun raha tha, kintu pas hi byah vale ghar ka shoragul kuchh der se jara asadharan roop se prakhar hokar mere kanoan mean khatak raha tha. sahasa muanh uthakar rajalakshmi ne hansate hue kaha, "dom ke ghar byah hai, mar-pit hona bhi usaka koee aang to nahian hai?"

maianne kaha, "ooanchi jat ki nakal agar ki to koee ashchary ki bat nahian. ve sab batean yad to haian tumhean?"

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "haan." usake bad kshan-bhar tak kan kh de karake ek gahari saans lekar kaha, "vastav mean, is jale desh mean ham log jis tarah se l dakiyoan ko baha dete haian, usamean chhote-b de, bhadr-abhadr sabhi saman haian. un logoan ke chale jane par pata lagaya to maloom hua ki kal sabere ve us bechari nau sal ki l daki ko n jane kis aparichit ghar-grihasthi mean ghasit le jaanyage, phir shayad kabhi ane bhi n deange. in logoan ke yahaan kayada hi yahi hai. bap ek ko di char rupaye mean l daki ko aj bech dega. l daki vahaan ek bar mayake bhej dene ka nam tak bhi nahian le sakati. oho, l daki bechari kitani royegi bilakhegi- byah ka vah abhi janati hi kya hai, batao?"

aisi durghatanaean to maian janm se hi dekhata a raha hooan. ek tarah se isaka adi bhi ho gaya hooan- ab to kshom prakat karane ki bhi pravritti‍ nahian hoti. lihaza javab mean maian chup bana raha.

javab n pakar usane kaha, "hamare desh mean chhoti-b di sabhi jatiyoan mean byah sirph byah hi nahian hai, balki ek dharm hai- isi se, nahian to..."

maianne man mean socha ki kah dooan, "ise agar dharm hi samajh liya hai, to phir yah shikayat hi kis bat ki? aur jis dharm-karm mean man prasann n hokar glani ke bhar se kala hi hota rahata hai, use dharm samajhakar aangikar hi kaise kiya jata hai?"

parantu mere kuchh kahane ke pahale hi rajalakshmi svayan hi kah uthi, "par yah sab vidhi-vidhan jo bana gaye haian, ve the trikaladarshi rrishi; shastr ke vaky jhooth bhi nahian haian, amangalakari bhi nahian- ham log usako kya janate haian aur kitana-sa samajhate haian!"

bas, jo kahana chahata tha so phir nahian kaha gaya. is sansar mean jo kuchh sochane-vicharane ki vastu thi, vah samast hi trikalajn rrishigan bhoot, bhavishy aur vartaman in tinoan kaloan ke lie pahale se hi soch vicharakar sthir kar gaye haian, duniya mean ab naye sire se chinta karane ko kuchh baki hi nahian bacha. yah bat rajalakshmi ke muanh se koee nayi nahian suni, aur bhi bahutoan ke muanh se bahut bar suni hai, aur bar-bar maian chup hi raha hooan. maian janata hooan ki isaka javab dete hi alochana pahale to garam aur phir doosare hi kshan vyaktigat kalah mean parinat hokar atyant k davi ho uthati hai. trikaladarshiyoan ki maian avajna nahian kar raha hooan, rajalakshmi ki tarah maian bhi unaki atyant bhakti karata hooan; maian to sirph itana hi sochata hooan ki ve daya karake agar sirph hamare is aangareji shasan-kal ke lie n soch jate, to anek durooh chinta ke dayitv se ve bhi chhutakara pa jate aur ham bhi sachamuch hi aj jivit rah sakate.

maian pahale hi kah chuka hooan ki rajalakshmi mere man ki batoan ko mano darpanavath spasht dekh sakati hai. kaise dekh sakati hai, so nahian janata; parantu abhi is aspasht dipalok mean mere chehare ki taraph usane dekha nahian, phir bhi mano meri nibhrit chinta ke thik dvar par hi usane aghat kiya. boli, "tum soch rahe ho, 'yah bahut hi jyadati hai- bhavishy ke lie vidhi-vidhan koee pahale se hi nirdisht nahian kar sakata.' magar maian kahati hooan, kar sakata hai. maianne apane gurudev ke shrimukh se suna hai. yah kam agar unase n hota, to ham sajiv mantroan ke kabhi darshan hi n kar pate. maian poochhati hooan, is bat ko manate ho ki hamare shastriy mantroan mean pran haian. ve sajiv haian?"

maianne kaha, "haan."

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "tum nahian man sakate ho, parantu phir bhi yah saty hai. nahian to hamare desh mean yah gudda-gu diyoan ka byah hi sansar ka sarvashreshth vivah-bandhan nahian ho sakata. yah sabhi to unhian sajiv mantroan ke zor se hota hai! unhian rrishiyoan ki kripa se! avashy hi, anachar aur pap aur kahaan nahian haian, sab jagah haian, magar hamare is desh ke saman satitv kya tum aur kahian bhi dikha sakate ho?"

maianne kaha, "nahian." karan, yah usaki yukti nahian, balki vishvas hai. itihas ka prashn hota to use dikha deta ki is prithh‍vi par sajiv mantr-hin aur bhi bahut-se desh haian, jahaan satitv ka adarsh aj bhi aisa hi uchch hai. abhaya ka ullekh karake kah sakata tha ki agar yahi bat hai to tumhare sajiv mantr stri-purush donoan ko ek hi adarsh mean kyoan nahian baandh sakate? magar in sab batoan ki avashyakata n thi. maian janata tha ki usake chitt ki dhara kuchh dinoan se kis disha mean bah rahi hai.

dushkriti ki vedana ko vah achchhi tarah samajhati hai. jise usane apane sampoorn hriday se pyar kiya hai, use bina kalushit kiye is jivan mean kaise prapt kiya jay, is bat ka use or-chhor hi nahian mil raha hai. usaka durvash hriday aur prabuddh dharmacharan- ye donoan pratikoolagami prachand pravah kaise kis sangam mean milakar, is du:kh ke jivan mean tirth ki bhaanti supavitr ho utheange, is bat ka use koee kinara hi nahian dikhata. parantu, mujhe dikhata hai. apane ko sampoorn roop se dan karane ke bad se doosare ke chhipe hue manastap par pratikshan hi meri nigah p dati rahi hai. mana ki bilh‍kul spasht nahian dekh sakata, parantu phir bhi itana to dekh hi leta hooan ki usaki jis durdam kamana ne itane dinoan se atyugr nashe ki bhaanti usake sampoorn man ko utavala aur unmatt kar rakkha tha, vah mano aj sthir hokar apane saubhagy ka, apani is prapti ka hisab dekhana chahati hai. is hisab ke aauank doan mean kya hai, maian nahian janata, parantu agar vah aj shoony ke siva aur kuchh bhi n dekh sake to phir maian apane is shat-chhinn jivan-jal ki gaanthean kis tarah kahaan jakar baandhane baithooanga, yah chinta mere andar bhi bahut bar ghoom-phir gayi hai. sochakar kuchh bhi hath nahian laga, sirph ek bat ka nishchay kiye hue hooan ki hamesha se jis raste chalata aya hooan, zaroorat p dane par phir usi raste yatra shuroo kar dooanga. apane sukh aur subhite ke lie aur kisi ki samasya ko jatil n banaooanga. parantu paramashchary ki bat yah huee ki jin mantroan ki sajivata ki alochana se ham donoan mean ek hi kshan mean kranti-si mach gayi, unhian ke prasang ko lekar pas hi ke ghar mean us samay mall-yuddh ho raha tha aur is sanvad se ham donoan hi navakiph the.

akasmath paanch-sat adami do-tin lalatenean lie aur bahut shoragul machate hue ekadam aauangan mean a kh de hue aur vyakul kanth se pukar uthe, "huzoor! baboo sahab!" maian ghabaraya hua bahar aya aur rajalakshmi bhi ashchary ke sath uthakar mere pas akar kh di ho gayi. dekha ki sab milakar ek sath sam-svar mean nalish karana chahate haian. ratan ke bar-bar daantane par bhi antatogatva koee bhi chup n rah saka. kuchh bhi ho, mamala samajh mean a gaya. kanyadan sthagit hua p da hai; karan, mantrapath mean galati hone ki vajah se var paksh ke purohit ne kanya paksh ke purohit ke pushp-jal adi uthakar pheank die haian aur usaka muanh daba rakha hai. vastav mean, yah b da atyachar hai. purohit-sampraday bahut-se kirti ke kam kiya karata hai, parantu aisa maianne kabhi nahian suna ki doosare gaanv ke akar jabaradasti apane hi ek sam-vyavasayi ki pooja ki samagri pheank di gayi ho aur sharirik bal-prayog se usaka muanh dabakar svadhin aur sajiv mantrochcharan mean badha pahuanchaee gayi ho. yah to sarasar atyachar hai!

rajalakshmi kya kahe, sahasa sochakar kuchh tay n kar paee. magar ratan ghar mean jane kya kar raha tha, usane bahar nikalakar zor se garajakar kaha, "tum logoan ke yahaan purohit kaisa re?" yahaan arthath jamiandari mean akar ratan gaanvavaloan se too t dak aur 're' karake bat karane laga, kyoanki usaki nigah mean isase adhik samman ke layaq yahaan koee hai hi nahian. bola, "dom chamaroan ka koee byah mean byah hai, jo purohit chahie? yah kya koee brahman-kayasthoan ke yahaan ka byah hai jo padhane ke lie brahman purohit ayange?" yah kahakar vah bar-bar mere aur rajalakshmi ke muanh ki or garv ke sath dekhane laga. yahaan is bat ki yad dila deni chahie ki ratan khud jat ka naee hai.

madhu dom khud nahian a saka tha- vah kanya dan ke lie baith chuka tha, par usaka sambandhi aya tha. us adami ne jo kuchh kaha usase maloom hua ki yadyapi un logoan mean brahman nahian ate, ve khud hi apane 'purohit' haian, tathapi, rakhal pandit unake lie brahman ke hi saman hai. karan, usake gale mean janeoo hai aur vahi unake dasoan karm karata hai. yahaan tak ki vah in logoan ke hath ka pani tak nahian pita. lihaza, itani jabaradast satvi‍kata ke bad, ab koee prativad nahian chal sakata. atev, asali aur khalis brahman mean isake bad bhi agar koee prabhed rah gaya ho, to vah bahut hi mamooli-sa hoga.

khair, kuchh bhi ho, inaki vyakulata aur pas hi byah vale ghar ki prabal chitkar se mujhe vahaan jana hi p da. rajalakshmi se maianne kaha, "tum bhi chalo n, ghar mean akeli rahakar kya karogi?"

rajalakshmi ne pahale to sir hilaya, par ant mean vah apane kutoohal ko n rok saki aur 'chalo' kahake mere sath ho li. vahaan pahuanchakar dekha ki madhu ke sambandhi ne bilh‍kul atyukti nahian ki hai. jhag da bhayankar roop dharan karata ja raha hai. ek taraph var paksh ke qarib tis-battis adami haian aur doosari or kanya paksh ke bhi lagabhag utane hi hoange. bich mean prabal aur sthoolakay shiboo pandit durbal aur kshinajivi rakhal pandit ke hath pak de kh da hai. ham logoan ko dekhakar vah hath chho dakar alag hatake kh da ho gaya. ham logoan ne samman ke sath ek chataee par baithane ke bad shiboo pandit se is atarkit akraman ka hetu poochha, to usane kaha, "huzoor, mantar ka 'm' to janata nahian yah beta aur phir bhi apane ko kahata hai, pandit hooan! aj to yah byah hi ki redh mar deta!" rakhal ne muanh bichakakar prativad kiya, "haan, so to deta hi! paanch-paanch saradha byah kara raha hooan, aur phir bhi maian nahian janata mantar!"

man mean sochane laga, are, yahaan bhi vahi mantr hai. ghar mean to mana ki rajalakshmi ke samane maun rahakar hi tark ka javab de diya jata hai, magar, yahaan agar vastav mean madhh‍yasthata karani p de to aphat mean phans jaooanga! ant mean bahut vad-vitanda ke bad tay hua ki rakhal pandit hi mantr padhega- haan, agar kahian kuchh galati hogi to use shiboo ke lie asan chho d dena p dega. rakhal raji hokar purohit ke asan par ja baitha. kanya ke pita ke hath mean kuchh phool dekar aur var-kanya ke donoan hath ekatr milakar usane jin vaidik mantroan ka path kiya, ve mujhe ab tak yad haian. ve sajiv haian ya nahian, so maian nahian janata, magar mantroan ke vishay mean koee jnan n hone par bhi mujhe sandeh hai ki rrishigan ved mean thik ye hi shabd n chho d gaye hoange.

rakhal pandit var se kaha, "bolo, 'madhudomay kanyay nam:'."

var ne duharaya, "madhudomay kanyay nam:."

rakhal ne kanya se yaha, "bolo, 'bhagavati domay putray nam:'."

balika vadhoo ke uchcharan mean kahian truti n rah jay, is khayal se madhu usaki taraph se uchcharan karana hi chahata tha ki itane mean shiboo pandit donoan hath oopar ko uthakar vajr-sa garajata aur sabako chauankata hua bol utha, "yah mantar hai hi nahian! yah byah hi nahian hua!" pichhe se kap da khianche jane par maianne muanh pherakar dekha ki rajalakshmi muanh mean aauanchal dabakar ji-jan se hansi rokane ki koshish kar rahi hai aur upasthit log atyant udvi‍gh‍n ho uthe haian. rakhal pandit ne lajjit mukh se kuchh kahana bhi chaha, magar usaki bat par kisi ne dhh‍yan hi n diya, sabhi koee ek svar mean shiboo se vinay karane lage, "panditaji, mantar ap hi padhava dijie, nahian to yah byah hi n hoga- sab mitti ho jayega. chauthaee dachchhina unako dekar baki barah ana ap hi le lijiega, panditaji."

shiboo pandit ne tab udasinata dikhalate hue kaha, "isamean rakhal ka koee dosh nahian, idhar asal mantar mere siva aur koee janata hi nahian hai. zyada dakshina maian nahian chahata. maian yahaan se mantr padh dooanga, rakhal unase padhava de." yah kahakar vah shastrajn purohit mantrochcharan karane laga aur parajit rakhal nirih bhalemanas ki tarah var-kanya se avritti karane laga.

shiboo ne kaha, "bolo, 'madhudomay kanyay bhujyapatran nam:'."

var ne duharaya , "madhudomay kanyay bhujyapatran nam:."

shiboo ne kaha, "madhu, abaki bar tum kaho, "bhagavati domay putray sampradanan nam:."

kanya ke sath madhu ne bhi ise duhara diya. sabhi koee nirav sthir the. drishy dekhakar maloom hua ki shiboo ke saman shastrajn vyakti ne isake pahale kabhi is prant mean padarpan hi nahian kiya tha.

shiboo ne var ke hath mean phool dekar kaha, "vipin, tum kaho, 'jitane din jivanan utane din bhat-kap da pradanan svaha'."

vipin ne ruk-rukakar bahut kasht se aur bahut der se yah mantr uchcharan kiya.

shiboo ne kaha, "var kanya donoan milakar kaho, 'yugalamilanan nam:'."

var aur kanya ki taraph se madhu ne ise duhara diya. isake bad prabal hari-dhh‍vani ke sath var-vadhoo ko ghar ke bhitar god mean uthakar le jaya gaya. mere charoan taraph ek gooanj-si uth kh di huee. sabhi ek vaky se svikar karane lage ki 'haan, adami hai to shastr ka poora janakar! mantar-sa mantar padha! rakhal pandit ab tak ham logoan ko dhokha dekar hi kha-pi raha tha.'

maian jitani der vahaan raha, barabar gambhir hokar baitha raha, aur ant tak usi gambhirata ko qayam rakhata hua rajalakshmi ka hath pak dakar ghar laut aya. maian nahian janata ki vahaan vah apane par kaboo rakh chupachap kaise baithi rahi, magar ghar ke ate hi usane apani hansi ke pravah ko is tarah chho d diya ki dam ghutane ki naubat a pahuanchi. bistar par lot-pot hokar vah bar-bar yahi kahane lagi, "haan, ek sachcha mahamahopadhayay dekha! rakhal to ab tak unhean yoan hi thagata-khata tha."

pahale to maian bhi apani hansi rok n saka, phir bola, "mahamahopadhayay donoan hi the. phir bhi, isi tarah to ab tak in logoan ki l dakiyoan ki mataoan aur dadiyoan ke byah hote ae haian! rakhal ke mantr chahe jaise hoan, par shiboo pandit ke mantr bhi 'rrishiruvach' nahian maloom hote. magar phir bhi, inaka koee mantr-viphal nahian gaya! inaka jo da hua vivah-bandhan to ab tak vaisa dridh- vaisa hi atootahai!"

rajalakshmi apani hansi ko dabakar sahasa sidhi hokar baith gayi, aur ekatak chupachap mere muanh ki or dekhati huee n jane kya-kya sochane lagi.

6

sabere uthakar suna ki kushari mahashay. madhayahn-bhojan ka nimantran de gaye haian. maian bhi thik yahi ashanka kar raha tha. maianne poochha, "maian akela hi jaooanga kya?"

rajalakshmi ne hansakar kaha, "nahian to, maian bhi chalooangi."

"chalogi?"

"chalooangi kyoan nahian!"

usaka yah ni:sankoch uttar sunakar maian avakh ho raha. khan-pan hindoo-dharm mean kya chiz hai, aur samaj us par kitana nirbhar hai, rajalakshmi is bat ko janati hai aur maian bhi yah janata hooan ki kitani b di nishtha ke sath vah ise manakar chalati hai; phir bhi, usaka yah javab! kushari mahashay ke vishay mean maian zyada kuchh nahian janata, par bahar se unhean jitana dekha hai usase maloom hua hai ki ve achar-parayan brahman haian. aur yah bhi nishchit hai ki rajalakshmi ke itihas se ve vakiph nahian haian, unhoanne to sirph malik samajhakar hi nimantran kiya hai. parantu, rajalakshmi aj vahaan jakar kaise kya karegi, meri kuchh samajh mean hi n aya. aur mere prashn ko samajhakar bhi usane jab kuchh nahian kaha, tab bhitar ke sankoch ne mujhe bhi nirvakh kar diya. yathasamay go-yan a pahuancha. maian taiyar hokar bahar aya to dekha ki rajalakshmi ga di ke pas kh di hai."

maianne kaha, "chalogi nahian?"

usane kaha, "chalane hi ke lie to kh di hooan." yah kahakar vah ga di ke bhitar jakar baith gayi.

ratan sath jayega, vah mere pichhe tha. usaka chehara dekhate hi maian ta d gaya ki vah malakin ki saj-poshak dekhakar atyant ashcharyanvit ho raha hai. mujhe bhi ashchary hua; parantu jaise usane prakat nahian kiya vaise hi maian bhi chup rah gaya. ghar par vah kabhi zyada gahane nahian pahinati aur kuchh dinoan se to usamean bhi kami karati jati thi; parantu aj dekha ki usake badan par unamean se bhi lagabhag kuchh nahian hai. jo har sadharanat: roj hi usake gale mean p da rahata hai sirph vahi hai aur hathoan mean ek-ek k da. thik yad nahian hai, phir bhi itana khayal hai ki kal rat tak jo choo diyaan usake hathoan mean thian unhean bhi aj usane jan-boojhakar utar diya hai. sa di bhi bilh‍kul mamooli pahine thi, shayad nahakar jo pahini thi vahi hogi. ga di mean baithakar maianne dhire se kaha, "ek-ek karake sabhi kuchh chho d diya maloom hota hai. sirph ek maian hi baki rah gaya hooan!"

rajalakshmi ne mere muanh ki taraph dekhakar jara hansate hue kaha, "aisa bhi to ho sakata hai ki is ek hi mean sab kuchh rah gaya ho. isi se, jo badhati tha vah ek-ek karake jh data ja raha hai." yah kahakar usane pichhe ki taraph muanh karake dekha ki ratan kahian pas hi to nahian hai; usake bad usane aise dhime aur mridu kanth se kaha jise ga divan bhi n sun sake, "achchha to hai, aisa hi ashirvad do n tum. tumase b da to aur kuchh mere lie hai nahian, tumhean bhi jisake badale mean asani se de sakooan, mujhe vahi ashirvad do."

maian chup ho gaya. bat ek aisi disha mean chali gayi ki usaka javab dena mere boote ki bat nahian rahi. vah bhi aur kuchh n kahakar, mota takiya apani taraph khianchakar, simatakar mere pairoan ke pas let gayi. gangamati se po damati jane ka ek bilh‍kul sidha rasta bhi hai. samane ke sookhe-pani ke nale par jo baans ka kam-chau da pul hai usake oopar hokar jane se das hi minat mean pahuancha ja sakata hai; magar bailaga di se bahut-sa rasta ghoomakar jana p data hai aur usamean qarib do ghante lag jate haian. is lambe raste mean ham donoan mean phir koee batachit hi nahian huee. vah sirph mere hath ko apane gale ke pas khianchakar sone ka bahana kiye chupachap p di rahi.

ga di jab kushari mahashay ke dvar par jakar thahari tab dopahar ho chuka tha. ghar-malik aur unaki grihini donoan hi ne ek sath nikalakar hamean abhyarthana ke sath grahan kiya, aur atyant sammanit atithi hone ke karan hi shayad bahar ki baithak mean n bithakar ve ekadam bhitar le gaye. isake siva, tho di hi der mean samajh mean a gaya ki shaharoan se door base hue in sadharan gaanvoan mean parade ka vaisa kathor shasan prachalit nahian hai. karan, hamare shubhagaman ka samachar phailate n phailate hi a dos-p dos ki bahut-si striyaan kushari aur unaki grihini ko yathakram se chacha, taoo, mausi, chachi adi priti-poorn aur atmiy sambodhanoan se prasann karati huee ek-ek, do-do karake pravesh karake tamasha dekhani lagian, aur unamean sabhi abala hi nahian thian. rajalakshmi ko ghooanghat kadhane ki adat nahian thi, vah bhi meri hi tarah samane ke baramade mean ek asan par baithi thi. is aparichit ramani ke sakshat se bhi us anahoot dal ne vishesh koee sankoch anubhav nahian kiya. haan, itani saubhagy ki bat huee ki batachit karane ki utsukata bilh‍kul hi unake prati n hokar mere prati bhi dikhaee jane lagi. ghar-malik atyann vyast the aur unaki grihini ki bhi vahi dasha thi, sirph unaki vidhava l daki hi akeli rajalakshmi ke pas sthir baithakar ta d ke pankhean se dhire-dhire bayar karane lagi. aur, maian kaisa hooan, kya bimari hai, kitane din rahooanga, jagah achchhi maloom hoti hai ya nahian, jamiandari ka kam khud bina dekhe chori hoti hai ya nahian, isaka koee naya bandobast karane ki zaroorat samajhata hooan ya nahian, ityadi sarth aur vyarth nana prakar ke prashnottaroan ke bich-bich mean se maian kushari mahashay ke ghar ki avastha ko paryavekshan karake dekhane laga. makan mean bahut-se kamare haian aur sab mitti ke haian; phir bhi maloom hua ki kashinath kushari ki avastha achchhi to hai hi, aur shayad vishesh taur se achchhi hai. pravesh karate samay bahar chandi-mandap ke ek taraph, ek dhan ka bakhar dekh aya tha, bhitar ke aauangan mean bhi dekha ki vaise aur bhi do bakhar maujood haian. thik samane hi, shayad rasoeeghar tha, usake uttar mean ek chhappar ke niche do-tin dhan kootane ki dheankiyaan haian, maloom hota hai abhi-abhi kuchh hi pahale unaka kam band hua hai. aauangan ke ek taraph ek jambiri nianboo ka pe d hai, usake niche dhan ubalane ke kee ek choolhe haian jo lipe-pute chamak rahe haian, aur us saph-suthare sthan par chhaya ke niche do hrisht-pusht go-vats garadan tedhi kiye aram se so rahe haian. unaki mataean kahaan haian, aauankhoan se to nahian dikhaee dian, par yah saf samajh mean a gaya ki kushari parivar mean ann ki tarah doodh- ki bhi koee kami nahian. dakshin ke baramade mean, divar se sati huee, chhai-sat b di-b di mitti ki gagarean kuan dariyoan par rakkhi huee haian. shayad gu d ki hoangi, ya aur kisi chiz ki hoangi, magar unaki hiphajat ko dekhate hue yah nahian kaha ja sakata ki ve riti hoangi ya upeksha ki chiz haian- bahut-si khooantiyoan se dher samet san aur patasan ke guchchhe bandhe hue haian- lihaza is bat ka anuman karana bhi asangat nahian hoga ki ghar mean rassi-rassoan ki zaroorat p dati hi rahati hai. kushari-grihini, jahaan tak sambhav hai, hamare hi svagat ke kam mean anyatr niyukt hoangi- ghar-malik bhi ek bar darshan dekar arntadhh‍yan ho gaye the; ab unhoanne akasmath vyagrata ke sath upasthit hokar rajalakshmi ko lakshy karake doosari tarah se apani anupasthiti kaiphiyat dete hue kaha, "beti ab jaooan, jap-ahnik se chhutti pakar ikattha hi akar baithooangi."

pandrah-solah varsh ka ek sundar aur sabalakay l daka aauangan ke ek taraph kh da-kh da gambhir manoyog ke sath hamari batean sun raha tha. kushari mahashay ki us par nigah p date hi ve kah uthe, "beta hari, narayan ka naivedy shayad ab tak taiyar ho gaya hoga, ek bar jakar bhog to de ao beta. baki pooja-ahnik khatam karane mean mujhe der n lagegi." phir meri taraph dekhakar bole, "aj jhoothamooth ko ap logoan ko kasht diya- b di aber ho gayi." kahate hue, mere uttar ki pratiksha bina kiye hi, palak marane ke sath khud hi adrishy ho gaye.

ab yathasamay, arthath yathasamay ke bahut der bad, hamare madhayahn-bhojan ke lie jagah thik karane ki khabar ayi. jan mean jan ayi. sirph zyada der ho jane ke karan nahian, balki ab agantukoan ke prashn-vanoan ka ant samajhakar hi sukh ki saans li. ve, bhojan ki taiyari hoti dekh, kam-se-kam kuchh der ke lie, mujhe chhutakara dekar apane-apane ghar chale gaye. magar khane baitha maian akela hi. kushari mahashay mere sath n baithe balki samane akar baith gaye. isaka karan unhoanne vinay aur gaurav ke sath svayan hi vyakt kiya. upavit dharan karane ke din se lekar aj tak bhojan-samay ve maun hi rahate ae haian, us vrat ko aj tak bhang nahian hone diya; lihaza is kam ko ve ab bhi akele hi ekant kothari mean sampann kiya karate haian. maianne bhi koee apatti nahian ki. aj usake bhi koee vrat hai aur aj vah parann grahan n karegi, tab bhi mujhe ashchary n hua, parantu is chhal ke karan maian man-hi-man kshubdh ho utha aur isaki kya zaroorat thi, yah bhi n samajh saka. parantu rajalakshmi ne mere man ki bat phauran ta date hue kaha, "isake lie tum ranj mat karo, achchhi tarah kha lo. maian aj nahian khaooangi, ye log sabhi janate haian."

maianne kaha, "aur, maian hi nahian janata. lekin, agar yahi bat thi to takaliph uthakar yahaan tak ane ki kya zaroorat thi?"

isaka javab rajalakshmi ne nahian diya, balki kushari-grihini ne diya. ve bolian, "yah takaliph maianne hi manjoor karavaee hai beta. ye yahaan n khayangi so maian janati thi; phir bhi jinaki kripa se hamara pet palata hai, unake paanvoan ki dhool ghar mean p de, is lobh ko maian nahian sanbhal saki. kyoan beti, hai n thik?" yah kahakar unhoanne rajalakshmi ke muanh ki taraph dekha. rajalakshmi ne kaha, "isaka javab aj n dooangi maan, aur kisi din dooangi." yoan kahakar vah hansane lagi.

parantu maian atyant ashcharyachakit hokar kushari-grihini ke muanh ki or dekhane laga. ganvee-gaanv mean, khasakar aise sudoor gaanv mean, kisi stri ke muanh se is tarah ki sahaj-sundar svabhavik batean sunane ki maianne kalpana bhi n ki thi. aur kabhi svapn mean yah bat bhi n sochi thi ab bhi, is ganvee-gaanv mean bhi, isase badhakar ek aur bahut ashchary-janak nari ka parichay milana baki hai. mere bhojan parosane ka bhar apani vidhava kanya par sauanpakar kushari-grihini pankha hath mean liye mere samane akar baithi thian. shayad umar mean mujhase bahut b di hone ke karan hi mathe par palle ke siva unake muanh par kisi tarah ka parada nahian tha. vah sundar tha ya asundar, mujhe kuchh maloom nahian, sirph itana hi maloom hua ki vah sadharan bharatiy mata ke saman sneh aur karuna se paripoorn tha. daravaze ke pas kushariji kh de the, bahar se, unaki l daki ne pukar kar kaha, "babooji, tumhare lie thali paros di hai." aber bahut ho chuki thi, aur isi khabar ke lie hi shayad ve sagrah pratiksha kar rahe the, phir bhi, ek bar bahar aur ek bar meri taraph dekhate hue bole, "abhi jara thahar ja bitiya, inako jim lene de."

grihini ne usi dam badha dete hue kaha, "nahian, tum jao, jhoothamooth ko ann mat biga do. thanda ho jane par tum nahian kha sakoge, maian janati hooan." kushariji ko sankoch ho raha tha, bole, "big dega kya- ye jim chukean, bas."

grihini ne kaha, "mere rahate bhi agar khilane mean kasar rah jayegi to tumhare kh de rahane par bhi vah poori nahian ho sakegi. tum jao- kyoan beta, thik hai n? yah kahati huee ve meri or dekhakar hansian. maianne bhi hansate hue kaha, "balki aur kami rah jayegi. ap jaie kushariji, aise bhookhe kh de dekhate rahane se donoan mean se kisi ko bhi fayada n hoga." is par ve aur kuchh n kahakar dhire se chale gaye, parantu maloom hua, ve sammanit atithi ke bhojan ke samay pas n rahane ke sankoch ko sath hi lete gaye. lekin, kuchh hi der bad mujhase yah chhipa n raha ki vah meri jabaradast bhool thi. unake chale jane par unaki grihini ne kaha, "niramish arava chaval ka bhat khate haian; thanda ho jane par phir kha nahian sakate, isi se jabaradasti bhej diya hai. lekin yah bhi ek bat hai beta, ki jo annadata haian, unase pahale apane muanh mean ann dena b da kathin hai."

unaki is bat se man-hi-man mujhe sharm maloom hone lagi, maianne kaha, "annadata maian nahian hooan. aur, agar yah sach bhi ho, to vah itana kam hai ki chhoot jay to shayad apako maloom bhi n ho."

kushari-grihini kuchh der tak chup rahian. maloom hua ki unaka chehara dhire-dhire atyant mlan-sa ho gaya. usake bad ve bolian, "tumhari bat bilh‍kul jhooth nahian beta, bhagavan ne hamean kuchh kam nahian diya hai, par ab maloom hota hai ki itana agar ve n bhi dete to, shayad, isase unaki zyada daya hi prakat hoti. ghar mean yahi to ek vidhava l daki hai- kya hoga hamare in bhar-bhar kothi dhanoan ka, bhar-kadhaee doodh aur gu d ki gagaroan ka? in sabako bhogane vale jo the ve to hamean chho dakar hi chale gaye." bat aisi koee vishesh nahian thi, par kahate-kahate hi unaki aauankhean dabadaba ayian aur oanth kaanpane lage. maian samajh gaya, unake in shabdoan mean bahut-si gambhir vedana chhipi huee hai. socha, shayad inake kisi yogy l dake ki mrityu ho gayi hai aur jis l dake ko kuchh pahale dekha tha, usaka avalamban lekar hatashvas mata-pita ko kuchh santvana nahian mil rahi hai. maian chup bana raha, aur rajalakshmi bhi koee bat n kahakar unaka hath apane hathoan mean liye meri hi tarah chupachap baithi rahi. parantu, hamari bhool bhang huee unaki bad ki batoan se. unhoanne apane apako sanvaran karake phir kaha, "par hamari tarah unake bhi to tumhian log annadata ho. inase kaha ki malik se apane du:kh-kasht ki bat kahane mean koee sharam ki bat nahian, apane bete aur bahoo ko nimantran ka bahana karake ek bar ghar le ao, maian unake samane ro-dhokar dekhooan, shayad ve usaka kuchh kinara kar sakean." yah kahakar unhoanne aauanchal uthakar aauansooan poanchhe. samasya atyant jatil ho uthi. rajalakshmi ke muanh ki or dekha to vah bhi meri hi tarah sanshay mean p di huee dikhaee di. parantu pahale ki tarah ab bhi donoan janean maun bane rahe. kushari-grihini ab apane du:kh ka itihas dhire-dhire vyakt karane lagian. ant tak sunakar bahut der tak kisi ke muanh se koee bat n nikali; parantu is vishay mean koee sandeh n raha ki is bat ke kahane ke lie thik itani hi bhoomika ki zaroorat thi. rajalakshmi parann grahan n karegi, yah sunakar bhi madhayahn-bhojan ke nimantran se shuroo karake kushariji ko anyatr bhej dene ki vyavastha tak kuchh bhi bad nahian diya ja sakata tha. khair, kuchh bhi ho kushari-grihini ne apane aauansoo aur asphut vakyoan mean thik kitana vyakt kiya yah nahian janata, aur ek paksh ki bat sunakar is bat ka bhi nishchay karana kathin hai ki usamean kitana saty hai; parantu hamari madhh‍yasthata mean jis samasya ko hal karane ke lie aj unhoanne is tarah sanurodh ni‍vedan kiya, vah jitani ashcharyakarini thi utani hi madhur aur kathor bhi.

kushari-grihini ne jis du:kh ka varnan kiya, usaka kuchh sar yah hai ki ghar mean khane-paharane ka kafi aram hone par bhi unake lie ghar-grihasthi hi sirph vishatuly ho gayi ho so bat nahian, balki duniya ke age unake lie muanh dikhana bhi doobhar ho gaya hai. aur in sab du:khoan ki j d hai unaki ekamatr devarani sunanda. yadyapi unake devar yudanath nyayaratn ne bhi unake sath kam shatruta nahian ki hai parantu asal mukadama hai usi devarani ke viruddh aur vah vidrohi sunanda aur usaka pati jab ki philahal hamari hi riaya haian tab, hamean jis tarah bane, unhean kaboo mean lana hi p dega. sankshep mean bat is tarah hai- unake sasur aur sas ka jab svargavas hua tha, tab ve is ghar ki bahoo thian. yadunath tab sirph chhai-sat sal ka l daka tha. us l dake ko pal-posakar b da karane ka bhar unhian par aur us din tak ve us bhar ko barabar sanbhalati aee haian. paitrik sampatti mean tha sirph ek mitti ka ghar, do-tin bigha dharmade ki zamin aur kuchh jajamanoan ke ghar. sirph isi par nirbhar rahake unake pati ko sansar samudr mean tairana p da hai. aj yah badhavari aur sukh-svachchhandata dikh rahi hai, yah sab kuchh unake pati ke hath ki hi kamaee ka phal hai. devaraji jara bhi kisi tarah ka sahara nahian dete haian, aur n unase kisi tarah ke sahare ke lie kabhi prarthana hi ki jati hai.

maianne kaha, "ab shayad ve bahut zyada ka dava karate haian?"

kushari-grihini ne garadan hilate hue kaha, "dava kaise beta, yah sab kuchh usi ka to hai. sab kuchh vahi to leta, agar sunanda bich mean p dakar meri sone ki grihasthi mitti mean n mila deti."

maian bat ko thik se samajh n saka, maianne ashchary ke sath poochha, "par apaka yah l daka..."

ve pahale kuchh samajh n sakian, pichhe samajhane par bolian, "us vijay ki bat kah rahe ho? vah to hamara l daka nahian hai beta, vah to ek vidyarthi hai. devaraji ke tol mean¹ padhata tha, ab bhi vahian padhata hai, sirph rahata hamare yahaan hai." yoan kahakar ve vijay ke sambandh mean hamari ajnanata ko door karati huee kahane lagian, "kitane kasht se maianne devar ko pal-posakar adami banaya so ek sirph bhagavan hi janate haian, aur muhalle ke log bhi kuchh-kuchh janate haian. par khud vah aj sab kuchh bhool gaya, sirph ham log nahian bhool sake haian." itana kahakar phir unhoanne aauankhoan ke kinare poanchhate hue kaha, "par un sab batoan ko jane do beta, bahut-si batean haian. maianne devar ka janeoo karavaya, inhoanne padhane ke lie use mihirapur ke shiboo tarkalankar ke tol mean bhijavaya. beta, l dake ko chho dakar raha nahian gaya to maian khud jakar kitane din mihirapur rah aee, so bhi aj use yad nahian ata. jane do, is tarah kitane varsh bit gaye, koee thik hai bhala. devar ki padhaee poori huee, ve use grihasth banane ke lie l daki ki talash mean ghooma kiye; itane mean, n kuchh kahana n sunana, achanak ek din shiboo tarkalankar ki l daki sunanda se byah karake ap bahoo ghar le aya. mujhase n kaha to n sahi, par apane bhiya tak se koee ray n li."

maianne dhire se poochha, "ray n lene ka kya koee khas karan tha?"

grihini ne kaha, "tha kyoan nahian. ve hamare thik barabari ke n the, kul, shil aur samman mean bhi bahut chhote the. inhean bahut gussa aya, du:kh aur lajja ke mare shayad mahine-bhar to kisi se batachit tak nahian ki; par maian gussa nahian huee. sunanda ka muanh dekhakar maian pahale se hi mano pighal-si gayi. us par jab suna ki usaki maan mar gayi aur bap use devar ke hath sauanpakar khud sannyasi hokar nikal gaye haian, to us nanhian-si bahoo ko pakar mujhe kitani khushi huee so maian muanh ki batoan se nahian samajh sakati. par vah kisi din is tarah ka badala legi,

so kaun janata tha." itana kahakar sahasa ve supuk-supukakar rone lagian. samajh gaya ki vahian par vyatha atyant tivr ho uthi hai; magar phir bhi chup raha. rajalakshmi bhi ab tak kuchh nahian boli thi; usane dhire se poochha, "ab ve kahaan rahate haian?"

purane dhang ki sanskrit ki ghareloo pathashala.

javab mean unhoanne garadan hilakar jo kuchh vyakt kiya, usase samajh mean aya ki ab tak ve isi gaanv mean bane hue haian! isake bad phir bahut der tak koee batachit nahian huee, unake svasth hone mean jara zyada samay lag gaya. parantu asali chiz to ham log abhi tak thik taur se samajh hi n sake. udhar mera khana bhi qarib-qarib khatm ho aya tha, karan rona-dhona chalate rahane par to is vishay mean koee vishesh vighn nahian hua. sahasa ve aauankhean poanchhakar sidhi hokar baithian aur meri thali ki taraph dekhakar anutapt kanth se kah uthian, "rahane do beta, sare du:khoan ki kahani sunane lagooan to khatam bhi n hogi, aur tum logoan se dhiraj ke sath sunate bhi n banega. meri sone ki grihasthi jin logoan ne aauankhoan se dekhi hai, sirph ve hi janate haian ki chhoti bahoo mera kaisa satyanash kar gayi hai. sirph usi lankakand ko sankshep mean tum logoan se kahooangi." isake bad ve kahane lagian-

"jis jayadad par hamara sab kuchh nirbhar hai vah kisi jamane mean ek julahe ki thi. salabhar pahale achanak ek din sabere usaki vidhava stri apane nabalig l dake ko sath lekar hamare ghar a dhamaki. gusse mean n jane kya-kya kah gayi, jisaka koee thik nahian. ho sakata hai ki usaka kuchh bhi sach n ho ya sab kuchh jhooth hi ho- chhoti bahoo nahakar ja rahi thi rasoeeghar mean usaki batean sunakar use to jaise kath mar gaya. usake chale jane par bhi bahoo ka vah bhav door n hua. maianne bulakar kaha, "sunanda, kh di kyoan haian, aber nahian ho rahi hai?" par, javab ke lie usake muanh ki taraph dekhakar mujhe dar-sa lagane laga. usaki aauankhoan ki chitavan mean n jane kaisi ag-si chinagariyaan nikal rahi thian. usaka saanvala chehara ekadam phak p d gaya- bilh‍kul saphed. julahe ki bahoo ki ek-ek bat ne mano usake sare sharir se ek-ek booand khoon sokh liya. usane us vakt koee javab nahian diya. vah dhire-se mere pas akar baith gayi aur phir boli, "jiji, julahe ki bahoo ko usake malik ki jayadad tum vapas n kar dogi? usake nanhean-se nabalig bachche ko tum usaki sari sampatti se vanchit rakhakar zindagi-bhar ke lie rah ka bhikhari bana dogi?" "maian to dang rah gayi, maianne kaha, "suno isaki batean jara. kanhaee basak ki sari jayadad karz ke mare bik jane par, inhoanne use kharid liya hai. bhala, apani kharidi huee jayadad ko kaun kisi gair ke lie chho d deta hai chhoti bahoo?"

chhoti bahoo ne kaha, "par jethaji ke pas itana rupaya aya kahaan se?"

"maianne gusse se akar kah diya, "so poochh jakar apane jethaji se- jinhoanne jayadad kharidi hai." yah kahakar maian pooja-ahnik karane chali gayi."

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "bat to thik hai. jo jayadad nilam par chadhakar nilam ho chuki, use pher dene ke lie chhoti bahoo kah kaise sakati thi?"

kushari-grihini ne kaha, "batao to beti!"

parantu yah kahate hue bhi unake chehare par lajja ki mano ek kali chhaya-si p d gayi. bolian, "lekin, thik nilam hokar nahian biki thi n, isi se. ham log the usake purohit vansh ke. kanhaee basak marate samay inhian par sab bhar de gaya tha. par tab to yah janate n the ki vah apane pichhe duniya-bhar ka karja bhi chho d gaya hai." usaki bat sunakar rajalakshmi aur maian donoan hi ekaek mano stabdh-se ho gaye. n jane kaisi ek gandi chiz ne mere man ke bhitari bhag ko malin kar dala. kushari-grihini shayad is bat ko ta d n sakian. bolian, "jap-ahnik sab khatam karake do-dhaee ghante bad akar dekhati hooan to sunanda vahian thik usi tarah sthir hokar baithi hai. usane kahian ko ek pair tak nahian badhaya hai. ve kachahari ka kam nibatakar a hi rahe hoange, devar binoo ko lekar mela dekhane gaye the, unake lautane mean bhi der nahian thi, vijay nahane gaya tha, abhi turant akar pooja karane baithega- ab to mere gusse ki sima n rahi, maianne kaha, "too kya rasoee mean aj ghusegi hi nahian? us badamash julahe ki bahoo ki gadhi-gudhi batean hi baithi sochati rahegi?"

"sunanda ne muanh uthakar kaha, "nahian jiji, vah jayadad apani nahian hai. use agar tum n lauta dogi to maian ab rasoee mean ghusooangi hi nahian. us nabalig l dake ke muanh ka kaur chhinakar apane pati-putr ko bhi n khila sakooangi, aur thakuraji ka bhog bhi mujhase n banaya jayega." yah kahakar vah apani kothari mean chali gayi. sunanda ko maian pahichanati thi. yah bhi janati thi ki vah jhooth nahian bolati, aur usane apane adhh‍yapak sannyasi bap ke pas rahakar bachapan se hi bahut-se shastr padhe haian; par vah aurat hokar aisi patthar ki tarah kathor hogi, to maian tab tak n janati thi. maian jhatapat rasoee banane mean lag gayi. mard jab ghar laute, to unake khate samas sunanda daravaze ke pas akar kh di ho gayi. maianne door se hath jo dakar kaha, "sunanda, jara kshama kar unaka khana ho jane de." par usane jara-sa bhi anurodh nahian mana. kulh‍la karake khane baith hi rahe the ki poochh baithi, "julahe ki jayadad kya apane rupaye dekar kharidi hai? yah to ap hi logoan ke muanh se bahut bar suna hai ki babooji to kuchh chho d nahian gaye the, phir itane rupaye mile kahaan se?"

jo kabhi bat nahian karati thi, usake muanh se yah prashn sunakar ve to ekadam hat-buddhi ho gaye, usake bad bole, "in bas batoan ke mani kya beti?"

"sunanda ne kaha, "isake mani agar koee janata hai to ap janate haian. aj julahe ki bahoo apane l dake ko lekar aee thi, usaki sab batoan ko apake samane duharana vyarth hai- apase koee bat chhipi nahian hai. yah jayadad jisaki hai use agar ap vapas nahian deange, to, maian jite-ji is mahapap ke ann ka ek dana bhi apane pati-putr ko n khila sakooangi."

"mujhe to aisa maloom hua beta, ki ya to maian sapana dekh rahi hooan ya sunanda par bhoot savar ho gaya hai. jin jethaji ki vah devata ki tarah bhakti karati hai, unhian se aisi bat! ve bhi kuchh der tak bijali ke mare-se baithe rahe; usake bad jal-bhunakar bole, "jayadad pap ki ho ya puny ki, vah meri hai; tumhare pati-putr ki nahian. tumhean n ruche to tum log aur kahian jakar rah sakate ho! par bahoo, ab tak to maian tumhean sarvagunamayi samajhata tha, aisa kabhi nahian socha tha." itana kahakar ve thali chho dakar chale gaye. us din, phir dinabhar kisi ke muanh se dana-pani nahian gaya. roti huee maian devar ke pas pahuanchi; boli, "lalaji tumhean to maianne god mean lekar pala-posa hai- usaka tum yah badala chuka rahe ho!" lalaji ki aauankhoan mean aauansoo dabadaba ae, bole, "bhabhi, tumhian meri maan ho, aur bhiya bhi mere lie pita ke saman haian. par tum logoan se bhi ek b di chiz hai aur vah hai dharm. mera vishvas hai ki sunanda ne ek bhi bat anuchit nahian kahi hai. sahaji ne sannyas lete samay use ashirvad dete hue kaha tha ki beti, dharm ko agar sachamuch chahati ho, to vahi tumhean rah dikhata hua le jayega. maian use itani-si umar se pahachanata hooan bhabhi, usane haragij galati nahian ki." "hay ri jali takadir! use bhi kalamuanhi ne bhitar bhitar itana bas kar rakkha tha! ab meri aauankhean khulian. us din bhadoan ki sankaraant thi, akash mean badal um d rahe the, rah-rahakar jharajhar pani baras raha tha, magar abhagi ne ek rat ke lie bhi meri bat n rakkhi, l dake ka hath pak dakar ghar se nikal gayi. mere sasur ke jamane ki ek riaya thi jise mare aj do sal ho gaye, usi ke toote-phoote khandahar ghar mean ek kothari kisi tarah khadi thi; siyar, kutte, saanp-meandhakoan ke sath jakar, aise bure dinoan mean, vah usi mean rahane lagi. maianne aauangan ke bich mitti-pani mean lotate hue ro-rokar kaha, "satyanasin, yahi agar tere man mean thi, to is ghar mean too aee hi kyoan thi? binoo tak ko le aee, toone kya sasur-kul ka nam tak duniya se mita dene ki pratiksha ki hai?" magar usane koee javab nahian diya. maianne phir kaha, "khayagi kya?" javab mila, "sasuraji jo tin bigha brahmottar zamin chho d gaye haian, usamean se adhi hamari hai." usaki bat sunakar meri to tabiyat huee ki sir patakakar mar jaooan. maianne kaha, "abhagi, usase to ek din ki bhi gujar n hogi. tum log mana, ki bina khaye hi mar sakate ho, par mera binoo?" boli, "ek bar kanhaee basak ke l dake ke bare mean to soch dekho jiji. usaki tarah ek chhak khakar bhi agar binoo zinda rahe to bahut hai."

"akhir ve chale gaye. sara ghar mano hahakar karake rone laga. us rat ko n to ghar mean batti jali n choolha sulaga; unhoanne bahut rat bite ghar lautakar sari rat usi khooanti ke sahare baithe bita di. shayad binoo mera n soya hoga; shayad bachcha mera bhookh ke mare t daph data hoga; so sabera hote hi rakhal ke hath gay aur bachhiya bhijava di, par us rakshasi ne lauta di aur kahala bheja, "binoo ko maian doodh nahian pilana chahati, use bina doodh ke hi zinda rahane ki shiksha dena chahati hooan."

rajalakshmi ke muanh se sirph ek gahari saans nikali. grihini ki us din ki sari vedana aur apaman ki smriti ne ubalakar usaka kanth rok diya, aur mere hath ka dal-bhat sookhakar bilh‍kul khal-sa ho gaya. kushariji ki kh daooan ki avaz sunaee di-unaka madhayahn-bhojan samapt ho gaya tha. mujhe asha hai ki unake maun-vrat ne akshunn atoot rahakar unake satvi‍k ahar mean kisi tarah ka vighn upasthit nahian kiya hoga. magar, idhar ki bat janate the, is karan hi shayad ve hamari khoj lene ke lie nahian aye. grihini ne aauankhean poanchhakar, nak aur gala saf karate hue kaha, "usake bad gaanv-gaanv mean, muhalle-muhalle mean, logoan ke muanh kitani badanami aur kitani phajihat huee beta, so tumhean kya bataooan! unhoanne kaha, "do-char din jane do takaliphoan ke mare ap hi laut aegi." maianne kaha, "use pahachanate nahian ho tum, toot jayegi par nabegi nahian." aur hua bhi vahi. ek ke bad ek aj ath mahine bit gaye par use n naba sake. ve mare phikar ke chhip-chhipakar rote-rote sookh ke lak di hone lage. bachcha unako pranoan se bhi badhakar tha aur devaraji ko to l dake se bhi zyada pyar karate the. phir saha n gaya to akhir logoan ke muanh se kahalavaya ki julahe ki bahoo ka intazam kiye deta hooan jisase un logoan ko takaliph n ho. par us satyanasin ne javab diya ki "unaka jo kuchh nyayat: pavana hai, sabaka sab jab de deange, tabhi ghar mean ghusooangi. usaka ek ratti-bhar bhi baki rahega, to nahian." yani isake mano yah hue ki ham apani nishchit maut bula lean."

maianne gilas ke pani mean hath dubote hue poochha, "ab unaki gujar kaise hoti hai?"

kushari-patni ne katar hokar kaha, "isaka javab mujhase n poochho beta, isaka jikar koee chhe data hai to kanoan mean aanguli dekar bhag jati hooan- aisa maloom hota hai jaise dam ghut raha ho. in ath mahinoan mean is ghar mean machhali tak nahian aee, doodh-ghi ki kadhaee tak nahian chadhi. sare hi ghar par mano vah marmantik abhishap rakh ke chali gayi hai." yah kahakar ve chup ho gayian, aur bahut der tak ham tinoan janean stabdh hokar nirav baithe rahe.

ghante-bhar bad jab ham ga di par savar hue to kushari-grihini ne sajal kanth se rajalakshmi ke kan mean kaha, "beti, ve tumhari hi riaya haian. mere sasur ki chho di huee zamin par hi unaki gujar hoti hai, vah tumhare hi gaanv mean hai- gangamati mean."

rajalakshmi ne sir hilakar kaha, "achchha."

ga di chal dene par unhoanne phir kaha, "beti, tumhare ghar se hi dikhaee deta hai unaka ghar. nale ke idhar jo toota-phoota ghar dikhaee deta hai, vahi."

rajalakshmi ne usi tarah phir garadan hilakar kaha, "achchhi bat hai."

ga di dhimi chal se age badhane lagi. bahut der tak maianne koee bat nahian ki. rajalakshmi ki or dekha to jan p da vah anyamanask hokar kuchh soch rahi hai. usaka dhh‍yan bhang karate hue maianne kaha, "lakshmi, jisake lobh nahian, jo kuchh chahata nahian, use sahayata karane jana- isase badhakar sansar mean aur koee vidambana nahian."

rajalakshmi ne mere muanh ki or dekhakar kuchh musakarate hue kaha, "so maian janati hooan. tumase maianne aur kuchh liya ho n liya ho, is bat ki shiksha avashy le li hai."