श्रीकांत उपन्यास भाग-19

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

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doosare din meri anichchha ke karan jana n hua kintu usake agale din kisi prakar bhi n ataka saka aur muraripur ke akha de ke lie ravana hona p da. jisake bina ek qadam bhi chalana mushkil hai vah rajalakshmi ka vahan ratan to sath chala hi, par rasoeeghar ki daee laloo ki maan bhi sath chali. kuchh zaroori chizean lekar ratan sabere ki ga di se ravana ho gaya hai. vahaan pahuanchakar vah steshan par pahale hi se do gho daga diyaan thik kar rakkhega. ham logoan ke sath jo saman baandh gaya hai vah bhi to kam nahian hai.

maianne prashn kiya, "vahaan kya ghar-bar basane ja rahi ho?"

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "vahaan kya do-ek din bhi n raheange? desh ke van-jangal, nadi-nale, ghat-maidan kya tum akele hi dekh aoge? maian kya us desh ki l daki nahian hooan? meri kya dekhane ki ichchha nahian hoti?"

"manata hooan ki hoti hai, par itani chijean, itane tarah ka khane-pine ka ayojan."

"to tum kya yah kahate ho ki devasthan mean khali hath chala jay? aur tumhean to kuchh sab dhona nahian hai, phir itani chinta kyoan?"

chinta to bahut thi, par kahata kisase? sabase adhik bhay isi bat ka tha ki yah vaishnavi-vairagiyoan ka chhua hua devata ka prasad mathe par to maje se chadha legi kintu muanh mean n dalegi. aur kaun janata hai ki vahaan jakar kis bahane upavas prarambh kar degi ya bhojan pakane baith jayegi. keval ek bharosa hai. rajalakshmi ka man sachamuch hi bhadr hai. akaran gale p dakar vah kisi ko chot nahian pahuancha sakati. yadi use kuchh aisa karana bhi hua to prasann-mukh has-parihas ke sath is prakar karegi ki mujhe aur ratan ko chho d koee samajh bhi nahian payega.

rajalakshmi ke sharirik gathan mean bahuly-bhar kabhi nahian hua aur phir sanyam tatha upavas ne use mano laghuta ki ek dipti dan di hai. visheshakar aj usaki saj-sajja kuchh vichitr hi hai. bhor hone ke pahale hi vah snan kar aee hai, gangaghat ke u diya pande ka yatnapoorvak lagaya hua tilak usake mastak par hai, katthee rang ki phool-phal tatha bel-bootoan se chitrit vrindavani sa di pahan rakkhi hai, sharir par ve hi kuchh tho de-se gahane haian, mukh par snigdha prasannata hai, aur apane kam mean tallin hai. kal lambe aine lagian do alamariyaan kharid laee thi, aj jane se poorv unamean jaldi-jaldi n jane kya rakh rahi hai. kam karate-karate usake hathoan ke k doan ki shark machhali ki aauankhean bich-bich mean chamak uthati haian, gale mean p de hue hire-panne ki j daoo har ki vibhinn varnachchhata kinari ke vyavadhan mean se jhalak uthati hai. usake kanoan ke pas se bhi ek nili abha nikal rahi hai. mej par chay pine baithakar maian ekatak usi or dekh raha tha. usamean ek dosh tha, ghar mean vah jaket blauj nahian pahinati thi, atev jara asavadhan hone par usaki gardan tatha bahu ka bahut-sa aansh anavrit ho p data tha. yadi isake lie kaha jata to vah hansakar kahati- baba, mujhase yah sab nahian ho sakata. maian thahari gaanv ki aurat, mujhe din-rat bibiyana thath nahian suhata. arthath, ham shuchi-vayugrast jivoan ke lie kap doan ka zyada pahinana pareshani ka kam hai. alamari ka pal da band karate hue ekaek aine mean usaki drishti mujh par p d gayi. shighrata se sa di sanbhalakar vah meri or ghoomakar kh di ho gayi aur naraj hokar boli, "phir bhi tak rahe ho? abaki bar-bar mujhe itana kyoan tak rahe ho, kaho to?" aur kahakar hi vah hans p di.

maian bhi hansa, bola, "soch raha tha ki vidhata ko pharamaish dekar n jane kisane tumhean gadhavaya tha."

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "tumane. nahian to duniya se aisi nirali pasandagi aur kisaki ho sakati hai? mere ane ke paanch-chhah varsh poorv tum aye the, aur ate samay unhean bayana de aye the. yad nahian hai kya?"

"nahian, kintu tumane kaise jana?"

"chalan karate samay vidhata ne hi kan mean kah diya tha. par tum chay pi chuke? der karoge to aj bhi jana nahian hoga."

"n sahi."

"par batalao, kyoan?"

"vahaan bhi d mean shayad tumhean dhooandh n paooanga."

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "mujhe to tum pa loge, par maian tumhean khojakar pa jaooan to ganimat hai."

maianne kaha, "yah bhi to thik nahian hai."

usane hansakar kaha, "nahian, aisa nahian hoga. tumhean chalana hi p dega. suna hai ki 'naye gusaeean' ka vahaan ek alag kamara hai, maian jate hi usaka kunda to dakar rakh dooangi. koee bhay nahian, dhooandhana nahian hoga- dasi tumhean yoan hi mil jayegi."

"to chalo."

jis samay ham log math mean pahuanche us samay devata ki madhayahnakalin pooja samapt hi huee thi. bina bulae bina soochana ke akasmath itane prani hajir ho gaye, kintu phir bhi, un logoan ki itani khushi huee ki kah nahian sakata. b de gusaeean ashram mean nahian haian, gurudev se milane phir navadvip gaye haian, kintu is bich hi do vairagiyoan ne akar mere kamare mean adda jama liya hai.

kamalalata, padma, lakshmi, sarasvati tatha aur bhi kee ne akar ham logoan ki sadar abhyarthana ki. kamalalata ne bhare gale se kaha, "naye gusaeean, tum itani jaldi phir ham logoan ko dikhaee doge, aisi asha nahian ki thi."

rajalakshmi ne is prakar batachit ki, mano n jane kab ka parichay hai. kaha, "kamalalata jiji, in kee dinoan se inaki jaban par keval tumhari hi charcha thi. isase pahale hi ana chahate the, par mere karan hi aisa n ho saka. isamean mera hi dosh hai."

kamalalata ka mukh kuchh kshan ke lie lal ho gaya, padma hans p di aur usane aauankhean phira lian.

rajalakshmi ki vesh-bhoosha tatha chehare se sabhi ne use bhadr parivar ka samajha, keval mere sath usaka kya sambandh hai, yah nissandeh koee n jan saka. parichay ke lie sabhi utsuk ho rahe. rajalakshmi ki aauankhoan se kuchh bhi nahian chhipata. usane kaha, "kamalalata didi, mujhe pahichan nahian sakian?"

kamalalata ne sir hilakar kaha, "nahian."

"vrindavan mean kabhi nahian dekha?"

kamalalata bhi nirbodh nahian hai, usane parihas samajh liya aur hansakar kaha, "yad to nahian p d raha bahan."

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "yad n p dana hi achchha hai jiji. maian isi desh ki l daki hooan, vrindavan ko kabhi nahian gayi." kahakar vah hans p di. phir lakshmi, sarasvati tatha any sabake chale jane ke bad mujhe dikhakar kaha, "ham log ek hi gaanv mean ek hi guru ki pathashala mean padhate the, donoan mean aisa prem tha jaise bhaee-bahan hoan. maian muhalle ke rishte se 'dada' kahakar pukarati thi aur ye mujhe bahan ki tarah pyar karate. sharir par kabhi hath tak nahian lagaya." phir meri or dekhakar kaha, "kyoan ji, jo kuchh kah rahi hooan sach hai n?"

padma khush hokar boli, "isi se tum donoan dekhane mean ek se lagate ho. donoan hi ooanche aur patale, keval tum gori ho aur naye gusaeean saanvale."

rajalakshmi ne gambhir hokar kaha, "ham logoan ke thik ek se hue bina kam kaise chal sakata padma?"

"ari maiya! tumhean to mera nam bhi maloom hai. naye gusaeean ne bata diya hai shayad?"

"bataya hai, tabhi to tum logoan ko dekhane ayian. maianne kaha, "akele kyoan jaoge? mujhe bhi sath le chalo. tumase to mujhe koee dar nahian, ek sath dekhakar koee kalank bhi n lagayega aur yadi lagaya bhi to harj kya hai, vish nilakanth ke gale mean hi rah jayega, pet mean nahian utarega."

maian ab chup n rah saka. auratoan ka yah kis prakar ka majak hai, yah ve hi janean. krodhit hokar kaha, "batao, l dakiyoan ke sath kyoan jhootha majak kar rahi ho?"

rajalakshmi ne bhale manus ki tarah kaha, "sachcha majak n ho tumhian bata do. jo kuchh janati hooan, saral man se kah rahi hooan, isase tum naraj kyoan hote ho?"

usaka gambhiry dekhakar gusse hokar bhi maian hans p da, "haan, saral man se kah rahi ho! kamalalata, sansar mean itani b di shaitan aur vachal tumhean talash karane par bhi doosari nahian milegi. isaka kuchh n kuchh matalab hai, isaki sab batoan par sahaj hi vishvas n kar lena."

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "ninda kyoan karate ho gusaeean? tab to mere sambandh mean tumhare man mean hi koee matalab hai."

"haan, hai to."

"par mere man mean nahian hai. maian nishpap nishkalank hooan."

"haan, yudhishthir!"

kamalalata bhi hansi, kintu usake bolane ki bhangima par. vah shayad thik-thik kuchh samajh n saki, sirph ulajhan mean p d gayi. karan, us din bhi to kisi ramani se apane sambandh ka maianne koee abhas nahian diya tha. aur deta bhi kis tarah? dene ke lie us din tha hi kya?

kamalalata ne poochha, "tumhara nam kya hai bahin?"

"mera nam rajalakshmi hai, aur ye pahale ka aansh chho dakar kahate haian, keval 'lakshmi'. maian inhean 'e ji', 'o ji', 'suno' kahakar pukarati thi. kintu ab 'naye gusaeean' kahakar pukarane ke lie kaha hai. kahate haian isase tripti hogi."

padma ne sahasa tali bajakar kaha, "maian samajh gayi."

kamalalata ne use dhamakakar kaha, "jalamuanhi ke bhari buddhi hai n. bata to, kya samajhi?"

"nishchay samajh gayi. bataooan?"

"batana nahian hoga, ja." kahakar usane sneh ke sath rajalakshmi ka hath pak dakar kaha, "batoan hi batoan mean der ho rahi hai bahan, dhoop mean muanh sookh gaya hai. janati hooan, kuchh khakar bhi nahian ayi. chalo, hath-muanh dhokar devata ko pranam karo, phir sabhi milakar prasad paean. tum bhi chalo gusaeean- kahakar vah usaka hath pak dakar mandir ki or khianch le gayi.

abaki bar man hi man mujhe vipatti dikhaee di, kyoanki ab ayega prasad grahan karane ka ahnan. khane-pine aur chhuachhoot ka vichar rajalakshmi ke jivan ke sath is prakar granthit hai ki is vishay mean satyasaty ka prashn avaidh hai. yah keval vishvas nahian hai, usaka svabhav hai. ise chho dakar vah ji nahian sakati. yah koee nahian jan sakata ki jivan ke is ekant prayojan ki sahaj aur sakriy sajivata ne kitani bar kitane sankatoan se usaki raksha ki hai- apane ap vah batayegi nahian aur janane se koee labh nahian. keval maian hi janata hooan ki ek din rajalakshmi ko bina chahe hi daivath paya hai aur aj vah sabhi prapt vastuoan se badhakar hai. kintu is samay us bat ko jane do.

usaki jo kuchh kathorata hai vah keval apane lie, usamean doosare par koee atyachar nahian hai. vah hansakar kahati hai, "baba, zaroorat kya hai itana kasht karane ki? ajakal ke samay mean itana bachakar chalane se pran nahian bach sakate." vah janati hai ki maian kuchh nahian manata. vah isi mean khush hai ki usaki aauankhoan ke samane kuchh bhayankar ghatana n ho. meri paroksh anachar ki kahani se kabhi to vah apane donoan kanoan ko band karake apani raksha karati hai, ya kabhi gal par hath dekar avakh hokar kahati hai, mere durbhagy se tum aise kyoan hue? tumhare karan mera sab kuchh gaya.

kintu aj ka mamala thik vaisa nahian hai. is nirjan math mean jo kee prani shanti se rahate haian ve sab dikshit vaishnav-dharmavalambi haian. ye log jati-bhed nahian manate aur poorvashram ki batean kabhi man mean bhi nahian late. isi se kisi atithi ke ane par ye log ni:sankoch shraddhapoorvak prasad vitaran karate haian aur aj tak kisi ne bhi prasad ko asvikar kar in logoan ka apaman nahian kiya. kintu yah apritikar kary yadi aj, bina bulaye akar, hamare hi dvara ghatit ho to du:kh ki sima n rahegi- aur visheshakar mere du:kh ki. yah maian janata tha ki kamalalata muanh se kuchh n kahegi, kisi ko kuchh kahane bhi n degi- aur shayad keval ek bar meri or dekhakar hi phir sir nicha kar anyatr khisak jayegi. tab us mook abhiyog ka kya uttar hoga- kh da-kh da maian yahi soch raha tha ki. isi samay padma ne akar kaha, "chalo naye gusaeean, didi tumhean bula rahi haian. hath-muanh dho liya hai?"

"nahian."

"to ao, maian pani deti hooan. prasad diya ja raha hai."

"aj kya prasad bana hai?"

"aj devata ko ann-bhog laga hai."

maianne man hi man kaha ki tab to aur bhi khushi ki khabar hai. poochha, "prasad kis jagah diya ja raha hai?"

padma ne kaha, "devagrih ke baramade mean. tum babaji logoan ke sath baithoge aur ham auratean bad mean khayeangian. aj ham logoan ko svayan rajalakshmi didi paroseangi."

"ve khayeangi nahian?"

"nahian, vah to ham logoan ki tarah vaishnav nahian haian, brahman ki l daki haian. ham logoan ka chhua khane se unhean pap lagata hai."

"tumhari kamalalata didi naraj nahian hueean?"

"naraj kyoan hoangi, varanh hansane lagian. rajalakshmi ne didi se kaha, agale janm mean ham donoan bahinean ek hi maan ke pet se janm leangi. pahale maian paida hoooangi aur tum bad mean. tab donoan bahinean maan ke hath se ek hi pattal bhar khayeangi. us samay yadi jat nasht hone ki bat kahogi to maan kan mal deangi."

sunakar khush hokar socha, ab thik hua. rajalakshmi ko bat karane mean abhi tak koee pratidvandvi nahian mila tha. poochha, "kya javab diya?"

padma ne kaha, "rajalakshmi didi bhi sunakar hansane lagian. kahane lagian, maan kyoan didi, tum to b di bahan hogi hi, svayan kan mal dena. chhoti ki itani himakat kisi tarah bardasht n karana."

pratyuttar sunakar chup ho gaya. man hi man prarthana karata raha ki kamalalata isake bhitari arth ko n samajh sake.

jakar dekha ki meri prarthana manjoor ho gayi hai. kamalalata ne us bat par koee dhh‍yan nahian diya, balki is amal ko n manakar hi is bich donoan mean khoob mel ho gaya hai.

sham ki ga di se b de gusaeean dvarikaprasad a gaye aur unake sath aur bhi kee babaji aye. sarvaang mean chhapoan ka pariman aur vaichitray dekhakar sandeh n raha ki ye bhi avahelana ke patr nahian haian. b de gusaeean mujhe dekhakar bahut khush hue kintu unake sathiyoan ne meri koee paravah n ki. paravah karani bhi n chahie, kyoanki, suna gaya, unamean se to ek to khyatiprapt kirttan-kartta haian aur doosare mridang bajane mean ustad.

prasad pana samapt hone par maian bahar nikal p da. vahi sookhi nadi aur vahi van-jangal. charoan or venu aur beant ke kuanj haian- sharir bachakar chalana mushkil hai. asann sooryast ke samay kinare par baithakar prakriti ki lila nirikshan karane ka sankalp kiya, kintu bodh hua ki pas hi kahian arabi jati ke 'aandhere ke manik' (phool) khile haian. unaki s de hue maans jaisi bibhats durgandh ne baithane nahian diya. man hi man socha ki kaviyoan ko yah phool bahut pasand hai. koee in phooloan ko le jakar unhean upahar kyoan nahian deta? sandhh‍ya hone ke poorv hi laut aya. jakar dekha ki vahaan samaroh ki dhoom hai. thakur- ghar sajaya ja raha hai aur arati ke bad kirtan ki baithak hogi.

padma ne kaha, "naye gusaeean, kirtan sunana tumhean achchha lagata hai, aj manoharadas babaji ka gana sunane par tum avakh ho jaoge. kaisa badhiya gate haian!"

vastut: mere lie vaishnav kaviyoan ki padavali jaisi any koee madhur vastu nahian hai. kaha, "sach, mujhe bahut achchha lagata hai padma. bachapan mean do-char kos ke bhitar kahian bhi kirtan hone ki khabar sunata tha to tatkal dau d jata tha, kisi bhi tarah ghar mean nahian rah sakata tha. samajh mean aye chahe n aye, lekin ant tak baitha rahata tha. kamalalata, aj tum nahian gaogi?"

kamalalata ne kaha, "nahian gusaeean, aj nahian. meri to vaisi shiksha nahian hai, isilie unake samane gate hue sharm ati hai. isake alava us bimari se gala itana kharab ho gaya hai ki abhi tak thik nahian hua."

"par lakshmi to tumhara gana sunane hi aee hai. usaka khayal hai ki maianne tumhare vishay mean badha-chadhakar kaha hai."

kamalalata ne lajja se kaha, "badha-chadhakar to zaroor kaha hoga gusaeean." isake bad smit hasy ke sath rajalakshmi se kaha, "tum kuchh khayal n karana bahan, jo kuchh tho da-bahut ata hai, vah kisi aur din sunaooangi."

rajalakshmi ne prasann hokar kaha, "achchha didi, tumhari jis din ichchha ho bula bhejana, maian khud akar tumhara gana sun jaooangi." mujhase kaha, "tumhean kirtan sunana itana achchha lagata hai, yah to tumane kabhi nahian kaha?"

uttar diya, "tumase kyoan kahata? gangamati mean bimar p dakar jab shayya par p da tha, tab sookhe aur soone maidanoan ki or dekhate-dekhate dopahar ka vakt katata tha, aur durbhar sandhh‍ya kisi tarah akele katana hi n chahati thian...."

rajalakshmi ne chat se mere muanh ko apane hath se daba diya. kaha, "agar aur kuchh zyada kaha, to pairoan mean sir patakakar mar jaooangi." phir khud hi apratim ho hath hatakar boli, "kamalalata didi, apane b de gusaeeanji se kah ao bahan, aj babaji mahashay ke kirtan ke bad hi maian devata ko gana sunaooangi."

kamalalata ne sandigdh kanth se kaha, "lekin bahin, babaji b de tika-tippani karane vale haian."

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "bhale hi hoan, bhagavan ka nam to hoga." vigrah moortiyoan ko hath se dikhate hue kaha, "ye shayad khush hoan. aur babajioan ka to maian utana khayal nahian karati bahin, par mere ye durvasa-devata prasann ho jaany to jan mean jan aye!"

"prasann hone par lekin bakhashish milegi!"

rajalakshmi ne sabhay kaha, "raksha karo, gusaeean, kahian sabake samane bakhashish dene mat a jana. tumhare lie asambhav kuchh bhi nahian hai."

sunakar vaishnaviyaan hansane lagian, padma khush hone par tali bajane lagati hai. boli, "maian s-m-jh-g-ee."

kamalalata ne usaki taraph sasneh dekhakar hansate hue kaha, "door hatakalamuanhi-chup rah." rajalakshmi se boli, "ise le jao bahan, kya maloom achanak kya kah baithe."

devata ki sandhh‍ya-arati ke bad kirtan ki baithak jami. aj bahut-se dipak jal rahe the. vaishnav-samaj mean muraripur ka ashram nitant aprasiddh nahian hai, nana sthanoan se kirtan karane vale vairagiyoan ke dal ane par is tarah ka ayojan aksar hua karata hai. math mean sab tarah ke vadyayantr maujood rahate haian, dekha ki ve sab hajir kar diye gaye haian. ek or vaishnaviyaan baithi haian, sab parichit haian, doosari or ajnat-kulashil anek vairagi-moortiyaan haian, nana umr aur tarah-tarah ke cheharoan ki. bich mean vikhyat manoharadas aur unake mridangavadak asin haian. mere kamare par hal mean hi dakhal karane vale navayuvak babaji haramoniyam mean sur de rahe haian. yah prachar ho gaya hai ki kalakatte se ek sambhrant ghar ki mahila aee haian- ve hi gana gayeangi. ve yuvati haian aur dhanavati, unake sath aye haian, das-dasi, ayean haian anek prakar ke khady-samooh aur koee ek naya gusaeean bhi aya hai- vah hai yahian ka ek ghumakk d.

manoharadas ki kirtan ki bhoomika aur gaur-chandrika ke* bich rajalakshmi kamalalata ke pas akar baith gayi. hathath babaji mahoday ka gala kuchh kaanpakar sanbhal gaya, mridang par thapaki nahian p di. yah ek nitant daiv ki hi lila thi. sirph dvarikadas divar ke sahare jaise aauankhean band kiye baithe the vaise hi baithe rahe. kya maloom, shayad ve jan hi n paye ki kaun aya aur kaun nahian.

rajalakshmi ek nilambari sa di pahanakar aee hai, aur usaki mahin jari ki kinari ke sath nile rang ka blauj milakar ek ho gaya hai. baki sab vaisa hi hai, sirph subah ki u diya pande ki lagaee huee chhapean is vakt bahut kuchh mit gayi haian- jo chhapean baki bachi haian ve mano ashvin ke chhinn-bhinn megh haian jo n jane kab nil akash mean bila jaanyage. vah ati shisht shant hai, usane meri or kataksh se bhi n taka- mano pahichanati hi nahian, to bhi kyoan usane apani jara-si hansi daba di, yah vahi jane. athava meri bhi bhool ho sakati hai; asambhav to hai nahian.

aj babaji maharaj ka gana jama nahian, par yah unake apane dosh se nahian, logoan ki adhirata ke karan. dvarikadas ne aauankhean khol rajalakshmi ka ahnan kar kaha, "didi, hamare devata ko ab tum kuchh nivedan karake sunao, sunakar ham bhi dhany hoan."

rajalakshmi usi or muanh karake baith gayi. dvarikadas ne mridang ki or aanguli se ishara kar poochha, "isase koee badha to paida n hogi?"

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "nahian."

yah sunakar sirph ve hi nahian, balki manoharadas bhi man hi man kuchh vismit hue, kyoanki, ek sadharan stri se shayad unhoanne itani asha nahian ki thi.

gana shuroo hua. sankoch ki j data-ajnata ki duvidha kahian bhi nahian hai- ni:sanshay kanth abadh jalasrot ki tarah pravahit hone laga. janata hooan, is vidya mean vah sushikshita hai- yah usaki jivika thi, par khayal nahian tha ki bangal ke apane sangit ki is dhara par bhi usane itane yatn ke sath adhikar kar rakkha hai. kise maloom tha ki prachin aur adhunik vaishnav kaviyoan ki itani vibhinn padavaliyoan ko usane kanthasth kar rakkha hoga. sirph sur, tal aur lay mean nahian, balki vaky ki vishuddhata,

uchcharan ki spashtata aur prakash-bhangi ki madhurata se usane is sham ko jis vismay ki srishti ki vah kalpanatit thi. patthar ke devata usake samane haian aur durvasa devata pichhe- kahana mushkil hai ki usaki yah aradhana kisako zyada prasann karane ke lie thi. kya jane, yah bat aj usake man mean thi ya nahian ki gangamati ke aparadh ka tho da-sa kshalan bhi isase ho jay.

• gane ke pahale chaitany dev ki vandana.

vah ga rahi thi-

eke pad-pankaj panke vibhooshit, kantak jar jar mel,

tuya darasan ashe kachhu nahian, janalu, chiradukh ab door gel.

tohari murali jab shravane praveral, chho danu grihasukhas,

panthak du:kh trinahuan kari n gananu kahatan h govindadas॥

b de gusaeeanji ki aauankhoan se ashrudhara bah rahi thi, ve aveg aur anand ki prerana se uth kh de hue. moorti se kanth se mallika ki mala utarakar unhoanne rajalakshmi ke gale mean pahana di aur kaha, "prarthana karata hooan, tumhare sab akalyan door ho jaany."

rajalakshmi ne jhukakar namaskar kiya, phir uthakar mere pas ayian, sabake samane pairoan ki dhool mathe par lagaee aur ahiste se kaha, "yah mala rakkhi hai, bakhshish ka dar n dikhaya hota to yahian tumhare gale mean pahana deti." kahakar turant hi vah chali gayi.

gane ki baithak khatm huee. aisa laga mano aj jivan sarthak ho gaya.

kramash: prasad-vitaran ka ayojan shuroo hua. andhakar mean use jara ot mean bulakar kaha, "vah mala rakh do. yahaan nahian, ghar lautakar tumhare hathoan se hi pahinooanga."

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "yahaan thakur-ghar mean pahin loge to phir utar nahian sakoge- shayad isi bat ka dar hai?"

"oh, kaise dani ho! par vah to tumhari hi rahati ji."

"tumhean aj asankhy dhanyavad."

"kyoan, batao to sahi?"

aj khayal ho raha hai, maian tumhare yogy nahian hooan. roop, gun, ras, vidya, sneh aur saujany se paripoorn jo dhan mujhe bina yachana ke hi mila hai, usaki sansar mean tulana nahian hai. apani ayogyata ke mare sharm ati hai lakshmi- tumhare nikat maian sachamuch bahut kritajn hooan."

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "is bar maian sachamuch naraj ho jaooangi."

"so ho jao. sochata hooan ki is aishvary ko maian kahaan rakkhooanga?"

"kyoan, chori jane ka dar hai?"

"nahian, aisa adami to koee najar nahian ata lakshmi. chori karake tumhean rakh chho dane layaq b di jagah vah bechara kahaan pavega?"

rajalakshmi ne uttar nahian diya, mera hath khianchakar tho di der tak hriday ke samip rakh chho da. phir kaha, "aandhakar mean aise amane-samane kh de raheange to log hanseange nahian? par soch rahi hooan ki rat ko tumhean kahaan sulaooangi- jagah to hai hi nahian."

"rahane do, kahian bhi sokar rat kat dooanga."

"so to kat doge, par tabiyat to tumhari achchhi hai nahian, bimar p d sakate ho."

"tumhean fikr karane ki zaroorat nahian, ye log kuchh n kuchh kareange hi."

rajalakshmi ne chinta ke svar mean kaha, "sab kuchh dekh to rahi hooan, pata nahian kya vyavastha kareange! par maian fikr n karooan aur ve karean? chalo, tho da-sa khakar so jana.

logoan ki bhi d ke karan sone ko sachamuch hi jagah n thi. us rat ko kisi tarah ek khule baramade mean masahari lagakar mere sone ki vyavastha ki gayi. trutiyoan ke karan rajalakshmi ashanti bodh karane lagi, shayad rat ko bich-bich mean akar dekh bhi gayi, par meri niand mean koee badha nahian p di.

doosare din bichhaune se uthane par dekha ki donoan bahut sare phool to dakar laut ayi haian. kamalalata ne aj mere badale rajalakshmi ko hi sathi bana liya tha. yah nahian janata tha ki vahaan akele mean unamean kya-kya batean hueean, par aj un donoan ka chehara dekhakar mujhe bahut santosh hua. mano donoan bahut purani sakhiyaan haian, n jane kitane samay ki atmiy. kal donoan ek sath ek hi shayya par soee thian- jati ke vichar ne vahaan kisi tarah ka ro da nahian atakaya. is bare mean ki ek-doosare ke hath ka nahian khatian, kamalalata ne mujhase hansakar kaha, "tum kuchh khayal n karana gusaeean, isaka prabandh hamara ho gaya hai. agali bar, maian b di bahin hokar paida hoooangi aur isake donoan kan achchhi tarah se mal dooangi."

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "isake badale maianne bhi ek shart kara li hai gusaeean, ki agar maian mar jaooan to ise vaishnavipan se istipha dekar tumhari seva mean niyukt hona p dega. maian achchhi tarah janati hooan ki tumhare bina mujhe mukti nahian milegi aur tab bhoot banakar didi ke sir par chadhi phirooangi- usi sindabad jahaji ke kandhoan par boodhe daity ki tarah-kandhoan par baithe-baithe isake dvara sab kam kara looangi, tab chho dooangi."

kamalalata ne sahasy kaha, "tumhean marane ki zaroorat nahian bahan, tumhean kandhoan par liye maian har vakt nahian ghoom sakooangi."

savere chay pikar gauhar ki talash mean bahar nikala. kamalalata ne akar kaha, "zyada der n karana gusaeean, aur unhean bhi sath lete ana. idhar devata ka bhog taiyar karane ke lie aj ek brahman pak d laee hooan. jaisa ganda hai vaisa hi alasi. use sahayata dene rajalakshmi sath mean gayi haian."

"yah achchha nahian kiya. rajalakshmi ka khana to ho jayega, par tumhare devata upase raheange."

kamalalata ne dar se jibh katate hue kaha, "aisi bat n kaho gusaeean, usake kanoan mean bhanak p d jayegi to phir yahaan jal bhi grahan nahian karegi."

hansakar kaha, "chaubis ghante bhi nahian bite kamalalata, par tumane usako pahichan liya hai." usane bhi hansakar kaha, "haan gusaeean, pahichan liya hai. karo doan mean khojane par bhi tumhean aisa ek bhi manushy nahian milega bhaee. tum bhagyavanh ho."

gauhar se mulakat nahian huee, vah ghar par nahian tha. usaki ek vidhava bahan sunam gram mean rahati hai. navin ne bataya ki vahaan n jane kaun-sa ek naya rog phaila hai, bahut adami mar rahe haian. daridr bahin l dake-bachchoan ko lekar aphat mean p d gayi hai, isilie dava-daroo karane vah gaya hai. aj das-barah dinoan se koee khabar nahian hai, navin dar ke mare mara ja raha hai, par koee bhi rasta use nahian soojhata. ekaek b de zor se chikh marakar vah rone laga. bola, "shayad mere baboo ab zinda nahian haian. maian ek moorakh kisan hooan, kabhi gaanv se bahar nahian gaya, nahian janata ki kahaan vah desh hai aur kahaan se jana hota hai, nahian to sari ghar-grihasthi doob jati to bhi navin ab tak ghar n baitha rahata. chakravarti ki din-rat khushamad karata hooan ki maharaj, daya karo, zamin bechakar tumhean sau rupaye deta hooan, ek bar mujhe le chalo, par vah dhoort brahman jara bhi nahian hilata. par yah bhi kahe deta hooan baboo, ki agar mere malik mar gaye to chakravarti ke makan ko ag lagakar jala dooanga aur phir usi ag mean atmahatya karake mar jaooanga. itane b de namakaharam ko maian zinda nahian rahane dooanga."

usako santvana dekar poochha, "jile ka nam janate ho navin?"

navin ne kaha, "keval yah suna hai ki vah gaanv nadiya zile ke kisi kone mean hai. steshan se bailaga di mean kafi door jana hota hai." phir bola, "chakravarti janata hai, par brahman yah bhi nahian batalana chahata."

navin purani chitthiyaan vagairah sangrah kar laya, par unase koee pata nahian chala. sirph yah pata laga ki do mahine pahale vidhava beti ki l daki ki shadi ke lie chakravarti ne gauhar se do sau rupaye vasool kiye the!

moorkh gauhar ke pas bahut rupaya hai, phalat: akshamy daridr use thageange hi- isake lie kshobh karana vritha hai, phir bhi itani b di shaitani bahut kam najar ati hai.

navin ne kaha, "usake lie to baboo ka marana hi achchha hai, jhanjhatoan se bach jayega n! udhar ka ek paisa bhi nahian chukana p dega." yah asambhav nahian hai.

donoan adami chakravarti ke ghar gaye. itana vinayi, aisi mithi batean karane vala aur aisa par-du:khakatar bhadr vyakti sansar mean durlabh hai! par vriddh ho jane ke karan smriti-shakti itani kshin ho gayi hai ki use kisi bhi tarah yad nahian aya, yahaan tak ki zile ka nam bhi khayal n aya! b di koshishoan ke bad ek taim-tebal lakar uttar aur poorv bangal ke relave steshanoan ke sabake sab nam padh gaya, phir bhi vah smaran n kar saka. du:kh prakat karate hue bola, "log n jane kitani chizean aur rupaya-paisa udhar le jate haian. baba, yad nahian rahata aur phir koee lautane bhi nahian ata. man hi man kahata hooan ki sir par bhagavan haian, ve hi isaka vichar kareange."

navin ab aur bardasht n kar saka, garaj utha, "haan, ve hi tumhara vichar kareange. agar n kareange to phir maian karooanga!"

chakravarti ne snehardr madhur kanth se kaha, "navin, jhooth-mooth ke lie kyoan naraj hote ho bhaiya, tin pan bit gaye, ek pan baki raha hai. yadi janata to kya itana bhi n karata? gauhar kya mere lie paraya hai? vah to mere l dake ki tarah hai re!"

navin ne kaha, "yah sab maian nahian janata. tumase antim bar kahata hooan ki baboo ke pas le chalana hai to le chalo, nahian to jis din unaki koee buri khabar milegi, us din rahe tum aur raha maian."

chakravarti ne pratyuttar mean kapal par hath marakar sirph itana kaha, "takadir navin, takadir! nahian to tum mujhase aisi bat kahate!"

atev, phir donoan adami laut aye. makan ke bahar kh de hokar maianne asha ki ki anutapt chakravarti shayad ab bhi bula le. par koee uttar nahian mila, daravaze ki a d se jhaankakar dekha ki chakravarti jali huee chilam pheankakar b de santosh ke sath huqqa taiyar kar raha hai.

gauhar ka sanvad pane ka upay sochate-sochate jab maian akha de mean pahuancha, tab qarib tin baje the. devata ke kamare ke baramade mean auratoan ki bhi d lagi huee thi. babajiyoan mean se koee nahian hai, sambhavat: suprachur prasad-seva ke parishram se nirjiv ho kahian vishram kar rahe haian-chooanki rat ke vakt phir ek bar prasad se l dana hoga, atev usake lie bhi bal-sanchay karana zaroori hai!

jhaankakar dekha ki bhi d ke bich ek hath dekhane vala pandit baitha hua hai- panchaang, pothi, kh diya, slet, pensil ityadi ganana ke vividh upakaran usake pas haian. sabase pahale padma ki najar hi mujh par p di, vah chilla uthi, "naye gusaeean a gaye!"

kamalalata ne kaha, "tab hi jan gayi thi ki gauhar gusaeean tumhean yoan hi nahian chho d deange, unhoanne kya khilaya?"

rajalakshmi ne usaka muanh daba diya, "rahane do didi, yah mat poochha."

kamalalata ne usaka hath hatate hue kaha, "dhoop mean muanh sookh gaya hai, raste ki dhool-mitti sir par jam gayi hai- nahana-dhona ho gaya kya?"

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "tel to chhoote nahian, isalie naha-dho lene par bhi pata nahian chalega didi."

"isamean shak nahian ki navin ne har prakar ki koshish ki, par maianne svikar nahian kiya, bina nahaye khaye hi vapas laut aya hooan."

rajalakshmi ne b de anand ke sath kaha, "jyotishi ne mera hath dekhakar kaha hai ki maian rajarani hoooangi."

"kya diya?'

padma ne kah diya, "paanch rupaya. rajalakshmi didi ke aauanchal mean bandhe the."

maianne hansakar kaha, "mujhe detian to maian usase bhi achchha bata sakata tha."

jyotishi u diya brahman tha, bahut achchhi bangala bolata tha- bangali kaha ja sakata hai. usane bhi hansakar kaha, "nahian mahashay, rupaye ke lie nahian, rupaye to maian bahut kamata hooan. sach kahata hooan ki aisa achchha hath maianne doosara nahian dekha. dekhiega, mera hath dekhana kabhi jhooth nahian hota."

kaha, "jyotishiji, bina hath dekhe kuchh bata sakate ho?"

"bata sakata hooan. ek phool ka nam lijie."

"semar ka phool."

jyotishi ne hansakar kaha, "semar ka phool hi sahi. maian bata dooanga ki ap kya chahate haian." kahakar usane kh diya se do minat tak hisab lagakar kaha, "ap ek khabar janana chahate haian."

"kaun-si khabar?"

vah meri or dekhakar kahane laga, "nahian, mamale-mukadame ki nahian, ap kisi adami ki khabar janana chahate haian."

"kaisi khabar hai, bata sakate haian?"

"bata sakata hooan. khabar achchhi hai, do-ek din mean hi mil jayegi." sunakar man hi man vismit hua, mera chehara dekhakar sabane hi yah anuman kiya.

rajalakshmi ne khush hokar kaha, "dekha n? maian kahati hooan ki ye b di achchhi ganana karate haian, par tum log to kisi bat par vishvas hi, karana chahate-hansakar u da dete ho."

kamalalata ne kaha, "avishvas kisaka? naye gusaeean, jara apana hath bhi to ek bar jyotishiji ko dikhao."

mere hath phailate hi jyotishiji ne apane hath mean mera hath le liya, do-tin minat tak paryavekshan kiya, hisab lagaya, phir kaha, "mahashay, dekhata hooan ki apake lie ek b di bahut vipatti...

"vipatti? kab?"

"bahut jaldi. marane-jine ki bat hai."

rajalakshmi ki or takakar dekha ki usake chehare par khoon nahian hai- vah dar se saphed p d gaya hai.

jyotishi ne mera hath chho dakar rajalakshmi se kaha, "maan, tumhara hath ek bar aur..."

"nahian, mera hath ab nahian dekhana hoga, dekh chuke."

usaka tivr bhavantar atyant spasht tha. chatur jyotishi phauran samajh gaya ki hisab karane mean usane galati nahian ki hai. bola, "maian to maan darpan-matr hooan, jo chhaya p degi vahi kahooanga- par rusht grah ko bhi shant kiya ja sakata hai, isaki vidhi hai- sirph das-bis rupaye kharch karane ki bat hai."

"tum hamare kalakatte ke makan par a sakate ho?"

'kyoan n a sakooanga maan, le jane par chala chalooanga."

"achchha."

dekha ki grah ke kop ke prati to usako poora vishvas hai, par use prasann kar lene ke bare mean kafi sandeh hai.

kamalalata ne kaha, "chalo gusaeean, tumhari chay taiyar kar dooan, vakt ho gaya hai."

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "maian bana lati hooan didi, tum jara inake baithane ki jagah thik kar do aur ratan se huqqa taiyar karane ke lie kah do. kal se to usaki chhaya bhi najar nahian ayi."

jyotishi ko lekar sab kalarav karane lagian, ham chale aye.

dakshin ke khule baramade mean meri rassi ki khat p di hai, ratan ne jha d-poanchh di, huqqa diya, muanh-hath dhone ko pani la diya. kal sabere hi bechare ko kam se phursat nahian mili, phir bhi malakin kahati haian ki usaki chhaya tak nahian dikhi! meri vipatti-yog asann hai, par ratan se poochhane par vah avashy kahata, "ji nahian, vipatti-yog apaka nahian- mera hai."

kamalalata niche baramade mean baithakar gauhar ka sanvad poochh rahi thi. rajalakshmi chay le ayi, chehara bahut bhari ho raha hai, samane ke stool par pyali rakhakar boli, "dekho, tumase hazar dapha kah chuki ki van-jangaloan mean mat ghooma karo- aphat ate kitani der lagati hai? gale mean aauanchal dal aur hath jo dakar tumase prarthana karati hooan ki meri bat mano."

ab tak chay banate-banate rajalakshmi ne shayad yahi sochakar sthir kiya tha. 'bahut jaldi' ka doosara kya arth ho sakata hai?

kamalalata ne ashchary ke sath kaha, "van-jangaloan mean gusaeean kab gaye the?"

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "kab gaye, kya yah maian dekha karati hooan didi? mujhe kya duniya mean aur koee kam nahian hai?"

maianne kaha, "dekha kabhi nahian hai, sirph aandazahai. jyotishi beta achchhi aphat mean dal gaya!"

sunakar ratan doosari or muanh pher jaldi se chala gaya.

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "jyotishi ka kya dosh hai, vah jo dekhega vahi to batayega? sansar mean vipatti-yog nam ki kya koee chiz hi nahian hai? aphat mean kya kabhi koee nahian p data?"

in sab prashnoan ka uttar dena phijool hai. rajalakshmi ko kamalalata ne bhi pahichan liya hai, vah bhi chup rahi.

chay ki pyali apane hathoan mean lete hi rajalakshmi ne kaha, "do-char phal aur tho di-si mithaee le aooan?"

kaha, "nahian."

"nahian kyoan?" 'nahian' chho dakar 'haan' kahana kya bhagavan ne tumhean sikhaya hi nahian?" par mere muanh ki or dekhakar sahasa adhikatar udvign kanth se prashn kiya, "tumhari donoan aauankhean itani lal kyoan dikhaee de rahi haian? nadi ke s de pani mean nahakar to nahian aye ho?"

"nahian, aj snan hi nahian kiya."

"aur vahaan khaya kya?"

"kuchh bhi nahian khaya. ichchha bhi nahian huee."

jane kya sochakar najadik akar usane mere sir par hath rakkha, phir vahi hath kurte ke bhitar meri chhati ke najadik dalakar kaha, "jo socha tha thik vahi hai. kamal didi, dekho to inaka sharir garam maloom nahian p d raha hai?"

kamalalata vyast hokar uthi nahian. boli, "jara-sa garam ho gaya to kya hua rajoo-dar kya hai?"

vah namakaran karane mean atyant patu hai. yah naya nam mere kanoan mean bhi p da.

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "isake mani jvar jo hai didi!"

kamalalata ne kaha, "agar jvar hi ho to tum log pani mean nahian a p di ho? hamare pas aee ho, ham hi isaki vyavastha kar deange bahan- tumhean fikr karane ki koee zaroorat nahian."

apani is asangat vyakulata mean doosare ke avichalit shant kanth ne rajalakshmi ko prakritisth kar diya. sharmianda hokar usane kaha, "achchhi bat hai didi, par ek to yahaan d aauktar-vaidy nahian haian, phir hamesha dekha hai ki yadi inhean kuchh ho jata hai, to jaldi aram nahian hota- bahut bhogana p data hai. phir jalamuanha jyotishi ne jane kahaan se akar dar dila gaya..."

"dila jane do."

"nahian didi, maianne dekha hai ki inaki achchhi batean to nahian phalatian, par ashubh batean thik nikal jati haian."

kamalalata ne smit hasy se kaha, "darane ki bat nahian rajoo, is kshetr mean usaki bat thik n hogi. sabere se hi gusaeean dhoop mean ghoomate rahe haian, thik vakt par snan-ahar nahian hua, shayad isi karan sharir kuchh garm ho gaya hai- kal subah tak nahian rahega."

laloo ki maan ne akar kaha, "maan, rasoeeghar mean brahman-rasoiya tumhean bula raha hai."

"jati hooan," kahakar kamalalata ki taraph kritajn drishtipat karake vah chali gayi.

mere rog ke sambandh mean kamalalata ki bat hi phali. jvar thik subah hi to nahian gaya, par ek-do din mean hi maian svasth ho gaya. kintu is ghatana se kamalalata ko hamari bhitar ki batoan ka pata chal gaya, shayad ek aur vyakti ko bhi pata chala- svayan b de gusaeeanji ko.

jane ke din kamalalata ne ham logoan ko a d mean bulakar poochha, "gusaeean, tumhean apani shadi ka sal yad hai?" nikat hi dekha ki ek thali mean devata ka prasad, chandan aur phooloan ki mala rakhi hai.

prashn ka javab diya rajalakshmi ne, kaha, "inhean kya khak maloom hoga, mujhe yad hai."

kamalalata ne hansate hue kaha, "yah kaisi bat hai ki ek ko to yad rahe aur doosare ko nahian?"

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "bahut chhoti umr thi n, isilie. inhean tab bhi thik jnan n tha."

"par umr mean to yahi b de haian, rajoo?"

"o: bahut b de haian! kul paanch-chhah sal. meri umr tab ath-nau sal ki thi. ek din gale mean mala pahanakar maianne man-hi-man kaha, aj se tum mere doolha hue! doolha! doolha!" kahakar mujhe ishare se dikhate hue kaha, "par ye devata usi vakt meri mala ko vahian kh de-kh de kha gaye!"

kamalalata ne ashchary se poochha, "phooloan ki mala kis tarah kha gaye?"

maianne kaha, "phooloan ki mala nahian, pake hue, karodoan ki mala thi. jise dogi vahi kha jayega."

kamalalata hansane lagi. rajalakshmi ne kaha, "par vahian se meri durgati shuroo ho gayi. inhean kho baithi. isake bad ki batean mat janana chaho didi- par log jo kalpana karate haian so bat bhi nahian hai- ve to n jane kya-kya sochate haian. isake bad bahut dinoan tak roti-pitati bhatakati phiri aur talash karati rahi. akhir bhagavan ki daya huee, aur jaise ek din khud hi dekar ekaek chhin liya tha, vaise hi akasmath ek din hathoanhath lauta bhi diya." kahakar usane bhagavan ke uddeshy se pranam kar liya.

kamalalata ne kaha, "unhian bhagavan ki mala b de gusaeean ne bheji hai, aj jane ke din tum donoan ek-doosare ko pahana do."

rajalakshmi ne hath jo dakar kaha, "inaki ichchha ye janean, par isake lie mujhe adesh n karo. bachapan ki meri vah lal rang ki mala aj bhi aauankhean band karane par inake usi kishor gale mean jhoolati huee dikhaee deti hai. bhagavan ki di huee meri vahi mala hamesha bani rahe didi."

maianne kaha, "par vah mala to kha dali thi."

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "haan ji devata, is bar mujhe bhi kha dalo." kahakar hansate hue usane chandan ki katori mean aanguliyaan dubokar mere mastak par chhap laga di.

ham sab milane ke lie dvarikadas ke kamare mean gaye. ve n jane kis granth ka path karane mean lage hue the, adar se bole, 'ao bhaee, baitho."

rajalakshmi ne zamin par baithakar kaha, "baithane ka vakt nahian hai gusaeean. bahut upadrav kiya hai, isalie jane ke pahale namaskar kar apase kshama ki bhiksha maangane aee hooan."

gusaeean bole, "ham bairagi adami haian, bhiksha le to sakate haian, de nahian sakate. lekin phir kab upadrav karane aogi batao didi? ashram mean to aj andhakar ho jayega."

kamalalata ne kaha, "sach hai gusaeean- sachamuch mean yahi maloom hoga ki aj kahian bhi batti nahian jali hai, sab jagah andhakar ho raha hai."

b de- gusaeean ne kaha, "gan, anand aur has-parihas ke karan in kee dinoan se aisa lag raha tha ki mano hamare charoan or vidyut ke dipak jal rahe haian-yah aur kabhi nahian dekha. maianne suna kamalalata ne tumhara nam 'naye gusaeean' rakkha hai, aur maianne inhean nam diya hai anandamayi..."

is bar unake uchh‍chhvas mean mujhe badha dena p di. kaha, "b de gusaeean, vidyut ka dipak hi ap logoan ki aauankhoan ne dekha hai, par jinake karn-randharoan mean usaki k dak d dhh‍vani din-rat pahuanchati rahati hai, unase to jara poochhie. anandamayi ke sambandh mean kam-se-kam ratan ki ray..."

ratan pichhe kh da tha, bhag gaya.

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "inaki batean tum n suno gusaeean, mujhase ye din-rat eershya karate haian." phir meri or dekhakar kaha, "is bar jab aooangi to is rogi aur arasik adami ko kamare mean tala lagakar band kar aooangi, isake mare mujhe kahian chain nahian milati!"

b de gusaeean ne kaha, "nahian anandamayi, nahian banega, chho dakar nahian a sakogi."

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "avashy a sakooangi. bich-bich mean meri aisi ichchha hoti hai gusaeean, ki maian jaldi mar jaooan."

b de gusaeean ji bole, "yah ichchha to vrindavan mean ek din unake muanh se bhi nikali thi bahin, par vaisa ho nahian saka. haan anandamayi, tumhean kya vah bat yad nahian?-

sakhi, de jauan maian kisako kanhaiyalal ki seva.

ve janean kya batao to..."

kahate-kahate ve mano anyamanask ho gaye. bole, 'sachche prem ke bare mean ham log kitana-sa janate haian? keval chhalana mean apane ko bhulaye rakhate haian. par tum jan saki ho bahin, isilie kahata hooan ki tum jis din yah prem shrikrishna ko arpan kar dogi, anandamayi..."

sunakar rajalakshmi mano sihar uthi, vyast hokar badha dete hue boli, "aisa ashirvad mat do gusaeean, mere bhagy mean aisa n ghate. balki yah ashirvad do ki isi tarah hansate-khelate inake samaksh hi ek din mar jaooan."

kamalalata ne bat sanbhalate hue kaha, "b de gusaeean tumhare prem ki bat hi kar rahe haian rajoo, aur kuchh nahian."

maianne bhi samajh liya ki any bhavoan ke bhavuk dvarikadas ki vichar-dhara sahasa ek aur path par chali gayi thi, bas.

rajalakshmi ne shushk muanh se kaha, "ek to yah sharir aur phir ek n ek rog sath laga hi rahata hai- ekaangi adami, kisi ki bat sunana nahian chahate-maian rat-din kis tarah dari-sahami rahati hooan didi, kise bataooan?"

ab to maian man-hi-man udvign ho utha. jate vakt batoan-hi-batoan mean kahaan ka pani kahaan pahuanch gaya, isaka thikana hi nahian. maian janata hooan ki mujhe avahelana ke sath bida karane ki marmantak atmaglani lekar hi is bar rajalakshmi kashi se aee hai aur sarv prakar ke has-parihas ke antaral mean n jane kis anajan kathin dand ki ashanka usake man mean bani rahati hai jo kisi tarah mitana hi nahian chahati. isi ko shant karane ke abhipray se maian hansakar bola, "logoan ke age mere dubale-putale sharir ki tum chahe jitani ninda kyoan n karo lakshmi, par is sharir ka vinash nahian hai. tumhare pahale mare bina maian marane ka nahian, yah nishchit hai."

usane bat khatm bhi n karane di, dhap se mera hath pak dakar kaha, "tab in sabake samane mujhe chhookar tin bar kasam khao. kaho ki yah bat kabhi jhooth n hogi!" kahate-kahate udgat aauansoo usaki donoan aauankhoan se bah p de.

sabake-sab avakh ho rahe. lajja ke mare usane mera hath jaldi-se chho d diya aur jabaradasti hansakar kaha, "is jalamuanhe jyotishi ne jhoothamooth hi mujhe itana dara diya ki..."

yah bat bhi vah khatm n kar saki, aur chehare ki hansi tatha lajja ki badha ke hote hue bhi usaki aauankhoan se aauansuoan ki booandean donoan galoan par dhulak p dian.

ek bar phir sabase ek-ek karake vida li gayi. b de gusaeean ne vachan diya ki is bar kalakatte jane par vah hamare yahaan bhi padhareange aur padma ne kabhi shahar nahian dekha hai, isalie ve bhi sath mean ayegi.

steshan par pahuanchate hi sabase pahale vahi 'julamuanha' jyotishi najar aya. pletapharm par kambal bichhakar b di shan se baitha hai aur usake asapas kafi log jama ho gaye haian.

poochha, "yah bhi sath chalega kya?"

rajalakshmi ne doosari or dekhakar apani salajj hansi chhipa li. par sir hilakar bataya ki "haan, jayega."

kaha, "nahian, nahian jayega."

"lekin jane se kuchh bhala n hoga to bura bhi to n hoga. sath chalane do n?"

"nahian. bhala-bura kuchh bhi ho, vah sath nahian chalega. use jo kuchh dena ho de- dilakar yahian se bida kar do. grah shant karane ki kshamata aur sadhuta agar usamean ho bhi, to tumhari aauankhoan ki a d mean hi vah kare."

"to yahi kah deti hooan," kahakar ratan ko use bulane ke lie bhej diya. nahian janata ki use kya diya, par kee bar matha hilakar aur anek ashirvad dekar hansate hue hi usane bida li.

tho di der bad hi tren akar hajir huee aur ham kalakatte ko chal diye.

12

rajalakshmi ke ek prashn ke uttar mean rupayoan ki prapti ka qissa batana p da. "hamare barma aauphis se ek ooanche darje ke sahab bane ghu dadau d mean sarvasv ganvakar mere ikatthe kiye hue rupaye udhar le liye the aur khud hi unhoanne yah shart ki thi ki sirph sood hi nahian, balki agar achchhe din ae to munaphe ka bhi adha hissa deange. is bar kalakatte lautakar rupaye maangane par unhoanne karz ka chauguna rupaya bhej diya. bas yahi meri pooanji hai."

"vah kitani hai?"

"mere lie to bahut hai, par tumhare nikat atishay tuchchh."

"sunooan to kitani?"

"sat-ath hajar!"

"vah mujhe deni hogi."

dar se kaha, "yah kaisi bat hai! lakshmi to dan hi karati haian, ve hath bhi phailati haian kya?"

rajalakshmi ne sahasy kaha, "lakshmi apavyay sahan nahian karatian aur ayogy samajhakar sannyasi fakiroan ka vishvas nahian karatian. lao rupaye."

"kya karogi?"

"apane khane-kap de ki vyavastha karooangi. ab se yahi hoga mere jivit rahane ka mooladhan."

"par itane-se mooladhan se kam kaise chalega? tumhare jhund ke jhund naukar-naukaraniyoan ki pandrah din ki tanakhvah bhi to isase poori nahian hogi. isake alava guru-purohit haian, taiantis karo d devata haian, bahut-si vidhavaoan ka bharan-poshan hai- unaka kya upay hoga?"

"inake lie fikr mat karo, unaka muanh band n hoga. maian apane hi bharan-poshan ki bat soch rahi hooan. samajhe?"

kaha, "samajh gaya. ab se apane ko ek maya mean bhulaye rakhana chahati ho- yahi n?"

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "nahian, so nahian. vah sab rupaya doosare kamoan ke lie hai. mere bhavishy ki pooanji vahi hoga, jo ab se tumhare samane hath pasarane par milega. usi se bharapet khaooangi, nahian to upavas karooangi."

"to tumhare bhagy se yahi likha hai!"

"kya likha hai- upavas?" yah kahakar usane hansate hue kaha, "tum soch rahe ho ki sadharan-si pooanji hai, par vah vidya maian janati hooan ki sadharan hi kis tarah badhaya jata hai. ek din samajhoge ki mere dhan ke bare mean tum jo sandeh karate ho vah sach nahian hai."

"yah bat tumane itane dinoan se kyoan nahian kahi?"

"isilie nahian kahi ki vishvas nahian karoge. mera rupaya tum ghrina ke mare chhoote tak nahian, par tumhari ghrina se meri chhati phat jati hai."

vyathit hokar kaha, "achanak aj ye sab batean kyoan kah rahi ho lakshmi?"

rajalakshmi kshan-bhar tak mere chehare ki or dekhati rahi, phir boli, "yah bat tumhean aj ekaek khataki hai par meri to rat-din yahi bhavana rahi hai. tum kya yah samajhate ho ki adharm ki kamaee se hi maian devi-devataoan ki seva karati hooan? us dhan ka ek anu bhi agar tumhari chikitsa mean maian kharch karati, to tumhean bacha sakati? avashy hi mere pas se bhagavan tumhean chhin lete. is bat ko saty manakar tum kahaan vishvas karate ho ki maian tumhari hi hooan."

"vishvas to karata hooan."

"nahian, nahian karate."

usake prativad ka tatpary nahian samajha. vah kahane lagi, "kamalalata se tumhara do din ka parichay hai, to bhi tumane usaki sari kahani man lagakar suni, usaki sari badhaean mit gayian- vah mukt ho gayi. par tumane mujhase kabhi koee bat nahian poochhi, kabhi to nahian kaha ki lakshmi apane jivan ki sari ghatanaean kholakar batao. kyoan nahian poochha? tum vishvas nahian karate mera aur n vishvas kar sakate ho apane oopar!"

kaha, "usase bhi nahian poochha, janana bhi nahian chaha. usane khud hi jabaradasti sunaee hai."

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "to bhi suni to hai. vah paraee hai isalie usaki kahani nahian sunana chahate the, kyoanki zaroorat nahian thi. par mujhase bhi kya yahi kahoge?"

"nahian, yah nahian kahooanga. par kya tum kamalalata ki cheli ho? usane jo kuchh kiya hai, tumhean bhi vahi karana hoga?"

"in batoan mean maian bhoolane vali nahian. meri sari batean tumhean sunani hi p deangian!"

"yah to b di mushkil hai. maian sunana nahian chahata to bhi sunani p degi?"

"haan, sunani p deangian. tumhara khayal hai ki sunane par shayad mujhe pyar nahian kar sakoge, ya mujhe bida deni p degi."

"tab tumhari vivechana ke anusar yah kya tuchchh bat hai?"

rajalakshmi hans p di, boli, "nahian, yah nahian hoga, tumhean sunana hi p dega. tum purush ho, tumhare man mean kya itani bhi shakti nahian hai ki uchit maloom hone par mujhe door kar sako?"

is akshamata ko atyant spashtata se kabool karate hue kaha, "tum jin shaktishali purushoan ka ullekh karake mujhe apamanit kar rahi ho lakshmi, ve vir purush haian- namaskar karane yogy haian. unaki pad-dhooli ki yogyata bhi mujhamean nahian. tumhean bida dekar maian ek din bhi nahian rah sakooanga, shayad usi vakt lauta lane ke lie dau d padanga aur tumane yadi 'na' kah diya to meri durgati ki sima nahian rahegi! atev, sab bhayavah vishayoan ki alochana band karo."

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "tumhean maloom hai, bachapan mean maan ne mujhe ek maithil rajakumar ke hathoan bech diya tha."

"haan, aur ek rajakumar ki hi jabani yah khabar bahut dinoan bad suni thi. vah mera mitr tha."

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "haan, vah tumhare mitr ka mitr tha. ek din naraj hokar maianne maan ko bida kar diya aur unhoanne ghar lautakar meri mrityu ki aphavah phaila di. yah khabar to suni thi?"

"haan, suni thi."

"sunakar tumane kya socha tha?"

"socha tha, ah, bechari lakshmi mar gayi."

"yahi? aur kuchh nahian?"

"aur yah bhi socha tha ki kashi mean marane ke karan aur kuchh n bhi ho, sadgati to huee hi. ah!"

"rajalakshmi ne naraj hokar kaha, "jao, jhoothi ah-ah karake du:kh prakat karane ki zaroorat nahian. maian kasam khakar kah sakati hooan ki tumane ek bar bhi 'ah' n ki thi. lo, mujhe chhookar kaho to."

kaha, "itane dinoan pahale ki batean kya thik-thik yad rahati haian? ki thi, yahi to yad ata hai."

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "khair, kasht karake itani purani batean ab yad karane ki zaroorat kahian, maian janati hooan." phir tho di der thaharakar usane kaha, "aur maian? roj subah vishvanath se ro-rokar kahati thi, bhagavan, mere, bhagy mean tumane yah kya likh diya? tumhean sakshi banakar jisake gale mean mala dali thi kya is jivan mean usase phir kabhi milana nahian hoga? chirakal tak kya aisi apavitrata mean hi din bitane p deange? un dinoan ki batean yad ate hi aj bhi atmahatya karake mar jane ki ichchha hoti hai!"

usake chehare ki or dekhakar klesh bodh hua, par yah sochakar chup hi raha ki mera nishedh nahian manegi.

in batoan ko usane kitane dinoan tak man-hi-man kitani tarah se ulat-palatakar socha-vichara hai, usake aparadh-bharakrant man ne nirav ki kitani marmantik vedana sahan ki hai, phir bhi is dar se ki kuchh karate kuchh n ho jay kuchh zahir karane ka sahas nahian kiya hai, itane dinoan ke bad ab vah yah shakti kamalalata se arjan kar paee hai. apani prachchhann kalushita ko anavritt karake vaishnavi ne mukti pa li hai. rajalakshmi bhi aj bhay aur jhoothi maryada ki janjiroan ko to dakar usi ki tarah sahaj hokar kh di hona chahati hai, phir usake bhagy mean kuchh bhi kyoan n ho. yah vidya use kamalalata ne di hai. sansar mean is ek vyakti ke age is darpita nari ne sir jhukakar apane du:kh ke samadhan ki bhiksha maangi hai, yah bina kisi sanshay ke samajh lene par mujhe bahut santosh mila.

kuchh der donoan hi chup rahe. sahasa rajalakshmi boli, "rajapootr ekaek mar gaya, par maan ne mujhe phir bechane ka shadayantr racha..."

"is bar kisake hath?"

"ek doosare rajakumar ke- tumhare unhian mitraratn ke sath-jinake sath-sath shikar karane ke lie jate hue-kya hua, yad nahian hai?"

"shayad nahian. bahut purani bat hai n. par usake bad?"

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "yah shadayantr chala nahian. maian boli, "maan tum ghar jao."

maan ne kaha, "hazar rupaye jo le chuki hooan?" kaha, "vah rupaya lekar tum desh chali jao. dalali ka rupaya chahe jaise hoga maian chuka dooangi. aj rat ki ga di se tum bida n hogi maan, to kal sabere hi maian apane ko bechakar ganga-mata ke pani mean duba dooangi. mujhe to tum janati ho maan, jhootha dar nahian dikha rahi hooan." maan bida ho gayian. unhian ki jubani meri maut ki khabar sunakar tumane du:kh prakat karate hue kaha, "ah! bechari mar gayi." yah kahakar vah khud hi kuchh hansi aur boli, "sach hoti to tumhare muanh se nikalati huee yah 'ah' hi mere lie bahut thi, par ab jis din sachamuch marooangi, us din do booand aauansoo zaroor girana. kahana ki sansar mean anek var-vadhuoan ne anek malaean badali haian, unake prem se sansar pavitr-paripoorn ho raha hai, par tumhari kulata rajalakshmi ne apani nau varsh ki umr mean us kishor var ko ek man se jitana zyada pyar kiya tha, is sansar mean utana zyada pyar kabhi kisi ne kisi ko nahian kiya. kaho ki mere kanoan mean us vakt yah bat kahoge? maian marakar bhi sun sakooangi."

"yah kya, tum to ro rahi ho?"

usane aauankhoan ke aauansoo aauanchal se poanchhakar kaha, "tum kya sochate ho ki is nirupay bachchi par usake atmiy svajanoan ne jitana atyachar kiya hai, use antaryami bhagavan dekh nahian sake?- isaka nyay ve nahian kareange? aauankhean band kiye raheange?"

kaha, "sochata to hooan ki aauankhean band kiye rahana uchit nahian hai, par unaki batean tum log hi achchhi tarah janati ho, mere jaise pakhandi ka paramarsh ve kabhi nahian lete."

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "majak!" par doosare kshan gambhir hokar kaha, "achchha, log kahate haian ki stri aur purush ka dharm ek n hone se kam nahian chalata, par dharm-karm mean to mera aur tumhara sampark saanp aur nevale jaisa hai. phir bhi ham logoan ka kaise chalata hai?"

"saanp nevale ki tarah ki chalata hai. is jamane mean jane se mar dalane mean b di jhanjhat hai, isalie ek vyakti doosare ka vadh nahian karata, nirbhay hokar bida kar deta hai,- tab jab ki yah ashanka hoti hai ki usaki dharm-sadhana mean vighn p d raha hai!"

"usake bad kya hota hai?"

hansakar kaha, "usake bad vah khud hi rote-rote vapas ata hai, daantoan mean tinaka dabakar kahata hai ki mujhe bahut saza mil chuki hai, is jivan mean ab itani b di bhool nahian karooanga. gaya mera jap-tap, guru-purohit-mujhe kshama karo."

rajalakshmi bhi hansi, boli, "par kshama mil to jati hai?"

"haan, mil jati haian. par tumhari kahani ka kya hua?"

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "kahati hooan." kshan-bhar meri or nishpalak netroan se dekhakar kaha, "maan desh chali gayian. un dinoan mujhe ek boodha ustad gana-bajana sikhata tha. vah bangali tha. kisi jamane mean sannyasi tha, par istipha dekar phir sansari ho gaya tha. usake ghar mean musalaman stri thi. vah mujhe nach sikhane ati thi. maian use baba kahati thi aur mujhe sachamuch vah bahut pyar karata tha. rokar kaha, "baba, tum meri raksha karo, yah sab ab mujhase n hoga." vah garib adami tha. ekaek sahas n kar saka. maianne kaha ki mere pas bahut rupaya hai, usase kafi dinoan tak chal jayega. phir bhagy mean jo bada hoga, vah hoga. par ab chalo, bhag chalean. isake bad usake sath kitani jagah ghoomi- ilahabad, lakhanoo, dilli, agara, jayapur, mathura- ant mean is patana mean akar ashray liya. adha rupaya ek mahajan ki gaddi mean jama kara diya aur adhe rupaye se ek manihari aur kap de ki dukan khol li. makan kharidakar bankoo ko talash kiya, use lakar skool mean bharti kara diya aur jivika ke lie jo kuchh karati thi, vah to tumane khud apani aauankhoan se dekha hai."

usaki kahani sunakar kuchh der tak stabdh raha, phir bola, "tum kahati ho isalie avishvas nahian hota, par aur koee kahata to samajhata ki sirph ek managadhant jhoothi kahani sun raha hooan."

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "maian shayad jhooth nahian bol sakati?"

kaha, "shayad bol sakati ho, par mera vishvas hai ki mujhase aj tak nahian bolian."

"yah vishvas kyoan hai?"

"kyoan? tumhean dar hai ki jhoothi pravanchana karane ke karan pichhe kahian devata rusht n ho jaany aur tumhean dand dene ke lie kahian mera akalyan n kar baithean."

"mere man ki bat tumane kaise jan li?"

"mere man ki bat bhi to tum jan leti ho?"

"maian jan sakati hooan, kyoanki yah meri rat-din ki bhavana hai, par tumhare to vah nahian hai."

"agar ho to khush hoogi?"

rajalakshmi ne sir hilakar kaha, "nahian hoooangi. maian tumhari dasi hooan, dasi ko isase zyada mat samajhana, maian yahi chahati hooan."

uttar mean kaha, "tum us yug ki manushy ho- vahi hazar varsh purane sanskar haian!"

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "maian aisi hi ho sakooan aur hamesha aisi hi hooan." yah kahakar kshan-bhar meri or dekha, phir kaha, "tum sochate ho ki is yug ki auratean maianne nahian dekhi haian? bahut dekhi haian balki tumhian ne nahian dekhi haian aur dekhi bhi haian to bahar-se. inamean se kisi ke sath mujhe badal lo, to dekhooan ki tum kaise rah sakate ho? abhi mujhase majak karate hue kaha tha ki daantoan mean tinaka dabakar aee thi, tab tum das hath door se daantoan mean tinaka dabae aoge."

"par jab isaki mimaansa ho hi nahian sakati, jab jhag da karane se kya fayada? sirph yahi kah sakata hooan ki unake bare mean tumane atyant avichar kiya hai."

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "avichar agar kiya ho to bhi kah sakati hooan ki atyant avichar nahian kiya. o gusaeean, maian bhi bahut ghoomi hooan, bahut dekha hai. tum log jahaan andhe ho, vahaan bhi hamari das jo di aauankhean khuli huee haian."

"par jo kuchh dekha hai rangin chashme se dekha hai, isilie sab galat dekha hai. das jo di bhi vyarth haian."

rajalakshmi ne hansate hue kaha, "kya kahooan, mere hath-pair bandhe hue haian, nahian to aise a de hathoan leti ki janm-bhar n bhoolate. par jane do, jab maian us yug ki tarah tumhari dasi hokar hi rahati hooan, tab tumhari seva hi mere lie sabase b da kam hai. par tumhean maian apane bare mean jara bhi nahian sochane dooangi. sansar mean tumhare lie bahut kam haian, ab se ve hi karane hoange. is abhagini ke pichhe tumhara kafi vakt tatha aur bhi bahut kuchh nasht ho gaya hai, ab maian aur nasht nahian karane dooangi."

kaha, "isilie to maian jitani jaldi ho sake usi purani naukari par jakar hajir ho jana chahata hooan."

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "naukari maian tumhean nahian karane dooangi."

"par manihari ki dukan bhi maian nahian chala sakooanga."

"kyoan nahian chala sakoge?"

"pahala karan to yah hai ki chijoan ka dam mujhe yad nahian rahata, doosare dam lena aur phauran hi hisab karake baki paisa lauta dena to aur bhi asambhav hai. dukan to uth hi jayegi, agar kharidadaroan ke sath lathi n chal jay to ganimat hai."

"to ek kap de ki dukan karo."

"isase achchha hai ki jangali sher-bhaluoan ki ek dukan kara do, mere lie use chalana zyada asan hoga."

rajalakshmi hans p di. boli, man lagakar itani aradhana karane ke bad bhi ant mean bhagavan ne mujhe ek aisa akarmany manushy diya jisake dvara sansar ka itana-sa bhi kam nahian ho sakata!"

kaha, "aradhana mean truti thi. use sudharane ka vakt hai, ab bhi tumhean karmath adami mil sakata hai- kafi sundar, svasth, lamba-chau da javan; jise n koee hara sakega aur n thag hi sakega; jis par kam ka bhar dekar nishchint, hath mean rupaya-paisa sauanpakar nirbhay hua ja sakega. jisaki khabaradari nahian karani hogi, bhi d mean jise kho dene ki vyakulata nahian, jise sajakar tripti, bhojan karakar anand- 'haan' ke alava jo 'na' bolana hi nahian janata..."

rajalakshmi chupachap mere muanh ki taraph dekh rahi thi, akasmath usake sare sharir mean kaante uth ay. maianne kaha, "are yah kya?"

"nahian, kuchh nahian."

"kaanp jo uthi."

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "muanhazabani hi tumane jo tasavir khianchi hai, usaka agar adha bhi saty ho to shayad maian mare dar ke hi mar jaooangi."

"par mere jaise akarmany adami ko lekar tum kya karogi?"

rajalakshmi ne hansi dabakar kaha, "karooangi aur kya. bhagavan ko kosooangi aur hamesha jalati-bhunati rahakar marooangi. is janm mean aur to kuchh aauankhoan se dikhaee nahian deta."

"balki isase achchha to yahi hai ki tum mujhe muraripur ke akha de mean bhej do."

"unhian ka tum kaun-sa upakar karoge?"

"unake phool to d diya karooanga aur devata ka prasad pakar jitane din zinda hooan p da rahooanga. isake bad ve usi bakul ke tale meri samadhi bana deange. padma kisi din sham ko dipak jala jayegi- jis din vah bhool jayegi us din dip n jalega. subah ke phool to dakar usake pas se kamalalata jab nikalegi to kabhi ek mutthi mallika ke phool bikher degi aur kabhi kund ke phool. yadi kabhi koee parichit rasta bhoolakar a jayega to use samadhi dikhakar kahegi, yahaan hamare naye gusaeean rahate haian- yahian jo jara ooanchi jagah hai, jahaan mallika ke sookhe aur kund ke taje phooloan ke sath milakar jhare hue bakul ke phool chhaye hue haian- yahian."

rajalakshmi ki aauankhoan mean aauansoo bhar aye, poochha, "aur vah parichit vyakti tab kya karega."

maianne kaha, "yah maian nahian janata. ho sakata hai ki bahut-sa rupaya kharch kar mandir banava jae..."

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "nahian, aisa n hoga. vah us bakul ke tale ko chho dakar kahian n jayega. pe d ki har dal par pakshi kalarav kareange, gana gayeange, l deange-saik doan sookhe patto, sookhi huee dalean girayeange- un sabako saf karane ka bhar us par rahega. subah chunakar aur saf kar phooloan ki mala gooanthega, rat ko sabake so jane par unhean vaishnav kaviyoan ke git sunayega, phir vakt ane par kamalalata didi ko bulakar kahega, hamean ekatr karake samadhi dena, kahian antar rahane paye, alag-alag n pahachane jayean. aur yah lo rupaye, inase mandir banava dena, radhakrishna ki moorti pratishthit karana, par koee nam mat likhana, koee chihn mat rakhana- kisi ko maloom n hone pae ki kaun haian aur kahaan se aye."

kaha, "lakshmi, tumhari tasavir to ho gayi aur bhi madhur aur bhi sundar!"

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "kyoanki yah tasavir sirph batoan se nahian gadhi gayi hai gusaeean, yah saty hai jo hai. aur yahian par donoan mean farq hai. maian kar sakooangi, par tumase nahian hoga. tumhare dvara aankit batean ki tasavir sirph batean hokar hi rah jaanyagi."

"kaise jana?"

"janati hooan. svayan tumase bhi zyada janati hooan. yah to meri pooja hai, mera dhh‍yan hai. pooja shesh karake kisake pairoan par jal chadhati hooan? kise pairoan par phool deti hooan? tumhare hi to."

niche se rasoie ki pukar ayi, "maan, ratan nahian hai, chay ka pani taiyar ho gaya."

"ati hooan." yah aauankhean poanchhakar vah usi vakt chali gayi.

kuchh der bad chay ki pyali le ayi aur use mere samane rakhakar boli, "tumhean kitabean padhana achchha lagata hai, to ab se vahi kyoan nahian karate?"

"usase rupaye to ayeange nahian?"

rupayoan ka kya hoga? rupaya to ham logoan ke pas bahut haian?"

kuchh rukakar kaha, "oopar vala yah dakshin ka kamara tumhare padhane ka kamara hoga. anand devar kitabean kharidakar layeange aur maian apane man ke mutabiq sajakar rakkhooangi. usake ek bagal mean mera sone ka kamara rahega, aur doosari or thakuraji ka kamara. bas, is janm mean mera yahi tribhuvan hai- isake bahar meri drishti kabhi jaye hi nahian."

poochha, "aur tumhara rasoeeghar ? anand sannyasi adami hai, udhar najar n rakkhogi to use ek din bhi nahian rakkha ja sakega. par usaka pata kaise mila? vah kab ayega?"

"rajalakshmi ne kaha, "kushariji ne pata diya hai, kaha hai ki anand bahut jaldi ayeange. isake bad sab milakar gangamati jayeange aur vahian kuchh din raheange."

kaha, "samajh lo ki vahaan chali hi gayian; kintu unake nikat jate hue is bar tumhean sharm nahian ayegi?"

rajalakshmi ne kunthit hasy se sir hilakar kaha, "par unamean se to koee bhi yah nahian janata ki kashi mean bal vagairah katakar maianne svaang banaya tha. bal ab bahut kuchh badh gaye haian, pata nahian p d sakata ki kabhi kate the, aur phir mere sare anyay aur sari lajja door karane ke lie tum bhi to mere sath ho!"

kuchh thaharakar boli, "khabar mili hai ki vah hatabhagini malati phir laut aee hai aur sath laee hai apane pati ko. usake lie ek har gadhava dooangi."

kaha, "thik hai, gadha dena kintu vahaan jakar phir agar sunanda ke palle p d jao..."

rajalakshmi jaldi se bol uthi, "nahian ji nahian, ab vah dar nahian hai, usaka moh ab door ho gaya hai. bap re bap, aisi dharm-buddhi di ki rat-din n to aauankhoan ke aauansoo hi rok saki, n khana hi kha saki aur n so saki. yahi bahut hai ki pagal nahian huee." phir usane hansakar kaha, "tumhari lakshmi chahe jaisi ho, lekin asthir man ki nahian hai. usane ek bar jise saty samajh liya, phir use usase koee diga nahian sakata." kuchh kshan nirav rahakar phir boli, "mera sara man mano is vakt anand mean dooba hua hai. har vakt aisa lagata hai ki is jivan ka sab kuchh mil gaya hai, ab mujhe kuchh nahian chahie. yadi yah bhagavan ka nirdesh nahian to aur kya hai, batao? pratidin pooja kar devata ke charanoan mean apane lie kuchh kamana nahian karati, keval yahi prarthana karati hooan ki aisa anand sansar mean sabako mile. isalie to anand devar ko bula bheja hai ki usake kam mean ab se tho di-bahut sahayata karooangi."

"achchhi bat hai, karo."

rajalakshmi apane man mean n jane kya sochane lagi, phir sahasa kah uthi- "dekho, is sunanda ke jaise achchhi, nirlobh aur satyavadi aur koee doosari aurat maianne nahian dekhi, par jab tak usaki vidya ki garami n jayegi tab tak vah vidya kisi kam nahian lagegi."

"par sunanda ko vidya ka ghamand to nahian hai?"

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "nahian, doosaroan ki tarah nahian hai-aur yah bat maianne kahi bhi nahian. vah kitane shlok, kitani shastr-kathaean, kitane upakhyan janati hai. usake muanh se sun-sunakar hi to meri yah dharana huee thi ki maian tumhari koee nahian hooan, hamara sambandh jhootha hai- aur vishvas bhi to yahi karana chaha tha- par bhagavan ne meri gardan pak dakar samajha diya ki isase badhakar mithya aur kuchh nahian hai. isi se samajh lo ki usaki vidya mean kahian jabaradast bhool hai. isilie dekhati hooan ki vah kisi ko sukhi nahian kar sakati, sirph du:kh hi de sakati hai. usaki jethani usase bahut b di hai. sidhi-sadi hai, padhana-likhana nahian janati, par dil mean daya-maya bhari huee hai. kitane du:khi aur daridr parivaroan ka vah luk-chhipakar pratipalan karati hai- kisi ko pata bhi nahian chalata. julahe-parivar ke sath jo ek suvyavastha ho gayi, vah kya kabhi sunanda ke jarie ho sakati thi? tum kya yah sochate ho ki vah tej dikhalakar makan chho dakar chale jane ke karan huee hai? kabhi nahian. yah to usaki b di devarani ne apane pati ke pairoan p d aur ro-dhokar kiya hai. sunanda ne sari duniya ke samane apane b de jeth ko chor kahakar chhota kar diya- yahi kya shastr-shiksha ka suphal hai? usaki pothi ki vidya jab tak manushyoan ke sukh-du:kh, bhalaee-buraee, pap-puny, lobh-moh ke sath samanjasy nahian kar pati tab tak pustakoan ke padhe hue kartavy-jnan ka phal manushy ko bina karan chhedega, atyachar karega aur tumhean bataye deti hooan, ki sansar mean kisi ka bhi kalyan nahian karega."

ye batean sunakar vismit hua. poochha, "yah sab tumane sikha kisase?"

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "kya maloom kisase, shayad tumase hi. tum kuchh karate nahian, kuchh maangate nahian, kisi par zor nahian dalate. isilie tumase sikhana sirph sikhana nahian hai, vah to satyaroop mean pana hai. hathath ek din ashchary ke sath sochana p data hai ki yah sab kahaan se aya? par ise jane do, is bar jakar b di kushari-grihini se mitrata karooangi aur us dapha unaki avahelana karake jo galati ki hai, abaki bar use sudharooangi. chaloge n gangamati?"

"kintu barma? meri naukari?"

"phir vahi naukari? abhi to kaha ki maian tumhean naukari nahian karane dooangi."

"lakshmi, tumhara svabhav khoob hai. tum kahati kuchh nahian, chahati kuchh nahian, kisi par zor bhi nahian karatian-vishuddh vaishnav- sahanashilata ka namoona sirph tumhare hi nikat milata hai."

"isilie kya jisaki jo ichchha hogi, usi ka anumodan karana p dega? sansar mean kya aur kisi ka du:kh-sukh nahian hai? tumhian sab kuchh ho?"

"thik kahati ho, kintu abhaya? usane pleg ka bhay nahian kiya. agar us durdin mean ashray dekar vah n bachati to shayad aj tum mujhe patian hi nahian. aj usaka kya hua, yah kya bilh‍kul hi n sochooan?"

rajalakshmi kshan-bhar mean hi karuna aur kritajnata se bigalit hokar boli, "to tum raho, anand devar ko lekar maian barma jati hooan, pak dakar un logoan ko le aooangi. yahaan unake lie koee prabandh ho hi jayega."

"yah ho sakata hai, kintu ve bahut abhimanini hai. maian n gaya to shayad vah n ayegi."

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "ayegi. yah samajhegi ki tumhian un logoan ko lene aye ho. dekhana, mera kahana galat nahian hoga."

"par mujhe chho dakar ja to sakogi?"

rajalakshmi pahale to chup rahi, phir anishchit kanth se dhire se boli, "isi ka to mujhe dar hai. shayad nahian ja sakooangi. par isase pahale chalo n tho de dinoan tak gangamati mean chalakar rahean."

"vahaan kya tumhean koee vishesh kam hai?"

"tho da-sa hai. kushariji ko khabar mili hai ki pas ka po damati gaanv bikane vala hai. sochati hooan ki vah kharid looan. aur us makan ko bhi achchhi tarah se taiyar karaooan jisase tumhean rahane mean kasht n ho. us dapha dekha kamare ke abhav mean tumhean b da kasht hota tha."

"kamare ke abhav ki vajah se kasht nahian hota tha, kasht to doosare karan se hota tha!"

rajalakshmi ne jan-boojhakar hi is bat par koee dhh‍yan nahian diya. kaha, "maianne dekha hai ki vahaan tumhara svasthy achchha rahata hai. tumhean shahar mean zyada dinoan tak rakhane ka sahas nahian hota, isilie to jaldi se hata le jana chahati hooan."

"par is bhangur sharir ke lie agar tum kshan-kshan itani udvign hoti rahogi to man ko shanti nahian milegi, lakshmi."

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "yah upadesh bahut kam ka hai, par yah mujhe n dekar yadi khud hi jara savadhan raho, to shayad tho di-si shanti pa sakooan." sunakar chup raha. kyoanki, is bare mean tark karana sirph nishphal hi nahian, apritikar bhi hota hai. svayan usaka apana svasthy atoot hai, par jisako yah saubhagy prapt nahian hai bina karan bhi vah bimar ho sakata hai, yah bat vah kisi tarah bhi nahian samajhegi. kaha, "shahar mean maian kabhi nahian rahana chahata. us samay gangamati mujhe achchhi hi lagi thi. yah bat tum aj bhool gayi ho lakshmi ki, maian vahaan se apani ichchha se chala bhi nahian aya tha."

"nahian ji nahian, bhooli nahian hooan, sari zindagi nahian bhoolooangi" yah kahakar vah jara hansi. boli, "us bar tumhean aisa lagata tha mano kisi anajan jagah mean a gaye ho, par is bar jakar dekhoge ki usaki akriti-prakriti aisi badal gayi hai ki use apana samajhane mean tumhean jara bhi a dachan n hogi. aur sirph ghar-bar aur rahane ki jagah hi nahian, is bar jakar maian badalooangi, svayan apane ko aur sabase zyada to d-mo dakar naye sire se gadhooangi tumhean- apane naye gusaeeanji ko, jisase kamalalata didi phir path-vipath mean ghoomane ka sathi banane ka dava pesh n kar sakean."

"shayad yahi sab soch-samajhakar sthir kiya hai?"

rajalakshmi ne hansate hue kaha, "haan! tumhean kya bina mooly yoan hi le looangi- usaka rrin nahian chukaooangi? aur jane ke pahale, maian bhi tumhar jivan mean sachamuch hi aee thi, is ane ke chihn ko n chho d jaooangi? aisi hi nishphal chali jaooangi? nahian, yah kisi tarah n hone dooangi."

usake muanh ki or dekhakar shraddha aur sneh se hriday paripoorn ho gaya. man-hi-man socha, hriday ka vinimay nar-nari ki atyant sadharan ghatana hai-sansar mean nity hi ghatati rahati hai- viram nahian, visheshatv nahian. phir bhi yah dana aur pratigrah ki vyakti-vishesh ke jivan ka avalamban kar aise vichitr vismay aur saundary se udbhasit ho uthata hai ki usaki mahima yug-yugant tak manushy ke hriday ko abhishikt karati rahakar bhi samapt nahian hona chahati. yahi vah akshay sampatti hai jo manushy ko brihath karati hai, shaktishali banati hai aur akalpit kalyan dvara naya bana deti hai. poochha, "tum bankoo ka kya karogi?"

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "vah ab mujhe nahian chahata. sochata hai ki yah aphat door ho jay to achchha hai."

"kintu vah to tumhara najadik ka apana hai, us tumane bachapan se hi pal-posakar adami jo banaya hai?"

"yah adami banane ka sambandh hi rahega, aur kuchh nahian. vah mera najadik ka apana nahian hai."

"kyoan nahian hai? asvikar kaise karogi?"

'asvikar karane ki ichchha meri bhi n thi," phir kshan-bhar tak chup rahane ke bad boli, "meri sab batean tum bhi nahian janate. mere vivah ki kahani suni thi?"

"logoan ki jubani suni thi. par us vakt maian desh mean n tha."

"haan, nahian the. du:kh ka aisa itihas aur nahian hai, aisi nishthurata bhi shayad kahian nahian huee. pita maan ko kabhi nahian le gaye, maianne bhi unhean kabhi nahian dekha. ham donoan bahinean mama ke yahaan hi b di huee, bachapan mean jvar ki vajah se hamara chehara kaisa ho gaya tha, yad hai?"

"hai."

"to suno. bina aparadh us dand ke parinam ko sunakar tumhare jaise nishthur adami ko bhi daya a jayegi. bukhar ata tha, par maut nahian ati thi. mama khud bhi nana takaliphoan se shayyagat ho rahe the. hathath khabar mili ki datt ka brahman rasoiya hamari hi jati ka hai, mama ki tarah hi asal kulin hai. umr sath ke qarib hai. ham donoan bahinoan ko ek sath hi usake hathoan sauanpa jayega. sabane kaha ki is suyog ko kho dene par inaka kuanvarapan nahian utar sakega. usane sau rupaye maange, mama ne thok dar lagaee pachas rupaye. ek hi asan par, ek sath aur phir mehanat kam. yah utara pachahattar rupaye par bola, "mahashay, do-do bhanajiyoan ko kulin ke hath sauanpeange aur ek jo da bakari ke dam bhi n deange? bhor-ratri mean lagn thi, didi to jagi thian kintu maian potali jaisi uthakar laee gayi aur utsarg kar di gayi! subah se hi baki pachchis rupayoan ke lie jhag da shuroo ho gaya. mama ne kaha, "baki pachchis rupaye udhar rahe, agni-sanskar-kriya hone do." vah bola, "maian itana bevakooph nahian hooan, in sab mamaloan mean udhar-sudhar ka kam nahian." akhir vah lapata ho gaya. shayad usane socha ki mama kahian n kahian se rupaye lekar deange aur kam poora kareange. ek din hua, do din hue, maan ne rona-dhona shuroo kiya, muhalle ke log hansane lage, mama ne datt ke yahaan jakar shikayat ki, kintu vah phir nahian aya. usake gaanv mean khoj ki gayi, vahaan bhi vah nahian mila. hamean dekhakar koee kahata kalamuanhi, koee kahata karamaphooti-sharm ke mare didi ghar se bahar nahian hoti thian. us ghar se chhah mahine bad unhean bahar kiya gaya shmashan ke lie! aur koee chhah mahine bad kalakatte ke kisi hotal se samachar aya ki vahaan khana pakate var mahoday bhi bukhar se mar gaye. is tarah byah poora nahian hua."

kaha, 'pachchis rupaye mean doolha kharidane se yahi hota hai!"

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "use to mere hisse ke pachchis rupaye mil bhi gaye, par tumhean kya mila tha- sirph ek karauandoan ki mala. vah bhi kharidani nahian p di, ban se to d laee thi."

kaha, "jisake dam n lagean use amooly kahate haian. aur koee doosara adami to dikhao jise meri tarah amooly dhan mila ho?"

"batao ki yah kya tumhare man ki sachchi bat hai?"

"pata nahian chala?"

"nahian ji nahian, nahian chala sachamuch hi nahian chala." par kahate-kahate hi vah hans p di, boli, "pata sirph tab chalata hai jab tum sote ho- tumhare chehare ki or dekhakar. par is bat ko jane do. ham donoan bahinoan jaisa dand is desh ki saik doan l dakiyoan ko bhogana p data hai. aur kahian to shayad kutte-billiyoan ki bhi itani durgati karane mean manushy ka hriday-kaanpata hai." yah kah kshan-bhar tak dekhate rahane ke bad boli, "shayad tum sochate hoge ki meri shikayat mean atyukti hai, aise drishtant bhala kitane milate haian? uttar mean yadi kahati ki ek ho to bhi sare desh ke lie kalank hai, to mera javab kafi ho jata, par maian yah n kahooangi. maian kahati hooan ki bahut hote haian. chaloge mere sath un vidhavaoan ke pas jinhean maian tho di-bahut sahayata karati hooan? ve sabaki sab gavahi deangi ki unake ghar ke logoan ke unake bhi hath-pair baandhakar aise hi pani mean pheank diya tha."

kaha, "shayad isi karan unake lie itani daya-maya hai?"

rajalakshmi ne kaha, "tumhean bhi hoti agar aauankhean kholakar hamara du:kh dekhate. ab se maian hi ek-ek kar tumako sab dikhaooangi."

"maian nahian dekhooanga- aauankhean band kiye rahooanga."

"nahian rah sakoge. maian apane kam ka bhar ek din tum par hi dal jaooangi. sab bhool jaoge, par yah kabhi n bhool sakoge." yah kah vah kuchh der maun rahakar akasmath apani pahali kahani ke silasile mean kahane lagi, "aisa atyachar to hota hi hai. jis desh mean l daki ki shadi n hone par dharm jata hai, jati jati hai, sharm se samaj mean muanh nahian dikhaya ja sakata- ganvar, gooangi, andhi, rogini-kisi ki bhi rihaee nahian- log vahaan ek ko chho dakar doosare ki hi raksha karate haian. isake alava us desh mean manushyoan ke lie doosara upay hi kya hai, batao? us din sab milakar yadi ham donoan bahinoan ko bali n de dete, to didi shayad marati nahian aur maian is janm mean is tarah shayad tumhean nahian bhi pati, par mere man mean tum hamesha isi tarah prabhu banakar rahate. aur, yahi kyoan? mujhe tum tal nahian pate. jahaan bhi hote- chahe jitane din ho jate, tumhean khud akar le hi jana p data."

kuchh javab dene ki soch raha tha, hathath niche se ek kishor kanth ki pukar ayi, "mausi?"

ashchary se poochha, "yah kaun hai?"

"us makan ki manjhali bahoo ka l daka hai," kahakar usane ishare se pas ka makan dikha diya aur javab diya, "kshitish, oopar ao beta." doosare hi kshan ek solah-satrah varsh ke sushri balishth kishor ne kamare mean pravesh kiya. mujhe dekhakar pahile to vah sankuchit hua, phir namaskar karake apani mausi se bola, "apake nam mausi, barah rupaya chanda likha gaya hai."

"likh lo beta, par hoshiyari se tairana, koee durghatana n ho."

"nahian, koee dar nahian mausi."

rajalakshmi ne alamari kholakar usake hath mean rupaye diye, l daka drutaveg se sidhi par se utarate-utarate hathath kh da hokar bola, "maan ne kaha hai ki chhote mama parasoan subah akar sara 'estimat' bana deange." aur tezike sath chala gaya.

prashn kiya, "kis bat ka estimet?"

"makan ki marammat nahian karani hogi? tisari manzil ka jo kamara unhoanne adha banavakar dal rakha hai, use poora nahian karana hoga?"

"yah to hoga, par itane adamiyoan se tumane pahichan kaise kar li?"

"vah, ye sab to pas ke makan ke hi adami haian. par ab nahian, jati hooan- tumhara khana taiyar karane ka vakt ho gaya." yah kahakar vah uthi aur niche chali gayi.

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sanbandhit lekh

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