श्रीकांत उपन्यास भाग-5

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

is abhage jivan ke jis adhyay ko, us din rajalakshmi ke nikat antim bida ke samay aauankhoan ke jal mean samapt karake aya tha- yah khayal hi nahian kiya tha ki usake chhinn sootr pun: jo dane ke lie meri pukar hogi. parantu pukar jab sachamuch huee, tab samajha ki vismay aur sankoch chahe jitana ho, par is ahnan ko shirodhary kiye bina kam nahian chal sakata.

isilie, aj phir maian apane is bhrasht jivan ki vishriankhalit ghatanaoan ki saik doan jagah se chhinn-bhinn huee granthiyoan ko phir ek bar baandhane ke lie pravritt ho raha hooan.

aj mujhe yad ata hai ki ghar par laut ane ke bad mere is sukh-du:kh-mishrit jivan ko kisi ne mano ekaek katakar do bhagoan mean vibhakt kar diya tha. us samay khayal hua tha ki mere is jivan ke du:khoan ka bojha keval mera hi nahian hai. is bojhe ko ladakar ghoome vah, jisako ki isaki nitant garaj ho. arthath maian jo daya karake jita bach gaya hooan, so to rajalakshmi ka saubhagy hai. akash ka rang kuchh aur hi najar ane laga tha, hava ka sparsh kuchh aur hi kism ka maloom hone laga tha- mano, kahian bhi ab ghar-bar, apana-paraya, nahian raha tha. ek tarah ke aise anirvachaniy ullas se antar-bahar ekakar ho gaya tha, ki rog rog ke roop mean, vipada vipada ke roop mean, abhav abhav ke roop mean, man mean sthan hi nahian pa sakata tha. sansar mean kahian jate hue, kahian kuchh karate hue, duvidha ya badha ka jara bhi sampark nahian rah gaya tha.

yah sab bahut din pahale ki batean haian. vah anand ab nahian hai; parantu us din jivan mean is ekant vishvas ki nishchit nirbharata ka svad ek din ke lie bhi maian upabhog kar saka, yahi mere lie param labh hai. parantu, sath hi, maianne use kho diya, isaka bhi mujhe kisi din kshobh nahian hua. keval is bat ka hi bich-bich mean khayal a jata hai ki jis shakti ne us din hriday ke bhitar jagrat hokar itani jaldi sansar ka samast niranand haran kar liya tha, vah kitani virat shakti hai! aur sochata hooan ki us din apane hi saman any do aksham durbal hathoan ke oopar itana b da guru-bhar n dalakar yadi maian samast jagadh-brahmand ke bharavahi un hathoan par hi apani us din ki us akhand vishvas ki samast nirbharata ko sauanp dena sikhata, to phir, aj chinta hi kya thi?-kintu, ab jane do us bat ko.

rajalakshmi ko maianne pahuanch ka patr likha tha. us patraka javab bahut dinoan bad aya. mere asvasth sharir ke lie du:kh prakashit karake grihasth banane ke lie usane mujhe kee tarah ke b de-b de upadesh die the aur apane sankshipt patr yah likhakar khatm kiya tha ki yadi vah kamoan ke jhanjhatoan ke mare patradi likhane ka samay n pa sake, to bhi, maian bich-bich mean apani khabar use deta rahooan aur use apana hi samajhooan.

tathastu. itane dinoan bad usi rajalakshmi ki yah chitthi!

akash-kusum akash mean hi sookh gaye aur jo do-ek sookhi pankhu diyaan hava se jh d p dian unhean bin karake ghar le jane ke lie bhi maian zamin tatolata nahian phira. aauankhoan mean se do-ek booand pani shayad p da bhi ho, kintu, vah mujhe yad nahian. phir bhi, yah yad hai ki aur adhik din maianne svapn dekhate hue nahian kate. tab bhi is tarah aur bhi paanch-chhah mahine kat gaye.

ek din subah bahar jane ki taiyari kar raha tha. ekaek ek adbhut patr a pahuancha. oopar auratoan ke se kachche aksharoan mean nam aur thikana likha tha. kholate hi patr ke bhitar se ek chhota-sa patr khath se zamin par gir p da. use uthakar tatha usake akshar aur nam sahi ki or dekhakar maian mano apane donoan netroan par bhi vishvas n kar saka. meri maan, jo das varsh pahale hi deh tyag kar gayi thian- unhian ke shrihast ke ye dastakhat the, nam aur sahi bhi unhian ki thi. padhakar dekha, maan ne usamean apani 'gangajal¹' ko jitana bhi ho sakata hai utana abhay vachan diya tha. bat sambhavat: yah thi, ki barah-terah varsh pahale is 'gangajal' ke yahaan jab adhik umr mean ek kanya-ratn ne janm grahan kiya, tab du:kh, dainy aur dushchinta prakat karake shayad maan ko usane ek patr likha hoga aur usi ke pratyuttar mean meri svargavasini janani ne gangajal-duhita ka vivah ka samast dayitv grahan karake jo patr likha tha vahi yah moolyavan dastavej thi. tatkalik karuna se pighalakar maan ne upasanhar mean likha tha ki supatr yadi kahian n mile, bilkutal hi abhav ho,

¹ bangal mean striyaan jise apani sakhi-saheli banati haian use 'gangajal' is pyar ke nam se sambodhit karati haian.

to phir maian to hooan hi! sari chitthi ko oopar se niche tak do bar padhakar maianne dekha ki vah muanshiyana dhang se likhi gayi hai. maan ko vakil hona chahie tha kyoanki jitani bhi kalpanaean ki ja sakatian thian utani tarah se ve apane apako aur apane vanshadharoan ko us dayitv mean baandh gayi haian. usase bachane ke lie dastavej mean kahian jara-si bhi jagah- jara-si bhi truti, nahian chho di gayi hai.

vah chahe jo ho, par aisa to mujhe nahian maloom p da ki 'gangajal' in sudirgh terah varshoan tak is pakke dastavej ke hi bharose nirbhay ho chupachap baithi rahi hai. parantu, ulate man hi man mujhe aisa laga ki bahut prayatn karane par bhi jab rupaye aur niji manushyoan ke abhav se supatr usake lie ekabaragi aprapy ho gaya, aur kumari kanya ki sharirik unnati ki or drishtipat karane se hriday ka rakt mastishk mean chadhane ki taiyari karane laga, tab kahian jakar is hatabhagy supatr ke oopar unhoanne apana ekamatr brahmastr pheanka hai.

maan yadi jiti hotian to is chitthi ke lie aj maian unaka sir kha jata aur unake pairoan par zor se sir patakakar apani jvala ko bujhata, parantu yah rasta bhi mere lie band hai.

isalie, maan ka to kuchh bhi nahian kar saka parantu, ab unaki gangajal ka bhi kuchh kar sakata hooan ya nahian, yah parakhane ke lie maian ek din ratri ko steshan par ja pahuancha. sari rat tren mean katakar doosare din jab unake gaanv ke makan par pahuancha tab din dhal gaya tha. gangajal-maan pahale to mujhe pahichan n sakian. ant mean, parichay pakar in terah varshoan ke bad bhi ve is tarah ro p dian jis tarah ki maan ki mrityu ke samay unaka koee apana adami bhi aauankhoan ke samane unaki mrityu hote dekhakar, n ro saka hota.

ve bolian ki lokadrishti se aur dharmadrishti se, donoan hi tarah ab maian tumhari mata ke saman hooan aur phir dayitv grahan karane ki pratham sidhi ke roop mean unhoanne meri saansarik paristhiti ka bariki se paryalochan karana shuroo kar diya. bap kitana chho d gaye haian, maan ke kaun-kaun se gahane haian aur ve kisake pas haian, maian naukari kyoan nahian karata aur yadi karooan to aandazase kya mahina pa sakata hooan, ityadi-ityadi. unaka muanh dekhakar khayal hua ki is alochana ka phal unake nikat kuchh vaisa santoshajanak nahian hua. ve bolian ki unaka ek rishtedar barma mean naukari karake 'lal' ho gaya hai, arthath atishay-dhanavan ho gaya hai. vahaan to rah-ghat mean rupaye bikhare p de haian, keval sametane-bhar ki der hai! vahaan par jahaz se utarate n utarate hi bangaliyoan ko sahab log kandhoan par utha le jate haian aur naukari se laga dete haian. is tarah ki bahut-si batean kahian. bad mean maianne dekha ki yah galat dharana keval akeli unhian ki nahian thi. aise bahut-se log is maya-marichika se unmattapray hokar sahay-sambalahin avastha mean vahaan dau d gaye hanu aur moh bhang hone ke bad unhean vapis lautane mean ham logoan ko kam klesh sahan nahian karana p da hai. parantu vah bat is samay rahane do. gangajal-maan ka barma-varnan mujhe tir ki tarah laga. 'lal' hone ki asha se nahian-mere bhitar ka jo ghumakk dapan kuchh dinoan se soya hua tha vah apani thakavat jha d-poanchhakar muhoort-bhar mean hi uth kh da hua. jis samudr ko isake pahale keval door se kh de-kh de dekhakar hi mugdh ho jata tha, ab us anant jalarashi ko bhi bhed karake maian ja sakooanga- is ichchha ne hi mujhe ekabaragi bechain kar diya. tab kisi tarah ek bar chhutakara pana hi hoga.

manushy manushy se jitane prakar ki bhi jirah kar sakata hai, unamean se kisi bhi prakar ki jirah mean gangajal-maan ne mujhe nahian chho da. phir bhi, apani l daki ke yogy patr ki drishti se unhoanne mujhe rihaee de di- is vishay mean maian ek tarah se nishchint hi ho gaya. parantu, ratri mean bhojan ke samay unaki bhoomika ka jhukav dekhakar maian phir udvign ho utha. maianne dekha, mujhe ekabaragi hath se jane dene ki unaki ichchha nahian hai. unhoanne yah kahana shuroo kiya ki yadi l daki ke bhagy mean n ho, to dhan, ghar-bar, shiksha-diksha adi kitana hi kyoan n dekha jay, sab kuchh nishphal hai. is sambandh mean nam-dham, vivaranadi ke sath bahut-si vishvas yogy najirean dekar unhoanne is bat ko pramanit bhi kar dikhaya. itana hi nahian, isake viruddh aise bhi kitane hi logoan ka namollekh kiya ki jo nirat moorkh hote hue bhi keval stri ke hi saubhagy ke zor par is samay din-rat rupayoan ke dher par baithe rahate haian.

maianne vinay sahit kah diya ki rupaye-paise ki taraph meri asakti to hai, phir bhi, chaubisoan ghante un par baitha rahooan, yah vivechana mujhe pritikar nahian maloom hoti aur isake lie stri ka saubhagy dekhane ka kutoohal bhi mujhe nahian hai. kintu isaka koee vishesh phal nahian hua. unhean nirast n kar saka. kyoanki, jo stri terah varsh ke itane lambe samay ke pashchath bhi ek patr ko dastavej ke roop mean pesh kar sakati hai, use itane sahaj mean nahian bhulaya ja sakata. ve bar-bar kahane lagian ki ise mata ke rrin ke hi roop mean grahan karana uchit hai, aur jo santan samarth hote hue bhi matri-rrin ka parishodh nahian karati vah... ityadi-ityadi.

jab maian bahut hi shankit aur vichalit ho utha, tab batoan hi batoan mean mujhe maloom hua ki pas ke gaanv mean yadyapi ek supatr hai, parantu, paanch sau rupaye se kam mean usaka pana asambhav hai.

ek kshin asha ki rashmi najar aee. mahine-bhar ke bad jaise bhi ho koee upay kar dooanga- yah vachan dekar doosare din subah hi maianne prasthan kar diya. parantu upay kis tarah karooanga- kisi or bhi usaka koee kool kinara najar nahian aya.

mere oopar lada gaya yah bhar mere lie koee sachamuch ki vastu nahian ho sakata, yah maian anek tarah se apane apako samajhane laga; parantu phir bhi, maan ko is pratijna ke pash se mukti n dekar chupachap khisak jane ki bat bhi kisi tarah maian nahian soch saka.

shayad ek upay tha- maian yah bat pyari se kahooan. kintu, kuchh dinoan tak is sambandh mean bhi maian apane man ko sthir n kar saka. bahut dinoan se mujhe usaki khabar bhi nahian mili thi. us pahuanch ki khabar ko chho dakar maianne use aur koee chitthi bhi nahian likhi thi. usane bhi usake javab ke sivay, doosara patr nahian likha. is bat ko vah shayad nahian manati thi ki chitthi-patri ke dvara hi donoan ke bich milap ka ek sootr rahata hai. kam se kam usake us patr se to maian samajha. phir bhi acharaj ki bat hai ki doosare ki l daki ke lie bhiksha maangane ke bahane ek din maian sachamuch hi patane ja pahuancha.

makan mean pravesh karate hi niche baithane ke kamare ke baramade mean maianne dekha ki vardi pahane hue do daraban baithe haian. ve ekaek ek sadharan se aparichit agantuk ko dekhakar kuchh is tarah dekhate rah gaye ki mujhe sidhe oopar chadh jane mean sankoch maloom hua. inhean maianne pahale nahian dekha tha. pyari ke purane boodhe darabanaji ke badale in do aur darabanoan ki kya avashyakata a p di, yah maian n soch saka. jo bhi ho, inaki paravah kiye bagair oopar chala jaooan athava vinay ke sath inaki anumati maangooan- yah sthir karate-karate hi maianne dekha ki ratan vyast hua-sa niche a raha hai. akasmath mujhe dekhakar vah pahale to avakh ho gaya; bad mean pairoan ki or jhukakar pranam karake bola-

"ap kab ae? yahaan kaise kh de haian?"

"abhi hi a raha hooan, ratan. sab kushal to hai n?"

ratan sir hilakar bola, "sab kushal hai, baboo. oopar chalie- maian baraph kharidakar abhi aya." kahakar vah jane laga.

"tumhari malakin oopar hi haian?"

"haan haian", kahakar vah jaldi se bahar chala gaya.

oopar chadhate hi jo pas ka kamara milata hai vah baithakakhana hai. bhitar se ek ooanchi hansi ka shabd aur bahut se logoan ki avaz sunaee di. maian jara vismit hua. parantu, doosare hi kshan, dvar ke najadik pahuanchakar maian avakh ho gaya. pichhali daphe is kamare ko vyavahar mean ate nahian dekha tha. isamean tarah-tarah ke saj-saman, tebal, chear adi anek chizean ek kone mean dher hokar p di rahati thian. bahudha koee is kamare mean ata bhi n tha. aj dekhata hooan, sampoorn kamare mean bistar hai, shuroo se ant tak karpet bichha hua hai aur usake oopar saphed jajam jhak-jhakakar rahi hai. takiyoan ke oopar gilaph chadhe hue haian aur unake sahare baithe hue kuchh sabhy purush acharaj se meri or dekh rahe haian. unaki poshak mean bangaliyoan ki tarah dhoti hone par bhi sir par ki bel-bootedar masalin ki topi se ve bihari se maloom hote the. tabale ki jo di ke pas ek hindustani tabalachi tha aur usake pas mean bhi svayan pyaribaee thian. ek taraph chhota-sa haramoniyam rakha tha. pyari ke sharir par yadyapi mujare ki poshak nahian thi, phir bhi banav-siangar ka abhav nahian tha. samajh gaya ki sangit ki baithak jami huee hai- tho di der vishram liya ja raha hai.

mujhe dekhate hi pyari ke chehare ka samast khoon mano kahian antarhit ho gaya. isake bad usane jabardasti kuchh hansakar kaha, "yah kya, shrikant baboo haian. kab aye?"

"aj hi."

"aj hi? kab? kahaan thahare haian?"

kshan-bhar ke lie shayad maian kuchh hatabuddhi-sa ho gaya; nahian to uttar dene mean der n hoti. parantu, apane apako samh‍halane mean bhi mujhe adhik der nahian lagi. maianne kaha, "yahaan ke sab logoan ko tum chinhati nahian ho, isalie, nam sunakar bhi n chinh sakogi."

jo mahashay sabase adhik bane-thane the vahi shayad is yajn ke yajaman the. bole, "aie babooji, baithie." itana kahakar hothoan ko dabakar jara ve hanse. bhav-bhangi se unhoanne yah prakat kiya ki ham donoan ka sambandh ve thik taur se bhaanp gaye haian! unaka adar ke sath abhivadan kar maianne, joote ke phite kholane ke bahane, muanh nicha karake paristhiti ko bhaanp lena chaha. vichar karane ke lie adhik samay nahian tha, yah thik hai, parantu, in tho de se kshanoan mean maianne yah sthir kar liya ki hriday ke bhitar kuchh bhi ho, bahar ke vyavahar mean vah kisi bhi tarah prakashit n hona chahie. mere muanh ki batachit se, aauankhoan ki chitavan se, mere sare acharan ke kisi bhi chhidr mean se, antar ke kshobh athava abhiman ki ek booand bhi bahar akar n girani chahie. kshan-bhar bad jab maian sabake bich mean jakar baitha tab, yadyapi yah sach hai ki apane mukh ki soorat apani aauankhoan n dekh saka, kintu bhitar hi bhitar maianne anubhav kiya ki ab us par aprasannata ka leshamatr bhi chihn nahian rah gaya hai. rajalakshmi ki or dekhakar maian hansate hue bola, "baeeji, yadi shukadev munika pata pa jata to aj tumhare samane bithakar ek dapha unake man ki shakti ki jaanch kar leta! are, yah kiya kya hai! yah to roop ka samudr hi baha diya hai!"

prashansa sunakar pramukh baboo sahab ahlad se galakar sir hilane lage. ve purniya zile ke rahane vale the; maianne dekha ki bol n sakane par bhi bangala achchhi tarah samajhate haian. parantu pyari ke kan tak lal ho uthe.-kintu, laj ke mare nahian- gusse ke mare, yah bhi samajhane mean kuchh baki n raha. parantu, us or bhrookshep bhi n karake baboo sahab ko uddeshy karake maianne usi tarah hansate hue kaha, "mere ane ke karan yadi ap logoan ke amod-pramod mean tho da-sa bhi vighn hoga, to mujhe bahut du:kh hoga. gana-bajana chalane dijie."

babooji itane prasann ho uthe ki avesh mean akar meri pith par ek dhaul jamakar bole, "bahut achchha baboo. haan pyari bibi, ek badhiya-sa gana chalane do."

"sandhyae ke bad hoga- bas ab aur nahian." kah kar pyari haramoniyam door khisakakar sahasa utha kh di huee.

isi samay baboo sahab mera parichay pane ke upalakshy se apana parichay dene lage- unaka nam tha ramachandr sianh. ve purniya zile ke ek zamiandar haian, darabhanga- maharaja unake kutumbi haian, pyari bibi ko sat-ath varsh se janate haian. ve unake purniya ke makan par tin-char daphe mujara kar aee haian. ve khud bhi anek daphe gana sunane yahaan ae haian. kabhi-kabhi das-das barah-barah din tak ve yahian rahate haian aur tinek mahine pahale ek daphe akar ve ek haphte tak yahaan rah gaye haian- vagairah vagairah. ab unhoanne mujhase poochha ki maian yahaan kyoan aya hooan. mere javab dene ke pahale hi vahaan pyari a upasthit huee. usaki or dekhakar maianne kaha, "baeeji se hi poochhie n, ki kyoan aya hooan."

pyari ne mere muanh par ek tivr kataksh dala, parantu, javab diya sahaj shant svar mean hi, "ye hamare desh ke adami haian."

maianne hansakar kaha, "babooji, madhu hone par madhumakkhiyaan akar jut jati haian, ve desh-videsh ka vichar nahian karatian." kintu itana kahate hi maianne dekha ki rahasy ko grahan n kar sakane ke karan purniya zile ke zamiandar ne apane muanh ko gambhir bana liya aur unake naukar ne jyoan hi akar kaha ki sandhyai-pooja ke lie taiyari ho gayi hai tyoan hi unhoanne vahaan se prasthan kar diya. tabalachi tatha any do mahashay unake sath hi sath bahar chale gaye. unaka man akasmath kyoan itana vyakul ho gaya, so maian bindu-visarg kuchh bhi nahian samajha.

ratan akar bola, "maan, babooji ke bichhaune kahaan karooan?"

pyari ne jhuanjhalakar kaha, "kya aur koee kamara nahian hai ratan? mujhase poochhe bina kya itani-si buddhi bhi too nahian laga sakata? chala ja yahaan se!" itana kahakar ratan ke sath ap bhi bahar chali gayi. maianne khoob achchhi tarah se dekha ki mere akasmik shubhagaman se is makan ka bhar-kendr ek saanghatik dhang se vichalit ho gaya hai. pyari ne, kintu tho di hi der bad laut akar aur mere muanh ki or kuchh der dekhate rahakar kaha, "aise achanak kaise ana ho gaya?"

maianne kaha, "desh ka adami hooan, tumhean bahut din se n dekh sakane ke karan vyakul ho utha tha, baeeji!"

pyari ka muanh aur bhi bhari ho gaya. mere parihas mean jara bhi yog n dekar usane poochha, "aj rat ko yahaan hi rahoge n?"

"rahane ko kahogi to rah jaooanga."

"mere kahane n kahane se kya! tumhean yahaan shayad kuchh asuvidha ho. jis kamare mean tum sote the usamean to..."

"baboo sote haian? thik hai, maian niche so jaooanga. tumhara niche ka kamara to bahut umda hai."

"niche sooge? kahate kya ho! man mean tumhare jara bhi vikar nahian- do hi din mean itane b de paramahans kis tarah ho gaye?"

maianne man hi man kaha, "pyari, tumane mujhe ab tak bhi nahian pahachana." phir muanh se kaha, "isamean mujhe man-apaman ka khayal bindu-bhar bhi nahian hai. aur, kasht ki bat ka yadi khayal karo, to vah to ekabaragi hi phijool hai. maian ghar se bahar nikalane ke samay khane-sone ki chintaoan ko door rakh ata hooan, yah to tum bhi janati ho. bistar yadi adhik hoan to ek le ane ke lie kah do, nahian ho, to phir usaki bhi darakar nahian hai- mujhe apane kambal ka sambal hai."

pyari ne sir hilakar kaha, "so to maian janati hooan; kintu, isase man mean kisi tarah ka du:kh to n hoga?"

maianne hansakar kaha, "nahian, kyoanki steshan par p de rahane ki apeksha to yah bahut hi achchha hai."

pyari kuchh der chup kh di rahi; phir boli, "yadi maian hoti to bhale hi vriksh ke niche so rahati, parantu itana apaman kabhi nahian sahati."

usaki uttejana ko dekhakar mujhase hanse bina n raha gaya. vah mere muanh se kya sunana chahati hai, so maian b di der se khoob samajh raha tha. kintu shant svabhavik svaroop se maianne javab diya, "maian itana bevakooph nahian hooan ki is bat ko man mean ane dooan ki tum, janaboojhakar mujhe niche sone ko kahakar, mera apaman kar rahi ho. yadi sambhav hota to tum us daphe ke saman is daphe bhi mere sone ki vyavastha karatian. jane do, in tuchchh batoan ko lekar vagvitanda karane ki zaroorat nahian, tum ratan ko bhej do ki mujhe niche ka kamara dikha ave, maian kambal bichhakar so rahooanga. maian bahut hi thak gaya hooan.

pyari ne kaha, "tum jnani adami ho, tum hi meri thik avastha ko n jan sakoge to aur janega kaun? chalo, bach gayi." itana kahakar usane ek dirgh shvas dabakar poochha, "ekaek ane ka sachcha karan to maian jan hi n saki ki kya hai?"

maian bola, "pahala karan to tum nahian sun paogi, kintu doosara sun sakati ho!"

"pahala kyoan nahian sun sakooangi?"

"anavashyak hai, isalie."

"achchha, doosara hi sunao."

"maian barma ja raha hooan. shayad aur phir kabhi milana n ho sake. kam se kam yah to nishchit hai ki bahut dinoan tak milap n hoga. jane ke pahale ek daphe tumhean dekhane aya hooan."

ratan kamare mean akar bola, "baboo, apake bistar taiyar haian, aie."

maianne khush hokar kaha, "chalo." pyari se kaha, "mujhe b di niand a rahi hai. ghante bhar bad yadi samay mile to ek daphe niche a jana- mujhe aur bhi bahut-si batean karani haian." itana kahakar ratan ko sath lekar maian bahar ho gaya.

pyari ke nij ke sone ke kamare mean le akar ratan ne mujhe jab shayya bataee tab mere acharaj ki sima n rahi. maian bola, "mere bistar niche ke kamare mean n karake yahaan kyoan kiye?"

ratan ne acharaj ke sath kaha, "niche ke kamare mean?"

maianne kaha, "aisi hi bat to huee thi."

vah avakh hokar kuchh der meri or dekhata raha aur ant mean bola, "apake bistar hoange niche ke kamare mean? ap majak kar rahe haian baboo!" itana kahakar vah hansata hua ja hi raha tha ki maianne use bulakar poochha, "tumhari malakin kahaan soveangi?"

ratan bola, "bankoo baboo ke kamare mean unake bistar laga aya hooan." maianne nikat akar dekha- yah rajalakshmi ke us dedh hath chau de takhte par bichhaya hua bistar nahian hai. ek palang par ek khoob mota gadda bichhakar shahi bistar lagae gaye haian. shishe ke najadik najadik ek chhoti-si tebal ke oopar mej ke bichoanbich laimp jal raha hai. ek kinare bangala bhasha ki kitabean haian aur doosare kinare guladaste mean kuchh bela ke phool rakkhe haian. aauankhoan se dekhate hi maianne achchhi tarah jan liya ki inamean se koee bhi chiz naukar ke hath ki taiyar ki huee nahian haian. jo bahut pyar karati hai, ye sab chizean usi ke hath ki taiyar ki huee haian. oopar ki chadar bhi rajalakshmi khud apane hathoan bichha gayi hai, yah mano andar hi andar maianne khoob anubhav kiya.

aj un logoan ke samane achanak a jane ke sabab rajalakshmi ne hatabuddhi ho, pahale chahe jaisa vyavahar kyoan n kiya ho, par yah bat mujhase ajnat nahian rahi ki meri nirvikar udasinata se vah man hi man shankit ho uthi thi aur yah bhi mujhe maloom ho gaya ki mere bhitar eershyah ka prakash dekhane ke lie utsuk ho vah itani der se itani tarah se kyoan bar-bar aghat kar rahi thi. kintu, sab kuchh janate hue bhi, apane nishthur svabhav ko hi mardanagi samajhakar maianne usaka jara bhi abhiman nahian rahane diya- usake pratyek chhote se chhote aghat ko sau guna karake vapis lauta diya. usake prati kiya gaya yah anyay mere man ke bhitar ab suee ki tarah chubhane laga. maian bistar par let gaya kintu so nahian saka. maian yah nishchay janata tha ki ek bar vah ayegi zaroor. isalie, utsukata ke sath us samay ki rah dekhane laga.

thakavat ke karan shayad kuchh so bhi gaya tha, sahasa aauankhean kholakar dekha ki pyari mere sharir par ek hath rakhe hue baithi hai. mere uthakar baithate hi vah boli, "barma ko gaya hua manushy phir lautakar vapis nahian ata, yah bat kya tumhean maloom hai?"

"nahian, mujhe nahian maloom."

"phir?"

"mujhe lautana hi hoga, aisi to kisi ke sir ki kasam mujh par hai nahian."

bat bahut hi samany thi. kintu, sansar mean yah ek bhari acharaj ki bat hai ki manushy ki durbalata kab kis jharokhe se apane apako prakat kar baithegi, isaka anuman nahian kiya ja sakata. isake pahale kitane hi aur isase bhi adhik b de karan ghat gaye haian, parantu, maianne kabhi apane apako is tarah nahian pak da jane diya. kintu, aj usake muanh se nikali huee is atyant sadharan bat ko bhi maian sahan nahian kar saka. muanh se sahasa yah bat nikal hi gayi, "sab logoan ke man ki bat to janata nahian rajalakshmi, parantu ek manushy ke man ki avashy janata hooan. yadi kisi din lautakar aooanga to keval tumhare hi lie. tumhare sir ki kasam maian kabhi avahelana nahian karooanga."

pyari mere pairoan par ekabaragi ulati hi gir p di. maianne ichchha karake bhi pair pichhe n khianche, parantu, dasek minat bit jane par bhi jab usane apana sir oopar nahian uthaya tab usake sir par maianne apana dahina hath rakkha jisake p date hi vah ek bar siharakar kaanp uthi. parantu phir bhi vah usi tarah p di rahi. sir bhi nahian uthaya, boli bhi nahian. maianne kaha, "uthakar baitho, is avastha mean hamean koee dekhega to bhari achambhe mean p d jayega."

kintu, pyari ne javab tak nahian diya tab maianne use zor se uthaya. uthate hi maianne dekha ki usake nirav aauansuoan se vahaan ki sari chadar bilkunal bhig gayi hai. khianch-tan karane par vah ruddh kanth se bol uthi, "pahale meri do-tin batoan ka javab do tab maian uthooangi."

"kaho, kaun-si batean haian."

"pahale to yah kaho ki un logoan ke yahaan rahane se tumane mere sambandh mean koee bura khayal to nahian kiya?"

"nahian."

pyari aur kuchh der chup rahakar boli, "kintu, maian bhali aurat nahian hooan, yah to tum janate ho? phir bhi, tumhean kyoan sandeh nahian hua?"

saval b da hi kathin tha. vah bhali stri nahian hai, yah maian janata hooan parantu vah kharab hai, yah khayal bhi maian man mean nahian la saka. maian chup ho raha.

ekaek vah apani aauankhean poanchhakar jhatapat uth baithi aur boli, "achchha, tumase poochhati hooan; purush kitana hi bura kyoan n ho, yadi vah bhala hona chahata hai to use koee rokata nahian; kintu, ham logoan ki pari ane par sab marg kyoan band ho jate haian? ajnan se, dhanabhav se, ek din jo kar baithi- chirakal ke lie mujhe vahi kyoan karana p data rahe? ham logoan ko tum log kyoan bhala banane nahian dete?"

maianne kaha, "ham log to kabhi rokate nahian. aur yadi ham rokean, to bhi, sansar mean bhale banane ke marg mean koee kisi ko atakakar nahian rakh sakata."

pyari b di der tak chup rahakar mere muanh ki or dekhakar ant mean dhire-dhire boli, "bahut thik, to phir, tum bhi mujhe nahian rok sakoge."

mere javab dene ke pahale hi ratan ki khaansi ka shabd dvar ke nikat sun p da.

pyari ne pukar kar kaha, "kya hai ratan?"

ratan ne muanh age nikal kar kaha, "maan rat bahut bit gayi hai- babooji ke khane ke lie le n aooan? rasoiya maharaj to jhoanke khate-khate rasoeeghar mean hi so gaye haian."

"are, tab to tumamean se kisi ne bhi abhi tak khaya n hoga!" itana kah kar pyari ghab dakar aur lajjit hokar uth kh di huee. mere lie khane ko vah apane hi hathoan hamesha lati thi; aj bhi lane ke lie jaldi se pair badhati huee chali gayi.

khana samapt karake jab maian bistar par leta tab rat ka ek baj gaya tha. pyari phir akar mere pairoan ke pas baith gayi. boli, "tumhare lie anek ratean akele jagakar bitaee haian- aj tumhean bhi jagate rakkhooangi. itana kahakar meri sammati ki rah dekhe bagair hi usane mere pair ki taraph ka takiya khianch liya aur baean hath ka sahara lekar vah let gayi tatha boli, "maianne bahut vichar kar dekha, tumhara itane door-desh jana kisi tarah bhi nahian ho sakata."

maianne poochha, "to phir, kya ho sakata hai? isi tarah yahaan-vahaan bhatakate phirana?"

pyari ne isaka javab n dekar kaha, "isake sivay kisalie barma ja rahe ho, kaho to sahi?"

"naukari karane, yahaan-vahaan bhatakate phirane ke lie nahian."

meri bat ko sunakar pyari uttejana ke vash sidhi hokar baith gayi aur boli, "dekho, doosare se jo kahana ho kahana, kintu mujhe n thagana. mujhe thagoge to tumhara ihakal bhi nahian, par kal bhi nahian banega- so janate ho?"

"so to khoob janata hooan, ab kya karana chahie, kaho tum?"

meri svikarokti se pyari prasann huee. hansakar boli, "striyaan chirakal se jo kahati aee haian vahi maian kahati hooan. vivah karake sansari ban jao- grihasth-dharm ka palan karo."

maianne prashn kiya, "kya sachamuch hi tum khushi hoogi?"

usane sir hilakar kanoan ke jhoole hilate hue utsah se kaha, "nishchay se, ek daphe nahian, sau daphe. isase yadi maian sukhi nahian hoooangi, to phir aur kaun hoga, batao?"

maianne kaha, "so to maian nahian janata; parantu, isase mere man ki ek durbhavana chali gayi. vastav mean, yahi khabar dene maian aya tha ki byah kiye bagair meri gujar nahian."

pyari ek bar apane kanoan ke svarnalankar jhulati huee mahaanand se bol uthi, "aisa hoga, to maian kalighat jakar pooja de aooangi. kintu, l daki ko maian hi dekhakar pasand karooangi, so kahe deti hooan."

maianne kaha, "isake lie ab samay nahian hai, l daki to sthir ho chuki hai."

mere gambhir svar par shayad pyari ne dhya,n diya. ekaek usake hansate mukh par ek maili-si chhaya p d gayi; boli, "thik to hai, achchha hi hua. sthir ho gayi hai to param sukh ki bat hai."

maianne kaha, "sukh-du:kh to maian samajhata nahian rajalakshmi, jo bat sthir ho chuki hai vahi tumhean batata hooan."

"pyari ekaek gusse se bol uthi, "jao, chalaki mat karo, sab bat jhoothi hai."

"ek bhi bat mithya nahian hai. chitthi dekhate hi samajh jaogi", itana kahakar khise mean se maianne do patr bahar nikale.

"kahaan haian, dekhooan chitthi", itana kah hath badhakar pyari ne donoan hathoan mean chitthiyaan le lian. unhean hath mean lete hi manoan usake sare muanh par aandhera chha gaya. donoan patr hath mean liye hi liye vah boli, "doosare ka patr padhane ki mujhe zaroorat hi kya hai. batao, kahaan sthir huee hai?"

"padh dekho."

"maian doosare ki chitthi nahian padhati."

"to phir doosare ki khabar janane ki tumhean zaroorat bhi nahian hai."

"maian nahian janana chahati." itana kahakar aauankhean mianchakar vah let gayi. kintu donoan chitthiyaan usaki mutthi mean hi rah gayian. bahut der tak vah kuchh nahian boli. isake bad vah dhire se uthi, jakar laimp tej kiya aur mej par donoan patr rakhakar sthirata se baithi. unamean jo kuchh likha tha so shayad usane do-tin daphe padha. isake bad vah uth aee aur usi tarah phir let gayi. bahut der tak chup rahane ke bad boli, "so gaye kya?"

"nahian."

"is sthan par maian tumhean kisi tarah byah n karane dooangi; vah l daki achchhi nahian hai, use maianne bachapan mean dekha hai."

"maan ka patr padha?"

"haan, kintu kaki ke patr mean aisa kuchh bhi nahian likha hai ki tumhean use gale mean dalana hi p dega. aur chahe vah achchhi ho, chahe n ho, us l daki ko maian kisi tarah bhi ghar mean nahian laooangi."

"kaisi l daki ghar mean lana chahati ho, bata sakati ho?"

"so maian is samay kaise bataooan? vichar karake dekhana hoga."

tho di der chup rahane ke bad maian hansakar bola, "tumhari pasandagi aur vivechana ke oopar nirbhar raha jay to mujhe apana kumarapan utarane ke lie age aur ek janm grahan karana p de- shayad, usamean bhi poora n p de. jane do, yathasamay, n ho to doosara janm grahan kar looanga. mujhe jaldi nahian hai. parantu, is l daki ka tum uddhar kar do. paanch sau rupaye hoan to kam ho jayega, maian unhian ke muanh se sun aya hooan."

pyari utsah mean akar uth baithi aur boli, "kal hi maian rupaye bhej dooangi. kaki ki bat mithya nahian hone dooangi." phir kuchh der thaharakar boli, "sach kahati hooan tumase, yah l daki achchhi nahian hai, isilie mujhe apatti hai, nahian to..."

"nahian to...?"

"nahian to phir kya! tumhare layaq l daki jab dhooandh dooangi, usi samay is bat ka uttar dooangi, is samay nahian."

sir hilakar maianne kaha, "tum phijool koshish mat karo rajalakshmi, mere layaq l daki tum kisi din bhi khojakar n nikal sakogi."

vah bahut der tak chup baithi rahakar ekaek bol uthi, "achchha so shayad n nikal sakooan, parantu tum barma jaoge to mujhe sath le chaloge?"

usake prastav ko sunakar maian hansa. bola, "mere sath chalane ka tumhean sahas hoga?"

pyari mere muanh ke prati tikshn drishti pat karake boli, "sahas! ise kya tum koee b da kathin kam samajhate ho?"

"maian chahe jo samajhooan, kintu tumhare is sare ghar-dvar, mal-asabab, zamin-jayadad adi ka kya hoga?"

pyari boli, "chahe jo ho. tumhean naukari karane ke lie jab itani door jana p da- yah sab rahate hue bhi jab tumhare kisi kam n aya, tab ise bankoo ko de jaooangi."

is bat ka javab maian nahian de saka. khuli huee khi daki ke bahar aandhere mean dekhata hua chupachap baitha raha.

usane phir kaha, "itani door n jao to n chale? yah sab kya kisi bhi din tumhare kisi kam mean nahian a sakata?"

maian bola, "nahian, kabhi, kisi din bhi nahian."

pyari ne gardan hilakar kaha, "yah maian janati hooan. parantu, le chaloge tum mujhe apane sath?" itana kahakar usane mere pairoan par phir apane hath rakh diye. ek din jab pyari ne makan se jabardasti bida kar diya tha tab us din ka usaka asadharan dhiraj aur man ki takat dekhakar maian avakh ho gaya tha. aj usi ki itani b di durbalata-karun kanth ki aisi katar minnat. yah sab ek sath yad karake meri chhati phatane lagi. parantu, kisi tarah bhi raji n ho saka. bola, "maian tumhean apane sath to nahian le ja sakata, parantu, tum jab bulaogi, tabhi laut aooanga. maian kahian bhi rahooan, hamesha tumhara hi rahooanga rajalakshmi."

"kya tum chirakal tak is papishtha ke hi hokar rahoge?"

"haan, chirakal tak."

"tab to phir, yah kaho ki tumhara kabhi vivah hi n hoga?"

"haan, nahian hoga. isaka karan yah hai, ki tumhari sammati ke bina, tumhean du:kh dekar, is kam mean meri kabhi pravritti nahian hogi."

pyari apalak drishti se kuchh der tak mere muanh ki or dekhati rahi. isake bad usake donoan netr aauansuoan se paripoorn hokar b di-b di booandoan ke roop mean tap-tap girane lage. aauankhean poanchhakar gadhe svar mean vah boli, "is hatabhagini ke lie tum zindagi-bhar sannyasi bane rahoge?"

maianne kaha, "haan, bana rahooanga. tumhare pas jo vastu maianne paee hai, usake badale sannyasi banakar rahane mean mera koee nukasan nahian hai. maian kahian bhi kyoan n rahooan, meri is bat par tum kabhi avishvas n karana."

pal-bhar ke lie donoan ki char najarean hueean aur doosare hi kshan vah takiye mean muanh chhipakar ulati let gayi. uchchhvasit krandan ke aveg se usaka sara sharir kaanp-kaanpakar aur phool-phoolakar uchakane laga.

maianne muanh uthakar dekha, sara makan gahari niand se dhaka hua tha. kahian koee jag nahian raha tha. keval ek daphe khayal aya, ki jharokhe ke bahar aandhiyari ratri apane kitane hi utsavoan ki priy sahachari pyari ke is hriday-vidarak abhinay ko mano aj chupachap, aauankhean kholakar, atyant paritripti ke sath dekh rahi hai.

000

aisi-aisi anek batean dekhi haian jinhean ki jivan-bhar bhoola nahian ja sakata. ve jab kabhi yad a jati haian tab us samay ke shabd tak mano kanoan mean gooanj uthate haian. pyari ke antim shabd bhi isi tarah ke the. aj bhi maian mano unaki gooanj suna karata hooan. vah apane svabhav se hi kitani adhik sanyami thi, isaka parichay bachapan mean hi usane bahut daphe diya hai. aur phir, usake oopar ab kitane dinoan ki saansarik abhijnata hai. us daphe mere bida hone ke samay kisi tarah bhagakar usane atm-raksha ki thi. parantu is daphe vah kisi tarah bhi apane apako n sanmhahl saki, aur naukar-chakaroan ke samane hi ro p di. ruandhe hue kanth se vah bol uthian, "dekhoan, maian nasamajh nahian hooan. apane papoan ka bhari dand mujhe bhogana hi p dega, so maian janati hooan; kintu, phir bhi kahati hooan, hamara yah samaj b da nishthur-b da nirday hai. ise bhi isaka dand ek n ek din bhogana hi p dega. bhagavan is pap ki saza deange hi deange!"

samaj ko usane kyoan itana b da abhishap diya so vah jane aur usake antaryami janean. maian nahian janata, so bat nahian hai; kintu maian chup hi raha. boodha daraban ga di ka daravaza kholakar mere muanh ki or dekhane laga. maian age pair badha hi raha tha ki pyari aauankhoan ke aauansuoan mean se mere muanh ki or dekhakar kuchh hansi; boli, "kahaan ja rahe jo? phir to shayad darshan hoange nahian, ek bhiksha dete jaoge?"

maian bola, "dooanga, kaho."

pyari boli, "bhagavan n karean- kintu, tumhari jivan-yatra jis dhang ki hai usase-achchha, jahaan bhi raho, aise samay mean khabar doge? sharamaoge to nahian?"

"nahian, sharamaooanga nahian- khabar zaroor dooanga" itana kahakar dhire-dhire maian ga di mean ja baitha . pyari pichhe-pichhe aee aur usane apane aauanchal mean mere pairoan ki dhool le li.

"aji sunate ho?" maianne muanh uthakar dekha ki vah apane kaanpate hue hothoan ko pranapan se kaboo mean rakhakar kahane ki koshish kar rahi hai. donoan ki najar ek hote hi phir usaki aauankhoan se jhar-jhar pani jhar p da. vah aspasht ruandhe hue kanth se dhire se boli, "n jao itani door to? rahane do, mat jao..."

chupake se maianne apani najar us or se pher li. ga divan ne ga di haank di. chabuk aur char-chakoanke sammilit sapasap aur ghar-ghar shabd se sham ka samay mukharit ho utha. kintu, is sabako dabakar keval ek ruandhe hue kanth ka daba hua rudan hi mere kanoan mean gooanjane laga.

3

paanch-chh: din bad maian ek din bhor ke samay, sirph ek lohe ka trank aur ek patala-sa bistar lekar kalakatte ke koyala-ghat par ja pahuancha. ga di se utarate n utarate khaki kurati pahine hue ek kuli ne donoan chijoan ko jhapat liya, unhean lekar palak-bhar mean n jane vah kahaan antadharn ho gaya aur jab tak khojate-khojate dushchinta ke mare meri aauankhoan mean aauansoo n a gaye tab tak usaka koee pata hi nahian chala.

ga di par se ate-ate hi maianne dekha tha ki jeti¹ aur b de raste ke bich ki bhoomi nana rang ke padarthoan se ladi huee hai- lal, kale, bhoore, gerue. tho da-sa kuhara bhi chhaya hua tha. aisa maloom hua ki bachh doan ka ek jhund shayad chalan kiye jane ke lie bandha hua hai. nikat akar dhyahan se dekha to maloom hua ki chalan to avashy hoga; kintu, bachhadoan ka nahian-manushyoan ka. ve log b di-b di-si gathariyaan liye, stri-putroan ke hath pak d, sari rat isalie isi tarah os mean p de rahe haian ki subah t dake hi sabase pahale jahaz mean ghusakar ek achchhi-si jagah par qabza kar leange. atev, kisake lie sambhav tha ki pichhe se akar inhean par karake jeti ke dvar tak pahuanch sake? tho di hi der bad yah dal jab jagakar kh da ho gaya tab maianne dekha ki kabul ke uttar se kanyakumari ke ant tak ka koee bhi pradesh apana pratinidhi is koyala-ghat par bhejana nahian bhoola hai.

sabhi haian. kali-kali ganjiyaan pahine hue chiniyoan ka dal bhi bad nahian gaya hai. maian bhi to dek ka (jisase niche aur koee darja nahian usaka) yatri tha : isalie, logoan ko parast karake apane baithane ke lie ek jagah mujhe bhi prapt karani thi. kintu isaka khayal karate hi mera sara sharir baraph-sa thanda ho gaya. phir bhi, jab jana hi hai aur jahaz ko chho dakar aur koee jane ka rasta nahian hai, tab jaise bhi ho inhian logoan ka anukaran karana karttavy hai- aisa vichar kar maian apane man ko jitana hi sahas dene laga mano utana hi vah himmat harane laga. jahaz kab akar kinare se lagega so jahaz hi jane. is bich mean hi ye chaudah-pandrah sau log bhe doan ke jhund ki tarah katarean baandhakar ekaek aauankh uthakar dekha, kh de ho gaye haian. ek hindustani adami se maianne poochha, "bhaiya, sab log achchhi tarah se to baithe the- ab ekaek katar baandhakar kyoan kh de ho gaye?'*

¹ jahaan jahaz thaharate haian vah sthan.

vah bola, "dagadari hogi."

"dagadari kya chiz hoti hai, bhaee?"

us adami ne pichhe se ae hue ek dhakke ko sanbhalate hue kuchh jhuanjhalahat se kaha, "are pileg ka dagadari."

bat ko samajhana aur bhi kathin ho gaya. par, samajhooan chahe n samajhooan- itane adamiyoan ke lie jo zaroori hai vah mere lie bhi hogi. kintu kis kaushal se apane apako is jhund mean ghuse d dooan, yah ek samasya hi samane akar kh di ho gayi. kahian se ghusane ke lie tho di-si saansar hai ya nahian, yah khojate-khojate dekha ki kuchh door par khidirapur ke kitane hi musalaman sankuchit bhav se kh de hue haian. yah maianne svadesh-videsh sabhi jagah dekha hai ki jo kam lajjit hone jaisa hai, usamean bangali log avashy lajjit hote haian. ve bharat ki anyany jatiyoan ke saman bina sankoch ke dhakka-mukki mara-mari nahian kar sakate. is tarah kh de hone mean jo ek tarah ki hinata hai, usaki sharam ke mare mano ye sab apana sir nicha kar lete haian. ye log rangoon mean darji ka kam karate haian aur anek daphe ae-gaye haian. poochhane par unhoanne bataya ki yah sab savadhani, kahian yahaan se barma mean pleg n chali jay, isalie hai. d aauktar pariksha karake pas kar de tabhi jahaz par chadha ja sakata hai. arthath rangoon jane ke lie jo log taiyar hue haian, isake pahale hi jaanch ho jana chahie ki ve pleg ke rogi haian ya nahian. aangreji rajy mean d aauktaroan ka prabal pratap hai. suna hai, kasaeekhane ke yatriyoan ko bhi andar jakar jibah hone ka adhikar prapt karane ke lie in logoan ka muanh takana p data hai. kintu, paristhiti ki drishti se rangoon ke yatriyoan ke sath usaki jo itani adhik samanata hai so us samay kisane sochi thi.

kramash: pileg ki dagadari nikat a pahuanchi. piyade-sahit d aauktar sahab dikhaee diye. us katarabandi ki avastha mean gardan tedhi karake dekhane ka mauqa to nahian tha; phir bhi, age-kh de hue sathiyoan ke prati kiya gaya pariksha-paddhati ka jitana bhi prayog drishtigochar hua, usase meri chinta ki sima nahian rahi. kayar bangaliyoan ko chho dakar aisa vahaan koee nahian tha jo deh ke nimn bhag ke ugha de jane par bhayabhit ho, parantu, apane samane ke sahasi vir purushoan ke bhi pariksha ke samay bar-bar chauank uthate dekhakar maian buri tarah shankit ho utha. sabhi janate haian ki pleg ki bimari mean sharir ka sthan-vishesh sooj aya karata hai d aauktar sahab jis prakar lila-matr se aur nirvikar chitt se us sandeh moolak sthan mean hath dalakar sojish tatolane lage, usase kath ke putaloan ko bhi apatti hoti. kintu, bharatavasiyoan ki sabhyata sanatan hai, isalie, jaise bhi ho ek daphe chauankakar ye sthir ho jate the. agar aur koee jati hoti to d aauktar ka hath maro de-to de bina n rahati. so, chahe jo ho, 'pas' hona jab avashy karttavy tha, to phir, aur upay hi kya ho sakata tha? yathasamay aauankhean mianchakar, sara aang sankuchit kar- ek tarah se hatash hi hokar, d aauktar ke hath atm-samarpan kar diya aur 'pas' bhi ho gaya.

isake bad jahaz par chadhane ki pari thi. kintu, dek-paisianjaroan ki yah adhirohan-kriya kis tarah nishpann hoti hai- bahar ke logoan ke lie usaki kalpana karana bhi sambhav nahian hai. phir bhi, kal-karakhanoan mean jinhoanne daantavale chakroan ki prakriya dekhi hai, unake lie isaka samajhana kuchh-kuchh sambhav ho sakata hai. ve jis tarah age ke khianchav aur pichhe ke dhakke se agrasar hokar chalate haian, usi tarah hamari yah kabuli- panjabi- marava di- madrasi- maratha- bangali-chini- u diya gathit suvipul sena keval parasparik akarshan-vikarshan ke veg se niche zamin se jahaz ke dek par bina jane hi chadh gayi aur vah gati vahaan par bhi nahian ruki. samane ki or dekha, ek gandhe ke muanh par sidhi lagi huee hai. jahaz ke garm-desh mean utarane ka yahi rasta tha. nale ke avaruddh mukh ko khol dene par vrishti ka sanchit jal jis tarah tivr veg se niche girata hai, thik usi tarah yah dal bhi sthan adhikrit karane ke lie jine-marane ke jnan se shoony hokar niche utarane laga.

mujhe jahaan tak yad ata hai, meri niche jane ki ichchha nahian thi. pairoan se chalakar bhi nahian utara. kshan bhar ke lie maian behosh ho gaya tha, isalie, mere is kathan mean yadi koee sandeh prakat kare, to shayad kasam khakar maian ise asvikar bhi n kar sakooanga. hosh mean ane par dekha ki garbh-grih ke madhyak bahut door par ek kone mean maian akela kh da hooan. pairoan ki or nigah dau daee, to dekhata hooan ki isi bich mean, jadoo ke khel ki tarah pal-bhar mean hi kambal bichhakar aur b aauks-pitaroan adi se gherakar har kisi ne apane-apane lie nirapad-sthan bana liya hai aur shanti se baithakar apane p dosi ka parichay prapt karana shuroo kar diya hai. itani der ke bad, ab kahian mere us nambar vale kuli ne akar darshan diya aur kaha, "trank aur bistar oopar rakh aya hooan, yadi ap kahean to niche le aooan."

maianne kaha, "nahian, balki, kisi tarah yahaan se uddhar karake mujhe hi oopar le chal." kyoanki vahaan itana-sa sthan bhi mujhe kahian khali dikhaee nahian diya ki doosaroan ke bistar khooande bagair tatha unake sath hathapaee ki sambhavana utpann kiye bagair, maian kahian apana qadam rakh sakooan. varsha hone par oopar pani mean bhig jaooan yah achchha, kintu yahaan ek kshan-bhar bhi thaharana thik nahian. adhik paisoan ke lobh se kuli, kafi koshish aur bahas-mubahise ke bad, kambaloan aur sataranjiyoan ke kinaroan ko ulatata-pulatata hua mujhe apane sath liye hue oopar aya aur mera mal-asabab dikhakar bakhshiish lekar chalata bana. yahaan ka bhi vahi hal- bistar bichhane ke lie, nirupay ho apane trank ke oopar hi baithane ka intazam karake maian ekagr chitt se mata bhagirathi ke donoan kinaroan ki mahima ka nirikshan karane laga.

stimar ne tab tak chalana arambh kar diya tha. bahut der se pyas lag rahi thi. in do ghantoan ke bhitar jo toofan sir par se gujar gaya usase jinaki chhati shushk n ho jae, aise kathin-hriday sansar mean bahut tho de hi log haian. kintu aphat yah huee ki sath mean n to gilas tha aur n lota. sath ke musaphiroan mean yadi kahian koee bangali ho to kuchh upay ho kuchh upay ho sakata hai, yah sochakar maian phir bahar nikala. niche utarane ke us gandhe ke nikat pahuanchate hi ek tarah ka vikat kolahal sun p da. meri janakari itani vistrit nahian hai ki us kolahal ki upayukt tulana kar sakooan. goshala mean ag dene se ek prakar ka kolahal hone ki bat kahi jati hai zaroor, kintu, isake anuroop kolahal hone ke lie jitani b di goshala ki avashyakata hai utani b di goshala mahabharat ke yug mean virat raja ke yahaan yadi rahi to juda bat hai, kintu is kalikal mean kisi ke yahaan ho sakati hai, isaki to kalpana karana bhi kathin hai.

bhayapoorn hriday se do-ek sidhiyaan utarakar maianne jhaanka to dekha ki yatriyoan ne apana apana 'neshanal' (=jatiy) sangit shuroo kar diya hai. kabul se lekar brahmaputr aur kanyakumari se lekar chin ki simaparyant jitane bhi tarah ke svar brahm haian, jahaz ke is band garbh ke bhitar vadyayantroan ke sahayog se, unaka hi samavet roop se anushilan ho raha hai. aise mahasangit ko sunane ka saubhagy kadachith hi sanghatit hota hai; aur sangit hi lalit kalaoan mean sarvashreshth hai, yah bat us jagah kh de-kh de hi maianne samman ke sath svikar kar li. kintu sabase adhik vismay ki bat yah thi ki vahaan itane adhik sangit-visharad ek sath a jute kis tarah?

maian ekaek yah sthir nahian kar saka ki mera niche utarana uchit hai ya nahian. suna hai, aangareji mahakavi sheksapiyar ne kaha hai ki sangit ke dvara jo manushy mugdh nahian hota vah khoon tak kar sakata hai. kintu keval minat bhar sun lene se hi jo manushy ke khoon ko jama de aise sangit ki khabar shayad unhean bhi nahian thi. jahaz ka garbh-grih vinapani ka pith-sthan hai ya nahian, so nahian, so nahian janata parantu, yadi n hota to yah kaun soch sakata ki kabuli log bhi gana gate haian!

ek taraph yah adbhut kand ho raha tha aur maian muanh bae dekh raha tha ki ekaek dekha- pas mean hi kh da hua ek vyakti pranapan se hath hila-hilakar meri najar apani or akarshit karane ki koshish kar raha hai. bahut kasht se anek logoan ki lal-lal aauankhean sir par rakhakar maian us manushy ke pas ja upasthit hua. usane brahman samajhakar mujhe hath jo dakar namaskar kiya aur apana parichay diya ki maian rangoon ka vikhyat nand misri hooan. pas hi ek vigat-yauvana sthool stri baithi huee ekatak meri or dekh rahi thi. maian usake muanh ki or dekhakar stambhit ho gaya. manushy ki itani b di-b di phutabal-si aauankhean aur itani moti ju di huee bhauhean pahale kabhi n dekhi thian.

nand misri usaka parichay dete hue bola, "babooji, yah meri gharava..."

bat poori bhi n ho paee thi ki vah phuankar kar garj uthi, "gharavali! ye mere sat bhaanvaroan ke svami kahate haian gharavali! khabaradar, kahe deti hooan misri, jis-tis ke age jhooth bolakar mujhe badanam mat kiya karo! haan...!"

maian to vismay ke mare hatabuddhi-sa ho gaya.

nand misri kuchh apratibh-sa hokar bola, "aha, naraj kyoan hoti ho tagar? gharavali aur kahate kise haian? bis sal..."

tagar vikat krodh se bol uthi, "bis sal ho gaye kya hua. phoote karam! jat-vaishnav ki l daki hokar maian kahalaooan kevat ki gharavali! kaise, kis tarah? bis baras se tumhare ghar hooan zaroor, kintu ek din bhi tumhean chauke mean ghusane diya hai, yah bat koee bhi nahian kah sakata. tagar vaishnavi mar jayegi, par apani jati nahian khoegi, janate ho?" itana kahakar vah jat-vaishnav ki l daki apani jati ke garv se mere muanh ki or dekhati huee apani donoan phutabal ki si aauankhean ghumane lagi.

nand misri lajjit hokar barambar kahane laga, "dekha babooji, dekha? abhi tak ise jati ka garv hai! dekha apane! maian hooan, isi se sah leta hooan, aur koee hota..." bis baras ki us gharavali ki or dekhakar bechara apani bat poori bhi n kar saka.

maian aur kuchh n bola aur usase ek gilas lekar vahaan se chal diya. oopar pahuanchakar us vaishnavi ki batean yad karake meri hansi roki n ruki. kintu kshan-bhar bad hi socha, yah to ek samany ashikshita stri thahari; par, gaanvoan mean aur shaharoan mean bhi kya aise anek shikshit purush nahian haian, jinake dvara aise hi hasyakary ab bhi pratidin hua karate haian, aur jo pap ke sare anyayoan se keval khana-chhoona bachakar hi paritran pa lete haian. tab, yah ho sakata hai ki is desh ke purushoan ka hal dekhakar to hansi nahian ati, ati hai sirph auratoan ko dekhakar.

aj sham se hi akash mean tho de badal jama ho rahe the. rat ko ek baje ke bad mamooli-sa pani aur hava bhi chali jisase kuchh der ke lie jahaz khoob hila-dula. doosare din subah se hi vah shisht shant bhav se chalane laga. jise samudri bimari kahate haian, mera vah upasarg to shayad chhutapan mean hi nav ke oopar kat gaya tha, isalie vaman karane ke sankat ko maian ekabaragi hi par kar gaya; kintu, saparivar nand misri ka kya hal hua- kis tarah rat kati, yah janane ke lie maian niche ja pahuancha. kal ke gayakoan mean adhikaansh us samay tak bhi auandhe p de hue the. maianne samajh liya ki ratri ke utpat ke karan hi ye log abhi tak mahasangit ke lie taiyar nahian ho sake haian. nand misri aur usaki bis baras ki gharavali donoan gambhir bhav se baithe hue the. mujhe dekh unhoanne pranam kiya. unake chehare ke bhav se jan p da ki kuchh der pahale hi donoan mean kuchh kalah-si zaroor ho chuki hai. maianne poochha, "rat ko kaisa hal raha misriji?"

nand bola, "achchha raha."

usaki gharavali garaj uthi, "khak raha achchha! maiyari maiya, kaisa adbhut kand ho gaya."

kuchh udvign hokar maianne poochha, "kaisa kand?"

nand misri ne mere muanh ki or dekha, phir jamhaee li. chutakiyaan bajaeean aur ant mean kaha, "kand aisa kuchh nahian tha babooji. kalakatte ki galiyoan ke mo doan par sadhe battis tarah ka chabena bechate hue apane kisi ko dekha hai? yadi dekha ho to ham logoan ki avastha ko ap thik taur se samajh sakeange. vah jis tarah aangoothe ke niche do-tin aanguliyoan ki chot marakar bhune hue chaval, dal, matar, masoor, chane, sem ke bij adi sabako ekakar kar deta hai, devata ki kripa se ham sab bhi thik usi tarah gaddamadd ho gaye the, abhi hi kuchh der huee sab koee apane-apane kap de pahichanakar phir apani jagah akar baithe haian." isake bad vah tagar ki or dekhakar bola, "babooji, bhagy se asal vaishnav ki jat nahian jati, nahian to meri tagar..."

tagar bh dake hue bhaloo ki tarah garaj uthi, "ab phir vahi!"

"nahian, to jane do", kahakar nand udasinata se doosari taraph ko dekhata hua chup ho gaya.

ek kabuli dampati, jo ki malinata ke avatar the, sir se pair tak prithvi ki sari gandagi lade hue atyant tripti ke sath roti kha rahe the. kruddh tagar un hatabhagoan ke prati apane b de-b de chakshuoan se ekantak hokar agni varshan karane lagi. nand ne apani gharavali ko uddeshy karake prashn kiya, "to phir aj khana-pina kuchh n hoga, kyoan?"

gharavali ne kaha, "maut aur kise kahate haian? hoga kaise, sunooan to?"

mamala n samajh sakane ke karan maianne kaha, "abhi to b di sakar hai, kuchh bela chadh jane par..."

nand mere muanh ki or dekhakar bola, "kalakatte se ek haan di mean badhiya rasagulle laya tha babooji, jahaz par savar hone tak kahata raha, "ao tagar, kuchh kha levean, atma ko kasht n dean", parantu nahian- "maian rangoon le jaooangi." (tagar ke prati) le, ab le ja rangoon, kya le jati hai?"

tagar ne, is kruddh abhiyog ka spasht prativad n kar, kshubdh abhiman se ek daphe meri or dekha aur phir, vah us hatabhage kabuli ko apani najar se pahale ke saman hi dagdh karane lagi.

maianne dhire se poochha, "kya hua rasagulloan ka?"

nand tagar ko lakshy karake kataksh karata hua bola, "unaka kya hua so nahian kah sakata. vah dekho n phooti haan di, aur vah dekho bichhaune mean gira hua ras. isase zyada kuchh janana chaho to poochho us haramajade se." itana kahakar tagar ki drishti ka anusaran kar vah bhi kathor drishti se unaki or takane laga.

maianne b di mushkil se hansi rokate hue muanh nicha karake kaha, "to jane do, sath mean chiu da to hai!"

nand bola, "us or se bhi chhutti mil gayi hai. babooji ko ek daphe dikha to do, tagar."

tagar ne ek chhoti-si potali ko pairoan se thukarate hue kaha, "dikha do n tumhian-"

nand bola, "jo bhi kaho baboo, kabuli jat namakaharam nahian kahi ja sakati. ye log jis tarah rasagulle kha jate haian, usi tarah apane kabuladesh ki moti rotiyaan bhi to baandh dete haian,- pheankana nahian tagar, rakh chho d, tere thakuraji ke bhog ke kam mean a jayeangian."

nand ke is parihas se maian zor se hans p da, kintu doosare hi kshan tagar ke muanh ki or dekhakar dar gaya. krodh ke mare usaka sara muanh kala ho gaya tha. ooanche kanth se vajr-karkash shabdoan mean jahaz ke sab logoan ko chauankakar vah chilla uthi, "jat tak mat jana bhala misri-kahe deti hooan, achchha n hoga, haan..."

usaki chillahat se jin logoan ne muanh uthakar us or dekha, unaki vismit drishti ke samane, sharam ke mare, nand ka muanh jara-sa rah gaya. tagar ko vah bakhoobi janata tha. apani nirargal dillagi ke karan paida hue usake krodh ko kisi tarah shant karane mean hi kushal thi. sharaminda hokar vah chat se bol utha, "sir ki kasam tagar, gussa mat ho, maian to keval majak kar raha tha."

tagar ne vah bat jaise suni hi nahian. putaliyaan aur bhauhean ek bar baeean or aur ek bar dahini or ghumakar aur kanth ke svar ko aur ek parda oopar chadhakar vah boli, "majak kaisa! jat ko lekar bhi kya koee majak kiya jata hai. musalamanoan ki rotiyoan se bhog lagaya jayega? kevat ke muanh mean ag-zaroorat ho to too hi n rakh chho d-bap ko inaka pindadan de dena!"

dori chho de hue dhanushy ki tarah nand chat se sidha hokar kh da ho gaya aur usane tagar ka jhoanta pak d liya, "haramajadi, too bap tak jati hai."

tagar kamar ka kap da sanmhalati huee haanphate-haanphate boli, aur "haramajade, too jat tak jayega!" itana kahakar kanoan tak muanh pha dakar usane nand ki bhuja ke ek hisse mean kat khaya. muhoort-bhar mean hi nand misri aur tagar vaishnavi ka mall-yuddh gahara ho utha. dekhate hi dekhate sab log gherakar kh de ho gaye. bhi d ho gayi. samudri bimari ki takaliph ko bhoolakar sare 'hindustani'¹ ooanche kanth se vahavahi dene lage, panjabi chhi:-chhi: karane lage, u diya chian-chian karane lage. ek tarah se poora lanka kand mach gaya maian sannate mean a gaya. aur mera muanh vivarn ho gaya. itani mamooli-si bat par nirlajjata ka aisa nanga nach ho sakata hai, isaki maian kalpana bhi n kar saka tha. aur vah bhi ek bangali stri-purush ke dvara jahaj-bhar ke logoan ke samane ho raha hai, yah dekhakar to maian lajja ke mare zamin mean g da jane laga. pas mean hi ek jaunapuri daraban atyant santosh ke sath tamasha dekh raha tha. meri or lakshy karake bola, "babooji, bangalin to bahut achchhi l dane vali hai, hatati hi nahian."

maian usaki or aauankhean uthakar dekh bhi n saka, chupachap gardan nichi kiye kisi tarah bhi d ko chirata hua oopar bhag gaya.