श्रीकांत उपन्यास भाग-15

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

ab tak ka mera jivan ek upagrah ki tarah hi bita, jisako kendr banakar ghoomata raha hooan usake nikat tak n to mila pahuanchane ka adhikar aur n mili door jane ki anumati. adhin nahian hooan, lekin apane ko svadhin kahane ki shakti bhi mujhamean nahian. kashi se lautati huee tren mean baitha hua bar-bar yahi soch raha tha. soch raha tha ki meri hi kismat mean bar-bar yah kyoan ghatit hota hai? marate dam tak apana kahane layaq kya kisi ko bhi n pa sakooanga? kya isi tarah zindagi kat dooanga? bachapan ki yad aee. doosare ki ichchha se doosare ke ghar mean varsh ke bad varsh rahakar is sharir ko to kishor se yauvan ki or age badhata raha, lekin, man ko n jane kis rasatal ki or khade data raha. aj bar-bar pukarane par bhi us bida hue man ki koee ahat nahian milati, halaanki kabhi-kabhi kshin kanth ka anusaran kan mean a lagata hai, phir bhi, bi‍‍na sanshay ke nahian pahichan pata ki vah apana hi hai,- vishvas karate dar lagata hai.

yah samajhakar hi yahaan aya hooan ki aj mere jivan mean rajalakshmi mrit hai. nadi-kinare kh de hokar visarjit pratima ke antim chihn tak ko apani aauankhoan se dekhakar lauta hooan- asha karane ka, kalpana karane ka, apane ko dhokha dene ka koee bhi sootr shesh rakhakar nahian aya hooan. us taraph sab shesh ho gaya hai, nishchint ho gaya hooan, par yah shesh kitana shesh hai, yah kisase kahooan aur kahooan hi kyoan?

par kuchh din ka hi to zikr hai. kumar sahab ke sath shikar khelane gaya. daivath piyari ka gana sunane ke lie baitha, baithate hi bhagy mean kuchh aisa mila jo jitana akasmik tha utana hi aparisim. n apane gun se paya aur n apani galati se khoya hi, phir bhi aj svikar karana p da ki maianne usase kho diya- mere sansar mean sab milakar kshati hi shesh rahi. ja raha hooan kalakatte, par vasana phir ek din barma pahuanchayagi. lekin yah manoan juari ka ghar lautana hai. ghar ka chitr aspasht, aprakrit hai, sirph path hi saty hai. aisa lagata hai manoan is path par chalane ka koee ant nahian.

"are, yah to shrikant hai!"

yah khayal hi n tha ki ga di steshan par thahari hai. dekhata hooan ki hamare gaanv ke baba, raanga didi tatha satarah-atharah sal ki ek l daki-tinoan gardan, sir aur kandhoan par gathari-potali lade pletaph aaurm par dau d lagate aye aur khi daki ke samane akar ekaek tham gaye. baba bole, "uph, kaisi bhi d hai! jahaan ek suee ke jane ki bhi guanjaish nahian vahaan tin-tin adami haian! tumhara dabba to kafi khali hai, chadh avean?" "aie, kahakar daravaza khol diya. ve tinoan janean haanphate-haanphate oopar aye aur jitana saman tha niche rakh diya. baba ne kaha, "yah shayad zyada kiraye ka dabba hai, dand to nahian dena p dega?"

maianne kaha, "nahian, maian gard se kah ata hooan."

gard ko ittila de apana karttavy poora kar jab lauta, tab ve log nishchint ho aram se baithe the. ga di ke chhootane par raanga didi ne meri or najar dali, aur chauankakar kaha, "tumhara yah kaisa sharir ho gaya hai shrikant? sara muanh sookhakar ekadam rassi jaisa ho gaya hai, kahaan the itane din? kuchh bhi ho, tum achchhe to ho? jab se gaye ek chitthi tak nahian di? gharavale sab soch-phikr mean mare jate haian!"

is tarah ke prashnoan ke uttar ki koee asha nahian karata, javab n milane par bura bhi nahian manata.

baba ne bataya ki tirth karane ke lie yah sapatnik gaya-dham aye the aur yah l daki unaki b di sali ki natini hai,- bap hazar rupaye gin dene ko taiyar hai, lekin phir bhi ab tak koee yogy patr nahian juta. manati hi n thi isalie sath lana p da. pooantoo, pe de ki haan di to khol beti- kyoan ji, poochhata hooan ki dahi ka bartan bhool to nahian ayi. haan to patto par rakh do-do-char pe de, tho da dahi- aisa dahi tumane kabhi khaya n hoga bhaiya, kasam khakar kah sakata hooan. nahian-nahian, lutiya ke pahale hath dho dalo, pooantoo, aire-gaire ko to de nahian rahi ho- aise logoan ko kaise dena chahie yah sikho."

pooantoo ne yatha adesh karttavy ka sayatn palan kiya. atev, tren mean hi asamay mean ayachit dahi-pe de mil gaye. khate hue sochane laga ki mere hi bhagy mean sari anahoni hua karati hai, so is bar kahian pooantoo ke lie maian hi hazar rupaye ki kimat ka patr n chun liya jaooan! yah khabar unhean pahali bar hi mil gayi thi ki maian barma mean achchhi naukari karane laga hooan.

raanga didi bahut zyada sneh karane lagian, aur atmiy jnan ki vajah se pooantoo bhi ghante bhar mean hi ghanishth ho gayi, kyoanki, maian koee doosara to tha nahian!

l daki achchhi hai. sadharan bhadr grihasth gharane ki, rang gora to nahian tha lekin dekhane mean sundar thi. halat yah huee ki baba usake gunoan ka bakhan khatm hi n kar pa rahe the. likhane-padhane ke bare mean raanga didi ne kaha, "vah aisi sundar chitti likh sakati hai ki ajakal ke tumhare natak aur n aauvil bhi har man jaany. us ghar ki nandarani ko ek aisi chitthi likh di thi ki jamaee mahashay sat din ke bajay pandrah din ki chhutti lekar a pahuanche."

rajalakshmi ka ullekh kisi ne iangit se bhi nahian kiya jaise us tarah ki kabhi koee bat huee thi, yah kisi ko yad tak nahian!

doosare din gaanv ke steshan par ga di thahari to mujhe bhi utarana p da. us vakt qarib das baje the. thik vakt par snanahar n hone par pitt bh dak jane ki ashanka se ve donoan janean chintit ho uthe. makan pahuanchane par meri khatiradari ki sima n rahi. paanch-sat din ke andar hi gaanv-bhar mean kisi ko yah sandeh n raha ki pooantoo ka var maian hi hooan. yahaan tak ki pooantoo ko bhi sandeh n raha.

babaji ne chaha ki yah shubh kary agami vaishakh mahine mean hi sampann ho jay. pooantoo ke rishtedar jo jahaan the unhean bula lene ki bat bhi uthi. raanga didi ne pulakit hriday se kaha, "dekhate ho, kisi ke bhagy mean kaun bada hai, yah pahale se koee bhi nahian bata sakata!"

maian pahale udasin tha, phir chintit hua, aur usake bad dara. kramash: apane oopar hi sandeh hone laga ki kahian maianne manjoori to nahian de di! mamala aisa bedhab ho gaya ki kahian pichhe koee buri ghatana n ghat jay isalie na kahane ka sahas hi n raha. pooantoo ki maan yahian thi. ek din ravivar ko ekaek usake pita ke bhi darshan ho gaye. mujhe koee nahian jane dena chahata, amod-pramod aur hansi-majak bhi hone laga- pooantoo mere hi sir p degi, sirph tho de dinoan ki der hai- shanai:-shanai: aise lakshan hi charoan or spasht najar ane lage. jal mean phansa ja raha hooan, man ko shanti nahian milati- jal to dakar bahar bhi nahian nikal pata. aise vakt achanak ek suyog mila. baba ne poochha, "tumhari koee janmapatri hai ya nahian? usaki to zaroorat hai."

jor lagakar sare sankochoan ko door karake kah baitha, "ap logoan ne pooantoo ke sath mera vivah karana kya sachamuch sthir kar liya hai?"

baba muanh pha dakar tho di der tak achambhe se dekhate rahe, phir bole, "vakee? sun lo inaki bat!"

"par maian to abhi tak sthir nahian kar paya hooan."

"nahian kar paye to ab kar lo. l daki ki umr maian chahe barah-terah varsh ki bataooan ya aur kuchh, lekin asal mean vah satarah-atharah sal ki hai. isake bad ham is l daki ki shadi kaise kareange?"

"par vah mera dosh to nahian hai?"

"to phir kisaka hai? shayad mera?"

isake bad l daki ki maan aur raanga didi se shuroo karake pas p daus ki l dakiyaan tak a gayian. rona-dhona, anuyog abhiyogoan ka ant nahian raha. muhalle ke purushoan ne kaha, "aisa shaitan aj tak nahian dekha, ise achchha sabak dena chahie."

par dand dena aur bat hai aur l daki ki shadi karana doosari bat hai. phalat: baba chup ho rahe. isake bad anunay-vinay ki pari aee. pooantoo ko ab nahian dekhata hooan. shayad vah garib sharm se muanh chhipae kahian p di hai. klesh hone laga. kaisa durbhagy lekar ye hamare gharoan mean paida hoti haian. suna ki thik yahi bat usaki maan bhi kah rahi hai- o abhagin, ham sabako khane ke bad jayegi. isaki aisi takadir hai ki samudr par drishti dale to samudr tak sookh jay aur jali huee shol machhali bhi pani mean bhag jae. isaka aisa hal n hoga to kisaka hoga!

kalakatte jane ke pahale baba ko bulakar apane ghar ka pata bata diya. kaha, "mere lie ek vyakti ki ray lena zaroori hai, unake kahane par maian raji ho jaooanga." baba mera hath pak dakar gadgad kanth se bole, "dekho bhaee, l daki ko mat maro. unhean jara samajha-bujhakar kahana ki ve apani asammati n dean." maian bola, "mera vishvas hai ki ve asammati prakat n kareange. balki khush hokar hi sammati deange."

baba ne ashirvad diya, "tumhare makan par kab aooan, bhaiya?"

"paanch-chh: din bad hi aie."

pooantoo ki maan aur raanga didi ne raste tak akar aauansuoan ke sath mujhe bida kiya.

man hi man kaha, takadir! kintu yah achchha hi hua ki ek prakar se vachan de aya. maianne is bat par ni:sanshay vishvas kar liya ki is vivah mean rajalakshmi leshamatr bhi apatti n karegi.

000

steshan par pahuanchate hi tren chhoot gayi. doosari tren ane mean do ghante ki der thi. samay katane ka upay khoj raha tha ki ek mitr mil gaye. ek musalaman yuvak ne kuchh der tak meri or dekhate rahakar poochha, "ap shrikant haian?"

"haan."

"mujhe nahian pahichan sake? maian gauhar hooan." kahakar usane mera hath zor se daba diya, pith par sashabd chapat lagaee aur zor se gale lipatakar kaha, "chalo, hamare ghar chalo. kahaan ja rahe the- kalakatte? ab jane ki zaroorat nahian- chalo."

yah mera pathashala ka mitr hai, umr mean koee char sal b da hoga, hamesha se hi kuchh adha pagal jaisa. aisa laga ki umr badhane ke sath-sath usaka vah pagalapan kam hone ki bajay badh gaya hai. pahale bhi usaki jabaradasti se bachane ka upay n tha, at: yah khayal kar meri dushchinta ki sima n rahi ki kam-se-kam aj rat ko vah mujhe kisi tarah nahian chho dega. yah kahana vyarth hai ki usaki atmiyata aur ullas mean hissa baantane ki shakti aj mujhamean nahian hai. par vah chho dane vala jiv nahian tha. mera baig usane khud utha liya aur kuli bulakar usake sir par bichhauna rakh diya. phir jabaradasti khianchata hua bahar laya aur ga di ka bha da thik kar mujhase bola, "chalo."

bachane ka koee upay nahian hai, tark karana phijool hai.

yah kah chuka hooan ki gauhar mera pathashala ka sathi hai. hamare gaanv se usaka makan ek kos door tha, ek hi nadi ke kinare. bachapan mean bandook chalana usi se sikha tha. usake pita ki ek purani bandook thi, usi ko lekar nadi kinare, am ke bagichoan mean aur jha d-jhankha doan mean ghoomakar ham donoan chi diyoan ka shikar kiya karate the. bachapan mean anek bar usi ke yahaan rat kati hai- usaki maan chiv da, gu d, doodh aur kela lakar mujhe phalahar kara deti thi. unaki zamin-jayadad, kheti-bari bahut thi. ga di mean baithakar gauhar ne prashr kiya, "itane dinoan tak kahaan the, shrikant?"

jahaan jahaan tha, usaka ek sankshipt vivaran de diya. poochha, "tum ab kya karate ho, gauhar?"

"kuchh bhi nahian."

"tumhari maan achchhi tarah haian?"

"maan-bap donoan ki mrityu ho gayi- makan mean akela maian hi hooan."

"shadi nahian ki?"

"vah bhi mar gayi."

man hi man socha ki shayad isilie chahe jise pak d le jane ka itana agrah hai! jab koee bat karane ko nahian mila to poochha, "tumhari vah purani bandook hai?"

gauhar ne hansakar kaha, "dekhata hooan ki tumhean usaki yad hai! vah hai, aur usake sivay aur bhi ek achchhi bandook kharidi thi. tum shikar khelane jana chaho to sath chala chalooanga. kintu ab maian chi diyaan nahian marata-bahut du:kh hotahai."

"yah kya gauhar, tab to tum din-rat isi ke pichhe pagal the."

"yah sach hai. lekin ab bahut dinoan se chho d diya hai."

gauhar ka ek parichay aur hai ki vah kavi hai. un dinoan vah muanh-jubani anargal gram-git bana sakata tha- kisi bhi vakt aur kisi bhi vishay par. chhand, matra aur dhvani ityadi kavy-shastr ke qanoon-kayadoan ko manata tha ya nahian, isaka jnan mujhe n tab tha aur n ab hai. par mujhe yad hai ki maian un dinoan manipur ka yuddh aur tikendr jit sianh ke viratv ki kahani usake muanh se sunakar pun:-pun: uttejit ho uthata tha. poochha, "gauhar, un dinoan tumhean krittivas se bhi sundar ramayan likhane ka shauq tha, vah sankalp ab bhi hai ya gaya hai?" gauhar kshan-bhar mean gambhir ho gaya. bola, "vah shauq kya kabhi ja sakata hai re? usi ke bal par to bacha hua hooan. jab tak zinda rahooanga tab tak use liye rahooanga. kitana likha hai, chalo n, aj sari rat tumhean sunaooanga to bhi khatm n hoga."

"kahate kya ho gauhar?"

"nahian to kya tumase jhooth kahata hooan?"

pradipt kavi-pratibha se usaki aauankho aur muanh chamak uthe. sandeh nahian kiya tha, sirph vismay zahir kiya tha. tathapi, kahian keanchua khojate hue saanp n nikal aye- mujhe jabaradasti baithakar sari rat kavy-charcha hi n karata rahe- mere bhay ki sima nahian rahi.

khush karane ke lie kaha, "nahian gauhar, yah tho de hi kahata hooan. tumhari adbhut shakti ko sabhi svikar karate haian, par bachapan ki batean yad haian ya nahian, yahi janane ke lie poochha hai. to thik- vah bangal ki ek kirti hokar rahegi."

"kirti? apane muanh se kya kahooan bhaee, pahale sun to lo, phir ye sab batean hoangi."

kisi bhi tarah chhutakara nahian. kuchh der sthir rahakar mano kuchh-kuchh apane ap hi kaha, "subah se hi tabiyat kharab ho rahi hai. aisa lagata hai ki agar niand a jati..."

gauhar ne is par dhya n hi n diya. kaha, "pushpak rath par baithakar sitaji jab rote-rote gahane pheank rahi haian- is aansh ko jin jinane suna hai ve apane aauansoo nahian rok sake haian shrikant."

aauankhoan ka jal maian bhi rok sakooanga, isaki sambhavana kam hai. kaha,

"kintu..." gauhar ne kaha, "hamare us boodhe nayan chaand chakravarti ki tumhean yad hai n? usake mare nak mean dam hai. vakt-be-vakt akar kahata hai, "gauhar, jara vah aansh padho n, sunooanga." kahata hai, "beta, tum musalaman ki santan kabhi nahian ho. aisa lagata hai ki tumhare sharir mean asali brahman-rakt pravahit hai." 'nayanachaand' nam har jagah nahian hota, isilie yad a gaya. makan bhi gauhar ke gaanv mean hi hai. poochha, "vahi boodha chakravarti? usake sath to tumhare pitaji ka b da jhag da hua tha- lathiyaan chalian thian aur mamala bhi?"

gauhar ne kaha, "haan. lekin pitaji ke samane usaki kya chalati? unhoanne usaki zamin, bagicha, talab ityadi sabako karjamadhde nilam karava liya tha. lekin maianne usaka talab aur makan lauta diya hai. bahut garib hai. rat-din rota tha- yah kya achchha hota shrikant?"

achchha to nahian hota, parantu chakravarti ke kavy-prem se kuchh aisa hi aandazalaga raha tha. kaha, "ab to rona band ho gaya hai?"

gauhar ne kaha, "lekin adami vakee achchha hai. karje ke mare usane us vakt jo kuchh kiya tha, vaisa bahut log karate haian. usake makan ke pas hi dedh bighe ka am ka bagicha hai, usake harek pe d ko chakravarti ne apane hathoan se lagaya hai. nati-pote bahut se haian, kharidakar khane ke lie paise nahian haian. phir, mera hi kaun hai, kaun khane vala hai?"

"yah thik hai. use bhi lauta do."

"lauta dena hi thik hai, shrikant. aauankhoan ke samane hi am pakate haian, l dake-bachche thandi ahean bharate haian- mujhe bahut du:kh hota hai bhaee! am ke dinoan mean mere sab bagiche vyapari log le lete haian, sirph vah bagicha nahian bechata. kah diya hai, chakravarti, tumhare nati to d-to dakar khayean. kya kahate ho thik kiya n?"

'bilkutal thik." man-hi-man kaha, baiankunth ke khate ki jay ho! usaki badaulat yadi garib nayan chaand patkianchith labh utha sake to nukasan hi kya hai? isake alava gauhar kavi hai. kavi ki itani sampatti kis matalab ki agar rasagrahi rasik sujanoan ke kam mean n ay?

lagabhag chaitr ke bichoanbich ki bat hai. ga di ki khi daki ko ekaek ant tak kholakar gauhar ne bahar sir nikalate hue kaha, "dakshini hava ka anubhav ho raha hai shrikant?"

"ho raha hai."

gauhar ne kaha, "vasant ko pukarate hue kavi ne kaha hai- 'khol de aj dakhin ka dvar'."

kachchi mitti ka rasta hai. malay pavan ke ek jhoanke ne raste ki sookhi dhool ko zamin par nahian rahane diya, usase samast muanh aur sir ko bhar diya. maian aprasann hokar bola, "kavi ne vasant ko nahian bulaya. vah kahata hai ki is vakt yam ka dakshin dvar khula hai- at: ga di ko band n karoge, to shayad vahi akar hajir ho jayega."

gauhar ne hansakar kaha, "chalakar dekhoge ek bar. chakotare ke do pe doan par phool khile haian, koee adha kos se unaki gandh ati hai. samane vala jamun ka pe d madhavi phooloan se bhar gaya hai, usaki ek dal par malati ki lata hai. phool abhi nahian khile haian, kaliyoan ke guchchhe ke guchchhe latak rahe haian. hamare charoan hi or am ke bagiche haian aur abaki bar baur se am ke jha d chha gaye haian. kal subah madhumakkhiyoan ka mela dekhana. kitane nilakanth, kitani bulabulean aur kitani koyaloan ke gan! is vakt chaandani rat hai, is karan rat ko bhi koyal ki kook nahian rukati. bahar ke kamare ki dakshin vali khi daki yadi khuli rakhoge to phir tumhari palakean n jhapeangi. lekin is bar yoan hi nahian chho d dooanga bhaee, yah pahale se yah deta hooan. isake alava khane ki bhi koee fikr nahian, chakravarti mahashay ko ek bar khabar milane-bhar ki der hai. tumhara adar guru ki tarah kareange."

amantran ki akapat antarikata se mugdh ho gaya. kitani muddatoan bad mulakat huee hai, lekin vah thik us din jaisa hi gauhar hai- jara bhi nahian badala hai- vaisa hi bachapan hai, mitr-milane mean vaisa hi akritrim ullas hai.

gauhar musalaman fakir-sampraday ka hai. suna gaya hai ki usake pitamah baul the. ve ramaprasadi aur doosare git ga-gakar bhiksha maangate the. unaki pali huee sarika ki alaukik sangit-paradarshita ki kahani un dinoan idhar bahut prasiddh thi. lekin gauhar ke pita paitrik-vritti chho dakar tijarat aur path ka karabar karane lage aur apane l dake ke lie bahut-si jayadad kharidakar chho d gaye. parantu l dake mean bap jaisi vyapari buddhi nahian hai- balki baba ka kavy aur sangit ke prati anurag hi usamean hai. at: pita ki ji-to d mehanat se sanchit zamin-jayadad aur kheti-bari ka ant mean kya parinam hoga, yah shanka aur sandeh ka vishay hai.

khair, jo ho, un logoan ka makan bachapan mean dekha tha. thik se yad nahian. ab vah shayad kavi ki vani-sadhana ke tapovan mean roopantarit ho gaya ho. use ek bar aauankhoan se dekhane ki ichchha huee.

usake gram ke path se maian parichit hooan, usaki durgamata bhi yad ati hai. kintu tho di hi der bad maloom ho gaya ki shaishav ki us yad ke sath aj ki aauankhoan se dekhane ki qatee tulana nahian ho sakati. badashahi jamane ki s dak hai atishay sanatan. mitti pattharoan ki parikalpana yahaan ke lie nahian hai! koee karega, aisi durasha bhi koee nahian karata. itana hi nahian, sanskar ya marammat ki sambhavana bhi logoan ke man se bahut samay pahale hi puanchh gayi hai. gaanv vale janate haian ki shikayat ya abhiyog phijool hai- unake lie kisi bhi din rajakosh mean rupaye nahian hoange. ve janate haian ki purushanukram se s dak ke lie sirph s dak-taiks dena p data hai par vah s dak kahaan hai aur kisake lie hai, yah sab sochana bhi unake lie jyadati hai.

¹ baul-bangal mean vairagi santoan ka ek sampraday. kabir, dadoo adi hindi ke sant-kaviyoan ki vani ga-gakar ye ghar-ghar bhiksha maangate haian.

us s dak par bahukal se sanchit aur stoopikrit baloo aur mitti ki rukavat ko hatati huee hamari ga di sirph chabuk ke zor se agrasar ho rahi thi. aise hi vakt gauhar ekaek b de zor se chilla utha, "ga divan! aur nahian- aur nahian, thaharo-ekadam roko!"

usane yah is tarah kaha jaise panjab-mel ka mamala ho-jaise pal-bhar mean hi sab vaikyum brek agar band n kiye ja sake to sarvanash ki sambhavana ho.

ga di ruk gayi. baanyean hathavala rasta unake gaanv jane ka hai. utarakar gauhar ne kaha, "shrikant, utar ao. maian baig le leta hooan, tum bichhauna uthao, chalo."

"shayad ga di aur age nahian jayegi?"

"nahian. dekho n, rasta nahian hai."

yah sahi hai. dakshin baanyian or kaantedar pe d aur bet-kuanjaki ghani tatha sammilit shakha-prashakhaoan ke karan gaanv ki vah gali atishay sankirn ho gayi hai. ga di ko andar ghusane ka to prashn hi avaidh tha, kyoanki agar adami bhi hoshiyari ke sath jhukakar n ghuse to kaantoan mean phansakar usake kap doan ka phatana anivary hai- atev, kavi ke kathananusar vahaan ka prakritik saundary anirvachaniy tha. usane baig ko kandhoan par rakha aur maianne bichhaune ko bagal mean dabaya. is tarah ham log godhooli ki bela mean ga di se utare. kavi-grih mean jab pahuancha to sham ho chuki thi. aandazalagaya ki akash mean vasant-ratri ka chandrama bhi nikal aya hai. shayad poornima ke as-pas ki tithi thi, atev is asha mean tha ki gambhir nishith mean chandradev sir ke oopar a jaany to tithi ke bare mean ni:sanshay ho jaooan. makan ke charoan or baansoan ka ghana van hai. bahut sambhav hai ki isi jangal mean usaka koyal nilakanth aur bulabuloan ka jhunth rahata ho aur unhian ki aharnish pukar tatha gana kavi ko vyakul bana deta ho. baans ke pake sookhe hue asankhy pattoan ne jh dajh d kar aauangan aur chabootare ko charoan or se parivyapt kar rakha hai. in par nazar p date hi is prerana se sara man kshanabhar mean hi garjana kar uthata hai ki jh de hue pattoan ka git gaya jay. naukar ne akar bahar ki baithak khol di aur batti jala di. gauhar ne takht dikhate hue kaha, "tum isi kamare mean raho. dekhana, kaisi sundar hava ati hai."

asambhav nahian hai. dekha, ki dakshin ki hava ki vajah se deshabhar ki sookhi huee lataoan aur pattoan ne gavaksh-path se bhitar ghusakar kamare ko bhar diya hai, takht ko bhi chha diya hai. pharsh par pair p date hi sharir sanasana utha. khat ke paye ke pas choohe ne apana bil banakar mitti jama kar rakkhi hai. maianne use dikhakar kaha, "gauhar, kamare mean tum log kya kabhi jhaankate bhi nahian?"

gauhar ne javab diya, "nahian, zaroorat hi nahian p dati. maian andar hi rahata hooan. kal sab saf kara dooanga."

"saph to ho jaega, lekin is bil mean saanp bhi to rah sakate haian?"

naukar ne kaha, "do the, lekin ab nahian haian. aise dinoan mean ve nahian rahate, hava khane ke lie bahar chale jate haian."

poochha, "yah kaise maloom hua miyaan?"

gauhar ne hansate hue kaha, "yah miyaan nahian hai, apana navin hai. pitaji ke jamane ka adami hai. gay-bhaians, kheti-bari dekhata hai aur makan ki hiphajat bhi karata hai. hamare yahaan kya hai, aur kya nahian hai, ise sab pata hai." navin bangali hindoo hai aur hai pita ke jamane ka adami. is ghar ki gay-bhaisean, kheti-bari se lekar makan tak ka sara hal janana usake lie asambhav nahian hai. tathapi saanp ke bare mean usaki batoan se nishchint n ho saka. yahaan to makan-bhar ko dakshini hava lag gayi hai! socha, isamean shak nahian ki hava ke lobh mean sarp-yugl bahar ja sakate haian, parantu, unhean lautate bhi kitani der lag sakati hai?

gauhar ne ta d liya ki mujhe tasalli nahian huee hai. kaha, "tum to khat par rahoge, phir tumhean dar kis bat ka? isake alava ve kahaan nahian rahate? bhagy mean likha tha, isase raja parikshit ko bhi rihaee nahian mili, phir ham to tuchchh haian. navin, kamare mean jhadoo lagakar ek eeant se bil ko dhak dena, bhoolana nahian. par shrikant, kaho to, tum khaoge kya?"

maianne kaha, "jo kuchh mil jae."

navin bola, "doodh, chiv da aur achchhi eekh ka gu d hai. aj ke layak-"

maianne kaha, "thik hai, thik hai. is makan mean ye hi chizean khane ki mujhe adat hai, aur kuchh jutane ki zaroorat nahian, bhaee. balki, tum kahian se ek halki eeant le ao. bil ko mazabooti se dhak do, jisase dakshin ki hava se pet bharakar jab ve ghar lautean to phir ekaek isamean n ghus sakean." hath mean roshani lekar navin kuchh der tak takht ke niche jhaankata raha. phir bola, "nahian, nahian ho sakata."

"kya nahian ho sakata ji?"

usane sir hilakar kaha, "nahian, yah nahian ho sakata. bil ka muanh kya akela hai baboo? pajaba-bhar eeantean chahie. choohoan ne zamin ko ekabaragi pola kar dala hai."

gauhar vishesh vichalit n hua. usane adami lagakar kal avashy marammat kara dene ka hukm de diya.

navin hath pair dhone ke lie pani dekar phalahar ka ayojan karane jab bhitar chala gaya to maianne poochha, "aur tum kya khaoge gauhar?"

"maian? meri ek boodhi mausi haian, ve hi khana banati haian. khair, yah khana-pina khatm ho jae to apani rachanaean tumhean sunaooan." vah apane kavy ke dhya n mean hi magn tha. atithi ke aram aur suvidha ka khayal shayad usane kiya hi nahian. bola, "bichhauna bichha dooan, kya kahate ho? rat ko ham donoan ek sath hi raheange-kyoan?"

yah ek aur aphat aee. kaha, "nahian bhaee gauhar, tum apane kamare mean jakar soo. aj maian bahut thaka hua hooan, kal subah hi tumhari rachana sunooanga."

"kal subah? tab kya vakt rahega?"

"avashy rahega."

gauhar chup hokar kuchh sochata raha. bola, "achchha shrikant, ek kam kiya jae to kaisa ho! maian padhata hooan aur tum lete-lete sunate rahana. niand ane par maian chala jaooanga. kya kahate ho? yah thik hai n- kyoan?"

maianne vinati karate hue kaha, "nahian bhaee gauhar, isase tumhari kitab ki maryada nasht hogi. kal maian poora dhya-n lagakar sunooanga."

gauhar ne kshubdh chehare se bida li, par bida karake mera man bhi prasann nahian hua.

yah ek hi pagal hai. pahale isake isharoan se to maianne yahi samajha tha ki apane kavy-granth ko vah prakashit karana chahata hai aur use asha hai ki usase sansar mean ek dhoom mach jayegi. vah zyada padha-likha nahian hai. pathashala aur skool mean usane sirph tho di-si bangala aur aangarezi sikhi thi. ichchha bhi nahian thi, aur shayad samay bhi nahian mila. shaishav mean n jane kab aur kaise vah kavita se prem kar baitha. sambhav hai ki vah prem usaki shiraoan ke khoon mean hi bah raha ho-isake bad sansar ka sab kuchh usaki najaroan mean arthahin ho gaya hai. apani anek rachanaean use yad haian. ga di mean baitha hua bich-bich mean vah gunagunakar avritti bhi karata tha. us vakt sunakar yah nahian socha tha ki is akshay bhakt ko vagdevi apane svarn-padm ki ek pankhu di dekar kisi din puraskrit kareangi. par aklant aradhana ke ekagr atm nivedan mean is bechare ko viram nahian, vishram nahian. bichhaune par leta hua sochane laga ki barah sal bad mulakat huee hai. in barah varshoan se usane sab parthiv svarthoan ko jalaanjali dekar aur ek rachana ke bad doosari gooanth karake shlokoan ka paha d jama kar liya hai. par yah sab kis kam mean ayega? janata hooan ki kam mean nahian aega. gauhar aj nahian hai par usaki dushchar tapasya ki akritarthata smaran kar aj bhi man dukhi hota hai. sochata hooan ki n jane kitane shobhahin, gandhahin phool lok-chakshuoan ke antaral mean khilate haian aur phir apane ap hi murajha jate haian. parantu, vishv-vidhan mean yadi unaki koee sarthakata hai, to shayad gauhar ki sadhana bhi vyarth nahian huee hogi.

gauhar ne bahut sabere hi pukarakar meri niand khol di. tab shayad sat baje the, ya n bhi baje hoan. usaki ichchha thi ki vasant ke dinoan mean bangal ke nibhrit gaanvoan ke lokottar shobha-saundary ko apani aauankhoan se dekhakar dhany hoooan. usaka bhav kuchh aisa tha ki mano maian vilayat se lautakar aya hooan. usaka agrah pagaloan jaisa tha. anurodh talane ka upay nahian tha. atev hath-muanh dhokar taiyar hona p da. prachir se sate hue ek adhamare jamun ke pe d ke adhik hisse mean madhavi aur adhik mean malati lata lipati thi. yah kavi ki apani yojana hai. atyant nirjiv shakal-tathapi, ek mean tho de se phool khile haian aur doosari mean abhi kaliyaan phooti haian. usaki ichchha thi ki tho de se phool mujhe upahar de, par pe d mean itane lal chiante the ki chhoone ka koee upay nahian soojha. usane mujhe yah kahakar santvana di ki kuchh der bad unhean aauank di se anayas hi jh da diya jayega. achchha, chalo.

prat:kriya thik taur se nishpann ho sake (arthath kabj n rahe,) isake udyog-parv mean navin chilam hath mean liye dam lagakar b de zor se khaans raha tha. thookakar, khakharakar aur bahut kuchh sanbhalakar hath hilakar usane mana kiya. kaha, "jangal mean kahian gayab mat ho jaiega, kahe deta hooan."

gauhar ne narajagi se kaha, "kyoan re?"

navin ne javab diya, "koee do-tin siyar pagal ho gaye haian; dhor-adamiyoan ko katate dol rahe haian."

maian dar ke mare pichhe hat gaya.

"kahaan re navin?"

"yah kya maianne dekha hai ki kahaan haian? kahian-n-kahian jha di-a di mean chhipe hoange. agar jate ho to aauankhean kholakar jana."

"to bhaee, jane ka kam nahian gauhar."

"vah re! is vakt kutte aur siyar jara pagal ho hi jate haian- sirph isi vajah se kya log rasta chalana band kar deange? khoob kaha."

yah bhi dakshin ki hava ka mamala hai. atev, prakriti ki shobha dekhane sath mean jana hi p da. raste mean donoan or am ke bagiche haian. qarib pahuanchate hi asankhy chhote-chhote ki de-mako de ch d-ch d pat-pat avaz karate hue amr-mukaloan ko chho dakar aauankh, nak, muanh aur kap doan ke bhitar ghus gaye. sookhe pattoan par am ka madhu girakar chipakani leee ki tarah ho gaya tha, vah joote ke taloan mean chipakane laga. sankare raste ka bahut-sa hissa bedakhal kar virajaman mukalit-vikasit phooloan ke bhar se ladian ghani karauande ki jha diyaan- isi samay yadi a gayian navin ki chetavani. gauhar ke matanusar yah vakt pagal hone layaq hi hai, isalie karaude ke phooloan ki shobha aur kisi din samay ke anusar upabhog ki jayegi. aj gauhar aur maian- yani navin ke 'dhor adami' ne jara tej qadam se hi sthan tyag kiya.

maian kah chuka hooan ki hamare gaanv ki nadi is gaanv ki sima mean bhi hokar bahati hai. varsha ki chau di jaladhara vasant ke samagam se patali shirn ho gayi hai. us samay dhar ke sath bahakar aee aparimey sivar aur kaee shushk tat-bhoomi par phail gayi hai aur shishir aur dhoop mean s dakar usane sari jagah ko durgendh se narak-kund bana diya hai. nadi ke us par kuchh door se marake pe d mean saik doan lal phool khile hue the. un par p di, lekin is vakt kavi ko bhi us or drishti akarshit karana thik nahian laga. usane kaha, "chalo, ghar laut chalean."

"achchha, chalo."

"mera khayal tha ki ye sab chizean achchhi lageangi."

kaha, "achchhi lageangi bhaee, lageangi. achchhe-achchhe shabdoan mean tum inako kavita mean likho, maian padhakar khush hooanga."

"shayad isilie gaanv ke adami ek bar bhoolakar bhi inhean nahian dekhate."

"nahian. dekhate-dekhate unhean aruchi ho gayi hai. bhaee, aauankhoan ki ruchi aur kanoan ki ruchi ek nahian hai. jo yah sochate haian ki kavi ke varnan ko apani aauankhoan dekhane par log mohit ho jate haian, vah nahian janate saty kya hai. duniya ke har kam mean yah bat lagoo hai. aauankhoan ke lie jo ek sadharan ghatana ya bahut mamooli-si vastu hai vahi kavi ki bhasha mean 'nayi srishti' ho jati hai. tum jo dekhate ho vah bhi saty hai, aur jo maian nahian dekh saka vah bhi saty hai. isake lie tum dukhi mat hona gauhar.'

to bhi lautate samay raste mean usane n jane kitani aur kya-kya vastuean dikhane ki cheshta ki. path ka pratyek vriksh, pratyek lata paudha tak mano usaka pahichana hua hai. n jane kab ek pe d ki chhal aushadhi ke lie koee chhilakar le gaya tha aur usase chipakanevala padarth ab bhi jhar raha tha. sahasa use dekhakar gauhar sihar-sa utha. usaki aauankhean chhalachhala ayian, maian usake muanh ki or dekhakar yah spashtataya samajh gaya ki antar mean usane kitani vedana ka anubhav kiya hai. chakravarti jo apani sab khoee huee chizean pun: vapas prapt kar raha tha, so keval apani hoshiyari ke karan nahian, isaka karan to gauhar ke svabhav mean hi hai. brahman ke prati mera krodh bahut kuchh apane ap hi kam ho gaya. chakravarti se mulakat nahian huee, kyoanki suna gaya ki usake ghar mean usake do natiyoan par shitala-mata ki kripa huee hai. ab tak gaanv-gaanv mean visoochika-mata ke darshan nahian hue haian- ve s di hue talaiyoan ke pani ke tho da aur sookh jane ki rah dekh rahi haian.

khair, ghar pahuanchakar gauhar ne apana potha mere samane hajir kar diya. aisa adami sansar mean birala hi hoga jise usaka parinam dekhakar bhay n lagata. bola, "bina padhe chhutti nahian milegi shrikant, aur tumhean apani sach-sach ray deni hogi."

yah ashanka to thi hi. saph-saph raji ho sakooan, itana sahas nahian tha, to bhi kavi ki vatika mean is yatra ke, ek ke bad ek, mere sat din kavyalochana mean hi kat gaye. kavy ki bat jane do, kintu saghan sahachary mean is manushy ka jo parichay mila, v jitana sundar tha utana hi vismayakarak.

ek din gauhar ne kaha, "shrikant, tumhean barma jane ki kya zaroorat hai? ham donoan ke hi apana kahane layaq koee nahian hai, to ao ne ham donoan bhaee yahian ek sath jivan bita dean!"

hansakar kaha, "maian to tumhari tarah kavi nahian hooan bhaee, n pe d-paudhoan ki bhasha hi samajhata hooan, aur n unase batachit kar sakata hooan, phir is jangal mean kaise rah sakooanga? do din mean hi haanph jaooanga"

gauhar ne gambhir hokar kaha, "kintu maian unaki bhasha vakee samajhata hooan. ve sachamuch bolate haian- kya tum log vishvas nahian karate?"

maianne kaha, "yah to tum bhi samajhate ho ki vishvas karana mushkil hai?"

gauhar ne saralata se svikar kar liya, kaha, "haan, haan, yah to samajhata hooan."

ek din subah apani ramayan ka ashok-van vala adhya y kuchh der tak padhane ke bad usane hathath kitab band kar di aur meri or ghoomakar prashn kiya, "achchha shrikant, tumane kabhi kisi ko pyar kiya hai?"

kal bahut rat tak jagakar rajalakshmi ko shayad apani antim chitti- likhi thi. usamean baba ki batean, pooantoo ki katha aur usake durbhagy ka samast vivaran tha. un logoan ko vachan diya tha ki ek adami ki anumati maang looanga- so vah bhiksha bhi usamean maangi thi. chitthi bheji nahian thi, us vakt p aauket mean hi p di huee thi. gauhar ke prashn ke uttar mean hansakar kaha, "nahian."

gauhar ne kaha, "yadi kabhi pyar karo, yadi kabhi aisa din aye to mujhe jatana shrikant."

"janakar kya karoge?"

"kuchh bhi nahian. tab sirph tum logoan ke bich jakar kuchh din kat aooanga."

"achchha."

"aur agar us vakt rupayoan ki zaroorat ho to mujhe khabar de dena. babooji bahut rupaye chho d gaye haian, vah mere kam mean to laga nahian- kintu shayad tum logoan ke kam mean lag jaye."

usake kahane ka tarika kuchh aisa tha ki sunate hi aauankhoan se ashru nikal p de. kaha, "achchha, yah bhi khabar dooanga. par ashirvad do ki isaki kabhi zaroorat n p de."

mere jane ke din gauhar phir mera baig uthakar prastut ho gaya. isaki zaroorat n thi, navin to sharm se pray: adhamara ho gaya, par usane ek n suni. tren mean baithakar vah auratoan ki tarah ro utha, bola, "mere siraki kasam hai shrikant, chale jane ke pahale ek din phir ana taki phir ek bar mulakat ho jay."

avedan ki upeksha nahian kar saka, vachan diya ki milane ke lie phir ek bar aooanga.

"kalakatta pahuanchakar kushal-sanvad doge n?"

yah vachan bhi diya. mano n jane kitani door chala ja raha hooan!

kalakatte ke makan mean jab pahuancha, tab pray: sandhyal ho gayi thi. chaukhat par pair rakhate hi jisake darshan hue, vah aur koee nahian svayan ratan tha.

"yah kya re, too hai?"

"haan, maian hi hooan aur kal se baitha hooan. ek chitthi hai." samajh gaya ki usi prarthana ka uttar hai. kaha, "dak se bhejane par bhi to chitthi mil jati?"

ratan ne kaha, "yah vyavastha kisan, mazadoor aur sadharan grihasth ke lie hai. maan ki chitthi agar ek adami bina khaye-piye aur soye paanch-sau mil hath mean lie dau data hua n laye, to kho n jayegi? ap to sab janate haian, kyoan jhooth-mooth poochh rahe haian?"

bad mean suna ki ratan ka yah abhiyog jhootha hai. kyoanki khud hi udyat hokar vah yah chitthi apane hath laya hai. maloom hua ki tren ki bhi d aur ahar vagairah ki avyavastha ke karan usaka mizaj big d gaya hai. hansakar kaha, "oopar a. chitthi pichhe padhooanga, chal, pahale tere khane ka intazam kar dooan."

ratan ne pairoan ki dhool lekar pranam kiya aur kaha, "chalie."

000

dakar se chauankata hua ratan dakhil hua.

"kah ratan, pet bhar gaya?"

"ji haan. ap chahe kuchh bhi kahean baboo, lekin hamare kalakatte ke bangali brahmanoan ke alava aur koee rasoee banana nahian janata. unake age to in marava di maharajoan ko janavar hi kaha ja sakata hai."

mujhe yad nahian ki donoan prantoan ki rasoee ki achchhaee-buraee ya rasoiye ki kala ke bare mean ratan se kabhi maianne bahas ki ho, par ratan ki jitana janata hooan usase yahi khayal hua ki suprachur bhojan se vah khoob santusht hua hai. agar yah bat n hoti to vah pashchimi rasoiyoan ke bare mean aisi nirapeksh ray n de sakata. usane kaha, "ga di mean dhakke to kam nahian lage, hath-pair phailakar lete bina..."

"to achchha hai ratan, chahe kamare mean chahe baramade mean bichhauna bichhakar so ja, kal sab batean hoangi."

n jane kyoan chitthi ke lie utkantha n thi. aisa lag raha tha ki usamean jo kuchh likha hoga vah to maloom hi hai.

ratan ne phatooee ki jeb se ek liphapha nikalakar mere hath mean de diya. chap de se sil-mohar kiya hua tha. bola, "baramade ki is dakshinavali khi daki ke bagal mean bichhauna bichha looan? masahari lagane ki jhanjhat nahian hogi. kalakatte ke alava aisa sukh aur kahaan hai. jata hooan..."

"kintu sab khabar achchhi hai n ratan?"

ratan ne muanh gambhir kar kaha, "aisa hi to lagata hai. gurudev ki kripa se makan ka bahari hissa gulazar hai. bhitar das-dasiyoan, bankoo baboo, aur nayi bahoo ne akar ghar-dvar roshan kar diya hai, aur sabake oopar svayan maan haian jo makan ki malakin haian. aisi grihasthi ki buraee kaun karega? lekin maian bahut purana naukar hooan, jati ka naee hooan- ratan ko itani jaldi bhulava nahian diya ja sakata baboo. isilie to us din steshan par aauankhoan ke ashru n rok saka. yah nivedan kiya tha ki paradesh mean naukaroan ki kami hone par ratan ko ek bar khabar zaroor de dean. janata hooan ki apaki seva karane par bhi usi maan ki seva hogi. dharm ka patan nahian hoga."

maian kuchh bhi nahian samajha, sirph chupachap takata raha. vah kahane laga, "bankoo baboo ki ab umr bhi ho gayi, tho da-bahut padh-likhakar adami bhi ban gaye haian. shayad sochate haian ki doosare ke adhin kisalie raha jay. danapatr ke zor se sab mar to liya hi hai. manata hooan ki mote taur par unhoanne kafi hath saf kiya hai, par vah kitane dinoan ka hai baboo?"

bat ab bhi saf n huee, par ek dhuandhali chhaya aauankhoan ke samane tair gayian. vah phir kahane laga, "apane to khud apani aauankhoan se dekha hai ki mahine mean kam-se-kam do dapha meri naukari chhoot jati hai. halat buri nahian hai, naraj hokar ja bhi sakata hooan, lekin kyoan nahian jata? ja nahian sakata. itana janata hooan ki jisaki daya se sab kuchh hua hai, usake ek ni:shvas se hi ashvin ke megh ki tarah sab lop ho jayega, vah palak marane ki bhi phursat nahian dega. yah maan ki narajagi nahian hai, yah to mere devata ka ashirvad hai."

yahaan pathakoan ko yah smaran kara dena avashyak hai ki bachapan mean ratan tho de dinoan tak praimari skool mean shiksha prapt kar chuka hai.

kuchh rukakar kaha, "maan ne mana kar diya hai, isilie kabhi kahata nahian. ghar mean jo kuchh tha baba ne le liya, yajamanoan ka ek ghar tak nahian diya. ek chhota l daka aur l daki, aur unaki maan ko chho dakar pet ke lie ek din gaanv chho dakar bahar nikal p da. par pahale janm ki tapasya thi, meri naukari in maan ke hi ghar lag gayi. sara dukh da unhoanne suna, lekin us vakt kuchh nahian kaha. ek varsh ke bad maianne nivedan kiya, "maan, bachchoan ko dekhane ki ichchha hai, agar kuchh dinoan ki chhutti mil jati. hansakar bolian, "phir aoge n?" jane ke din hath mean ek potali dete hue kaha, "ratan, baba se l daee-jhag da mat karana bhaiya, jo kuchh tumhara chala gaya hai use isake dvara pher lena." gathari kholakar dekhata hooan to paanch-sau rupaye haian! pahale to apani aauankhoan par vishvas nahian hua. aisa laga, mano maian jagrit avastha mean svapn dekh raha hooan. meri usi maan se bankoo baboo ab ulati-sidhi batean kahate haian, a d mean kh de hokar phus-phus karate haian, sochata hooan ki ab inake zyada din nahian haian, kyoanki ab maan-lakshmi jane hi vali haian!"

maianne yah ashanka nahian ki thi, chupachap sunane laga.

aisa laga ki kuchh dinoan se krodh aur kshobh se ratan phool raha hai. bola, "maan jab deti haian to donoan hathoan se u del deti haian. bankoo ko bhi diya hai, isilie usane yah soch liya hai ki madhu nicho de hue chhatte ki kya kimat?- is vakt to zyada-se-zyada use jalaya hi ja sakata hai. isalie usako ve itani apriy ho rahi haian. moorakh yah nahian janata ki aj bhi maan ka ek gahana bechane par aise paanch makan taiyar ho sakate haian."

maian bhi yah n janata tha. hansakar kaha, "aisi bat hai? par vah sab haian kahaan?"

ratan bhi hansa. bola, "unhian ke pas hai. maan aisi bevakooph nahian. sirph ap hi ke charanoan par sarvasv lutakar ve bhikharini ho sakati haian, kintu aur kisi ke bhi lie nahian. bankoo nahian janata hai ki apake zinda rahate maan ko ashray ki kami n hogi, aur jab tak ratan jivit hai tab tak unhean naukar ke lie bhi sochane ki zaroorat nahian. us din kashi se apake is tarah chale ane ki vajah se maan ke hriday mean kaisa tir chubha hai, isaki khabar kya bankoo baboo rakhate haian? guru maharaj ko bhi usaki khoj-khabar kahaan se mil sakati hai?"

"par mujhe to unhoanne hi khud bida kiya tha, isaki khabar to ratan, tumhean hai?"

jibh nikalakar ratan sharm se g d gaya. usamean itani vinay isake pahale kabhi n dekhi thi. kaha, "baboo, ham to naukar-chakar haian, ye sab batean hamare kanoan ko nahian sunani chahie. yah jhooth hai."

ratan thakavat mitane ke lie chala gaya. shayad kal ath baje ke pahale usake sharir mean sphoorti nahian ayegi.

do b di khabarean milian. ek to yah ki bankoo ab b da ho gaya hai. patane mean jab pahali bar maianne use dekha tha to us vakt usaki umr solah-satarah thi. ab ikkis varsh ka yuvak hai. balki in paanch-chhah varshoan mean padh-likhakar vah adami ban gaya hai. at: shaishav ka vah sakritajn sneh yadi aj yauvan ke atmasamman-bodh mean samanjasy n rakh pata ho, to isamean vismay ki kaun-si bat hai?

doosari khabar rajalakshmi ki gambhir vedana ka pata n to bankoo ko aur n gurudev ko hi aj tak mila hai.

mere man mean ye hi do batean bahut der tak ghoomati rahian.

b de yatn se aankit cham de ki sil-mohar ko dekhakar chitthi kholi. usake hath ki likhavat zyada dekhane ka mauqa nahian mila hai, par, yah khayal aya ki akshar aise to nahian haian ki padhane mean takaliph ho, lekin phir bhi achchhe nahian haian. par yah patr usane bahut savadhani se likha hai. shayad use dar tha ki maian chidhakar pheank n dooan, balki shuroo se akhir tak sab kuchh asani se padh ja sakooan.

achar aur acharan mean rajalakshmi us yug ki prani hai. pranay-nivedan ki adhikata to door ki bat hai, balki yah bhi yad nahian ata ki usane mere samane kabhi kaha ho ki 'prem karati hooan.' usane chitthi likhi hai- meri prarthana ke anukool anumati dekar. to bhi, n jane kya hai, padhane mean jane kyoan dar lagane laga. usake baly-kal ki yad a gayi. us din gurumahashay ki pathashala mean usaka padhana-likhana band ho gaya tha. bad mean shayad ghar par hi tho da-bahut padh-likh liya hoga. atev, bhasha ka indrajal, shabdoan ki jhanakar, pad-vinyas ki madhurata ki usake patr mean asha karana anyay hai. kuchh mamooli prachalit batoan mean hi man ke bhav vyakt karane ke alava vah aur kya karegi? anumati dekar mamooli shubh-kamana ki do lainean hoangi- yahi to? par liphapha kholakar padhana shuroo karate hi kuchh der ke lie bahar ka aur kuchh bhi yad n raha. patr lamba nahian hai, lekin bhasha aur bhangi jitani saral aur sahaj samajhi thi, utani nahian hai. mere avedan ka uttar usane is tarah diya hai-

"kashidham

"pranam ke uparant sevika ka nivedan.

"is bar milakar kul sau dapha tumhari chitthi padhi. to bhi yah samajh mean nahian aya ki tum pagal ho gaye ho ya maian. tumane shayad yah khayal kiya hai ki maianne tumhean p da hua pa liya tha. parantu tum kahian p de hue nahian the, tum bahut tapasya ke bad mile the, bahut aradhana ke bad. isilie, bida dene ke malik tum nahian. mujhe tyag karane ka malikana svatvadhikar tumhare hathoan mean nahian hai.

"tumhean yad nahian, phooloan ke badale van se karauande to d, unaki mala gooanthakar, kis shaishav mean tumhean varan kiya tha. hathoan mean kaante chubh jane ki vajah se khoon bahane lagata tha, lal mala ka vah lal rang tum nahian pahichan sake the. balika ki pooja ka arghy us din tumhare gale mean tha. parantu tumhare hriday par rakt-rekha se jo lekha aankit kar deti thi, vah tumhari nazaroan mean nahian p di. par jisaki najaroan se sansar ka kuchh bhi chhipa nahian rah sakata, unake pad-padmoan mean mera vah nivedan pahuanch gaya tha.

"usake bad aee duryog ki rat. kale meghoan ne mere akash ki jyotsna dhank di. kintu vastav mean vah maian hooan ya aur koee, is jivan mean yatharth roop mean ve sab batean huee thian ya sote-sote svapn dekh rahi thi-yah sochate hi bahudha mujhe dar lagata hai maian pagal ho jaooangi. tab sab bhoolakar jisaka dhyadan lagakar baithati hooan, usaka nam nahian liya jata. kisi se kahane ki bat nahian hai. unaki kshama hi mere jagadishvar ki kshama hai. isamean galati nahian hai, sandeh nahian. yahaan maian nirbhay hooan.

"haan, kaha tha ki isake bad mere bure dinoan ki rat ayi, donoan aauankhoan ki sari roshani ko kalank ne bujha diya. par vahi kya manushy ka samast parichay hai? us akhand glani ke ghane avaran ke bahar usaka kya aur kuchh bhi baki nahian hai?

"hai. avyahat aparadh ke bich-bich use maianne bar-bar dekha hai. agar aisa n hota, vigat dinoan ka rakshas yadi mere samast anagat mangal ko ni:shesh gras kar leta, to tum phir mujhe kaise milate? mere hi hathoan mean lakar phir tumhean kaun sauanp jata?

"mujhase tum char-paanch varsh b de ho, to bhi tumhean jo achchha lagata hai vah mujhe shobha nahian deta. maian bangali ghar ki l daki hooan, jivan ke sattaees varsh par kar chukane ke bad yauvan ka dava aur nahian karati. mujhe tum galat mat samajhana- chahe jitani hi adham kyoan n hoooan. agar vah bat tumhare man mean kshanabhar ke lie ghunakshar nyay se bhi aye, to isase badhakar sharm ki bat mere lie aur koee nahian hai. bankoo zinda rahe, vah b da ho gaya hai. usaki bahoo a gayi hai- tumhari shadi ke bad un logoan ke samane maian kis muanh se nikalooangi? yah apaman kaise sahooangi?

"yadi tum kabhi bimar p do to seva kaun karega-pooantoo? aur maian tumhare makan

ke bahar se hi naukar ke muanh se khabar pooanchhakar laut aooangi? isake bad bhi jivit rahane ke lie kahate ho?

"shayad prashn karoge, to kya hamesha hi aisa ni:sang jivan katooan? par prashn chahe kuchh bhi ho, usaka javab dene ki zimmedari mere oopar nahian hai, tumhare oopar hai. phir bhi agar tum bilkunal hi kuchh n soch sako- buddhi ka itana kshay ho gaya ho to maian udhar de sakati hooan, vah lautani nahian p degi- lekin dekho, rrin ko kahian asvikar mat kar dena!

"tum sochate ho ki gurudev ne mujhe mukti ka mantr diya hai, shastroan ne path ka sandhan diya hai, sunanda ne dharm ki pravritti di hai, aur tumane diya hai sirph bhar-bojha. aise hi andhe ho tum log!

"poochhati hooan, tumhean to maianne teees varsh ki umr mean pa liya tha, par isake pahale ye sab kahaan the? tum itana zyada soch sakate ho aur yah nahian soch sakate?"

"mujhe asha thi ki ek din mere sab papoan ka ant ho jayega, maian nishpap ho jaooangi. yah lobh kyoan hai, janate ho? svarg ke lie nahian- vah mujhe nahian chahie. meri kamana hai ki marane ke bad phir akar janm le sakooan. isake mani samajh sakate ho?

"socha tha ki pani ki dhara mean kich d mil gayi hai- mujhe use nirmal karana hi p dega. par aj agar usaka mool srot hi sookh jay, to p da rah jayega mera jap-tap, pooja-archana, rah jayegi sunanda, p de raheange mere gurudev.

svechchha se maian marana nahian chahati. par mere apaman karane ka hi koot kaushal agar tumane racha ho to is vichar ko chho d do. agar tum vish doge to maian pi looangi, par use n le sakooangi. mujhe janate ho, isalie yah bata diya ki jo soory ast hoga usake pun: uday ki apeksha mean baithe rahane ka vakt ab mere pas nahian hai. iti.

rajalakshmi."

chhutakara mila. sunishchit kathor anushasan ki charam-lipi bhejakar usane ek or se mujhe bilkual nishchint kar diya. is jivan mean us vishay mean sochane ke lie ab aur kuchh nahian raha. par ni:sanshayapoorvak yah to maloom hua ki kya nahian kar sakooanga. par isake bad mujhe kya karana hoga, is bare mean rajalakshmi bilkual chup hai. shayad upadeshoan se bhari huee ek chitthi aur kisi din likhegi, athava sasharir mujhe hi talab karegi. lekin is vakt jo vyavastha ho gayi hai vah bahut hi sundar hai. idhar baba-mahoday sambhavat: kal subah hi akar hajir hoange. unhean bharosa de aya hooan ki fikr karane ki zaroorat nahian, anumati milane mean koee vighn n hoga. par jo kuchh a pahuancha, vah nirvighn anumati hi to hai. ratan naee ke hath usane kap de aur maur mukut nahian bheja, yahi bahut hai.

doosari or desh ke makan mean vivah ka ayojan nishchay hi agrasar ho raha hoga. pooantoo ke atmiy svajanoan mean se koee koee shayad akar hajir ho rahe hoange, tatha prapt vayask aparadhi l daki ko itane dinoan tak laanchhana aur bhartsana ke badale ab kuchh adar mil raha hoga. yah janata hooan ki baba se kya kahooanga. par vah bat kaise kahooanga, yahi samajh mean nahian ata. unake nirmam takajoan, lajjahin yuktiyoan aur vakalat ke bare mean man hi man sochakar ek or hriday jitana tikt ho utha, doosari or vyarth pratyavartan ki nirasha se chidhe hue parivar valoan ke us abhagi l daki ko aur bhi zyada utpi dit karane ki bat sochate hi hriday ko utani hi vyatha pahuanchi. par upay kya hai? bichhaune par leta hua bahut rat tak jagata raha. pooantoo ki bat bhoolane mean der nahian lagi, par gangamati ki yad barabar ane lagi. jan-viral us kshudr gaanv ki smriti kabhi mit nahian sakati. is jivan ki ganga-jamuna ki dhara ek din yahian akar mili thi, aur tho de arase tak pas-pas pravahit ho ek din yahian phir alag ho gayi thi. ek sath rahane ke ve kshanasthayi din shraddha se gahare, sneh se madhur, anand se ujjval aur unaki hi tarah ni:shabd vedana se atyadhik stabdh haian. vichchhed ke din bhi hamane pravanchana ki ninda se ek doosare ko kalank nahian lagaya, naphe-nukasan ke phijool ke vad-vivad se gangamati ke shant grih ko ham dhoomachchhann karake nahian aya. vahaan ke sab log yahi janate haian ki phir ek din ham laut ayange, phir hansi-khushi shuroo hogi aur phir arambh hogi bhoosvamini ki din-dukhiyoan ki seva aur satkar. par vah sambhavana to khatm ho gayi hai-prabhat ki vikasit mallika din ke ant ka hukm manakar chup ho gayi hai- yah bat ve svapn mean bhi nahian socheange.

aauankhoan mean niand nahian hai, nidrahin rajani prat:kal ki or jitani age badhane lagi, utani hi yah ichchha hone lagi ki yah rat khatm hi n ho! sirph yahi ek chinta mano mujhe mohachchhann karake rakhe rahi.

biti huee kahani ghoom-phirakar man mean a jati hai. virabhoomi‍ zile ki vah tuchchh kutiya man par bhoot ki tarah chadh jati hai, hamesha kam-kaj mean phansi huee rajalakshmi ke donoan snigdh hath aauankhoan ke samane saf najar ate haian, is jivan mean paritripti ka aisa asvadan kabhi kiya hai, yah yad nahian ata.

abhi tak pak da hi gaya hooan, pak d nahian paya hooan. par rajalakshmi ki sabase b di kamazori kahaan hai, aj pak d li. vah janati hai ki maian ni‍rog nahian hooan, kisi bhi din bimar p d sakata hooan. tab n jane kahaan ki ek pooantoo mujhe gherakar baithi hai, rajalakshmi ka koee prabhutv hi nahian hai- itani b di durghatana ko vah apane man mean sthan nahian de sakati. sansar ki sab chijoan se vah apane ko vanchit kar sakati hai par yah vastu asambhav hai- yah usake lie asadhyu hai. maut tuchchh hai, isake nikat ek or rah gaye gurudev aur ek or rah gaye usake jap-tap aur vrat-upavas. chitthi mean usane mujhe jhootha dar nahian dikhaya hai.

subah ke vakt shayad so gaya tha. ratan ki pukar sunakar jab utha to kafi vakt ho gaya tha. usane kaha, "n jane kaun ek boodhe mahashay gho daga di karake abhi aye haian."

ve baba haian. par ga di kiraye ki karake? sandeh hua.

ratan ne kaha, "sath mean ek satarah-atharah sal ki l daki hai."

vah pooantoo hai. yah besharm adami use kalakatte ke makan tak ghasit laya hai. subah ka prakash tiktata se mlan ho gaya. kaha, "unhean us kamare mean lakar baithao ratan, maian muanh-hath dhokar ata hooan." yah kahakar maian niche ke snan-ghar mean chala gaya.

ghante-bhar bad lautate hi baba ne meri sadar abhyarthana ki, mano maian hi unaka atithi hooan, "ao beta, ao. tabiyat achchhi hai n?"

maianne pranam kiya. baba ne pukar machaee "pooantoo, kahaan gayi?"

pooantoo khi daki ke kinare kh di hokar rasta dekh rahi thi, usane pas akar mujhe namaskar kiya.

baba ne kaha, "isaki bua shadi ke pahale ek bar dekhana chahati thi. phoopha to hakim haian, paanch sau rupaya mahina pate haian. dayamand harabar mean tabadala hua hai- ghar grihasthi chho dakar bahar jane ki phursat bua ko nahian hai. isalie sath leta aya. socha ki doosare ke hathoan mean sauanpane ke pahale unhean ek bar dikha laooan. isaki dadi-maan ne ashirvad dekar kaha, "pooantoo, aisa hi bhagy tera bhi ho."

mere kuchh kahane ke pahale hi khud bole, "maian itani jaldi nahian chho dooanga bhaiya. hakim hoan chahean aur kuchh hoan, haian to rishtedar-kh de hokar kam poora karana hoga- tab unhean chhutthi milegi. janate to ho beta, ki shubh kary mean bahut vighn hote haian- shastrar mean kaha hi hai, 'shreyaansi bahuvighnani.' aise ek adami ke kh de rahane par kisi ki chooan tak karane ki majal nahian hogi. hamare gaanv ke logoan ka to vishvas hai nahian- ve sab kuchh kar sakate haian. par ve to hakim haian, unaki to rashi hi nyari hai.

pooantoo ke phoopha haian. samachar avantar nahian hai- matalab ka hai.

naya huqqa kharidakar ratan sayatn chilam sajakar de gaya. tho di der tak gaur se dekhane ke bad baba ne kaha, "aisa lagata hai ki is adami ko kahian dekha hai?"

ratan ne phauran hi kaha, "ji haan, dekha kyoan nahian hai. desh ke makan mean jab baboo bimar the..."

"o, tabhi to kaha ki pahichana hua chehara hai."

"ji haan." kahakar ratan chala gaya.

baba ka muanh atyant gambhir ho gaya. dhoortt adami thahare, shayad unhean sari batean yad a gayian. chupachap chilam ke dam lagate hue bole, "ane ke lie din dekhakar aya tha. bahut achchha din hai. meri ichchha hai ki ashirvad ka kam aise hi khatm kar jaooan. nootan bazar mean to sabhi chizean bikati haian. naukar ko ek bar bhej nahian sakate? kya kahate ho?"

jab kuchh bhi kahane ko n mila to kisi tarah sirph kah diya, "nahian."

"nahian? nahian kyoan? barah baje tak din bahut achchha hai. panchaang hai?"

maianne kaha, "panchaang ki zaroorat nahian. maian vivah nahian kar sakata."

baba ne hukke ko divar se lagakar rakh diya. chehara dekhakar maian ta d gaya ki vah yuddh ke lie taiyar ho rahe haian. gale ko bahut shant aur gambhir banakar kaha, "sara ayojan ek tarah se poora ho gaya hai. l daki ke byah ki bat hai, hansi-majak ka mamala to hai nahian. bachan de ane par ab na karane par kaise kam chalega?"

pooantoo pith kiye khi daki ke bahar dekh rahi hai aur daravaze ki a d mean ratan kan lagaye kh da hai, yah achchhi tarah maloom ho gaya.

maianne kaha, "vachan dekar to nahian aya tha, yah ap bhi janate haian aur maian bhi. kaha tha ki ek vyakti ki anumati mil jane par raji ho sakata hooan."

"anumati nahian mili?"

"nahian."

baba ek kshan thaharakar bele, "pooantoo ke pita kahate haian ki sab milakar vah ek hazar rupaye deange. zyada zor lagane par aur bhi sau-do sau de sakate haian; kya kahate ho?"

ratan ne kamare mean ghusakar kaha, "tambakoo kya ek bar aur badal dooan?"

"badal do. tumhara nam kya hai ji?"

"ratan."

"ratan? b da sundar nam hai, kahaan rahate ho?'

"kashi mean."

"kashi? devi ajakal shayad kashi mean rahati hai? vahaan kya karati hai."

ratan ne muanh oopar uthakar kaha, "us samachar se apako matalab?"

baba jara hansakar bole, "naraj kyoan hote ho bapoo, krodh karane ki to koee bat nahian. gaanv ki l daki hai n, isilie khabar janane ki ichchha hoti hai. shayad usake pas bhi kabhi ja p dana p de. khair, vah achchhi tarah to hai?"

ratan bina koee javab diye hi chala gaya, aur koee do minat bad hi chilam ko phooankata hua laut aya aur huqqa hath mean thamakar chala ja raha tha ki baba b de zor se kee dam lagakar hi uth kh de hue. bole, "thaharo to bhee, jara pakhana dikha do. subah hi nikal p da hooan n! kahate-kahate ve ratan ke age hi bahut tezike sath kamare se bahar nikal gaye."

pooantoo ne muanh phirakar dekha aur kaha, "baba ki batoan par ap etabar mat kijie. pitaji ke pas hazar rupaye kahaan haian jo deange? kisi tarah doosaroan ke gahane mangani maangakar jiji ki shadi ki thi- ab ve log jiji ko nahian bulate. kahate haian ki ham l dake ki doosari shadi kareange."

is l daki ne itani batean mujhase pahale nahian kahi thian. kuchh chakit hokar poochha, "tumhare pitaji vakee hazar rupaye nahian de sakate?"

pooantoo ne sir hilakar kaha, "kabhi nahian. pitaji ko rel mean sirph chalis rupaye milate haian. skool ki phis ki vajah se hi mere chhote bhaee ki padhaee band ho gayi. vah kitana rota hai!" kahate-kahate usaki donoan aauankhean chhalachhala ayian.

prashn kiya, "sirph rupaye ke karan hi tumhari shadi nahian ho rahi hai?"

pooantoo ne kaha, "haan isi vajah se. hamare gaanv ke amooly baboo ke sath pitaji ne sambandh pakka kiya tha. unaki l dakiyaan bhi mujhase bahut b di haian. is par maan pani mean doob marane ko gayi, to shadi ruk gayi. is bar shayad pitaji kisi ki kuchh n suneange, vahian meri shadi kar deange."

poochha, "pooantoo, maian tumhean pasand hooan?"

pooantoo ne lajja se muanh nicha kar jara sir hila diya.

"par maian bhi to tumase chaudah-pandrah sal b da hooan?"

pooantoo ne is prashn ka koee javab nahian diya.

poochha, "tumhara kya aur kahian koee sambandh nahian hua tha?"

pooantoo ne khush hokar muanh oopar uthate hue kaha, "hua to tha. ap apane gaanv ke kalidas baboo ko janate haian? unake chhote l dake ne bi.e. pas kiya hai. umr bhi mujhase tho di hi zyada hai. usaka nam shashadhar hai."

"vah tumhean pasand hai?"

pooantoo hathath hans p di.

maianne kaha, "par shashadhar agar tumhean pasand n kare?"

pooantoo ne kaha, "pasand kyoan n karega? hamare makan ke samane hokar bar-bar ata-jata rahata hai. raanga didi hansi mean kahati thian ki vah sirph mere lie hi chakkar katata hai."

"to yah shadi kyoan nahian huee?"

pooantoo ka chehara malin ho gaya. kaha, "usake pita hazar rupaye nakad aur hazar rupaye ke gahane maangate the. oopar se shadi mean bhi paanch sau rupaye kharch n ho jate? itana to zamiandar ke ghar ki l daki ke lie hi ho sakata hai. sach hai n? ve b de adami haian, unake pas bahut rupaye haian meri maan unake yahaan gayi aur bahut hath-pair jo de, par unhoanne ek nahian suni."

"shashadhar ne kuchh nahian kaha?"

"nahian, kuchh nahian. par vah bhi to bahut b da nahian hai- usake maan-bap zinda haian n?"

'yahi sahi hai. shashadhar ki shadi ho gayi?"

pooantoo ne vyagr hokar kaha, "nahian, abhi nahian huee. suna hai ki jaldi hi hogi."

"achchha, vahaan tumhari shadi ho jane par agar ve log tumase prem n karean?"

"mujhase? prem kyoan nahian kareange? maian rasoee banana, silaee karana aur grihasthi ke sare kam janati hooan? maian akeli hi unaka sara kam kar dooangi."

isase zyada bangali gharane ki l daki aur kya janati hai? sharirik parishram dvara hi vah sab kamiyoan ki poorti karana chahati hai. poochha, "un logoan ka sab kam avashy karogi n?"

"haan, nishchay karooangi."

"to tum apani maan se jakar kah do ki shrikant dada dhaee hazar rupaye bhej deange."

"ap bhej deange? to phir vayada kijie ki shadi ke din ayeange?"

"achchha, aooanga."

daravaze ki dehali par baba ki avaz sunaee di.

unhoanne laang se muanh poanchhate-poanchhate pravesh kiya aur kaha, "tumhara payakhana to bahut achchha hai bhaiya! so jane ki ichchha hoti hai. gaya kahaan ratan, aur ek chilam tambakoo saja de n."