श्रीकांत उपन्यास भाग-12

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

apane apako vishleshan karane baithata hooan, to dekhata hooan, jin tho de-se nari-charitroan ne mere man par rekha aankit ki hai, unamean se ek hai vahi kushari mahashay ke chhote bhaee ki vidrohini bahoo sunanda. apane is sudirgh jivan mean sunanda ko maian aj tak nahian bhoola hooan. rajalakshmi manushy ko itani jaldi aur itani asani se apana le sakati hai ki sunanda ne yadi us din mujhe 'bhiya' kahakar pukara, to usamean ashchary karane ki koee bat hi nahian. anyatha, aisi ashcharyajanak l daki ko janane ka mauqa mujhe kabhi n milata. adhyaipak yadunath tarkalankar ka toota-phoota ghar, hamare ghar ke pashchim ki taraph, maidan ke ek kinare par hai, aauankhean uthate hi usi par sidhi nigah p dati hai. aur yahaan jab se aya tabhi se barabar p dati rahi hai. mujhe sirph itana hi nahian maloom tha ki vahaan ek vidrohini apane pati-putr ke sath raha karati hai. baans ka pul par hokar maidan se qarib das minat ka rasta hai; bich mean pe d-paudhe kuchh nahian haian, bahut door tak bilkuval saf dikhaee deta hai. aj sabere bichhaune se uthate hi khi daki mean se jab us jirn aur shrihin khandahar par meri nigah p di to bahut der tak maian ek tarah ki abhootapoorv vyatha aur agrah ke sath us taraph dekhata raha. aur jis bat ko bahut bar bahut karanoan se dekhakar bhi bar-bar bhool gaya hooan, usi bat ki yad uth kh di huee ki sansar mean kisi vishay mean sirph usake bahari roop ko dekhakar kuchh bhi nahian kaha ja sakata. kaun kah sakata hai ki vah samane dikhaee denevala toota-phoota ghar siyar-kuttoan ka ashray-sthal nahian hai? is bat ka kaun anuman kar sakata hai ki us khandahar mean kumar-raghu-shakuntala-meghadoot ka pathan-pathan hua karata hai, aur usamean ek navin adhyasapak chhatroan se pariveshtit hokar smriti aur nyay ki mimaansa aur vichar mean nimagn raha karate haian? kaun janega ki usi mean is desh ki ek taruni nari apane dharm aur nyay ki maryada rakhane ke lie, apani ichchha se, ashesh du:khoan ka bhar vahan kar rahi hai?

dakshin ke jangal se makan ke bhitar nigah gayi to maloom hua ki aauangan mean kuchh ho raha hai- ratan apatti kar raha hai aur rajalakshmi usaka khandan kar rahi hai. par gale ki avaz usi ki kuchh zor ki hai. maian uthakar vahaan pahuancha to vah kuchh sharama-si gayi. boli, "niand uchat gayi maloom hoti hai? so to uchategi hi. ratan, too apane gale ko jara dhima kar bhiya, nahian to mujhase to ab pesh nahian paya jata."

is tarah ke ulajhanoan aur shikayatoan se sirph ratan hi akela nahian, ghar-bhar ke ham sabhi abhyast ho gaye the; isalie, vah bhi jaise chup rah gaya maian bhi vaise hi kuchh nahian bola. dekha ki ek b di tokani mean chaval-dal-ghi-tel adi tatha doosari ek chhoti daliya mean nana prakar ki bhojy samagri sajaee gayi hai. maloom hota hai ki inake pariman aur inake dhone ki shakti-samarthy ke vishay mean hi ratan prativad kar raha tha. thik yahi bat nikali. rajalakshmi ne mujhe madhysth manate hue kaha, "suno isaki bat. isase itana-sa bojh le jate n banega! itana to maian bhi le ja sakati hooan, ratan!" yah kahate hue usane khud jhukakar us bojhe ko asani se utha liya.

vastav mean, bojh ke lihaz se ek adami ke lie- aur to kya ratan ke lie bhi usaka le jana koee kathin n tha; par kathin thi ek doosari bat. isase ratan ki ijjat mean batta jo lagata! par sharam ke mare malik ke samane us bat ko vah manjoor nahian kar sakata. maian usaka chehara dekhate hi b di asani se ta d gaya. maianne hansakar kaha, "tumhare yahaan to kafi adami haian, riaya ki bhi kami nahian-unhian mean se kisi ko bhej do. ratan, n ho to usake sath-sath chal jayega rite-hath."

ratan niche ko nigah kiye kh da raha. rajalakshmi ek bar meri taraph aur ek bar usaki taraph dekhakar hans p di; boli, "abhaga adhe ghante tak jhag data to raha, par muanh se bola nahian ki maan, ye sab chhote kam ratan baboo nahian kar sakeange! ab ja, kisi ko bula la."

usake chale jane par maianne poochha, "sabere uthate hi yah sab kya shuroo kar diya?"

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "adami ke khane ki chizean sabere hi bheji jati haian."

"magar bheji kahaan ja rahi haian? aur usaki vajah bhi to maloom ho?"

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "vajah? adami khaeange, aur ja rahi haian brahman ke ghar."

maianne kaha, "vah brahman hai kaun?"

rajalakshmi musakarati huee kuchh der chup rahi, shayad sochane lagi ki nam bataooan ya nahian. phir boli, "dekar kahana nahian chahie, puny ghat jata hai. jao, tum hath-muanh dhokar kap de badal ao- tumhari chay taiyar hai."

maian, phir koee prashn bina kiye hi, bahar chala gaya.

lagabhag das baje hoange. bahar ke kamare mean takht par baitha, koee kam n hone se, ek purane saptahik patr ka vijnapan padh raha tha. itane mean ek aparichit kanth-svar ka sambhashan sunakar muanh uthakar dekha to agantuk aparichit hi maloom hue. ve bole, "namaskar babooji."

maianne hath uthakar prati-namaskar kiya aur kaha, "baithie."

brahman ka atyant din vesh tha, pairoan mean joota nadarad, badan par kurata tak nahian, sirph ek maili chadar-si p di thi. dhoti bhi vaisi hi malin thi, oopar se do-tin jagah gaanthean bandhi hueean. ganvee-gaanv ke bhadr purush ke achchhadan ki dinata koee ashchary ki vastu nahian hai, aur sirph usi par se usaki garhasthik avastha ka anuman nahian kiya ja sakata. khair, ve samane baans ke moodhe par baith gaye aur bole, "maian apaki ek garib praja hooan- isake pahale hi mujhe ana chahie tha, b di galati ho gayi."

mujhe zamiandar samajhakar yadi koee milane ata to maian bhitar-hi-bhitar jaise lajjit hota tha vaise hi jhuanjhala bhi uthata tha. khasakar ye log aisi-aisi prarthanaean aur shikayatean laya karate haian, aur aise-aise baddhamool utpatoan aur atyacharoan ka prati‍kar chahate haian ki jin par hamara koee kaboo hi nahian chalata. yahi karan hai ki in mahashay par bhi maian prasann n ho saka. maianne kaha, "der se ane ke karan ap du:khit n hoan; karan, bilkuanl hi n ate to bhi maian apaki taraph se kuchh khayal n karata- aisa mera svabhav hi nahian. magar apako zaroorat kya hai?"

brahman ne lajjit hokar kaha, "asamay mean akar shayad apake kam mean vighn pahuanchaya hai, maian phir kisi din aooanga." yah kahate hue ve uth kh de hue.

maianne jhuanjhalakar kaha, "mujhase apako kam kya tha, bataie to sahi?"

meri narajagi ko ve asani se ta d gaye. jara maun rahakar shant bhav se bole, "maian mamooli adami hooan, zaroorat bhi mamooli-si hai. maanji ne mujhe yad kiya tha, shayad unhean zaroorat ho- mujhe chahie to kuchh nahian."

javab kathor tha, par tha saty. aur mere prashn ke dekhate hue asangat bhi n tha. par yahaan ane ke bad se aisa javab sunane vala koee adami hi nahian mila, isi se brahman ke uttar se sirph ashchary hi nahian hua balki krodh bhi a gaya. yoan mera mizaj rookha nahian hai aur kahian hota to shayad kuchh khayal bhi n karata; parantu aishvary ki kshamata itani bhaddi chiz hai ki doosare se udhar li huee hone par bhi usake apavyavahar pralobhan ko adami asani se nahian tal sakata. atev, apekshakrit bahut hi zyada roodh uttar meri jaban par a gaya, parantu usaki tezinikalane ke pahale hi dekha ki bagal ka daravaza khul gaya hai aur rajalakshmi apana pooja-path adhoora chho dakar uth aee hai. vah doosare b de vinay ke sath pranam karake boli, "abhi se mat chale jaie, baithie ap. apase mujhe abhi bahut-si batean karani haian."

brahman ne pun: asan grahan kiya aur kaha, "maanji, apane to mere ghar ki bahut dinoan ki dushchinta door kar di, usase to ham logoan ki lagabhag pandrah din ki gujar chal jayegi. par abhi to koee samay nahian hai, vrat-niyam-parv kuchh bhi to nahian hai. brahmani ashchary mean akar yahi poochh rahi thi..."

rajalakshmi ne hansate hue kaha, "apaki brahmani ne sirph vrat-niyamoan ke hi din-var sikh rakhe haian, magar p dosiyoan ki bheant-saugat lene ke din-var ka vichar ve abhi mujhase sikh jaany, kah dijiega."

brahman ne kaha, "to itana b da sidha kya..."

prashn ko ve khatam n kar sake, ya phir unhoanne jan-boojhakar hi nahian karana chaha, parantu maianne is dambhik brahman ke anukt vaky ka marm sampoorn roop se hridayangam kar liya. phir bhi bhay hua ki kahian meri hi tarah bina samajhe rajalakshmi ko bhi koee k di bat n sunani p de. is adami ka ek taraph ka parichay abhi tak ajnat rahane par bhi doosari taraph ka parichay pahale hi mil chuka tha, lihaza aisi ichchha n huee ki mere samane phir usaki punaravritti ho. sahas ki bat sirph itani hi thi ki rajalakshmi ko kabhi koee amane-samane niruttar nahian kar sakata tha. thik hua bhi yahi. is asuhavane prashn se bhi vah bal-bal bachakar saf nikal gayi, boli, "tarkalankar mahashay, suna hai apaki brahmani bahut hi gussail haian- bina nimantran ke pahuanch jane se shayad khapha ho jaanyagi. nahian to maian is bat ka javab unhean hi jakar de ati."

ab samajh mean aya ki ye hi yadunath kushari haian. adhyaaipak adami thahare, priyatama ke mizaj ka ullekh hote hi apana mizaj kho baithe; 'ha: ha:' karake uchch hasy se ghar bhar diya aur prasann chitt se bole, "nahian maan, gussail kyoan hone lagi, bahut hi sidhi-sadhi stri hai. ham log garib thahare, ap jayeangian to apake yogy samman nahian kar sakeange, isilie vahi a jayegi. samay milane par maian hi use apane sath le aooanga."

rajalakshmi ne poochha, "tarkalankar mahashay, apake chhatr kitane haian?"

kushariji ne kaha, "paanch haian. is desh mean adhik chhatr milate hi kahaan haian- adhh‍yapan to namamatr hai."

"sabhi ko kya khane-paharane ko dena p data hai?"

"nahian. vijay to bhiya ke yahaan rahata hai, aur doosara ek gaanv hi ka rahane vala hai. sirph tin chhatr mere yahaan rahate haian."

rajalakshmi jara chup rahakar apoorv snigdh kanth se boli, "aise du:samay mean yah to sahaj bat nahian hai tarkalankar mahashay."

thik isi kanth-svar ki avashyakata thi. nahian to abhimani adhyaopak ke garam hokar uth jane mean koee kasar nahian thi. par maza yah hua ki abaki bar unaka man qatee udhar hokar nahian nikala. b di asani se unhoanne ghar ke du:kh aur dainy ko svikar kar liya. kahane lage, kaise gujar hoti hai so ham hi donoan prani janate haian. parantu phir bhi bhagavan ka udayast ruka nahian rahata maan. isake siva upay hi kya hai apane hath mean? adhy yan adhayapan to brahman ka karttavy thahara. achary dev se kuchh mila hai, vah to keval dharohar hai jo kisi n kisi din to lauta hi deni padegi." jara thahar kar phir bole, "kisi samay isaka bhar tha bhoo-svamiyoan par, parantu ab to jamana hi badal gaya. vah adhikar bhi unhean nahian hai aur vah dayitv bhi chal gaya hai. praja ka rakt-shoshan karane ke siva unake karane layaq aur koee kam hi nahian. ab to unhean bhoo-svami samajhane mean bhi ghrina maloom hoti hai."

rajalakshmi ne hansakar kaha, "magar unamean se agar koee kuchh prayashchit karana chahata hai to usamean ap a danga n dalean!"

kushari lajjit hokar khud bhi hans die bole, "anyamanask ho jane se apaki bat ka mujhe khayal hi nahian raha, par adanga kyoan dalane laga! sachamuch hi to yah ap logoan ka kartavy hai."

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "ham log pooja-archana karati haian, par ek bhi mantr shayad shuddh nahian bol sakatian,-lekin, yah bhi apaka kartavy hai, so bhi yad dilae deti hooan."

kushari mahashay ne hansate hue kaha, "so hi hoga maan." yah kahakar ve aber ka khayal karake uth kh de hue. rajalakshmi ne unhean zamin se matha tekakar pranam kiya aur jate samay maianne bhi kisi tarah ek namaskar karake chhutti pa li.

unake chale jane par rajalakshmi ne kaha, "aj tumhean jara sidause naha-kha lena p dega."

"kyoan bhala?"

"dopahar ko sunanda ke ghar chalana p dega."

maianne kuchh vismit hokar kaha, "magar mujhe kyoan? tumhara vahan ratan to hai."

rajalakshmi ne matha hilate hue kaha, "us vahan se ab gujar n hogi. tumhean bagair sath liye ab maian ek qadam bhi kahian ko nahian hilane ki."

maianne kaha, "achchha, so hi sahi."

000

pahale hi kah chuka hooan ki ek din sunanda ne mujhase 'bhiya' kah ke pukara tha, aur use maianne param atmiy ke saman apane bahut najadik paya tha. isaka poora vivaran yadi vistrit roop se n bhi diya jay to bhi us par vishvas n karane ko koee karan nahian. magar,

hamare pratham parichay ke itihas par vishvas dilana shayad kathin hoga. bahut-se to yah socheange ki yah b di adbhut bat hai; aur shayad, bahut se sir hilakar kaheange ki ye sab batean sirph kahaniyoan mean hi chal sakati haian. ve kaheange, "ham bhi bangali haian, bangal mean hi itane b de hue haian, par sadharan grihasth-ghar mean aisa hota hai, yah to kabhi nahian dekha!" ho sakata hai; parantu isake uttar mean maian sirph itana hi kah sakata hooan ki "maian bhi isi desh mean itana b da hua hooan, aur ek se zyada sunanda is desh mean mere bhi dekhane mean nahian aeean. phir bhi yah saty hai."

rajalakshmi bhitar chali gayi, maian un logoan ki tooti-phooti divar ke pas kh da hokar khoj raha tha ki kahian jara chhaya mile. itane mean ek satrah-atharah sal ka l daka akar bola, "aie, bhitar chalie."

"tarkalankaraji kahaan haian? aram kar rahe hoange shayad?"

"ji nahian, ve peanth karane gaye haian? mataji haian, aie." kahata hua vah age ho liya, aur kafi duvi‍dha ke sath maian usake pichhe-pichhe chala. kabhi kisi jamane mean is makan mean sadar daravaza bhi shayad kahian raha hoga, par philahal usaka nishan tak bila gaya hai. atev, bhootapoorv dheanki-shala mean hokar ant:pur mean pravesh karake nishchay hi maianne usaki maryada ki ullanghan nahian ki‍ya. praangan mean upasthit hote hi sunanda ko dekha. unnis-bis varsh ki ek saanvali l daki hai, is makan ki tarah hi bilkulal abharan-shoony. samane ke kam-chau de baramade ke ek kinare baithi moodi¹ bhoon rahi thi- aur shayad rajalakshmi ke agaman ke sath-hi-sath uthakar kh di ho gayi hai- usane mere lie ek phata-purana kambal ka asan bichhakar namaskar kiya. kaha, "baithie." l dake se kaha, "ajay, choolhe mean ag hai, jara tamakhoo to sulaga de beta." phir rajalakshmi bina asan ke pahale hi baith gayi thi, usaki taraph dekhakar jara musakarate hue kaha, "lekin apako maian pan n de sakooangi. pan ghar mean hai hi nahian."

ham log kaun haian, ajay shayad is bat ko jan gaya tha. vah apani guru-patni ki bat par sahasa atyant vyast hokar bol utha, "nahian haian? to pan shayad aj achanak nibat gaye hoange maan?"

sunanda ne usake muanh ki taraph kshan-bhar musakarakar dekhate hue kaha, "pan aj achanak nibat gaye haian, ya sirph ek din hi achanak a gaye the ajay?" yah kahakar vah khilakhilakar hans p di, phir rajalakshmi se boli, "us ravivar ko chhote mahant maharaj ke ane ki bat thi, isi se ek paise ke pan mangae gaye the- usake ho gaye qarib das din. yah bat hai, isi se hamara ajay ekadam ashchary-chakit ho gaya, pan chatase nibat kaise gaye?" itana kahakar vah phir hans di. ajay atyant apratibh hokar kahane laga, "vah, aisa hai! so hone do n- nibat jane do..."

rajalakshmi ne hansate hue saday kanth se kaha, "bat to thik hi hai, bahin, akhir yah thahare mard, ye kaise jan sakate haian ki tumhari girasti mean kaun-si chiz nibat gayi hai?"

ajay kam-se-kam ek adami ko apane anukool pakar kahane laga, "dekhie to! aur mataji sochati haian ki..."

sunanda ne usi tarah hansate hue kaha, "haan, maan sochati to hai hi! nahian jiji, hamara ajay hi ghar ki 'grihini' hai- yah sab janata hai. sirph ek bat manjoor nahian kar sakata ki yahaan koee takaliph hai aur baboogiri tak nadarad hai!"

"kyoan nahian kar sakata! vah, baboogiri kya achchhi chiz hai! vah to

hamare..." kahate-kahate vah ruk gaye aur bat bina khatam kiye hi shayad mere lie tamakhoo sulagane bahar chala gaya.

sunanda ne kaha, "brahman-pandit ke ghar akeli harr hi kafi hai, dhooandhane par shayad ek-adh supari bhi mil sakati hai- achchha, dekhati hooan..." yah kahakar vah jana hi chahati thi ki rajalakshmi ne sahasa usaka aauanchal pak dakar kaha, "harr mujhase nahian baradasht hogi bahin, supari ki bhi zaroorat nahian. tum mere pas jara sthir hokar baitho, do-char batean to kar looan." yah kahakar usane ek prakar se jabaradasti hi use apane pas bitha liya.

¹ chavaloan ka namakin pani mean bhigokar baloo mean bhoona hua chabaina.

atithy ke dayitv se chhutakara pakar kshan-bhar ke lie donoan hi nirav ho rahian. is avasar par maianne aur ek bar sunanda ko naye sire se dekh liya. pahale to yah maloom hua ki yadi ise koee svikar n kare to vastav mean yah 'daridrata' vastu sansar mean kitani arthahin aur nissar pramanit ho sakati hai! yah hamare sadharan bangali ghar ki sadharan nari hai. bahar se isamean koee bhi visheshata nahian dikhati, n to roop hai aur n gahane-kap de hi. is toote-phoote ghar mean jidhar dekho udhar keval abhav aur tangi hi ki chhaya dikhaee deti hai. parantu phir bhi yah bat bhi sath hi sath drishti se chhipi nahian rahati ki sirph chhaya hi hai, usase badhakar aur kuchh bhi nahian. abhav ke du:kh ko is nari ne sirph apani aauankhoan ke ishare se mana karake door rakh chho da hai- itani usamean himmat hi nahian ki vah jabaradasti bhitar ghus sake. aur tariph yah ki kuchh mahine pahale hi isake sab kuchh vidyaman tha- ghar-dvar, svajan-parijan, naukar-chakar-halat achchhi thi, kisi bat ki kami nahian thi- sirph ek kathor anyay ka tatvosadhik prativad karane ke lie apana sab kuchh chho d aee hai- jirn vastr ki tarah sab tyag aee hai. man sthir karane mean use ek pahar bhi samay nahian laga. us par bhi maza yah ki kahian bhi kisi aang mean isake kathorata ka namo-nishan tak nahian.

rajalakshmi ne sahasa meri or mukhatib hokar kaha, "maian samajhati thi ki sunanda umar mean khoob b di hogi. par he bhagavan, yah to abhi bilkuanl l daki hi hai!"

ajay shayad apane gurudev ke hukke par hi tamakhoo bhar ke la raha tha, sunanda ne usaki or ishara karate hue kaha, "l daki kaise hooan! jisake itane b de-b de l dake hoan, usaki umar kahian kam hoti hogi!" yah kahakar vah hansane lagi. khasi svachchhand saral hansi thi usaki. ajay ke yah poochhane par ki maian khud hi choolhe se ag le looan ya nahian, usane parihas karate hue kaha, "maloom nahian kis jat ke l dake ho tum beta, zaroorat nahian tumhean choolha chhoone ki." asal mean bat yah thi ki l dake ke lie jalata aangara choolhe mean se nikalana kathin tha, isase usane khud hi jakar aauanch uthake chilamapar rakh di, aur chehare par vaisi hi hansi lie hue vah phir apani jagah par akar baith gayi. sadharan gramy-ramani-sulabh hansi-masakhari se lekar batachit aur acharan tak kahian kisi bat mean usaki koee visheshata nahian pak di ja sakati, phir bhi, itane hi arase jo mamooli-sa parichay mujhe mila hai vah kitana asadharan hai! is asadharanata ka hetu doosare hi kshan mean ham donoan ke samaksh parisphut ho utha. ajay ne mere hath mean huqqa dete hue kaha, "mataji, to ab use uthakar rakh dooan?"

sunanda ke ishare se anumati dene par usaki drishti anusaran karake dekha ki pas hi ek lak di ke pidhe par b di bhari ek moti pothi idhar-idhar bikhari p di hai. ab tak kisi ne bhi use nahian dekha tha. ajay ne usake panne sanbhalate hue kshunn svar se kaha, "mataji, 'utpatti-prakaran' to aj bhi samapt nahian hua, n jane kab tak hoga! ab poora nahian hone ka."

rajalakshmi ne poochha, "vah kaun-si pothi hai, ajay?"

"yogavasishth."

"tumhari maan moo di bhoon rahi thi aur tum suna rahe the?"

"nahian, maian mataji se padhata hooan."

ajay ke is saral aur sankshipt uttar se sunanda sahasa mano lajja se surkh ho uthi, jhatapat bol uthi, "padhane layaq vidya to isaki maan ke pas khak-dhool bhi nahian hai. nahian jiji, dopahar ko akeli ghar ka kam karati hooan, ve to aksar rahate nahian, ye l dake pustak lekar kya-kya bakate chale jate haian, usaka tin-chauthaee to maian sun hi nahian pati. isako kya hai, jo man mean aya so kah diya."

ajay ne apane 'yogavasishth' ko lekar prasthan kiya, aur rajalakshmi gambhir muanh banae sthir hokar baithi rahi. kuchh hi kshan bad sahasa ek gahari saans lekar boli, "asapas hi kahian mera ghar hota to maian bhi tumhari cheli ho jati, bahin. ek to kuchh janati hi nahian, us par ahnik-pooja ke shabdoan ko bhi thik taur se bol sakati; so bhi nahian."

mantrochcharan ke sambandh mean usaka sandigdh manasik khed maianne bahut bar suna hai. isaka mujhe abhyas ho gaya tha. parantu sunanda ne pahale-pahal sunakar bhi kuchh nahian kaha. vah sirph jara-sa musakarakar rah gayi. maloom nahian, usane kya samajha. shayad socha ki jisaka tatpary nahian samajhati, prayog nahian janati, use sirph arthahin path-matr ki shuddhata par itani drishti kyoan? ho sakata hai ki yah usake lie bhi koee nayi bat n ho, apane yahaan ke sadharan hindoo gharane ki striyoan ke muanh se aisi sakarun, lobh aur moh ki batean usane bahut bar suni haian- isaka uttar dena ya prativad karana bhi vah avashyak nahian samajhati. athava yah sab kuchh bhi n ho. sirph svabhavik vinay-vash hi maun rahi ho. phir bhi itana to bina khayal kiye raha hi n gaya ki usane agar aj apane is aparichit atithi ko nihayat hi sadharan auratoan ke saman chhota karake dekha ho, to phir ek din use atyant anutap ke sath apana mat badalane ki zaroorat p degi.

rajalakshmi ne palak marate hi apane ko sanbhal liya. maian janata hooan ki koee muanh kholata hai to vah usake man ki bat jan jati hai. phir vah mantr-tantr ke kinare hokar bhi nahian nikali. aur tho di der bad hi usane khalis ghar-grihasthi ki aur ghareloo batean shuroo kar dian. un donoan ke mridu kanth ki sampoorn alochana n to mere kanoan mean hi gayi, aur n maianne udhar kan lagane ki koshish hi ki balki maian to tarkalankar ke hukke mean ajayadatt ki sookhi aur kathor tamakhoo ko khatam karane mean hi ji-jan se jut gaya.

donoan ramaniyaan milakar aspasht mridu bhav se sansar-yatra ke vishay mean kis jatil tatv ka samadhan karane lagian, so ve hi janean, kintu unake pas huqqa hath mean liye baithe-baithe mujhe maloom hua ki aj sahasa ek kathin prashn ka uttar mil gaya. hamare viruddh ek bhaddi shikayat hai ki striyoan ko hamane hin bana rakkha hai. yah kathin kam hamane kis tarah kiya hai, aur kahaan isaka pratikar hai, is bat par maianne anek bar vichar karane ki koshish ki hai, parantu, aj sunanda ko yadi thik is tarah apani aauankhoan n dekhata to shayad sanshay hamesha ke lie bana hi rah jata. maianne desh aur videsh mean tarah-tarah ki stri-svadhinata dekhi hai. usaka jo namoona barma mulk mean pair rakhate hi dekha tha, vah kabhi bhoolane ki chiz nahian. tin-charek barmi sundariyoan ko jab maianne rajapath par kh de-kh de dhaure-dupahar ek hatte-katte javan mard ko eekh ke tuk doan se pitate hue dekha tha tab maian usi dam mare gudagudi ke romaanchit hokar pasine se tar-b-tar ho gaya tha. abhaya ne mugdh drishti se nirikshan karate hue kaha tha, 'shrikant baboo, hamari bangali striyaan agar isi tarah...'

mere chacha sahab ek bar do marava di mahilaoan ke nam nalish karane gaye the. un logoan ne relaga di mean mauqa pate hi chacha sahab ke nak-kan ki prabal parakram ke sath malaee kar di thi. sunakar meri chachi afasos karake boli thian, "achchha hota yadi apane bangaliyoan mean ghar-ghar is bat ka chalan hota!" hota to mere chacha sahab usaka ghoratar virodh karate. parantu, isase nari-jati ki hin avastha ka prati-vidhan ho jata, so nissandeh nahian kaha ja sakata. maian aj sunanda ke bhagn-grih ke chhinn asan par baitha hua chupachap aur nissandeh roop se anubhav kar raha tha ki yah kahaan aur kyoan kar ho sakata hai. sirph ek 'aie' kahakar abhyarthana karane ke siva usane mere sath doosari koee batachit hi nahian ki, aur rajalakshmi ke sath bhi aisi kisi b di bat ki charcha mean vah lag gayi ho, so bhi nahian; parantu, usane jo ajay ke mithyadambar ke uttar mean hansate hue jata diya ki is ghar mean pan nahian hai aur kharidane ka samarthy bhi nahian-yahi vah durlabh vastu hai. usaki sab batoan ke bich mean yah bat mano mere kanoan mean gooanj hi rahi thi. usake sankoch-lesh-shoony itane se parihas se daridrata ki sampoorn lajja ne mare sharam ke n jane kahaan jakar muanh chhipa liya, phir usake darshan hi nahian mile. ek hi kshan mean maloom ho gaya ki is toote-phoote makan, phate-purane kap doan, tooti-phooti ghar ki chijoan aur ghar ke du:kh-dainy-abhavoan ke bich is nirabharan mahila ka sthan bahut ooancha hai. adhyajapak pita ne dene ke nam yahi diya ki apani kanya ko bahut hi jatan ke sath dharm aur vidya dan karake use shvasur-kul mean bhej diya; usake bad vah joote-moje pahanegi ya ghooanghat hatakar s dakoan par ghoomegi, athava anyay ka prativad karane ke lie pati-putr ko lekar khandahar ghar mean rahegi aur vahaan moo di bhoonegi ya yogavasishth padhaegi, is bat ki chinta usake lie bilkuhl hi sarahin thi. mahilaoan ko hamane hin banaya hai ya nahian, yah bahas phijool ki hai, parantu is disha mean agar ham unhean vanchit rakhate haian to us karm ka phal bhogana anivary hai.

ajay agar 'utpatti-prakaran' ki bat n kahata to sunanda ki shiksha ke vishay mean ham kuchh jan bhi n sakate. usake moo di bhoonane se lekar saral aur mamooli hansi-majak tak kisi bhi bat mean 'yogavasishth' ki tezine ujhakaee tak nahian mari. aur sath hi, pati ki anupasthiti mean aparichit atithi ki abhyarthana karane mean bhi use kahian se kuchh badha nahian maloom huee. nirjan ghar mean ek satrah-atharah varsh ke l dake ki itane sahaj-svabhav aur asani se vah maan ho gayi hai ki shasan aur sanshay ki rassi-assi se use baandh rakhane ki kalpana tak usake pati ke dimag mean kabhi nahian aee. halaanki ki isi ka pahara dene ke lie ghar-ghar n jane kitane paharedaroan ki srishti hoti rahati hai!

tarkalankar mahashay l dake ko sath lekar peanth karane gaye the. unase milakar jane ki ichchha thi, magar idhar aber huee ja rahi rahi thi. is garig grihalakshmi ka n jane kitana kam p da hoga, yah janakar rajalakshmi uth kh di huee, aur vida lekar boli, "aj ja rahi hooan, agar nakhush n hoo to phir aooangi."

maian bhi uth kh da hua, bola, "mujhe bhi bat karane ke lie koee adami nahian, agar abhay-dan dean to kabhi-kabhi chala aya karooan."

sunanda ne muanh se kuchh nahian kaha, par hansate hue garadan hila di. raste mean ate-ate rajalakshmi ne kaha, "b de maje ki stri hai. jaisa pati vaisi hi patni. bhagavan ne inhean khoob milaya hai."

maianne kaha, "haan."

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "inake us ghar ki bat aj nahian chhe di. kushari mahashay ko ab tak achchhi tarah pahichan n saki, par ye donoan devarani-jithani b di maje ki haian."

maianne kaha, "bat to aisi hi hai. magar tumamean to adami ko vash karane ki adbhut shakti hai, dekho n koshish karake agar inamean mel kara sako."

rajalakshmi ne jara dabi hansi hansakar kaha, "shakti ho sakati hai, par tumhean vash kar lena usaka suboot nahian. koshish karane par vah to aur bhi bahuteri kar sakati haian."

maianne kaha, "ho bhi sakata hai. magar, jab ki koshish ka mauqa hi nahian aya, to bahas karane se bhi kuchh hath n aega."

rajalakshmi ne usi tarah musakarate hue kaha, "achchha ji, achchha. yah mat samajh lo ki din bit hi chuke haian."

aj din-bhar se n jane kaisi badali-si chhaee huee thi. dopahar ka soory asamay mean hi ek kale badal mean chhip jane se samane ka akash rangin ho utha tha. usi ki gulabi chhaya ne samane ke kathor dhoosar maidan aur usake ek kinare ke baansoan ke jha d aur do-tin imali ke pe doan par sone ka pani pher diya tha. rajalakshmi ke antim arop ka maianne koee javab nahian diya, parantu bhitar ka man mano bahar ki das dishaoan ke saman hi rangin ho utha. maianne kanakhiyoan se usake muanh ki or takakar dekha ki usake othoan par ki hansi ab tak poori taur se bilaee nahian hai. vigalit svarn-prabha mean vah atishay parichit mukh bahut hi apoorv maloom p da. ho sakata hai ki vah sirph akash hi ka rang n ho; ho sakata hai ki jo prakash maian aur ek nari ke pas se abhi-abhi hal hi chura laya hooan, usi ki apoorv dipti isake bhi hriday mean khelati phir rahi ho. raste mean ham donoan ke siva aur koee nahian tha. usane samane ki or aanguli dikhate hue kaha, "tumhari chhaya kyoan nahian p dati, batao to?" maianne gaur se dekha ki pas hi dahini or ham donoan ki aspasht chhaya ek hokar mil gayi hai. maianne kaha, "chiz hoti hai to chhaya p dati hai- shayad ab vah nahian hai."

"pahale thi?"

"dhyahan se nahian dekha, kuchh yad nahian p data."

rajalakshmi ne hansate hue kaha, "mujhe yad p data hai-nahian thi. tho di umar se hi use dekhana sikh gayi thi." yah kahate hue usane paritripti ki saans lekar phir kaha, "aj ka din mujhe bahut hi achchha laga hai. maloom hota hai itane dinoan bad mujhe ek sathi mila hai." yah kahakar usane meri or dekha. maianne kuchh kaha nahian, par man-hi-man yah nishchit samajh liya ki usane bilkushal sach kaha hai.

ghar ja pahuancha. par pair dhone ki chhutti n mili. shanti aur tripti donoan hi ek sath gayab ho gayi. dekha ki bahar ka aauangan adamiyoan se bhara hua hai; das-pandrah adami baithe haian jo hamean dekhate hi uth kh de hue. ratan shayad ab tak vyakhyan jha d raha tha, usaka chehara uttejana aur nigoodh anand se chamak raha tha. vah pas akar bola, "maanji, maian bar-bar jo kahata tha, vahi bat huee."

rajalakshmi ne adhir bhav se kaha, "kya kahata tha mujhe yad nahian, phir se bata."

ratan ne kaha, "navin ko thane ke log hathak di dalakar kamar baandh ke le gaye haian."

"baandh ke le gaye haian? kya kiya tha usane?"

"malati ko ekadam mar dala hai."

"kah kya raha hai too?"

rajalakshmi ka chehara ekabaragi phak p d gaya.

magar bat khatam hote n hote bahut-se log ek sath kah uthe, "nahian, nahian mata-rani ekadam mar nahian dala. khoob mara to zaroor hai, par jan se nahian mara."

ratan ne aauankhean tarerakar kaha, "tum log kya janate ho? usako aspatal bhejana hoga, lekin usaka pata nahian, dhooandhe mil nahian rahi hai. n jane kahaan gayi. tum sabake hath hathak di p d sakati hai, janate ho?"

sunate hi sabake muanh sookh gaye. kisi-kisi ne satakane ki bhi koshish ki. rajalakshmi ne ratan ki taraph b di nigah se dekhate hue kaha, "too udhar jakar kh da ho, chal. jab poochhooan? tab batana. bhi d ke andar malati ka boodha bap phak chehara liye kh da tha; ham sabhi use pahichanate the, ishare se use pas bulakar poochha, "kya hua hai vishvanath sach-sach to batao. chhipane se ya jhooth bolane se vipatti mean p d sakate ho."

vishvanath jo kuchh kaha, usaka sankshipt sar yah hai-kal rat se malati apane bap ke ghar thi. aj dopahar ko vah talab mean pani bharane gayi thi. usaka pati navin vahian kahian chhipa hua tha. malati ko akeli pakar usane use khoob mara- yahaan tak ki sir pho d diya. malati roti huee pahale yahaan aee, par ham logoan se bheant n huee, to vah gayi kushariji ki khoj mean kachahari. vahaan unase bhi mulakat n huee, to phir vah sidhi chali gayi thane mean. vahaan marane-pitane ke nishan dikhakar pulis ko apane sath le aee aur navin ko pak da diya. vah us samay ghar hi par tha, apane hath se mutthi-bhar chaval ubalakar khane baith raha tha, lihaza use bhagane ka bhi mauqa n mila. daroga sahab ne lat marakar usaka bhat pheank diya, aur phir ve use baandhakar le gaye.

hal sunakar rajalakshmi ke niche se lekar oopar tak ag-si lag gayi. use malati jaise dekhe n suhati thi, vaise navin par bhi vah khush n thi. magar usaka sara gussa akar p da, mere oopar. kruddh kanth se boli, "tumase sau-sau bar kaha hai ki in nichoan ke gande jhag doan mean mat p da karo. jao, ab samhalo jakar, maian kuchh nahian janati." itana kahakar vah aur kisi taraph bina dekhe jaldi se bhitar chali gayi. kahati gayi ki "navin ko phaansi hi honi chahie. aur vah haramajadi agar mar gayi ho to aphat chuki!"

kuchh der ke lie ham sabhi log mano j davath ho rahe. phatakar khakar mujhe aisa maloom hone laga ki kal itane hi vakt madhyasth hokar maianne jo inaka phaisala kar diya tha, so achchha nahian kiya. n karata to shayad aj yah durghatana n hoti. parantu mera abhipray to achchha hi tha. socha tha ki premalila ka jo adrishy srot bhitar-hi-bhitar pravahit hokar sare muhalle ko nirantar gandala kar raha hai, use mukt kar dene se shayad achchha hi hoga. ab dekhata hooan ki maianne galati ki thi. parantu isake pahale sari ghatana ko zara vistar ke sath kah dene ki zaroorat hai. malati navin dom ki stri to zaroor hai, par yahaan ane ke bad se dekha hai ki domoan ke muhalle-bhar mean vah ek ag ki chinagari-si hai. kab kis parivar mean vah ag laga degi, is sandeh se kisi bhi stri ke man mean shanti nahian. yah yuvati dekhane mean jaisi sundari hai, svabhav ki bhi utani hi chapal hai. vah chamakili bian‍di lagati hai, nianboo ka tel dalakar joo da baandhati hai, chau di kali kinari ki mil ki sa di pahinati hai, rah-ghat mean usaka mathe ka ghooanghat khisakakar kandhoan tak utar ata hai- usaki use koee paravah nahian rahati. is mukhara alh d l daki ke muanh ke samane kisi ko kuchh paravah nahian rahati. is mukhara alh d l daki ke muanh ke samane kisi ko kuchh kahane ki himmat nahian p dati, magar pichhe-pichhe muhalle ki striyaan usake nam ke sath jo visheshan jo da karati haian unaka yahaan ullekh nahian kiya ja sakata. pahale to sunane mean aya ki malati ne navin ke sath ghar-girasti karane se inakar hi kar diya tha, aur vah mayake mean hi raha karati thi. kaha karati thi ki vah mujhe khilaega kya? aur isi dhikkar ke karan hi, shayad, navin desh chho dakar kisi shahar ko chala gaya tha aur vahaan piyade ka kam karane laga tha. sal-bhar hua, vah gaanv ko lauta tha. shahar se ate vakt vah malati ke lie chaandi ki pauanchi, mahin soot ki sa di- resham ka phita, ek botal gulab-jal aur tin ka trank sath leta aya tha aur un chijoan ke badale vah stri ko apane hi nahian laya, balki usake hriday par bhi usane apana adhikar jama liya. magar, yah sab meri suni huee batean hai. phir kab use stri par sandeh jag utha, kab vah talab jane ke raste a d mean chhipakar sab dekhane laga, aur usake bad jo kuchh shuroo ho gaya, so maian thik nahian janata. ham log to jabase aye haian tabhi se dekh rahe haian ki is dampati ka vagyuddh aur hast-yuddh ek din ke lie bhi kabhi multabi nahian raha. sir-phu dauval sirph aj hi nahian; aur bhi do-ek dapha ho chuka hai-shayad isilie aj navin mandal apani stri ka sir pho d ane par bhi nishchint chitt se khane baith raha tha. usane kalpana bhi n ki thi ki malati pulis bulakar use bandhavakar chalan karava degi. ki sabere hi prabhati ragini ki tarah malati ke tikshn kanth ne jab gagan-vedh karana shuroo kar diya, tab rajalakshmi ne ghar ka kam chho dakar mere pas akar kaha, "ghar ke hi pas roj is tarah ka l daee-danga saha nahian jata- n ho to kuchh rupaye-paise dekar is abhagi ko kahian bida kar do."

maianne kaha, "navin bhi kam paji nahian hai. kam-kaj kuchh karega nahian, sirph julphean sanvarakar machhali pak data phirega, aur hath mean paisa ate hi ta di pikar mar-pit shuroo kar dega." kahane ki zaroorat nahian ki yah sab shahar se sikh aya tha.

"donoan hi ek-se haian." kahakar rajalakshmi bhitar chali gayi. kahati gayi, "kam-kaj kare to kab? haramajadi chhutti de tab n!"

vastav mean, asahy ho gaya tha; inaki gali-galauj aur mar-pit ka mukaddama maianne aur bhi do-ek bar kiya hai, par jab koee phal nahian hua tab socha ki khana-pina ho jane ke bad bulavakar aj akhiri kar dooanga. par bulana n p da, dopahar ko hi muhalle ke stri-purushoan- se ghar bhar gaya. navin ne kaha, "babooji, usako maian nahian chahata- big di huee aurat hai. vah mere ghar se nikal jay."

mukhara malati ne ghooanghat ke bhitar se kaha, "vah mera saankha-noa¹ khol de."

navin ne kaha, "too meri chaandi ki pauanchi lauta de."

malati ne usi vakt apane hathoan se pauanchi utarakar pheank di.

navin ne use uthakar kaha, "mera tin ka bakas bhi too nahian rakh sakati."

malati ne kaha, "maian nahian janati." yah kahakar usane aauanchal se chabi kholakar use pairoan ke pas pheank di.

navin ne is par vir-darp ke sath age badhakar malati ke 'saankha' pat-pat karake to d diye; aur 'noa' kholakar divar ke us taraph pheank diya. bola, "ja, tujhe vidhava kar diya."

maian avakh ho gaya! ek vriddh ne tab mujhe samajhaya ki aisa kiye bina malati doosara nikah jo nahian kar sakati- sab kuchh thik-thak ho gaya hai.

batoan hi batoan mean ghatana aur bhi vishad ho gayi. vishveshvar ke b de damad ka bhaee aj chhai mahine se dau d-dhoop kar raha hai. usaki halat achchhi hai, vishoo ko vah bis rupaye nagad dega aur malati ko usane chh de, chaandi ki choo diyaan aur sone ki nath dene ke lie kaha hai- yahaan tak ki ye chizean usane vishoo ke havale kar bhi di haian.

¹ shankh aur lohe ki bani ek prakar ki choo di jo bangaliyoan mean suhag ka chihn samajhi jati hai.

sunakar sari ghatana mujhe bahut hi bhaddi maloom huee. ab isamean sandeh n raha ki kuchh dinoan se ek bibhats shadayantr chal raha hai, aur maianne usamean shayad bina jane madad hi ki hai. navin ne kaha, "maian bhi yahi chahata tha. shahar mean jakar ab maje se naukari karooanga- teri jaisi bisoan shadi ke lie taiyar haian. gangamati ka hari mandal to apani l daki ke lie n jane kab se khushamad kar raha hai- usake pairoan ki dhool bhi too nahian hai." yah kahakar vah apani chaandi ki pauanchi aur trank ki chabi anti mean lagakar chal diya. itani uchhal-kood karane par bhi usaka chehara dekhakar mujhe aisa nahian maloom hua ki usaki shahar ki naukari ya hari mandal ki l daki in donoan mean se kisi ki bhi asha ne usake bhavishy ko kafi ujjval kar diya hai.

ratan ne akar kaha, "babooji, maanji ne kaha hai ki in sab gande jhag doan ko ghar se nikal bahar kijie."

mujhe karana kuchh bhi n p da, vishveshvar apani l daki ko lekar uth kh da hua; aur is dar se ki kahian vah mere charanoan ki dhool lene n a jay, maian jhatapat ghar ke bhitar chala gaya. maianne sochane ki koshish ki ki khair, jo hua so achchha hi hua. jab ki donoan ka man phat gaya hai, aur doosara upay jabaki hai, tab vyarth ke krodh se rojamarra mar-pit aur sir-phu dauval karake dampaty nibhane ki apeksha yah kahian achchha hua.

parantu aj sunanda ke ghar se lautane par suna ki kal ka phaisala qatee achchha nahian hua. sady:-vidhava malati par se navin ne, apana adhikar poornat: hata lene par bhi mar-pit ka adhikar ab bhi nahian chho da hai. vah is muhalle se us muhalle mean jakar shayad sabere se hi chhipa hua bat dekh raha hoga aur akele mean mauqa pate hi aisi durghatana kar baitha hai. par malati kahaan gayi?

soory ast ho gaya. pashchim ke jangal se maidan ki taraph dekhata hua soch raha tha ki jahaan tak sambhav hai, malati pulis ke dar ke mare kahian chhip gayi hogi-magar navin ko jo usane pak dava diya, so achchha hi kiya.

rajalakshmi sandhya-pradip hath mean liye kamare mean ayi aur kuchh der thithakakar kh di rahi, par kuchh boli nahian. chupake se nikalakar bagal ke kamare ki chaukhat par usane pair rakha hi tha ki kisi ek bhari chiz ke girane ke shabd ke sath-sath vah asphut chitkar kar uthi. dau dakar pahuancha, to dekhata hooan ki ek b di kap de ki potali-si donoan hath badhakar usake pair pak de apana sir dhun rahi hai. rajalakshmi ke hath ka dia gir jane par bhi jal raha tha, uthakar dekhate hi vahi mahin soot ki chau di kali kinari ki sa di dikhaee di.

kaha, "yah to malati hai."

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "abhagi kahian ki, sham ke vakt mujhe chhoo diya. aian! yah kaisi aphat hai!"

dia ke ujale mean gaur se dekha ki usake mathe ki chot mean se phir khoon gir raha hai aur rajalakshmi ke pair lal hue ja rahe haian, aur sath hi abhagin ka rona mano sahasr dharaoan mean phata p d raha hai; kah rahi hai, "maanji bachao mujhe-bachao-"

rajalakshmi ne katu svar mean kaha, "kyoan, ab tujhe aur kya ho gaya?"

usane rote hue kaha, "daroga kahata hai ki kal sabere hi usaka chalan kar dega- chalan hote hi paanch sal ki kaid ho jayegi."

maianne kaha, "jaisa kam kiya hai vaisi saza bhi to milani chahie!"

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "ho n jane de use kaid, isase tujhe kya?"

l daki ka rona mano zor ki aauandhi ki tarah ekaek chhati pha dakar nikal p da. boli, "babooji kahate haian to unhean kahane dijie, par maanji aisi bat tum mat kaho- unake muanh ka kaur tak maianne nikalava liya hai."

kahate-kahate vah phir sir dhunane lagi- boli, "maanji, abaki bar tum ham logoan ko bacha lo, phir to kahian paradesh jakar bhikh maangakar gujar karooangi, par tumhean tang n karooangi. nahian to tumhare hi tal mean doob ke mar jaooangi."

sahasa rajalakshmi ki donoan aauankhoan se aauansuoan ki b di-b di booandean tapakane lagian; usane dhire se usake baloan par hath rakhakar ruandhe hue gale se kaha, "achchha, achchha, too chup rah- maian dekhati hooan."

so usi ko dekhana p da. rajalakshmi ke bakas se do sau rupaye rat ko kahaan gayab ho gaye, so kahane ki zaroorat nahian; par doosare din sabere se hi navin mandal

ya malati donoan mean se kisi ki bhi phir gangamati mean shakal dekhane mean nahian ayi.

000

unake vishay mean sabhi ne socha ki jane do, jan bachi. rajalakshmi ko aise tuchchh vishayoan par dhya n dene ki phurasat n thi; vah do hi char din mean sab bhool gayi; aur yad bhi karati to kya yad karati so vahi jane. magar itana to sabhi ne soch liya ki muhalle se ek pap door hua, sirph ek ratan hi khush n hua. vah buddhiman thahara, sahaj mean apane man ki bat vyakt nahian karata; par usake chehare ko dekhakar maloom hota tha ki is bat ko usane qatee pasand nahian kiya. usake hath se madhyakasth banane aur shasan karane ka mauqa nikal gaya, aur malakin ke ghar se rupaya bhi gaya- itana b da ek samaroh-kand ek hi rat mean n jane kaise aur kahaan hokar gayab ho gaya, pata hi n laga. kul milakar kahane ka matalab yah hai ki isase usane apane ko hi apamanit samajha; aur yahaan tak ki vah apane ko ahat-sa samajhane laga. phir bhi vah chup raha. aur ghar ki jo malakin thian, unaka to dhya n hi aur taraph tha. jyoan-jyoan din bitane lage, un par sunanda ka aur usase mantr-tantr ki uchcharan-shuddhi sikhane ka lobh savar hota gaya. kisi bhi din vahaan jane mean usaka naga n hota. vahaan vah kitana dharm-tatv aur jnan prapt kiya karati thi, so maian kaise jan sakata hooan? mujhe sirph usaka parivartan maloom p d raha tha. vah jaisa durat tha vaisa hi achintaniy. din ka khana mera hamesha se hi jara der se hua karata tha. yah thik hai ki rajalakshmi barabar apatti hi karati aee haian, kabhi usane anumodan nahian kiya- parantu us truti ko door karane ke lie maianne kabhi ranchamatr koshish nahian ki. magar ajakal ittiphak se agar kisi din zyada der ho jati, to maian khud hi man-hi-man lajjit ho jata. rajalakshmi kahati, "tum kamazor adami ho, itani der kyoan kar lete ho? apane sharir ki taraph nahian dekhate to kam-se-kam naukar-chakaroan ki taraph hi dekh lena chahie. tumhare alas se ve jo mare jate haian!" batean pahale ki si hi haian par thik vaisi nahian haian. vah sandeh prashray ka svar mano ab nahian bajata- balki ab to virakti ki ek katuta baja karati hai jisaki nigoodh jhanajhanahat ko, naukar-chakaroan ki to bat hi chho d do, mere siva bhagavan ke kan tak bhi pak dane ko samarth nahian. isi se bhookh n lagane par bhi naukar-chakaroan ka muanh dekhakar maian jhatapat kisi tarah naha-khakar unhean chhutti de deta tha. mere is anugrah par naukar-chakaroan ka agrah tha ya upeksha so to ve hi janean; par rajalakshmi ko dekhata ki das-pandrah minat ke andar hi vah ghar se nikal jaya karati hai. kisi din ratan aur kisi din daraban usake sath jata aur kisi din dekhata ki ap akeli hi chal di hai; inamean se kisi ke lie thahare rahane ki use phurasat nahian. pahale do-char din tak to mujhase sath chalane ke lie agrah kiya gaya; parantu unhian do-char dinoan mean samajh mean a gaya ki isase kisi bhi paksh ko suvidha n hogi. huee bhi nahian. atev maian apane nirale kamare mean purane alasy mean, aur vah apane dharm-karm aur mantr-tantr ki navin uddipana mean, nimagn ho kramash: mano ek doosare se prithakh hone lage.

maian apane khule jangale se dekha karata ki vah dhoop se tape hue sookhe maidan ke raste se jaldi-jaldi qadam rakhati huee maidan par ho rahi hai. is bat ko maian samajhata tha ki akele p de-p de mera sara dopahar kis tarah katata hoga, is or dhya n dene ka use avakash nahian hai, phir bhi jitani door tak aauankhoan se usaka anukaran kiya ja sakata hai, utana kiye bina mujhase n raha jata. tedhi-medhi pagadandiyoan se usaki viliyaman deh-lata dhire-dhire doorantaral mean jakar kab gayab ho jati-kitane hi din to us samay tak ko meri aauankhean n pak d patian, maloom hota ki usaka vah ekant suparichit chalana mano tab tak khatm nahian hua- mano vah chalati hi ja rahi hai. sahasa chetana hoti tab shayad aauankhean poanchhakar aur ek bar achchhi tarah dekhakar phir bistar par p d rahata. kisi-kisi din karmahinata ki du:sah klanti ke karan so bhi jata-nahian to aauankhean mianchakar chupachap p da rahata. pas ke kuchh bhauan di soorat ke babool ke pe doan par ghugghoo bola karate aur unake sath-hi-sath svar milakar maidan ki garam hava asapas ke domoan ke baans-jha doan mean phansakar aisi ek vyatha-bhari dirgh nishvas leti rahati ki mujhe bhram ho jata ki shayad vah mere hriday mean se hi nikal rahi hai. dar lagata ki shayad is tarah ab zyada din n saha jayega.

ratan ghar rahata to bich-bich mean dabe paanv mere kamare mean akar kahata, "baboo, huqqa bhar laooan?" kitane hi din aisa hua hai ki jagate hue bhi maianne usaki bat ka javab nahian diya hai, so jane ka bahana karake chup rah gaya hooan; kyoanki darata tha ki kahian use mere chehare par se meri is vedana ka abhas n mil jay. roj ki tarah us din bhi rajalakshmi jab sunanda ke ghar chali gayi, tab sahasa mujhe barma ki yad a gayi aur bahut dinoan bad maian abhaya ko chitthi likhane baith gaya. tabiyat huee ki jis pharm mean maian kam karata tha usake b de sahab ko bhi ek chitthi likhakar khabar mangaooan. magar kya khabar mangaooan, kyoan mangaooan, aur mangakar kya karooanga, ye sab batean tab bhi maianne nahian sochi. sahasa maloom hua ki khi daki ke samane jo stri ghooanghat kadhe jaldi-jaldi qadam rakhati huee chali gayi hai use jaise maian pahichanata hooan- jaise vah malati-si hai. uth ke jhaankakar dekhane ki koshish ki magar, kuchh dikhaee nahian diya. usi kshan usake aauanchal ki lal kinari hamare makan ki divar ke kone mean jakar bila gayi.

mahine-bhar ka vyavadhan p d jane se domoan ki us shaitan l daki ko ek tarah se sabhi koee bhool gaye the, sirph maian hi n bhool saka tha. maloom nahian kyoan, mere man ke ek kone mean, us uchchhriankhal l daki ke us din sham ko nikale hue aauansuoan ka gila dag aisa baitha gaya tha ki ab tak nahian sookha. akasar mujhe khayal hua karata ki n jane ve donoan kahaan hoange. janane ki tabiyat hoti ki is gangamati ke bure pralobhan aur kutsit shadayantr ke veshtan ke bahar apane pati ke pas rahakar us l daki ke kaise din kat rahe haian. chaha karata ki yahaan ve ab jaldi n avean. vapas akar chitthi khatam karane baith gaya; kuchh hi panktiyaan likh paya tha ki pichhe se pairoan ki ahat pakar muanh uthakar dekha to ratan hai. usake hath mean bhari huee chilam thi, vah use g dag de ke mathe par rakhakar usaki nali mere hath mean dete hue bola, "babooji, tamakhoo pijie."

maianne garadan hilakar kaha, "achchha."

magar vah vahaan se usi vakt nahian chala gaya. kuchh der chupachap kh da rahakar param gambhirata ke sath bola, "babooji, yah ratan paramanik¹ kab marega, sirph itana hi maian nahian janata!"

usaki bhoomika se ham log parichit the, rajalakshmi hoti to kahati, "janata to achchha hota, lekin bata kya kahana chahata hai?" maian sirph muanh uthakar hans diya. magar isase ratan ki gambhirata mean jara bhi farq n aya; bola, "maanji se maianne us din kaha tha n ki chhoti jat ki batoan mean n aie, unake aauansuoan se pighalakar do sau rupayoan par pani mat pherie. kahie, kaha tha ki nahian?" mujhe maloom hai ki usane nahian kaha. yah sadabhipray usake man mean ho to vichitr nahian, par muanh se kahane ki himmat use to kya, shayad mujhe bhi n hoti. maianne kaha, "mamala kya hai ratan?"

ratan ne kaha, "mamala shuroo se jo janata hooan, vahi hai."

maianne kaha, "magar maian, jab ki ab bhi nahian janata, tab jara khulasa hi bata de."

ratan ne khulasa karake hi kaha. sab batean sunakar mere man mean kya hua, so batana kathin hai. sirph itana yad hai ki usaki nishthur kadaryata aur asim vibhatsata ke bhar se sampoorn chitt ekabaragi tikt aur vivash-sa ho gaya. kaise kya hua, usaka vistrit itihas ratan abhi tak ikattha nahian kar paya hai, parantu jitana saty usane chhanakar nikala hai usase maloom hua ki navin mo dal philahal jel mean saza kat raha hai aur malati apane bahanoee ke us chhote bhaee ko jo b da adami hai, sathi banakar gangamati mean rahane ke lie kal apane mayake laut aee hai. malati ko agar apani aauankhoan se dekhata to shayad is bat par vishvas karana hi kathin ho jata ki rajalakshmi ke rupayoan ki sachamuch hi is prakar sadgati huee hai.

usi rat ko mujhe khilate vakt rajalakshmi ne yah bat suni. sunakar usane ashchary ke sath sirph itana kaha, "kahata kya hai ratan, kya yah sachchi bat hai? tab to chhuk diya ne us din achchha tamasha kiya. rupaye to yoan hi gaye hi- aur bevakt mujhe nahala mara so alag- yah kya, tumhara khana ho gaya kya? isase to khane baitha hi n karo to achchha."

in sab prashnoan ke uttar dene ki maian kabhi vyarth koshish nahian karata- aj bhi chup raha. magar, ek bat ka maianne anubhav kiya. aj nana karanoan se mujhe bilkunal hi bhookh n thi, pray: kuchh bhi n khaya tha- isi se aj ke kam khane ki or usaki drishti akarshit kar li; nahian to, kuchh dinoan se jo meri khurak, dhire-dhire ghat rahi thi; us par usaki drishti hi nahian p di thi. isase pahale is vishay mean usaki drishti itani tikshn thi ki mere khane-pine mean yadi jara-si bhi kami-veshi hoti to usaki ashanka aur shikayatoan ki sima n rahati- parantu, aj, chahe kisi bhi karan se ho, ek ki us shyen-drishti ke dhuandhali ho jane se doosare ki gambhir vedana ko bhi sabake samane hay-toba karake laanchhit kar dalooan, aisa bhi maian nahian. isi se, uchhvasit dirgh-nishvas ko dabakar maian bina kuchh javab diye chupake se uth kh da hua.

mere die ek hi bhav se shuroo hote haian aur ek hi bhav se khatm hote haian. n anand hai, n kuchh vaichitray hai, sath hi kisi vishesh du:kh-kasht ki shikayat bhi nahian! sharir mamooli taur se achchha hi hai.

doosare din sabera hua. din chadhane laga. yathi-riti snanahar karake apane kamare mean jakar baitha. samane vahi khula jangala, aur vaisa hi badhahin unmukt shushk maidan. patra mean aj shayad koee vishesh upavas ki vidhi bataee gayi thi, isase rajalakshmi ko aj utana samay nasht n karana p da- yathasamay ke kuchh pahale hi vah sunanda ke ghar ki or ravana ho gayi. abhyas ke anusar shayad maian bahut der se usi tarah jangale ke bahar dekh raha tha. sahasa yad aee ki kal ki un adhoori donoan chitthiyoan ko poora karake aj tin bajane ke pahale hi dak mean chho dana hai. atev jhoothamooth ko samay nasht n karake shighr hi us kam mean jut gaya. chitthiyoan ko samapt karake jab padhane laga, tab n jane kahaan ek vyatha-si hone lagi, man mean n jane kaisa hone laga ki kuchh n likhata to achchha hota; halaanki bahut hi sadharan chitthi likhi gayi thi, phir bhi bar-bar padhane par bhi, kahaan usamean truti rah gayi pak d n saka. ek bat mujhe yad hai. abhaya ki chitthi mean rohini bhiya ko namaskar likhakar ant mean likha tha ki "tum logoan ki bahut dinoan se koee khabar nahian mili. tum log kaise ho, kaise tum logoan ke din bitate haian sirph kalpana karane ke siva, yah janane ki maianne koee koshish nahian ki. shayad sukh-chain se ho, shayad n bhi ho; parantu tum logoan ki jivan-yatra ke is pahaloo ko ek din maianne bhagavan par chho d diya tha. tab apani ichchha se us par jo parda khianch diya tha- vah aj bhi, vaise hi latak raha hai- use kisi din uthane ki ichchha tak maianne nahian ki. tumhare sath meri ghanishthata bahut dinoan ki nahian, kintu, jis atyant du:kh se bhitar se ek din ham donoan ka parichay arambh aur ek aur din samapt hua tha, use samay ke map se napane ki koshish hamamean se kisi ne bhi nahian ki. jis din bhayankar rog se pi dit tha, us din us ashrayahin sudoor videsh mean tumhare siva aur kisi ke yahaan jane ka mere lie koee sthan hi n tha. tab ek kshan ke lie bhi tumane duvidha nahian ki- sampoorn hriday se is pi dit ko tumane grahan kar liya. halaanki yah bat maian nahian kahata ki kisi bimari mean, aur kabhi kisi ne vaisi seva karake mujhe nahian bachaya; parantu aj bahut door baitha hua donoan ke prabhed ka bhi anubhav kar raha hooan. donoan ki seva mean, nirbharata mean, hriday ki akapat shubh kamana mean, aur tum logoan ke nibi‍ d sneh mean gambhir ekata maujood hai; kintu tumhare andar aisa ek svarth leshahin sukomal nirlipt-bhav aur aisa anarvichaniy vairagy tha, jisane sirph seva karake hi apane apako rita kar diya hai, mere arogy mean usane apana jara-sa chihn rakhane ke lie ek qadam bhi kabhi age nahian badhaya, tumhari yahi bat rah-rahakar mujhe yad a rahi hai. sambhav hai ki atyant sneh mujhase jhilata nahian, isalie- athava yah bhi sambhav hai ki sneh ka jo roop ek din tumhari aauankhoan aur mukh de par dekha tha, usi ke lie-sampoorn chitt unmukt ho gaya hai. phir bhi, tumhean aur ek bar aauankhoan se bina dekhe thik tarah se kuchh bhi samajh mean nahian a raha hai."

sahab ki chitthi bhi khatm kar dali. ek bar sachamuch hi unhoanne mera b da upakar kiya tha. isake lie unhean anek dhanyavad die. prarthana kuchh bhi nahian ki, magar ek lambe arase ke bad sahasa gale p dakar chitthi mean is tarah dhanyavad dene ka adambar rachakar maian apane ap hi sharamane laga. pata likhakar chitthi liphaphe mean band karate hue dekha ki vakt nikal gaya. itani jaldi karane par bhi chitthiyaan dak mean nahian dali ja sakian; par isase man kshunn n hokar mano shanti ka anubhav karane laga. sochane laga, yah achchha hi hua ki kal phir ek bar padh lene ka samay mil jayega.

ratan ne akar jataya ki kushari-grihini aee haian, aur lagabhag sath-hi-sath unhoanne bhitar pravesh bhi kiya. maian jara chanchal-sa ho utha, bola, "ve to ghar par haian nahian, unake lautane mean shayad sham ho jayegi."

"so mujhe maloom hai" kahate hue unhoanne jangale ke oopar se ek asan utara aur svayan hi use zamin par bichhakar us par baith gayian. kahane lagian, "sham hi kyoan, lautane mean qarib-qarib rat hi ho jati hogi."

logoan ke muanh se suna tha ki dhanadhy stri hone se ve atyant dambhik haian. yoan hi kisi ke ghar jati-ati nahian. is ghar ke vishayoan mean bhi unaka vyavahar lagabhag aisa hi hai- kam-se-kam itane dinoan se ghanishthata badhane ke lie koee utsukata prakat nahian ki gayi. isake pahale sirph do bar aur aee thian. malikoan ka ghar hone se ek bar ve khud hi chali aee thian aur ek bar nimantran mean aee thian. parantu aj ve kaise aur kyoan sahasa apane ap a pahuanchian, so bhi yah janate hue ki ghar mean koee nahian hai- maian kuchh soch n saka.

ve asan par baithakar bolian, "ajakal chhoti bahoo ke sath to ekadam ek atma ho rahi haian."

anajan mean unhoanne mere vyatha ke sthan par hi chot ki, phir bhi maianne dhire se kaha, "haan, akasar vahaan jaya karati haian." unhoanne kaha, "akasar? nahian, roj-roj! pratyek din! magar chhoti bahoo bhi kabhi apake ghar ati hai? ek din ke lie bhi nahian! many ka man rakkhe aisi l daki hi nahian hai sunanda!" yah kahakar ve mere chehare ki taraph dekhane lagian. maianne ek ke nity jane ki bat hi sirph sochi hai, kintu doosare ke ane ki bat to kabhi mere man mean uthi tak nahian; isalie unaki bat se mujhe dhakka-sa laga. magar usaka uttar kya deta? sirph itana hi samajh mean aya ki inake ane ka uddeshy kuchh saf ho gaya aur ek bar aisa bhi maloom hua ki jhootha sankoch aur aauankhoan ka lihaz chho d-chha dakar kah dooan ki "maian atyant nirupay hooan, isalie is aksham vyakti ko shatru-paksh ke viruddh uttejit karane se koee labh nahian." kahane se, kya hota so nahian janata, parantu n kahane ka natija yah nikala ki sara ka sara uttap aur uttejana unaki aauankhoan ki palakoan par pradipt ho uthi. aur kab, kisake kya hua tha, aur kis tarah vah sambhav hua tha, isi ki vistrit vyakhya mean ve apane shvashur-kul ka dasek sal ka itihas lagabhag rojanamache ki tarah anargal bakati chali gayian.

unaki kuchh batean sunane ke bad hi maian n jane kaisa anyamanasy-sa ho gaya tha. isaka karan bhi tha. maianne socha tha ki inaki batoan mean siva isake ki ek taraph apane paksh ka stutivad-daya, dakshiny, titiksha adi jo kuchh bhi shastrokt sadgunavali manushy-janm mean sambhav ho sakati hai, un sabaki vistrit alochana- aur doosari taraph usake viparit jitana bhi kuchh arop ho sakata hai, sanh, tarikh, mahina aur a dosi-p dosiyoan ki gavahiyoan ke sahit un sabaka vishad varnan ho, or ho hi kya sakata hai? shuroo mean thi bhi yahi bat- parantu sahasa unake kanth-svar ke akasmik parivartan se unaki taraph mera dhya n akarshit hua. maianne zara vismit hokar hi poochha, "kya hua hai?" ve kshan-bhar mere chehare ki taraph dekhati rahian, phir ruandhe hue gale se kahane lagian, "hone ko ab baki kya raha hai baboo? suna hai ki kal shayad devaraji khud hat mean jakar baiangan bech rahe the."

bat par thik se vishvas nahian hua aur man changa hota to shayad hans bhi p data. maianne kaha, "adhyaupak adami thahare ve, achanak baiangan unhean mil kahaan se gaye, aur bechane gaye to kyoan?"

kushari-grihini ne kaha, "usi abhagini ki badaulat. ghar mean hi shayad kuchh baiangan paida hue the, isi se unhean bechane bhej diya hat mean. is tarah dushmani nibhane se bhala gaanv mean kaise tika ja sakata hai, bataie?"

maianne kaha, "magar ise dushmani nibhana kyoan kah rahi haian? ve to apaki kisi bhi bat mean haian nahian. tangi a gayi hai, yadi apani chiz bechane gaye, to isamean apako shikayat kyoan ho?"

meri bat sunakar ve vidhal ki bhaanti meri or dekhati rahian, phir bolian, "agar apaka yahi phaisala hai to mujhe age kuchh bhi kahane ko nahian hai, aur n malik ke samane meri koee pharyad hi hai- maian jati hooan."

kahate-kahate ant mean kanth bilkuil ruk-sa aya, yah dekhakar maianne dhire-se kaha, "isase to balki ap apani malakinaji se kahean to thik ho, shayad apaki batean samajh bhi sakeangi, aur apaka upakar bhi kar sakeangi."

ve sir hilakar kah uthian, "ab maian kisi se kuchh nahian kahana chahati, aur kisi ko mera upakar karane ki zaroorat bhi nahian." yah kahakar sahasa unhoanne apane aauanchal se aauankhoan ko poanchhate hue kaha, "shuroo-shuroo mean ve kaha karate the ki mahine-do mahine bitane do, ap hi laut aega. usake bad himmat bandhaya karate the ki bani n raho aur do-ek mahine chupachap, sab sudhar jayega-par aisi hi jhoothi asha mean yah doosara sal lagana chahata hai. lekin kal jab suna ki aauangan mean lage hue baiangan tak bechane ki naubat a gayi, tab phir kisi ki batoan par mujhe bharosa n raha. abhagi sari grihasthi ko tahas-nahas kar dalegi, par us ghar mean paanv n rakkhegi. baboo, aurat ki jat aisi patthar-si ho sakati hai, yah maianne sapane mean bhi nahian socha tha."

ve phir kahane lagian, "ve use kabhi nahian pahichan sake, magar maian pahichan gayi thi. shuroo-shuroo maian isaka usaka nam lekar chhipa-chhipakar chiz-vastu bheja karati thi, ve kaha karate ki sunanda jan-boojhakar hi leti hai- lekin aisa karane se usaka dimag thikane n aega. maianne bhi socha ki shayad aisa hi ho. magar ek din sab bhram door ho gaya. n maloom kaise use pata laga, so maianne jo kuchh bhijavaya tha, sabaka sab ek adami ke sir par ladakar vah mere aauangan mean pheank gayi. magar isase bhi unhean hosh n aya- maian hi samajhi."

ab akar unake man ki bat meri samajh mean aee. maianne saday kanth se kaha, "ab ap kya karana chahati haian?- achchha, ve kya ap logoan ke viruddh koee bat ya kisi tarah ki shatruta nibhane ki koshish kar rahe haian?"

kushari-grihini ne phir ek bar rokar apani takadir thokate hue kaha, "phooti takadir. tab to koee upay bhi nikal ata. usane ham logoan ko aisa chho d diya hai ki mano kabhi usane ham logoan ko aauankhoan se dekha tak n ho, nam bhi n suna ho. aisi kathor, aisi patthar hai vah. ham donoan ko sunanda apane maan-bap se bhi zyada chahati thi; par jis din se usane suna ki usake jeth ki sampatti pap ki sampatti hai, usi din se usaka sara hriday jaise patthar ka ho gaya. pati-putr ko lekar vah din-par-din sookh-sookh ke mar jayegi, par usamean se dam di bhi n chhuegi. lekin bataie bhala, itani b di jayadad kya yoan hi baha di ja sakati hai baboo? vah aisi daya-maya-shoony hai ki bal-bachchoan ke sath bina khae-pie bhookhoan bhi rah sakati hai, magar ham to aisa nahian kar sakate."

kya javab dooan, kuchh soch n saka, sirph ahiste se bola, "ajib aurat hai."

din utarata ja raha tha, kushari-grihini chupachap garadan hilakar meri bat ka samarthan karati huee uth kh di hueean. phir sahasa donoan hath jo dakar kah uthian, "sach kahati hooan baboo, inake bich mean p dakar meri chhati ke mano tuk de hue ja rahe haian. lekin, idhar sunane mean aya hai ki vah bahooji ka kahana bahut manati hai, kya koee upay nahian ho sakata? mujhase to ab nahian saha jata."

maian chup bana raha. ve bhi aur kuchh n kah sakian-usi tarah aauansoo poanchhate chupachap bahar chali gayian.