अलग्योझा -प्रेमचंद

alagyojha -premachand
manasarovar, bhag-1|150px|center
lekhak	muanshi premachand
mool shirshak	algyojha
mukhy patr	ragghoo, panna, muliya, kedar, khunnoo, lachhaman, jhuniya
kathanak	sanyukt parivar ka vibhajan/bantavara aur usase sambandhit sujhav
prakashak	dilli pustak sadan
prakashan tithi	janavari 01, 2008
ISBN	978-81-88032-23
desh	bharat
prishth:	264
bhasha	hiandi
shaili	rochak, ghatana vaichitry,
vishay	sanyukt parivar ka vibhajan
vidha	kahani
prakar	samasya pradhan
bhag	ek
vishesh	algyojha ka shabdik arth- sanyukt parivar ka vibhajan/bantavara.
tippani	premachand bahumukhi pratibha sanpann sahityakar the. premachand ki rachanaoan mean tatkalin itihas bolata hai. premachand ne kahani aur upanyas donoan hi likhe haian. ve bharat ke shreshthatam kahanikar aur upanyasakar ke roop mean jane jate haian.

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bhola mahato ne pahali stri ke mar jane bad doosari sagaee ki to usake l dake ragghoo ke liye bure din a gaye. ragghoo ki umr us samay keval das varsh ki thi. chain se gaanv mean gulli-danda khelata phirata tha. maan ke ate hi chakki mean jutana p da. panna roopavati stri thi aur roop aur garv mean choli-daman ka nata hai. vah apane hathoan se koee kam n karati. gobar ragghoo nikalata, bailoan ko sani ragghoo deta, ragghoo hi joothe baratan maanjata. bhola ki aankhean kuchh aisi phirian ki use ab ragghoo mean sab buraiyaan-hi-buraiyaan najar atian. panna ki batoan ko vah prachin maryadanusar aankhean band karake man leta tha. ragghoo ki shikayatoan ki zara paravah n karata. natija yah hua ki ragghoo ne shikayat karana hi chho d diya. kisake samane roye? bap hi nahian, sara gaanv usaka dushman tha. b da jiddi l daka hai, panna ko to kuchh samajhata hi nahian; bechari usaka dular karati hai, khilati-pilati hai, yah usi ka phal hai. doosari aurat hoti, to nibah n hota. vah to kaho, panna itani sidhi-sadi hai ki nibah hota jata hai. sabal ki shikayatean sab sunate haian, nirbal ki phariyad bhi koee nahian sunata! ragghoo ka hriday maan ki or se din-din phatata jata tha. yahaan tak ki ath sal gujar gaye aur ek din bhola ke nam bhi mrityu ka sandesh a pahuancha.

panna ke char bachche the- tin bete aur ek beti. itana b da kharch aur kamanevala koee nahian. ragghoo ab kyoan bat poochhane laga? yah mani huee bat thi. apani stri laega aur alag rahega. stri akar aur bhi ag lagayegi. panna ko charoan or aandhera-hi-aandhera dikhaee deta tha. par kuchh bhi ho, vah ragghoo ki asarait banakar ghar mean n rahegi. jis ghar mean usane raj kiya, usamean ab lauandi n banegi. jis lauande ko apana gulam samajha, usaka muanh n takegi. vah sundar thi, avastha abhi kuchh aisi zyada n thi. javani apani poori bahar par thi. kya vah koee doosara ghar nahian kar sakati? yahi n hoga, log hanseange. bala se! usaki biradari mean kya aisa hota nahian? brahman, thakur tho di hi thi ki nak kat jayagi. yah to unhian ooanchi jatoan mean hota hai ki ghar mean chahe jo kuchh karo, bahar parada dhaka rahe. vah to sansar ko dikhakar doosara ghar kar sakati hai, phir vah ragghoo ki dabail banakar kyoan rahe?

bhola ko mare ek mahina gujar chuka tha. sandhya ho gayi thi. panna isi chinta mean p di huee thi ki sahasa use khyal aya, l dake ghar mean nahian haian. yah bailoan ke lautane ki bela hai, kahian koee l daka unake niche n a jay. ab dvar par kaun hai, jo unaki dekhabhal karega? ragghoo ko mere l dake phooti aankhoan nahian bhate. kabhi hansakar nahian bolata. ghar se bahar nikali, to dekha, ragghoo samane jhoanp de mean baitha ookh ki ganderiya bana raha hai, l dake use ghere kh de haian aur chhoti l daki usaki gardan mean hath dale usaki pith par savar hone ki cheshta kar rahi hai. panna ko apani aankhoan par vishvas n aya. aj to yah nayi bat hai. shayad duniya ko dikhata hai ki maian apane bhaiyoan ko kitana chahata hooan aur man mean chhuri rakhi huee hai. ghat mile to jan hi le le! kala saanp hai, kala saanp! kathor svar mean boli - tum sabake sab vahaan kya karate ho? ghar mean ao, saanjh ki bela hai, goru ate hoange.

ragghoo ne vinit netroan se dekhakar kaha‌‌- maian to hooan hi kaki, dar kis bat ka hai?
b da l daka kedar bola- kaki, ragghoo dada ne hamare lie do ga diyaan bana di haian. yah dekh, ek par ham aur khunnoo baitheange, doosari par lachhaman aur jhuniya. dada donoan ga diyaan khiancheange.
yah kahakar vah ek kone se do chhoti-chhoti ga diyaan nikal laya. char-char pahiye lage the. baithane ke lie takhte aur rok ke lie donoan taraph bajoo the.
panna ne ashchary se poochha- ye ga diyaan kisane banayi?
kedar ne chidhakar kaha- ragghoo dada ne banayi haian, aur kisane! bhagat ke ghar se basoola aur rukhani maang lae aur chatapat bana di. khoob dau dati haian kaki! baith khunnoo maian khianchooan.
khunnoo ga di mean baith gaya. kedar khianchane laga. char-char shor hua mano ga di bhi is khel mean l dakoan ke sath sharik hai.
lachhaman ne doosari ga di mean baithakar kaha- dada, khiancho.
ragghoo ne jhuniya ko bhi ga di mean bitha diya aur ga di khianchata hua dau da. tinoan l dake taliyaan bajane lage. panna chakit netroan se yah drishy dekh rahi thi aur soch rahi thi ki yah vahi ragghoo hai ya koee aur.
tho di der ke bad donoan ga diyaan lautian; l dake ghar mean jakar is yanayatra ke anubhav bayan karane lage. kitane khush the sab, manoan havaee jahaz par baith aye hoan.
khunnoo ne kaha- kaki sab pe d dau d rahe the.
lachhaman- aur bachhiya kaisi bhagian, sabaki sab dau dian!
kedar- kaki, ragghoo dada donoan ga diyaan ek sath khianch le jate haian.
jhuniya sabase chhoti thi. usaki vyanjana-shakti uchhal-kood aur netroan tak parimit thi- taliyaan baja-bajakar nach rahi thi.
khunnoo- ab hamare ghar gay bhi a jayagi kaki! ragghoo dada ne giradhari se kaha hai ki hamean ek gay la do. giradhari bola, kal laooanga.
kedar- tin ser doodh deti hai kaki! khoob doodh piyeange.
itane mean ragghoo bhi aandar a gaya. panna ne avahelana ki drishti se dekhakar poochha- kyoan ragghoo tumane giradhari se koee gay maangi hai?
ragghoo ne kshama-prarthana ke bhav se kaha- haan, maangi to hai, kal lavega.
panna- rupaye kisake ghar se ayeange, yah bhi socha hai?
ragghoo- sab soch liya hai kaki! meri yah muhar nahian hai. isake pachchis rupaye mil rahe haian, paanch rupaye bachhiya ke mujara de dooanga! bas, gay apani ho jayagi.
panna sannate mean a gayi. ab usaka avishvasi man bhi ragghoo ke prem aur sajjanata ko asvikar n kar saka. boli- muhar ko kyoan beche dete ho? gay ki abhi kaun jaldi hai? hath mean paise ho jayan, to le lena. soona-soona gala achchha n lagega. itane dinoan gay nahian rahi, to kya l dake nahian jiye?

ragghoo darshanik bhav se bola- bachchoan ke khane-pine ke yahi din haian kaki! is umr mean n khaya, to phir kya khayeange. muhar pahanana mujhe achchha bhi nahian maloom hota. log samajhate hoange ki bap to mar gaya. ise muhar pahanane ki soojhi hai.

bhola mahato gay ki chianta hi mean chal base. n rupaye aye aur n gay mili. majaboor the. ragghoo ne yah samasya kitani sugamata se hal kar di. aj jivan mean pahali bar panna ko ragghoo par vishvas aya, boli- jab gahana hi bechana hai, to apani muhar kyoan bechoge? meri hansuli le lena.
ragghoo- nahian kaki! vah tumhare gale mean bahut achchhi lagati hai. mardo ko kya, muhar pahanean ya n pahanean.
panna- chal, maian boodhi huee. ab hansuli pahanakar kya karana hai. too abhi l daka hai, tera gala achchha n lagega?
ragghoo muskarakar bola— tum abhi se kaise boodhi ho gayi? gaanv mean hai kaun tumhare barabar?
ragghoo ki saral alochana ne panna ko lajjit kar diya. usake rukhe-murajhaye mukh par prasannata ki lali dau d gayi.

2

paanch sal gujar gaye. ragghoo ka-sa mehanati, eemanadar, bat ka dhani doosara kisan gaanv mean n tha. panna ki ichchha ke bina koee kam n karata. usaki umr ab 23 sal ki ho gayi thi. panna bar-bar kahati, bhiya, bahoo ko bida kara lao. kab tak naihar mean p di rahegi? sab log mujhi ko badanam karate haian ki yahi bahoo ko nahian ane deti, magar ragghoo tal deta tha. kahata ki abhi jaldi kya hai? use apani stri ke rang-dhang ka kuchh parichay doosaroan se mil chuka tha. aisi aurat ko ghar mean lakar vah apani shaanti mean badha nahian dalana chahata tha.
akhir ek din panna ne zid karake kaha- to tum n laoge?
‘kah diya ki abhi koee jaldi nahian.’
‘tumhare lie jaldi n hogi, mere lie to jaldi hai. maian aj adami bhejati hooan.’
‘pachhataogi kaki, usaka mizaj achchha nahian hai.’
‘tumhari bala se. jab maian usase bolooangi hi nahian, to kya hava se l degi? rotiyaan to bana legi. mujhase bhitar-bahar ka sara kam nahian hota, maian aj bulaye leti hooan.’
‘bulana chahati ho, bula lo; magar phir yah n kahana ki yah mehariya ko thik nahian karata, usaka gulam ho gaya.’
‘n kahooangi, jakar do sa diyaan aur mithaee le a.’
tisare din muliya maike se a gayi. daravaze par naga de baje, shahanaiyoan ki madhur dhvani akash mean gooanjane lagi. muanh-dikhave ki rasm ada huee. vah is marubhoomi mean nirmal jaladhara thi. gehuana rang tha, b di-b di nokili palakean, kapoloan par halki surkhi, aankhoan mean prabal akarshan. ragghoo use dekhate hi mantr-mugdh ho gaya.

prat:kal pani ka gh da lekar chalati, tab usaka gehuana rang prabhat ki sunahari kiranoan se kuandan ho jata, manoan usha apani sari sugandh, sara vikas aur unmad liye muskarati chali jati ho.

3

muliya maike se hi jali-bhuni ayi thi. mera shauhar chhati pha dakar kam kare, aur panna rani bani baithi rahean, usake l dake reesajade bane ghoomean. muliya se yah baradasht n hoga. vah kisi ki gulami n karegi. apane l dake to apane hote hi nahian, bhaee kisake hote haian? jab tak par nahian nikalate haian, ragghoo ko ghere hue haian. jyoan hi jara sayane hue, par jha dakar nikal jayeange, bat bhi n poochheange.

ek din usane ragghoo se kaha- tumhean is tarah gulami karani ho, to karo, mujhase n hogi.
ragghoo- to phir kya karuan, too hi bata? l dake to abhi ghar ka kam karane layaq bhi nahian haian.
muliya- l dake ravat ke haian, kuchh tumhare nahian haian. yahi panna hai, jo tumhean dane-dane ko tarasati thi. sab sun chuki hooan. maian lauandi banakar n rahooangi. rupaye-paise ka mujhe hisab nahian milata. n jane tum kya late ho aur vah kya karati hai. tum samajhate ho, rupaye ghar hi mean to haian: magar dekh lena, tumhean jo ek phooti kau di bhi mile.
ragghoo- rupaye-paise tere hath mean dene lagooan to duniya kya kahegi, yah to soch.
muliya- duniya jo chahe, kahe. duniya ke hathoan biki nahian hooan. dekh lena, bha d lipakar hath kala hi rahega. phir tum apane bhaiyoan ke lie maro, mai kyoan maruan?

ragghoo ne kuchh javab n diya. use jis bat ka bhay tha, vah itani jald sir a p di. ab agar usane bahut tattho-thanbho kiya, to sal - chh: mahine aur kam chalega. bas, age yah doanga chalata najar nahian ata. bakare ki maan kab tak khair manayegi?

ek din panna ne mahue ka sukhavan dala. barasat shuroo ho gayi thi. bakhar mean anaj gila ho raha tha. muliya se boli- bahoo, jara dekhati rahana, maian talab se naha aooan?
muliya ne laparavahi se kaha- mujhe niand a rahi hai, tum baithakar dekho. ek din n nahaogi to kya hoga?
panna ne sa di utarakar rakh di, nahane n gayi. muliya ka var khali gaya.

kee din ke bad ek sham ko panna dhan ropakar lauti, aandhera ho gaya tha. din-bhar ki bhookhi thi. asha thi, bahoo ne roti bana rakhi hogi, magar dekha to yahaan choolha thanda p da hua tha, aur bachche mare bhookh ke t dap rahe the. panna ne ahiste se poochha- aj abhi choolha nahian jala?
kedar ne kaha- aj dopahar ko bhi choolha nahian jala kaki! bhabhi ne kuchh banaya hi nahian.
panna- to tum logoan ne khaya kya?
kedar- kuchh nahian, rat ki rotiyaan thian, khunnoo aur lachhaman ne khayian. maianne sattoo kha liya.
panna— aur bahoo?
kedar- vah p di so rahi hai, kuchh nahian khaya.
panna ne usi vakt choolha jalaya aur khana banane baith gayi. ata gooanthati thi aur roti thi. kya nasib hai? din-bhar khet mean jali, ghar ayi to choolhe ke samane jalana p da.
kedar ka chaudahavaan sal tha. bhabhi ke rang-dhang dekhakar sari sthit samajh raha tha. bola- kaki, bhabhi ab tumhare sath rahana nahian chahati.
panna ne chauankakar poochha- kya kuchh kahati thi?
kedar- kahati kuchh nahian thi magar hai usake man mean yahi bat. phir tum kyoan nahian use chho d detian? jaise chahe rahe, hamara bhi bhagavan hai.
panna ne daantoan se jibh dabakar kaha- chup, mere samane aisi bat bhoolakar bhi n kahana. ragghoo tumhara bhaee nahian, tumhara bap hai. muliya se kabhi bologe to samajh lena, zahar kha looangi.

4

dashahare ka tyohar aya. is gaanv se kos bhar ek purave mean mela lagata tha. gaanv ke sab l dake mela dekhane chale. panna bhi l dakoan ke sath chalane ko taiyar huee; magar paise kahaan se ayean? kuanji to muliya ke pas thi.
ragghoo ne akar muliya se kaha- l dake mele ja rahe haian, saboan ko do-do paise de do.
muliya ne tyoriyaan chadhakar kaha- paise ghar mean nahian haian.
ragghoo- abhi to telahan bika tha, kya itani jaldi rupaye uth gaye?
muliya- haan, uth gaye?
raggh- kahaan uth gaye? jara sunooan, aj tyohar ke din l dake mela dekhane n jayeange?
muliya- apani kaki se kaho, paise nikalean, ga dakar kya kareangi?
khooanti par kuanji latak rahi thi. ragghoo ne kuanji utari aur chaha ki sandook khole ki muliya ne usaka hath pak d liya aur boli- kuanji mujhe de do, nahian to thik n hoga. khane-pahanane ko bhi chahie, kagaj-kitab ko bhi chahie, us par mela dekhane ko bhi chahie. hamari kamaee isalie nahian hai ki doosare khayean aur mooanchhoan par tav dean.
panna ne ragghoo se kaha- bhiya, paise kya hoange! l dake mela dekhane n jayange.
ragghoo ne jhi dakakar kaha- mela dekhane kyoan n jayange? sara gaanv ja raha hai. hamare hi l dake n jayange?
yah kahakar ragghoo ne apana hath chhu da liya aur paise nikalakar l dakoan ko de diye; magar kuanji jab muliya ko dene laga, tab usane use aangan mean pheank diya aur muanh lapetakar let gayi! l dake mela dekhane n gaye.
isake bad do din gujar gaye. muliya ne kuchh nahian khaya aur panna bhi bhookhi rahi. ragghoo kabhi ise manata, kabhi use; par n yah uthati, n vah. akhir ragghoo ne hairan hokar muliya se poochha- kuchh muanh se to kah, chahati kya hai?
muliya ne dharati ko sambodhit karake kaha- maian kuchh nahian chahati, mujhe mere ghar pahuancha do.
ragghoo- achchha uth, bana-kha. pahuancha dooanga.
muliya ne ragghoo ki or aankhean uthayi. ragghoo usaki soorat dekhakar dar gaya. vah madhury, vah mohakata, vah lavany gayab ho gaya tha. daant nikal aye the, aankhean phat gayi thian aur nathune ph dak rahe the. aangare ki-si lal aankhoan se dekhakar boli- achchha, to kaki ne yah salah di hai, yah mantr padhaya hai? to yahaan aisi kachchi nahian hooan. tum donoan ki chhati par mooang dalooangi. ho kis pher mean?
ragghoo- achchha, to mooang hi dal lena. kuchh kha-pi legi, tabhi to mooang dal sakegi.
muliya- ab to tabhi muanh mean pani dalooangi, jab ghar alag ho jayaga. bahut jhel chuki, ab nahian jhela jata.

ragghoo sannate mean a gaya. ek minat tak usake muanh se avaz hi n nikali. alag hone ki usane svapn mean bhi kalpana n ki thi. usane gaanv mean do-char parivaroan ko alag hote dekha tha. vah khoob janata tha, roti ke sath logoan ke hriday bhi alag ho jate haian. apane hamesha ke lie gair ho jate haian. phir unamean vahi nata rah jata hai, jo gaanv ke aur adamiyoan mean. ragghoo ne man mean than liya tha ki is vipatti ko ghar mean n ane dooanga; magar honahar ke samane usaki ek n chali. ah! mere muanh mean kalikh lagegi, duniya yahi kahegi ki bap ke mar jane par das sal bhi ek mean nibah n ho saka. phir kisase alag ho jaooan? jinako god mean khilaya, jinako bachchoan ki tarah pala, jinake lie tarah-tarah ke kasht jhele, unhian se alag ho jaooan? apane pyaroan ko ghar se nikal bahar karuan? usaka gala phans gaya. kaanpate hue svar mean bola- too kya chahati hai ki maian apane bhaiyoan se alag ho jaooan? bhala soch to, kahian muanh dikhane layaq rahooanga?
muliya- to mera in logoan ke sath nibah n hoga.
ragghoo- to too alag ho ja. mujhe apane sath kyoan ghasitati hai?
muliya- to mujhe kya tumhare ghar mean mithaee milati hai? mere lie kya sansar mean jagah nahian hai?
ragghoo- teri jaisi marji, jahaan chahe rah. maian apane gharavaloan se alag nahian ho sakata. jis din is ghar mean do choolhe jaleange, us din mere kaleje ke do tuk de ho jayange. maian yah chot nahian sah sakata. tujhe jo takaliph ho, vah maian door kar sakata hooan. mal-asabab ki malakin too hai hi, anaj-pani tere hi hath hai, ab rah kya gaya hai? agar kuchh kam-dhandha karana nahian chahati, mat kar. bhagavan ne mujhe samaee di hoti, to maian tujhe tinaka tak uthane n deta. tere yah sukumar hath-paanv mehanat-mazadoori karane ke lie banaye hi nahian gaye haian; magar kya karuan apana kuchh bas hi nahian hai. phir bhi tera ji koee kam karane ko n chahe, mat kar; magar mujhase alag hone ko n kah, tere pairoan p data hooan.

muliya ne sir se aanchal khisakaya aur jara samip akar boli- maian kam karane se nahian darati, n baithe-baithe khana chahati hooan; magar mujhase kisi ki dhauans nahian sahi jati. tumhari hi kaki ghar ka kam-kaj karati haian, to apane lie karati haian, apane bal-bachchoan ke lie karati haian. mujh par kuchh ehasan nahian karatian, phir mujh par dhauans kyoan jamati haian? unhean apane bachche pyare hoange, mujhe to tumhara asara hai. maian apani aankhoan se yah nahian dekh sakati ki sara ghar to chain kare, jara-jara-se bachche to doodh piyean, aur jisake bal-boote par grihasthi bani huee hai, vah matthe ko tarase. koee usako poochhanevala n ho. jara apana muanh to dekho, kaisi soorat nikal ayi hai. auroan ke to char baras mean apane patthe taiyar ho jayeange. tum to das sal mean khat par p d jaoge. baith jao, kh de kyoan ho? kya marakar bhagoge? maian tumhean jabaradasti n baandh looangi, ya malakin ka hukm nahian hai? sach kahooan, tum b de kath-kaleji ho. maian janati, aise nirmohie se pala p dega, to is ghar mean bhool se n ati. ati bhi to man n lagati, magar ab to man tumase lag gaya. ghar bhi jaooan, to man yahaan hi rahega aur tum jo ho, meri bat nahian poochhate.
muliya ki ye rasili batean ragghoo par koee asar n dal sakian. vah usi rukhaee se bola- muliya, mujhase yah n hoga. alag hone ka dhyan karate hi mera man n jane kaisa ho jata hai. yah chot mujh se n sahi jayagi.
muliya ne parihas karake kaha- to choo diyaan pahanakar andar baitho n! lao maian mooanchhean laga looan. maian to samajhati thi ki tumamean bhi kuchh kas-bal hai. ab dekhati hooan, to nire mitti ke loande ho.
panna dalan mean kh di donoan ki batachit sun rahi thi. ab usase n raha gaya. samane akar ragghoo se boli- jab vah alag hone par tuli huee hai, phir tum kyoan use jabaradasti milaye rakhana chahate ho? tum use lekar raho, hamare bhagavan malik haian. jab mahato mar gaye the aur kahian patti ki bhi chhaanh n thi, jab us vaqt bhagavan ne nibah diya, to ab kya dar? ab to bhagavan ki daya se tinoan l dake sayane ho gaye haian, ab koee chinta nahian.
ragghoo ne aansoo-bhari aankhoan se panna ko dekhakar kaha- kaki, too bhi pagal ho gayi hai kya? janati nahian, do rotiyaan hote hi do man ho jate haian.

panna- jab vah manati hi nahian, tab tum kya karoge? bhagavan ki maraji hogi, to koee kya karega? paralabdh mean jitane din ek sath rahana likha tha, utane din rahe. ab usaki yahi maraji hai, to yahi sahi. tumane mere bal-bachchoan ke lie jo kuchh kiya, vah bhool nahian sakati. tumane inake sir hath n rakha hota, to aj inaki n jane kya gati hoti, n jane kisake dvar par thokarean khate hote, n jane kahaan-kahaan bhikh maangate phirate. tumhara jas marate dam tak gaooangi. agar meri khal tumhare joote banane ke kam aye, to khushi se de dooan. chahe tumase alag ho jaooan, par jis gh di pukaroge, kutte ki tarah dau di aooangi. yah bhoolakar bhi n sochana ki tumase alag hokar maian tumhara bura chetooangi. jis din tumhara anabhal mere man mean aega, usi din vish khakar mar jaooangi. bhagavan kare, tum doodhoan nahao, pootoan phalo! marate dam tak yahi asis mere roean-roean se nikalati rahegi aur agar l dake bhi apane bap ke haian. to marate dam tak tumhara pos maneange.

yah kahakar panna roti huee vahaan se chali gayi. ragghoo vahian moorti ki tarah baitha raha. asaman ki or takataki lagi thi aur aankhoan se aansoo bah rahe the.

5

panna ki batean sunakar muliya samajh gayi ki apane pau barah haian. chatapat uthi, ghar mean jha doo lagayi, choolha jalaya aur kuean se pani lane chali. usaki tek poori ho gayi thi.
gaanv mean striyoan ke do dal hote haian- ek bahuoan ka, doosara sasoan ka! bahuean salah aur sahanubhooti ke lie apane dal mean jati haian, sasean apane mean. donoan ki panchayatean alag hoti haian. muliya ko kuean par do-tin bahuean mil gayi. ek se poochha- aj to tumhari budhiya bahut ro-dho rahi thi.
muliya ne vijay ke garv se kaha- itane dinoan se ghar ki malakin bani huee haian, raj-pat chho date kise achchha lagata hai? bahan, maian unaka bura nahian chahati: lekin ek adami ki kamaee mean kahaan tak barakat hogi. mere bhi to yahi khane-pine, pahanane-odhane ke din haian. abhi unake pichhe maro, phir bal-bachche ho jayan, unake pichhe maro. sari zindagi rote hi kat jay.
ek bahoo- budhiya yahi chahati hai ki yah sab janm-bhar lauandi bani rahean. mota-jhota khaean aur p di rahean.
doosari bahoo- kis bharose par koee mare, apane l dake to bat nahian poochhean paraye l dakoan ka kya bharosa? kal inake hath-pair ho jayeange, phir kaun poochhata hai! apani-apani mehariyoan ka muanh dekheange. pahale hi se phatakar dena achchha hai, phir to koee kalank n hoga.
muliya pani lekar gayi, khana banaya aur ragghoo se boli- jao, naha ao, roti taiyar hai.
ragghoo ne manoan suna hi nahian. sir par hath rakhakar dvar ki taraph takata raha.
muliya- kya kahati hooan, kuchh sunaee deta hai, roti taiyar hai, jao naha ao.
ragghoo- sun to raha hooan, kya bahara hooan? roti taiyar hai to jakar kha le. mujhe bhookh nahian hai.
muliya ne phir nahian kaha. jakar choolha bujha diya, rotiyaan uthakar chhianke par rakh dian aur muanh dhaankakar let rahi.
jara der mean panna akar boli- khana taiyar hai, naha-dhokar kha lo! bahoo bhi bhookhi hogi.
ragghoo ne jhuanjhalakar kaha- kaki too ghar mean rahane degi ki muanh mean kalikh lagakar kahian nikal jaooan? khana to khana hi hai, aj n khaooanga, kal khaooanga, lekin abhi mujhase n khaya jayaga. kedar kya abhi madarase se nahian aya?
panna- abhi to nahian aya, ata hi hoga.

panna samajh gayi ki jab tak vah khana banakar l dakoan ko n khilayegi aur khud n khayegi ragghoo n khayega. itana hi nahian, use ragghoo se l daee karani p degi, use jali-kati sunani p degi. use yah dikhana p dega ki maian hi usase alag hona chahati hooan, nahian to vah isi chinta mean ghul-ghulakar pran de dega. yah sochakar usane alag choolha jalaya aur khana banane lagi. itane mean kedar aur khunnoo madarase se a gaye. panna ne kaha- ao beta, kha lo, roti taiyar hai.
kedar ne poochha- bhiya ko bhi bula looan n?
panna- tum akar kha lo. usaki roti bahoo ne alag banayi hai.
khunnoo- jakar bhiya se poochh n aooan?
panna- jab unaka ji chahega, khayeange. too baithakar kha, tujhe in batoan se kya matalab? jisaka ji chahega khayega, jisaka ji n chahega, n khayega. jab vah aur usaki bivi alag rahane par tule haian, to kaun manaye?
kedar- to kyoan amma ji, kya ham alag ghar mean raheange?
panna- unaka ji chahe, ek ghar mean rahean, ji chahe aangan mean divar dal lean.
khunnoo ne daravaze par akar jhaanka, samane phoos ki jhoanp di thi, vahian khat par p da ragghoo nariyal pi raha tha.
khunnoo- bhiya to abhi nariyal liye baithe haian.
panna- jab ji chahega, khayeangean.
kedar- bhiya ne bhabhi ko daanta nahian?
muliya apani kothari mean p di sun rahi thi. bahar akar boli- bhiya ne to nahian daanta ab tum akar daantoan.
kedar ke chehare ka rang u d gaya. phir jaban n kholi. tinoan l dakoan ne khana khaya aur bahar nikale. loo chalane lagi thi. am ke bag mean gaanv ke l dake-l dakiyaan hava se gire hue am chun rahe the. kedar ne kaha- aj ham bhi am chunane chalean, khoob am gir rahe haian.
khunnoo- dada jo baithe haian?
lachhaman- maian n jaooanga, dada ghu dakeange.
kedar- vah to ab alag ho gaye.
lakshaman- to ab hamako koee marega, tab bhi dada n boleange?
kedar- vah, tab kyoan n boleange?
ragghoo ne tinoan l dakoan ko daravaze par kh de dekha, par kuchh bola nahian. pahale to vah ghar ke bahar nikalate hi unhean daant baithata tha, par aj vah moorti ke saman nishchal baitha raha. ab l dakoan ko kuchh sahas hua. kuchh door aur age badhe. ragghoo ab bhi n bola, kaise bole? vah soch raha tha, kaki ne l dakoan ko khila-pila diya, mujhase poochha tak nahian. kya usaki aankhoan par bhi parada p d gaya hai; agar maianne l dakoan ko pukara aur vah n ayean to? maian unako mar-pit to n sakooanga. loo mean sab mare-mare phireange. kahian bimar n p d jayan. usaka dil masosakar rah jata tha, lekin muanh se kuchh kah n sakata tha. l dakoan ne dekha ki yah bilakul nahian bolate, to nirbhay hokar chal p de.

sahasa muliya ne akar kaha- ab to uthoge ki ab bhi nahian? jinake nam par phaka kar rahe ho, unhoanne maje se l dakoan ko khilaya aur ap khaya, ab aram se so rahi haian. ‘mor piya bat n poochhean, mor suhagin naanv.’ ek bar bhi to muanh se n phoota ki chalo bhiya, kha lo.
ragghoo ko is samay marmantak pi da ho rahi thi. muliya ke in kathor shabdoan ne ghav par namak chhi dak diya. dukhit netroan se dekhakar bola- teri jo marzi
thi, vahi to hua, ab ja, dhol baja!
muliya- nahian, tumhare lie thali parose baithi haian.
ragghoo- mujhe chidha mat. tere pichhe maian bhi badanam ho raha hooan. jab too kisi ki hokar nahian rahana chahati, to doosare ko kya garaj hai, jo teri khushamad kare? jakar kaki se poochh, l dake am chunane gaye haian, unhean pak d laooan?
muliya aangootha dikhakar boli- yah jata hai. tumhean sau bar garaj ho, jakar poochho.
itane mean panna bhi bhitar se nikal ayi. ragghoo ne poochha- l dake bagiche mean chale gaye kaki, loo chal rahi hai.
panna- ab unaka kaun puchhattar hai? bagiche mean jayan, pe d par chadhean, pani mean doobean. maian akeli kya-kya karuan?
ragghoo- jakar pak d laooan?
panna- jab tumhean apane man se nahian jana hai, to phir maian jane ko kyoan kahooan? tumhean rokana hota, to rok n dete? tumhare samane hi to gaye hoange?
panna ki bat poori bhi n huee thi ki ragghoo ne nariyal kone mean rakh diya aur bag ki taraph chala.

6

ragghoo l dakoan ko lekar bag se lauta, to dekha muliya abhi tak jhoanp de mean kh di hai. bola- too jakar kha kyoan nahian leti? mujhe to is bela bhookh nahian hai.
muliya aianthakar boli- haan, bhookh kyoan lagegi! bhaiyoan ne khaya, vah tumhare pet mean pahuanch hi gaya hoga.
ragghoo ne daant pisakar kaha- mujhe jala mat muliya, nahian achchha n hoga. khana kahian bhaga nahian jata. ek bela n khaooanga, to mar n jauanga! kya too samajhati hai, ghar mean aj koee chhoti bat ho gayi hai? toone ghar mean choolha nahian jalaya, mere kaleje mean ag lagaee hai. mujhe ghamand tha ki aur chahe kuchh ho jay, par mere ghar mean phoot ka rog n ane payaga, par toone mera ghamand choor kar diya. paralabdh ki bat hai.
muliya tinakakar boli- sara moh-chhoh tumhian ko hai ki aur kisi ko hai? maian to kisi ko tumhari tarah bisoorate nahian dekhati.

ragghoo ne thandi saans khianchakar kaha- muliya, ghav par non n chhi dak. tere hi karan meri pith mean dhool lag rahi hai. mujhe is grihasthi ka moh n hoga, to kise hoga? maianne hi to ise mar-mar jo da. jinako god mean khelaya, vahian ab mere pattidar hoange. jin bachchoan ko maian daantata tha, unhean aj k di aankhoan se bhi nahian dekh sakata. maian unake bhale ke lie bhi koee bat karuan, to duniya yahi kahegi ki yah apane bhaiyoan ko loote leta hai. ja mujhe chho d de, abhi mujhase kuchh n khaya jayaga.
muliya- maian kasam rakha dooangi, nahian chupake se chale chalo.
ragghoo- dekh, ab bhi kuchh nahian big da hai. apana hath chho d de.
muliya- hamara hi lahoo piye, jo khane n uthe.
ragghoo ne kanoan par hath rakhakar kaha- yah toone kya kiya muliya? maian to uth hi raha tha. chal kha looan. nahane-dhone kaun jay, lekin itana kahe deta hooan ki chahe char ki jagah chh: rotiyaan kha jaooan, chahe too mujhe ghi ke matake hi mean duba de, par yah dag mere dil se n mitega.
muliya— dag-sag sab mit jayaga. pahale sabako aisa hi lagata hai. dekhate nahian ho, udhar kaisi chain ki vanshi baj rahi hai, vah to mana hi rahi thian ki kisi tarah yah sab alag ho jayan. ab vah pahale ki-si chaandi to nahian hai ki jo kuchh ghar mean ave, sab gayab! ab kyoan hamare sath rahane lagian?
ragghoo ne ahat svar mean kaha— isi bat ka to mujhe gam hai. kaki se mujhe aisi asha n thi.
ragghoo khane baitha, to kaur vish ke ghooant-sa lagata tha. jan p data tha, rotiyaan bhoosi ki haian. dal pani-si lagati. pani kanth ke niche n utarata tha, doodh ki taraph dekha tak nahian. do-char gras khakar uth aya, jaise kisi priyajan ke shraddh ka bhojan ho.
rat ka bhojan bhi usane isi tarah kiya. bhojan kya kiya, kasam poori ki. rat-bhar usaka chitt udvign raha. ek ajnat shanka usake man par chhayi huee thi, jaise bhola mahato dvar par baitha ro raha ho. vah kee bar chauankakar utha. aisa jan p da, bhola usaki or tiraskar ki aankhoan se dekh raha hai.
vah donoan joon bhojan karata tha, par jaise shatru ke ghar. bhola ki shokamagn moorti aankhoan se n utarati thi. rat ko use niand n ati. vah gaanv mean nikalata, to is tarah muanh churaye, sir jhukae mano go-hatya ki ho.

7

paanch sal gujar gaye. ragghoo ab do l dakoan ka bap tha. aangan mean divar khianch gayi thi, khetoan mean me dean dal di gayi thian aur bail-bachhie baant liye gaye the. kedar ki umr ab unnis ki ho gayi thi. usane padhana chho d diya tha aur kheti ka kam karata tha. khunnoo gay charata tha. keval lachhaman ab tak madarase jata tha. panna aur muliya donoan ek-doosare ki soorat se jalati thian. muliya ke donoan l dake bahudha panna hi ke pas rahate. vahian unhean ubatan malati, vahi kajal lagati, vahi god mean liye phirati, magar muliya ke muanh se anugrah ka ek shabd bhi n nikalata. n panna hi isaki ichchhuk thi. vah jo kuchh karati nirvyaj bhav se karati thi. usake do-do l dake ab kamaoo ho gaye the. l daki khana paka leti thi. vah khud oopar ka kam-kaj kar leti. isake viruddh ragghoo apane ghar ka akela tha, vah bhi durbal, ashakt aur javani mean boodha. abhi ayu tis varsh se adhik n thi, lekin bal khich di ho gaye the. kamar bhi jhuk chali thi. khaansi ne jirn kar rakha tha. dekhakar daya ati thi. aur kheti pasine ki vastu hai. kheti ki jaisi seva honi chahie, vah usase n ho pati. phir achchhi phasal kahaan se ati? kuchh rrin bhi ho gaya tha. vah chianta aur bhi mare dalati thi. chahie to yah tha ki ab use kuchh aram milata. itane dinoan ke nirantar parishram ke bad sir ka bojh kuchh halka hota, lekin muliya ki svarthaparata aur adooradarshita ne laharati huee kheti uja d di. agar sab ek sath rahate, to vah ab tak penshan pa jata, maje mean dvar par baitha hua nariyal pita. bhaee kam karate, vah salah deta. mahato bana phirata. kahian kisi ke jhag de chukata, kahian sadhu-santoan ki seva karata. vah avasar hath se nikal gaya. ab to chiantabhar din-din badhata jata tha.

akhir use dhima-dhima jvar rahane laga. hriday-shool, chianta, k da parishram aur abhav ka yahi puraskar hai. pahale kuchh paravah n ki. samajha ap hi ap achchha ho jayaga, magar kamazori badhane lagi, to dava ki fikr huee. jisane jo bata diya, kha liya, daktaroan aur vaidyoan ke pas jane ki samarthy kahaan? aur samarthy bhi hoti, to rupaye kharch kar dene ke siva aur natija hi kya tha? jirn jvar ki aushadhi aram aur pushtikarak bhojan hai. n vah basant-malati ka sevan kar sakata tha aur n aram se baithakar balavardhak bhojan kar sakata tha. kamazori badhati hi gayi.

panna ko avasar milata, to vah akar use tasalli deti; lekin usake l dake ab ragghoo se bat bhi n karate the. dava-daru to kya karate, usaka aur majak u date. bhaiya samajhate the ki ham logoan se alag hokar sone aur eet rakh leange. bhabhi bhi samajhati thian, sone se lad jaooangi. ab dekhean kaun poochhata hai? sisak-sisakakar n marean to kah dena. bahut ‘hay! hay!’ bhi achchhi nahian hoti. adami utana kam kare, jitana ho sake. yah nahian ki rupaye ke lie jan de de.
panna kahati— ragghoo bechare ka kaun dosh hai?
kedar kahata— chal, maian khoob samajhata hooan. bhaiya ki jagah maian hota, to dande se bat karata. majak thi ki aurat yoan zid karati. yah sab bhaiya ki chal thi. sab sadhi-badhi bat thi.
akhir ek din ragghoo ka timatimata hua jivan-dipak bujh gaya. maut ne sari chintaoan ka aant kar diya.

aant samay usane kedar ko bulaya tha, par kedar ko ookh mean pani dena tha. dara, kahian dava ke lie n bhej dean. bahana bana diya.

8

muliya ka jivan aandhakaramay ho gaya. jis bhoomi par usane manasooboan ki divar kh di ki thi, vah niche se khisak gayi thi. jis khooantean ke bal par vah uchhal rahi thi, vah ukh d gaya tha. gaanvavaloan ne kahana shuroo kiya, eeshvar ne kaisa tatkal dand diya. bechari mare laj ke apane donoan bachchoan ko liye roya karati. gaanv mean kisi ko muanh dikhane ka sahas n hota. pratyek prani usase yah kahata hua maloom hota tha—‘mare ghamand ke dharati par paanv n rakhati thi: akhir saza mil gayi ki nahian !’ ab is ghar mean kaise nirvah hoga? vah kisake sahare rahegi? kisake bal par kheti hogi? bechara ragghoo bimar tha. durbal tha, par jab tak jita raha, apana kam karata raha. mare kamazori ke kabhi-kabhi sir pak dakar baith jata aur jara dam lekar phir hath chalane lagata tha. sari kheti tahas-nahas ho rahi thi, use kaun sanbhalega? anaj ki daanthean khalihan mean p di thian, ookh alag sookh rahi thi. vah akeli kya-kya karegi? phir sianchaee akele adami ka to kam nahian. tin-tin mazadooroan ko kahaan se lae! gaanv mean mazadoor the hi kitane. adamiyoan ke liye khiancha-tani ho rahi thi. kya kare, kya n kare.

is tarah terah din bit gaye. kriya-karm se chhutti mili. doosare hi din savere muliya ne donoan balakoan ko god mean uthaya aur anaj maan dane chali. khalihan mean pahuanchakar usane ek ko to pe d ke niche ghas ke narm bistar par sula diya aur doosare ko vahian baithakar anaj maan dane lagi. bailoan ko haankati thi aur roti thi. kya isilie bhagavan ne usako janm diya tha? dekhate-dekhate kya se kya ho gaya? inhian dinoan pichhale sal bhi anaj maan da gaya tha. vah ragghoo ke lie lote mean sharabat aur matar ki ghuanghani lekar ayi thi. aj koee usake n age hai, n pichhe, lekin kisi ki lauandi to nahian hooan! use alag hone ka ab bhi pachhatava n tha.

ekaek chhote bachche ka rona sunakar usane udhar taka, to b da l daka use chumakarakar kah raha tha— baiya tup raho, tup raho. dhire-dhire usake muanh par hath pherata tha aur chup karane ke lie vikal tha. jab bachcha kisi tarah n chup n hua to vah khud usake pas let gaya aur use chhati se lagakar pyar karane laga; magar jab yah prayatn bhi saphal n hua, to vah rone laga.

usi samay panna dau di ayi aur chhote balak ko god mean uthakar pyar karati huee boli— l dakoan ko mujhe kyoan n de ayi bahoo? hay! hay! bechara dharati par p da lot raha hai. jab maian mar jaooan to jo chahe karana, abhi to jiti hooan, alag ho jane se bachche to nahian alag ho gaye.
muliya ne kaha— tumhean bhi to chhutti nahian thi ammaan, kya karati?
panna— to tujhe yahaan ane ki aisi kya jaldi thi? daanth maan d n jati. tin-tin l dake to haian, aur kis din kam aeange? kedar to kal hi maan dane ko kah raha tha; par maianne kaha, pahale ookh mean pani de lo, phir aj maan dana, man daee to das din bad bhi ho sakati hai, ookh ki sianchaee n huee to sookh jayagi. kal se pani chadha hua hai, parasoan tak khet pur jayaga. tab man daee ho jayagi. tujhe vishvas n ayaga, jab se bhaiya mare haian, kedar ko b di chianta ho gayi hai. din mean sau-sau bar poochhata hai, bhabhi bahut roti to nahian haian? dekh, l dake bhookhe to nahian haian. koee l daka rota hai, to dau da ata hai, dekh ammaan, kya hua, bachcha kyoan rota hai? kal rokar bola—ammaan, maian janata ki bhaiya itani jaldi chale jayange, to unaki kuchh seva kar leta. kahaan jagaye-jagaye uthata tha, ab dekhati ho, pahar rat se uthakar kam mean lag jata hai. khunnoo kal jara-sa bola, pahale ham apani ookh mean pani de leange, tab bhaiya ki ookh mean deange. is par kedar ne aisa daanta ki khunnoo ke muanh se phir bat n nikali. bola, kaisi tumhari aur kaisi hamari ookh? bhaiya ne zila n liya hota, to aj ya to mar gaye hote ya kahian bhikh maangate hote. aj tum b de ookhavale bane ho! yah unhian ka pun- paratap hai ki aj bhale adami bane baithe ho. parasoan roti khane ko bulane gayi, to man daiya mean baitha ro raha tha. poochha, kyoan rota hai? to bola, ammaan, bhaiya isi ‘alagyojhe ke du:kh se mar gaye, nahian abhi unaki umir hi kya thi! yah us vakt n soojha, nahian unase kyoan biga d karate?
yah kahakar panna ne muliya ki or sanketapoorn drishti se dekhakar kaha— tumhean vah alag n rahane dega bahoo, kahata hai, bhaiya hamare lie mar gaye to ham bhi unake bal-bachchoan ke lie mar jayange.
muliya ki aankhoan se aansoo jari the. panna ki batoan mean aj sachchi vedana, sachchi santvana, sachchi chinta bhari huee thi. muliya ka man kabhi usaki or itana akarshit n hua tha. jinase use vyangy aur pratikar ka bhay tha, ve itane dayalu, itane shubhechchhu ho gaye the.
aj pahali bar use apani svarthaparata par lajja ayi. pahali bar atma ne alagyojhe par dhikkara.

9

is ghatana ko hue paanch sal gujar gaye. panna aj boodhi ho gayi hai. kedar ghar ka malik hai. muliya ghar ki malakin hai. khunnoo aur lachhaman ke vivah ho chuke haian; magar kedar abhi tak kvaanra hai. kahata hai— maian vivah n karuanga. kee jagahoan se batachit huee, kee sagaiyaan ayian: par usane hami n bhari. panna ne kampe lagaye, jal phailaye, par vah n phansa. kahata— auratoan se kaun sukh? mehariya ghar mean ayi aur adami ka mizaj badala. phir jo kuchh hai, vah mehariya hai. maan-bap, bhaee-bandhu sab paraye haian. jab bhaiya jaise adami ka mizaj badal gaya, to phir doosaroan ki kya ginati? do l dake bhagavan ke diye haian aur kya chahie. bina byah kie do bete mil gaye, isase badhakar aur kya hoga? jise apana samajho vah apana hai; jise gair samajho, vah gair hai.
ek din panna ne kaha— tera vansh kaise chalega?
kedar— mera vansh to chal raha hai. donoan l dakoan ko apana hi samajhata hooan.
panna— samajhane hi par hai, to too muliya ko bhi apani mehariya samajhata hoga?
kedar ne jheanpate hue kaha— tum to gali deti ho ammaan!
panna— gali kaisi, teri bhabhi hi to hai!
kedar— mere jaise latth-ganvar ko vah kyoan poochhane lagi!
panna— too karane ko kah, to maian usase poochhooan?
kedar— nahian meri ammaan, kahian rone-gane n lage.
panna— tera man ho, to maian batoan-batoan mean usake man ki thah looan?
kedar— maian nahian janata, jo chahe kar.
panna kedar ke man ki bat samajh gayi. l dake ka dil muliya par aya hua hai, par sankoch aur bhay ke mare kuchh nahian kahata.
usi din usane muliya se kaha— kya karuan bahoo, man ki lalasa man mean hi rah jati hai. kedar ka ghar bhi bas jata, to maian nishchint ho jati.
muliya— vah to karane ko hi nahian kahate.
panna— kahata hai, aisi aurat mile, jo ghar mean mel se rahe, to kar looan.
muliya— aisi aurat kahaan milegi? kahian dhooandho.
panna— maianne to dhooandh liya hai.
muliya— sach, kis gaanv ki hai?
panna- abhi n bataooangi, muda yah janati hooan ki usase kedar ki sagaee ho jay, to ghar ban jay aur kedar ki zindagi bhi suphal ho jay. n jane l daki manegi ki nahian.
muliya— manegi kyoan nahian ammaan, aisa sundar kamaoo, sushil var aur kahaan mila jata hai? us janam ka koee sadhu-mahatma hai, nahian to l daee-jhag de ke dar se kaun bin byaha rahata hai. kahaan rahati hai, maian jakar use mana laooangi.
panna— too chahe, to use mana le. tere hi oopar hai.
muliya— maian aj hi chali jaooangi, amma, usake pairoan p dakar mana laooangi.
panna— bata dooan, vah too hi hai!
muliya lajakar boli— tum to ammaan ji, gali deti ho.
panna— gali kaisi, devar hi to hai!
muliya— mujh jaisi budhiya ko vah kyoan poochheange?
panna— vah tujhi par daant lagaye baitha hai. tere siva koee aur use bhati hi nahian. dar ke mare kahata nahian; par usake man ki bat maian janati hooan.
vaidhavy ke shok se murajhaya hua muliya ka pitavadan kamal ki bhaanti arun ho utha. das varsho mean jo kuchh khoya tha, vah isi ek kshan mean manoan byaj ke sath mil gaya. vahi lavany, vahi vikas, vahi akarshan, vahi loch!