आगा-पीछा -प्रेमचंद

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

roop aur yauvan ke chanchal vilas ke bad kokila ab us kalushit jivan ke chihn ko aansuoan se dho rahi thi. vigat jivan ki yad ate hi usaka dil bechain ho jata aur vah vishad aur nirasha se vikal hokar pukar uthati hay ! maianne sansar mean janm hi kyoan liya ? usane dan aur vrat se un kalimaoan ko dhone ka prayatn kiya aur jivan ke basant ki sari vibhooti is nishphal prayas mean luta di. par yah jagriti kya kisi mahatma ka varadan ya kisi anushthan ka phal tha ? nahian, yah us navajat shishu ke pratham darshan ka prasad tha, jisake janm ne aj pandrah sal se usaki sooni god ko pradipt kar diya tha. shishu ka mukh dekhate hi usake nile hoanthoan par ek kshin, karun, udas muskarahat jhalak gee par keval ek kshan ke lie. ek kshan ke bad vah muskarahat ek lambi saans mean vilin ho gayi. us ashakt, kshin, komal rudan ne kokila ke jivan ka rukh pher diya. vatsaly ki vah jyoti usake lie jivan-sandesh aur mook upadesh thi.

kokila ne us navajat balika ka nam rakha shrriddha. usi ke janm ne to usamean shrriddha utpann ki thi. vah shrriddha ko apani l daki nahian, kisi devi ka avatar samajhati thi. usaki saheliyaan use badhaee dene atian; par kokila balika ko unaki najaroan se chhipati. use yah bhi manjoor n tha ki unaki papamayi drishti bhi us par p de. shrriddha hi ab usaki vibhooti, usaki atma, usaka jivan-dipak thi. vah kabhi-kabhi use god mean lekar sadh se chhalakati huee aankhoan se dekhati aur sochati kya yah pavan jyoti bhi vasana ke prachand aghatoan ka shikar hogi ? mere prayatn nishphal ho jayeange ? ah ! kya koee aisi aushadhi nahian hai, jo janm ke sanskaroan ko mita de ? bhagavan se vah sadaiv prarthana karati ki meri shrriddha kinhian kaantoan mean n ulajhe. vah vachan aur karm se, vichar aur vyavahar se usake sammukh nari-jivan ka ooancha adarsh rakhegi. shrriddha itani saral, itani pragalbh, itani chatur thi ki kabhi-kabhi kokila vatsaly se gadgad hokar usake talavoan ko apane mastak se rag dati aur pashchattap tatha harsh ke aansoo bahati.

solah varsh bit gaye. pahale ki bholi-bhali shrriddha ab ek sagarv, shaant, lajjashil navayauvana thi, jise dekhakar aankhean tript ho jati thian. vidya ki upasika thi, par sare sansar se vimukh. jinake sath vah padhati thi ve usase bat bhi n karana chahati thian. matri-sneh ke vayumandal mean p dakar vah ghor abhimanini ho gee thi. vatsaly ke vayumandal, sakhi-saheliyoan ke parityag, rat-din ki ghor padhaee aur pustakoan ke ekaantavas se agar shrriddha ko ahanbhav ho aya, to ashchary ki kaun-si bat hai ! use kisi se bhi bolane ka adhikar n tha. vidyalay mean bhale ghar ki l dakiyaan usake sahavas mean apana apaman samajhati thian. raste mean log uangali uthakar kahate 'qokila randi ki l daki hai.' usaka sir jhuk jata, kapol kshan bhar ke lie lal hokar doosare hi kshan phir choone ki tarah saphed ho jate. shrriddha ko ekaant se prem tha. vivah ko eeshvariy kop samajhati thi. yadi kokila ne kabhi usaki bat chala di, to usake mathe par bal p d jate, chamakate hue lal chehare par kalima chha jati, aankhoan se jhar-jhar aansoo bahane lagate; kokila chup ho jati. donoan ke jivan-adarshoan mean virodh tha. kokila samaj ke devata ki pujarin, shrriddha ko samaj se, eeshvar se aur manushy se ghrina. yadi sansar mean use koee vastu pyari thi, to vah thi usaki pustakean. shrriddha unhian vidvanoan ke sansarg mean apana jivan vyatit karati, jahaan ooanch-nich ka bhed nahian, jati-paanti ka sthan nahian sabake adhikar saman haian. shrriddha ki poorn prakriti ka parichay mahakavi rahim ke ek dohe ke pad se mil jata hai

prem sahit maribo bhalo, jo vish dey bulay.

agar koee saprem bulakar use vish de deta, to vah natajanu ho apane mastak se laga leti qintu anadar se diye hue amrit ki bhi usaki najaroan mean koee hakikat n thi.

ek din kokila ne aankhoan mean aansoobhar kar shrriddha se kaha, 'kyoan manni, sach batana, tujhe yah lajja to lagati hi hogi ki maian kyoan isaki beti huee. yadi too kisi ooanche kul mean paida huee hoti, to kya tab bhi tere dil mean aise vichar ate ? too man-hi-man mujhe zaroor kosati hogi. '

shrriddha maan ka muanh dekhane lagi. mata se itani shrriddha kabhi usake dil mean paida nahian huee thi. kaanpate hue svar mean boli, 'ammaanji, ap mujhase aisa prashn kyoan karati haian ? kya maianne kabhi apaka apaman kiya hai ? '

kokila ne gadagad hokar kaha, 'nahian beti, us param dayalu bhagavanh se yahi prarthana hai ki tumhari jaisi sushil l daki sabako de. par kabhi-kabhi yah vichar ata hai ki too avashy hi meri beti hokar pachhatati hogi. '

shrriddha ne dhir kanth se kaha, 'ammaan, apaki yah bhavana nirmool hai. maian apase sach kahati hooan, mujhe jitani shrriddha aur bhakti apake prati hai, utani kisi ke prati nahian. apaki beti kahalana mere lie lajja ki bat nahian,rav ki bat hai. manushy paristhitiyoan ka das hota hai. ap jis vayumandal mean palian, usaka asar to p dana hi tha; kintu pap ke daladal mean phॅsakar phir nikal ana avashy gaurav ki bat hai. bahav ki or se nav khele jana to bahut saral hai; kintu jo navik bahav ke pratikool khe le jata hai, vahi sachcha navik hai. '

kokila ne muskarate hue poochha, 'to phir vivah ke nam se kyoan chidhati hai ? '

shrriddha ne aankhean nichi karake uttar diya 'bina vivah ke jivan vyatit nahian ho sakata ? maian kumari hi rahakar jivan bitana chahati hooan. vidyalay se nikalakar kalej mean pravesh karooangi, aur do-tin varsh bad ham donoan svatantr roop se rah sakati haian. daktar ban sakati hooan, vakalat kar sakati hooan; auratoan

ke lie sab marg khul gaye haian. '

kokila ne darate-darate poochha, 'kyoan, kya tumhare hriday mean koee doosari ichchha nahian hoti ? kisi se prem karane ki abhilasha tere man mean nahian paida hoti ? '

shrriddha ne ek lambi saans lekar kaha, 'ammaanji, prem-vihin sansar mean kaun hai ? prem manav-jivan ka shreshth aang hai. yadi eeshvar ki eeshvarata kahian dekhane mean ati hai, to vah keval prem mean. jab koee aisa vyakti milega; jo mujhe varane mean apani manahani n samajhega, to maian tan-man-dhan se usaki pooja karooangi,par kisake samane hath pasarakar prem ki bhiksha maangooan ? yadi kisi ne sudhar ke kshanik avesh mean vivah kar bhi liya, to maian prasann n ho sakooangi. isase to kahian achchha hai ki maian vivah ka vichar hi chho d dooan. '

inhian dinoan mahila-mandal ka ek utsav hua. kalej ke rasik vidyarthi kafi sankhya mean sammilit hue. haanl mean til-bhar bhi jagah khali n thi. shrriddha bhi akar striyoan ki sabase aant ki pankti mean kh di ho gayi. use

yah sab svaang maloom hota tha. aj pratham hi bar vah aisi sabha mean sammilit huee thi.

sabha ki karravaee shuroo huee. pradhan mahoday ki vaktrita ke pashchath prastav pesh hone lage aur unake samarthan ke lie vaktritaean hone lagian; kintu mahilaean unaki vaktritaean bhool gayian, ya un par sabha ka rob aisa chha gaya ki unaki vaktrita-shakti lop ho gayi. ve kuchh toote-phoote jumale bolakar baithane lagian. sabha ka rang big dane laga. kee lediyaan b di shan se pletapharm par ayian; kintu do-tin shabdoan se adhik n bol sakian. navayuvakoan ko majak u dane ka avasar mila. kahakahe p dane lage; taliyaan bajane lagian. shrriddha unaki yah durjanata dekhakar tilamila uthi, usaka aang-pratyang ph dakane laga. pletapharm par jakar vah kuchh is shan se boli, ki sabha par atank chha gaya. kolahal shaant ho gaya. log takataki baandhakar use dekhane lage. shrriddha svargiy bala ki bhaanti dharavahik roop mean bol rahi thi. usake pratyek shabd se navinata, sajivata aur dridhata pratit hoti thi. usake navayauvan ki surabhi bhi charoan or phailakar sabha mandap ko avakh kar rahi thi. sabha samapt huee. log tika-tippani karane lage.

ek ne poochha, 'yah stri kaun thi bhee ! '

doosare ne uttar diya- 'usi kokila randi ki l daki. '

tisare vyakti ne kaha, 'tabhi yah avaz aur saphaee hai. tabhi to jadoo hai. jadoo hai janab mujassim jadoo ! kyoan n ho, maan bhi to sitam dhati thi. jab se usane apana pesha chho da, shahar be-jan ho gaya. ab maloom hota

hai ki yah apani maan ki jagah legi. '

is par ek khaddaradhari kala navayuvak bola, 'kya khoob kadaradani pharamaee hai janab ne, vah ! '

usi vyakti ne uttar diya, 'apako bura kyoan laga ? kya kuchh sahrath-gaanth to nahian hai ? '

kale navayuvak ne kuchh tej hokar kaha, 'apako aisi batean muanh se nikalate lajja bhi nahian ati. '

doosare vyakti ne kaha, 'lajja ki kaun bat hai janab ? veshya ki l daki agar veshya ho, to ashchary ki kya bat hai ? '

navayuvak ne ghrinapoorn svar mean kaha, 'thik hoga, ap jaise buddhiman vyaktiyoan ki samajh mean ! jis ramani ke mukh se aise vichar nikal sakate haian, vah devi hai, roop ko bechanevali nahian. '

shrriddha usi samay sabha se ja rahi thi. yah aantim shabd usake kanoan mean p d gaye. vah vismit aur pulakit hokar vahian thithak gayi. kale navayuvak ki or kritajnatapoorn drishti se nihara aur phir b di tezise age badh gayi; lekin raste-bhar usake kanoan mean unhian shabdoan ki pratidhvani gooanjati rahi. ab tak shrriddha ki prashansa karane vali, use utsahit karane vali keval usi ki maan kokila thi aur charoan or vahi upeksha thi; vahi tiraskar ! aj ek aparichit, kale kintu gaur hridayavale khaddaradhari navayuvak vyakti ke mukh ka chitr barabar usaki aankhoan ke samane nach raha tha. man mean prashn utha vah kaun hai ? kya phir kabhi usake darshan hoange ?

kalej jate samay shrriddha us navayuvak ko khoee huee aankhoan se khojati. ghar par roj chik ki a d se, raste ke ate-jate logoan ko dekhati; lekin vah navayuvak najar n ata.

kuchh dinoan bad mahila-mandal ki doosari sabha ka vijnapan nikala. abhi sabha hone ko char din baki the. vah charoan din shrriddha ne apana bhashan taiyar karane mean bitaye. ek-ek shabd ki khoj mean ghantoan sir marati. ek-ek

vaky ko bar-bar padhati. b de-b de netaoan ki spichean padhati aur usi tarah likhane ki koshish karati. jab sari spich poori ho gayi, to shrriddha apane kamare mean jakar kursiyoan aur mejoan ko sanbodhit karake jor-jor se padhane lagi. bhashan-kala ke sabhi lakshan jama ho gaye the. upasanhar to itana sundar tha ki use apane hi mukh se sunakar vah mugdh ho gayi. isamean kitana sangit tha, kitana akarshan, kitani kraanti !

sabha ka din a pahuancha. shrriddha man-hi-man bhayabhit hoti huee sabha-mandap mean ghusi. haanl bhara hua tha aur pahale din se bhi adhik bhi d thi. shrriddha ko dekhate hi janata ne taliyaan pitakar usaka svagat kiya. kolahal hone

laga aur sabhi ek svar se chilla uthe ap apani vaktrita shuroo karean. shrriddha ne manch par akar ek u dati huee nigah se janata ki or dekha. vah kala navayuvak jagah n milane ke karan antim pankti mean kh da hua

tha. shrriddha ke dil mean gudagudi-si hone lagi. usane kaanpate svar mean apani vaktrita shuroo ki. usaki najaroan mean sara haanl putaliyoan se bhara hua tha; agar koee jivit manushy tha, to vahi sabase pichhe kh da hua kala navayuvak. usaka mukh usi ki or tha. vah usi se apane bhashan ki dad maang rahi thi. hira parakhane ki asha jauhari se hi ki jati hai. adha ghante tak shrriddha ke mukh se phooloan ki varsha hoti rahi. logoan ko bahut kam aisi vaktrita sunane ko mili thi. shrriddha jab sabha samapt hone par ghar chali to dekha, vahi kala navayuvak usake pichhe tezise chala a raha hai. shrriddha ko yah maloom tha ki logoan ne usaka bhashan bahut pasand kiya hai; lekin is navayuvak ki ray sunane ka avasar use nahian mila tha. usane apani chal dhimi kar di. doosare hi kshan vah navayuvak usake pas pahuanch gaya ! donoan kee qadam chupachap chalate rahe.

aant mean navayuvak ne jhijhakate hue kaha, 'aj to apane kamal kar diya ! '

shrriddha ne praphullata ke ऱet ko dabate hue kaha, 'dhanyavad ! yah apaki kripa hai. '

navayuvak ne kaha, 'maian kis layaq hooan. maian hi nahian, sari sabha sir dhun rahi thi. '

shrriddha—‘ 'kya apaka shubh-sthan yahian hai ? '

navayuvak –‘zi haan, yahaan maian em.e. mean padh raha hooan. yah ooanch-nich ka bhoot n jane kab tak hamare sir par savar rahega. abhagy se maian bhi un logoan mean hooan, jinhean sansar nich samajhata hai. maian jati ka chamar hooan. mere pita

skool ke ianspektar ke yahaan ardali the. unaki sipharish se skool mean bharati ho gaya. tab se bhagy se l data-bhi data chala a raha hooan. pahale to skool ke mastar mujhe chhoote hi n the. vah halat to ab nahian rahi kintu l dake ab bhi mujhase khianche rahate haian. '

shrriddha –‘maian to kulinata ko janm se nahian, dharm se manati hooan. '

navayuvak –‘yah to apaki vaktrita hi se siddh ho gaya hai. aur isi se apase batean karane ka sahas bhi hua, nahian to kahaan ap aur kahaan maian ! '

shrriddha ne apani aankhean nichi karake kaha, 'shayad apako mera hal maloom nahian. '

navayuvak—‘ bahut achchhi tarah se maloom hai. yadi ap apani mataji ke darshan karava sakean, to apaka b da abhari hoooanga. '

'vah apase milakar b di prasann hoangi ! shubh nam ! '

'mujhe bhagataram kahate haian.'

yah parichay dhire-dhire sthir aur dridh hota gaya; maitri pragadh hoti gayi. shrriddha ki najaroan mean bhagataram ek devata the aur bhagataram ke samaksh shrriddha manavi roop mean devi thi.

ek sal bit gaya. bhagataram roj devi ke darshan ko jata. donoan ghantoan baithe batean kiya karate. shrriddha kuchh bhashan karati, to bhagataram sab kam chho dakar sunane jata. unake manasoobe ek the, jivan ke adarsh ek, ruchi ek, vichar ek. bhagataram ab prem aur usake rahasyoan ki marmik vivechana karata. usaki batoan mean 'ras' aur 'alankar' ka kabhi itana sanyog n hua tha. bhavoan ko iangit karane mean use kamal ho gaya tha. lekin thik un avasaroan par, jab shrriddha ke hriday mean gudagudi hone lagati, usake kapol ullas se ranjit ho jate, bhagataram vishay palat deta aur jaldi hi koee bahana banakar vahaan se khisak jata. usake chale jane par shrriddha hasarat ke aansoo bahati aur sochati kya inhean dil se mera prem nahian ?

ek din kokila ne bhagataram ko ekant mean bulakar kaha, 'beta ! ab to munni se tumhara vivah ho jay, to achchha. jivan ka kya bharosa. kahian mar jaooan to yah sadh man hi mean rah jay. '

bhagataram ne sir hilakar kaha, 'ammaan, jara is pariksha mean pas ho jane do. jivika ka prashn hal ho jane ke bad hi vivah shobha deta hai. '

'yah sab tumhara hi hai; kya maian sath baandh le jaooangi ?'

'yah apaki kripa hai, ammaanji; par itana nirlajj n banaiye. maian to apaka ho chuka, ab to ap dutakarean bhi to is dvar se nahian tal sakata. mujh jaisa bhagyavanh sansar mean aur kaun hai. lekin devi ke mandir mean jane

se pahale kuchh pan-phool to hona hi chahie.'

sal-bhar aur gujar gaya. bhagataram ne em.e. ki upadhi li aur apane hi vidyalay mean arthashastr ka adhyapak ho gaya. us din kokila ne khoob dan-puny kiya. jab bhagataram ne akar usake pairoan par sir jhukaya to usane use chhati se laga liya. use vishvas tha ki aj bhagataram vivah ke prashn ko zaroor chhe dega. shrriddha pratiksha ki moorti bani huee thi. usaka ek-ek aang mano sau-sau tar hokar pratidhvanit ho raha tha. dil par ek nasha chhaya hua tha, paanv zamin par n p date the. bhagataram ko dekhate hi maan se boli, 'ammaan, ab hamako ek halaki-si motar le dijiega. '

kokila ne muskarakar kaha, 'halaki-si kyoan ? bhari-si le lena. pahale koee achchha-sa makan to thik kar lo. '

shrriddha bhagataram ko apane kamare mean bula le gayi. donoan baithakar naye makan ki sajavat ke manasoobe baandhane lage. parade, pharsh, tasvirean sabaki vyavastha ki gayi. shrriddha ne kaha, 'rupaye bhi ammaanji se le leange. '

bhagataram bola, 'unase rupaye lete mujhe sharm aegi. '

shrriddha ne muskarakar kaha, 'akhir mere dahej ke rupaye to deangi. '

donoan ghante-bhar batean karate rahe. magar vah marmik shabd, jise sunane ke lie shrriddha ka man atur ho raha tha, aj bhi bhagataram ke muanh se n nikala aur vah vida ho gaya.

usake jane par kokila ne darate-darate poochha, 'aj kya batean hueean ? '

shrriddha ne usaka ashay samajhakar kaha, 'agar maian aisi bhari ho rahi hooan to kuean mean kyoan nahian dal detian ? '

yah kahate-kahate usake dhairy ki divar toot gayi. vah avesh aur vah vedana, jo bhitar-hi-bhitar ab tak tis rahi thi, nikal p di. vah phoot-phoot kar rone lagi !

kokila ne jhuanjhalakar kaha, 'zab kuchh batachit hi nahian karana hai, to roj ate hi kyoan haian ? koee aisa gharana bhi to nahian hai, aur n aise dhannaseth hi haian. '

shrriddha ne aankhean poanchhakar kaha, 'ammaanji, mere samane unhean kuchh n kahie. unake dil mean jo kuchh hai, vah maian janati hooan. vah muanh se chahe kuchh n kahean; magar dil se kah chuke. aur maian chahe kanoan se kuchh n sunooan par dil se sab kuchh sun chuki. '

kokila ne shrriddha se kuchh bhi n kaha,; lekin doosare din bhagataram se boli, 'ab kis vichar mean ho, beta ? '

bhagataram ne sir khujalate hue kaha, 'ammaanji, maian to hajir hooan, lekin gharavale kisi tarah raji nahian hote. jara phurasat mile, to ghar jakar raji kar looan. maan-bap ko naraz karana bhi to achchha nahian ! '

kokila kuchh javab n de saki.

bhagataram ke maan-bap shahar se door rahate the. yahi ek unaka l daka tha. unaki sari umangean usi ke vivah par avalambit thian. unhoanne kee bar usaki shadi tay ki. par bhagataram bar-bar yahi kahakar nikal jata ki jab tak naukar n ho jaooanga, vivah n karooanga. ab vah naukar ho gaya tha, isalie donoan magh ke ek thande prat:kal mean lade-phॅde bhagataram ke makan par a pahuanche. bhagataram ne dau dakar unaki pad-dhooli li aur kushal adi poochhane ke bad kaha, 'ap logoan ne is ja de-pale mean kyoan takaliph ki ? mujhe bula liya hota. '

chaudhari ne apani patni ki or dekhakar kaha, 'sunati ho bachcha ki ammaan ! jab bulate haian, to kahate haian ki imtihan hai, yah hai, vah hai. jab a gaye, to kahata hai, bulaya kyoan nahian ! tumhara vivah thik ho gaya hai.

ab ek mahine ki chhutti lekar hamare sath chalana hoga. isilie donoan aye haian. '

chaudharain -- 'hamane kaha, ki bina gaye kam nahian chalega. to aj hi darakhas de do. l daki b di sundar, padhi-likhi, achchhe kul ki hai. '

bhagataram ne lajate hue kaha, 'mera vivah to yahian ek jagah laga hua hai, agar ap raji hoan, to kar looan. '

chaudhari –‘is shahar mean hamari biradari ka kaun hai, kyoan bachcha ki ammaan ?

chaudharain –‘yahaan hamari biradari ka to koee nahian hai. '

bhagataram –‘maan-beti haian. ghar mean rupaya bhi hai. l daki aisi hai ki tum log dekhakar khush ho jaoge. muft mean shadi ho jayagi. '

chaudhari –‘kya l daki ka bap mar gaya hai ? usaka kya nam tha ? kahaan ka rahanevala hai. kul-marajad kaisa hai zab tak yah sari batean maloom n ho jayan, tab tak byah kaise ho sakata hai ! kyoan bachcha ki ammaan ? '

chaudharain –‘haan, bina in batoan ka pata lagaye kaise ho sakata hai ? '

bhagataram ne koee javab nahian diya.

chaudhari –‘yahaan kis muhalle mean rahati haian maan-beti ? sara shahar hamara chhana p da hai, ham yahaan koee bis sal rahe hoange, kyoan bachcha ki ammaan ? '

chaudharain –‘bis sal se zyada rahe haian. '

bhagataram –‘unaka ghar nakhas par hai. '

chaudhari –‘nakhas se kis taraph ? '

bhagataram –‘nakhas ki samanevali gali mean pahala makan unhian ka hai. s dak se dikhaee deta hai.

chaudhari –‘pahala makan to kokila randi ka hai. gulabi rang se puta hua hai n ? '

bhagataram ne jheanpate hue kaha, ‘zi haan, vahi makan hai !’

chaudhari –‘to usamean kokila randi nahian rahati kya ? '

bhagataram –‘rahati kyoan nahian. maan beti, donoan hi to rahati haian. '

chaudhari –‘to kya kokila randi ki l daki se byah karana chahate ho ? nak katavane par lage ho kya ? biradari mean to koee pani piyega nahian.‘

chaudharain –‘looka laga dooangi muanh mean r aau d ke ! roop-rang dekhakar ke lubha gaye kya ? '

bhagataram –‘maian to ise apana bhagy samajhata hooan ki vah apani l daki ki shadi mere sath karane ko raji hai. agar vah aj chahe, to kisi b de-se-b de rees ke ghar mean shadi kar sakati hai. '

chaudhari—‘ rees usase byah n karega rakh lega. tumhean bhagavanh samaee de to ek nahian char rakho. maradoan ke lie kaun rok hai ! lekin jo byah ke lie kaho to byah vahi hai, jo biradari mean ho. '

chaudharain –‘bahut padhane se adami baura jata hai. '

chaudhari –‘ham to ganvar adami haian, par samajh mean nahian ata ki tumhari yah niyat kaise huee ? randi ki beti chahe innar ki pari ho, to bhi randi ki beti hai. ham tumhara vivah vahaan n hone deange. agar tumane vivah kiya, to ham donoan tumhare oopar jan de deange. itana achchhi tarah se samajh lena kyoan bachcha ki ammaan ? '

chaudharain –‘byah kar leange, jaise hansi-thattha hai ! jha doo mar ke bhaga dooangi r aau d ko ! apani beti apane ghar mean rakhe. '

bhagataram –‘agar ap logoan ki ajna nahian hai, to maian vivah nahian karooanga; magar maian kisi doosari aurat se bhi vivah n karooanga. '

chaudharain –‘haan, tum kuanvare raho, yah hamean manjoor hai. paturiya ke ghar mean byah n kareange. '

bhagataram ne abaki jhuanjhalakar kaha, 'ap use bar-bar paturiya kyoan kahati haian. kisi jamane mean yah usaka pesha raha hoga. aj din vah jitane achar-vichar se rahati hai, shayad hi koee aur rahati ho. aisa pavitr acharan to maianne aj tak dekha hi nahian. '

bhagataram ka sara yatn viphal ho gaya. chaudharain ne aisi zid pak di ki jau-bhar apani jagah se n tali.

rat ko jab bhagataram apane prem-mandir mean pahuancha, to usaka chehara utara hua tha. ek-ek aang se nirasha tapak rahi thi. shrriddha rasta dekhati huee ghabara rahi thi ki aj itani rat tak aye kyoan nahian. unhean kya maloom ki mere dil ki kya halat ho rahi hai. yar-dostoan se chhutti milegi, to bhoolakar idhar bhi a jayeange.

kokila ne kaha, 'maian to tujhase kah chuki ki unaka ab vah mizaj nahian raha. phir bhi to too nahian manati. akhir is talamatol ki koee had bhi hai. '

shrriddha ne dukhit hokar kaha, 'ammaanji, maian apase hazar bar vinay kar chuki hooan ki chahe laukik roop mean kumari hi kyoan n rahooan; lekin hriday se unaki byahata ho chuki. agar aisa adami vishvas karane ke kabil nahian hai, to phir nahian janati ki kis par vishvas kiya ja sakata hai. '

isi samay bhagataram nirasha ki moorti bane hue kamare ke bhitar aye. donoan striyoan ne unaki or dekha. kokila ki aankhoan mean shikayat thi aur shrriddha ki aankhoan mean vedana. kokila ki aankhean kah rahi thian, yah kya tumhare

rang-dhang haian ? shrriddha ki aankhean kah rahi thian itani nirdayata !

bhagataram ne dhime, vedanapoorn svar mean kaha, 'ap logoan ko aj bahut der tak meri rah dekhani p di; magar maian majaboor tha; ghar se ammaan aur dada aye hue haian; unhian se batean kar raha tha. '

kokila boli, 'ghar par to sab kushal hai n ? '

bhagataram ne sir jhukaye hue kaha, 'zi haan, sab kushal hai. mere vivah ka masala pesh tha. purane khayal ke adami haian, kisi tarah bhi raji nahian hote.

kokila ka mukh tamatama utha. boli, 'haan, kyoan raji hoange ? ham log unase bhi nich haian n; lekin jab tum unaki ichchha ke das the, to tumhean unase poochhakar yahaan ana-jana chahie tha. is tarah hamara apaman karake tumhean kya mila ? yadi mujhe maloom hota ki tum apane maan-bap ke itane gulam

ho, to yah naubat hi kahe ko ati ? '

shrriddha ne dekha ki bhagataram ki aankhoan se aansoo gir rahe haian. vinit bhav se boli, 'ammaanji, maan-bap ki maraji ka gulam hona koee pap nahian hai. agar maian apaki upeksha karooan, to kya apako du:kh n hoga ? yahi hal un logoan ka bhi to hoga. ' shrriddha yah kahati huee apane kamare ki or chali aur ishare se bhagataram ko bhi bulaya. kamare mean baithakar donoan kee minat tak prithvi ki or takate rahe. kisi mean bhi sahas n tha ki us sannate ko to de. ant mean bhagataram ne purushochit virata se kam liya aur kaha, 'shrriddha, is samay mere hriday ke bhitar tumul yuddh ho raha hai. maian shabdoan mean apani dasha bayan nahian kar sakata. ji chahata hai ki vish khakar jan de dooan. tumase alag rahakar jivit nahian rah sakata, keval t dap sakata hooan. maianne n-jane unaki kitani khushamad ki, kitana roya, kitana gi dagi daya; lekin donoan apani batoan par a de rahe. bar-bar yahi kahate rahe ki agar yah byah hoga, to ham donoan tum par apani jan de deange. unhean meri maut manjoor hai; lekin

tum mere hriday ki rani bano, yah manjoor nahian. '

shrriddha ne santvana dete hue kaha, 'pyare, mujhase unaka ghrina karana uchit hai. padhe-likhe adamiyoan mean hi aise kitane nikaleange. isamean unaka koee dosh nahian. maian sabere unake darshan karane jaooangi, shayad mujhe dekhakar unaka dil pighal jay. maian har tarah se unaki seva karooangi, unaki dhotiyaan dhoooangi, unake pair daba karooangi, maian vah sab karooangi, jo unaki manachahi bahoo karati. isamean lajja ki kaun-si bat. unake talave sahalaooangi bhajan gakar sunaooangi mujhe bahut-se dihati git ate haian. ammaanji ke sir ke saphed bal chunooangi. maian daya nahian chahati, maian to prem ki cheri hooan. tumhare lie maian sab kuchh karooangi. sab kuchh.'

bhagataram ko aisa maloom hua, mano usaki aankhoan ki jyoti badh gayi hai, athava sharir mean koee doosari jyotirmay atma a gayi hai. usake hriday ka sara anurag, sara vishvas, sari bhakti aankhoan se um dakar shrriddha

ke pairoan ki or jati huee maloom huee, mano kisi ghar se nanhe-nanhe lal kapolavale, reshami kap doanvale, ghuangharale baloanvale bachche hansate hue nikalakar khelane ja rahe hoan.

chaudhari aur chaudharain ko shahar aye hue do saptah bit gaye. ve roj jane ke lie kamar kasate; lekin phir rah jate. shrriddha unhean jane n deti. sabere jab unaki aankhean khulatian, to shrriddha unake snan ke lie pani tapati huee hoti, chaudhari ko apana huqqa bhara hua milata. ve log jyoanhi nahakar uthate, shrriddha unaki dhoti chhaantane lagati. donoan usaki seva aur avirat parishram dekhakar dang rah jate. aisi sundar, aisi madhubhashini, aisi hansamukh aur chatur ramani chaudhari ne ianspektar sahab ke ghar mean bhi n dekhi thi. chaudhari ko vah devi maloom hoti aur chaudharain ko lakshmi. donoan shrriddha ki seva aur tahal v prem par ashchary karate the; kintu to bhi kalank aur biradari ka prashn unake muanh par muhar lagaye hue tha. pandrahavean din jab shrriddha das baje rat ko apane ghar chali gayi, to chaudhari ne chaudharain se kaha, 'l daki to sakshath lakshmi hai. '

chaudharain—‘ zab meri dhoti chhaantane lagati hai, to maian mare laj ke kat jati hooan. hamari tarah to isaki lauandi hogi. '

chaudhari –‘fir kya salah deti ho apani biradari mean to aisi sughar l daki milane ki nahian. '

chaudharain –‘ram ka nam lekar byah karo. bahut hoga roti p d jayagi. paanch bisi mean to roti hoti hai, kaun chhappan take lagate haian. pahale hamean shanka hoti thi ki paturiya ki l daki n jane kaisi ho, kaisi n ho, par ab sari shanka mit gee. '

chaudhari –‘zab batean karati hai, to maloom hota hai, muanh se phool jh date haian.‘

chaudharain –‘maian to usaki maan ko bakhanati hooan, jisaki kokh mean aisi lakshmi janami. '

chaudhari –‘qal chalo, kokila se milakar sab thik-thak kar ayean.‘

chaudharain –‘mujhe to usake ghar jate saram lagati hai. vah rani bani baithi hogi; maian to usaki lauandi maloom hoooangi. '

chaudhari –‘to phir paudar mangakar muanh mean pot lo gori ho jaogi. ianspektar sahab ki mem bhi to roj paudar lagati thian. rang to saanvala tha;par jab paudar laga letian to muanh chamakane lagata tha. '

chaudharain –‘hansi karoge to gali dooangi, haan. kali cham di par koee rang chadhata hai, jo paudar chadh jayaga ? tum to sachamuch usake chaukidar se lagoge. '

chaudhari –‘to kal muanh-aandhere chal dean. agar kahian shrriddha a gayi to phir gala n chho degi. bachcha se kah deange ki pandit se sayat-miti sab thik kar lo. ' phir hansakar kaha, 'unhean to ap hi jaldi hogi. '

chaudharain bhi purane din yad karake muskarane lagi. chaudhari aur chaudharain ka mat pakar kokila vivah ka ayojan karane lagi. kap de banavaye jane lage. baratanoan ki dookanean chhani jane lagian aur gahanoan ke lie sunar ke pas 'ardar' jane lage. lekin n maloom kyoan bhagataram ke mukh par prasannata ka chihn tak n tha. shrriddha ke yahaan nity ki bhaanti jata; kiantu udas, kuchh bhoola hua-sa baitha rahata tha. ghantoan atm- vismritiki avastha mean, shoony drishti se akash athava prithvi ki or dekha karata. shrriddha use apane kimati kap de aur j daoo gahane dikhalati. usake aang-pratyang se ashaoan ki sphoorti chhalaki p dati thi. is nashe mean vah bhagataram ki aankhoan

mean chhipe hue aansuoan ko n dekh pati thi. idhar chaudhari bhi taiyariyaan kar rahe the. bar-bar shahar ate aur vivah ke saman mol le jate. bhagataram ke svatantr vicharavale mitr usake bhagy par eershya karate the. apsara-jaisi sundar stri, karooan ke khazane-jaisi daulat, donoan sath hi kise mayassar hote haian ? kintu vah, jo mitroan ki eershya, kokila ki prasannata, shrriddha ki manokamana aur chaudhari aur chaudharain ke anand ka karan tha, chhip-chhipakar rota tha, apane jivan se du:khi tha. chirag tale aandhera chhaya hua tha. is chhipe hue toofan ki kisi ko bhi khabar n thi; jo usake hriday mean hahakar macha raha tha.

jyoan-jyoan vivah ka din samip ata tha, bhagataram ki banavati umang bhi thandi p dati jati thi. jab char din rah gaye, to use halaka-sa jvar a gaya. vah shrriddha ke ghar bhi n ja saka. chaudhari aur chaudharain tatha

any biradari ke log bhi a pahuanche the; kintu sab-ke-sab vivah ki dhun mean itane mast the ki kisi ka bhi dhyan usaki or n gaya. doosare din bhi vah ghar se n nikal saka. shrriddha ne samajha ki vivah ki ritiyoan se chhutti n mili hogi. tisare din chaudharain bhagataram ko bulane gee, to dekha ki vah sahami huee vispharit aankhoan se kamare ke ek kone ki or dekhata hua donoan hath samane kiye, pichhe hat raha hai, mano apane

ko kisi ke var se bacha raha ho. chaudharain ne ghabarakar poochha, 'bachcha, kaisa ji hai ? pichhe is tarah kyoan chale ja rahe ho ? yahaan to koee nahian hai. '

bhagataram ke mukh par pagaloan-jaisi achetana thi. aankhoan mean bhay chhaya hua tha. bhit svar mean bola, 'nahian ammaanji, dekho, vah shrriddha chali a rahi hai ! dekho, usake donoan hathoan mean do kali naginean haian. vah mujhe un naginoan se dasavana chahati hai ! are ammaan ! vah najadik a gayi. shrriddha ? shrriddha !! tum meri jan ki kyoan bairin ho gayi ? kya mere asim prem ka yahi parinam hai ? maian to tumhare charanoan par bali hone ke lie sadaiv tatpar tha. is jivan ka mooly hi kya hai ! tum in naginoan ko door pheank do. maian yahaan tumhare charanoan

par letakar yah jan tum par nyochhavar kar dooanga. ... haian, haian, tum n manogi ! '

yah kahakar vah chit gir p da. chaudharain ne lapakakar chaudhari ko bulaya. donoan ne bhagataram ko uthakar charapaee par lita diya. chaudhari ka dhyan kisi aseb ki or gaya. vah turant hi lauang aur rakh lekar aseb utarane ka ayojan karane lage ! svayan mantr-tantr mean nipun the. bhagataram ka sara sharir thanda tha; kintu sir tave ki tarah tap raha tha. rat ko bhagataram kee bar chauankakar utha. chaudhari ne har bar mantra

phooankakar apane khayal se aseb ko bhagaya. chaudharain ne kaha, 'qoee daktar kyoan nahian bulate ? shayad dava se kuchh fayada ho. kal byah aur aj yah hal. '

chaudhari ne ni:shank bhav se kaha, ' daktar akar kya karega. vahi pipalavale baba to haian. dava-daroo karana unase aur rar badhana hai. rat jane do. sabera hote hi ek bakara aur ek botal daroo unaki bheant ki jayagi.

bas aur kuchh karane ki zaroorat nahian. daktar bimari ki dava karata hai ki hava-bayar ki ? bimari unhean koee nahian hai, kul ke bahar byah karane hi se devata log rooth gaye haian. '

sabere chaudhari ne ek bakara mangaya. striyaan gati-bajati huee devi ke chautare ki or chalian. jab log lautakar aye, to dekha ki bhagataram ki halat kharab hai. usaki na di dhire-dhire band ho rahi thi. mukh par

mrityu-vibhishika ki chhap thi. usake donoan netroan se aansoo bahakar galoan par dhulak rahe the, mano apoorn ichchha ka antim sandesh nirday sansar ko suna rahe hoan. jivan ka kitana vedana-poorn drishy tha ahrasoo ki do booandean !

ab chaudhari ghabaraye. turant hi kokila ko khabar di. ek adami daktar ke pas bheja. daktar ke ane mean to der thi vah bhagataram ke mitroan mean se the; kintu kokila aur shrriddha adami ke sath hi a pahuanchian. shrriddha

bhagataram ke samane akar kh di ho gayi. aankhoan se aansoo bahane lage. tho di der mean bhagataram ne aankhean kholian aur shrriddha ki or dekhakar bole ' tum a gayian shrriddha, maian tumhari rah dekh raha tha. yah antim pyar

lo. aj hi sab 'aga-pichha' ka ant ho jayaga; jo aj se tin varsh poorv arambh hua tha. in tinoan varshoan mean mujhe jo atmik-yantrana mili hai, hriday hi janata hai. tum vapha ki devi ho; lekin mujhe rah-rahakar yah bhram hota tha, kya tum khoon ke asar ka nash kar sakati ho ? kya tum ek hi bar mean apani parampara ki niti chho d sakogi ? kya tum janm ke prakritik niyamoan ko to d sakogi ? in bhramapoorn vicharoan ke lie shok n karana. maian tumhare yogy n tha qisi prakar bhi aur kabhi bhi tumhare-jaisa mahanh hriday

n ban saka. haan, is bhram ke vash mean p dakar sansar se maian apani ichchhaean bina poorn kiye hi ja raha hooan. tumhare agadh, nishkapat, nirmal prem ki smriti sadaiv hi mere sath rahegi. kintu hay afasos ...

kahate-kahate bhagataram ki aankhean phir band ho gayian. shrriddha ke mukh par gadhi lalima dau d gayi. usake aansoo sookh gaye. jhuki huee garadan tan gee. mathe par bal p d gaye. aankhoan mean atm-abhiman ki jhalak a gayi. vah

kshan-bhar vahaan kh di rahi aur doosare hi kshan niche akar apani ga di mean baith gayi. kokila usake pichhe-pichhe dau di huee ayi aur boli, 'beti, yah krodh karane ka avasar nahian hai. log apane dil mean kya kaheange. unaki dasha barabar big dati hi jati hai ! tumhare rahane se bundhoan ko dhadhas bandha rahega.'

shrriddha ne kuchh uttar n diya. kochavan se kaha, 'ghar chalo. kahakar kokila bhi ga di mean baith gayi. asahy shit p d raha tha. akash mean kale badal chhaye hue the. shital vayu chal rahi thi. magh ke antim divas the. vriksh, pe d-paudho bhi shit se ak de hue the. din ke ath baj gaye the, abhi tak log rajaee ke bhitar muanh lapete hue the. lekin shrriddha ka sharir pasine se bhiga hua tha. aisa maloom hota tha ki soory ki sari ushnata usake sharir ki ragoan mean ghus gayi hai. usake hoth sookh gaye the, pyas se nahian, aantarik dhadhakati huee agni ki

lapatoan se. usaka ek-ek aang us agni ki bhishan aanch se jala ja raha tha. usake mukh se bar-bar jalati huee garm saans nikal rahi thi, mano kisi choolhe ki lapat ho. ghar pahuanchate-pahuanchate usaka phool-sa mukh malin ho gaya, hoanth pile p d gaye, jaise kisi kale saanp ne das liya ho. kokila bar-bar ashrupoorn netroan se usaki or takati thi; par kya kahe aur kya kahakar samajhaye.

ghar pahuanchakar shrriddha apane oopar ke kamare ki or chali, kintu usamean itani shakti n thi ki sidhiyaan chadh sake. rassi ko mazabooti se pak dati huee kisi tarah apane kamare mean pahuanchi. hay, adha hi ghante poorv yahaan ki ek-ek

vastu par prasannata, ahlad, ashaoan ki chhap lagi huee thi; par ab sab-ki-sab sir dhunati hue maloom hoti thian. b de-b de sandookoan mean jo de sajaye hue rakhe the, unhean dekhakar shrriddha ke hriday mean hook uthi aur vah gir p di, jaise vihar karata hua aur kulachean bharata hua hiran tir lag jane se gir p data hai.

achanak usaki drishti us chitr par ja p di, jo aj tin varsh se usake jivan ka adhar ho rahi thi. us chitr ko usane kitani bar chooma tha; kitani bar gale lagaya tha, kitani bar hriday se chipaka liya tha.

ve sari batean ek-ek karake yad a rahi thian; lekin unake yad karane ka bhi adhikar use n tha.

hriday ke bhitar ek dard utha, jo pahale se kahian adhik pranaantakari tha zo pahale se adhik toofan ke saman bhayankar tha. hay ! us maranevale ke dil ko usane kitani yantrana pahuanchayi ! bhagataram ke avishvas ka yah

javab, yah pratyuttar kitana romaanchakari aur hriday-vidarak tha. hay ! vah kaise aisi nithur ho gayi ! usaka pyara usaki najaroan ke samane dam to d raha tha ! usake lie usaki santvana ke lie ek shabd bhi muanh se n

nikala ! yahi to khoon ka asar hai isake atirikt aur ho hi kya sakata tha. aj pahali bar shrriddha ko kokila ki beti hone ka pachhatava hua. vah itani svartharat, itani hridayahin hai aj hi use maloom hua. vah tyag, vah seva, vah uchchadarsh, jis par use ghamand tha, dhahakar shrriddha ke samane gir p da; vah apani hi drishti mean apane ko hey samajhane lagi. us svargiy prem ka aisa nairashyapoorn uttar veshya ki putri ke atirikt aur kaun de sakata hai.

shrriddha usi samay kamare se bahar nikalakar, vayu-veg se sidhiyaan utarati huee niche pahuanchi aur bhagataram ke makan ki or dau di. vah akhiri bar usase gale milana chahati thi, antim bar usake darshan karana chahati thi. vah anant prem ke kathin bandhanoan ko nibhayegi aur aantim shvas tak usi ki hi banakar rahegi !

raste mean koee savari n mili. shrriddha thaki ja rahi thi. sir se paanv tak pasine se nahaee huee thi ! n maloom kitani bar vah thokar khakar giri aur phir uthakar dau dane lagi ! usake ghutanoan se rakt nikal raha tha, sa di

kee jagah se phat gee thi, magar us vakt apane tan-badan ki sudh tak n thi. usaka ek-ek roaan sahऱh kanth ho-hokar eeshvar se prarthana kar raha tha ki us prat:kal ke dipak ki lau tho di der aur bachi rahe. unake muanh

se ek bar 'shrriddha' ka shabd sunane ke lie usaki aantaratma kitani vyakul ho rahi thi. keval yahi ek shabd sunakar phir usaki koee bhi ichchha apoorn n rah jayagi, usaki sari ashaean saphal ho jayangi, sari sadh poorn ho jayagi.

shrriddha ko dekhate hi chaudharain ne usaka hath pak d liya aur roti huee boli, 'beti, tum kahaan chali gee thi ? do bar tumhara nam lekar pukar chuke haian.'

shrriddha ko aisa maloom hua, mano usaka kaleja phata ja raha hai. usaki aankhean pathara gayian. use aisa maloom hone laga ki vah agadh, athah samudr ki bhॅvar mean p d gayi hai. usane kamare mean jate hi bhagataram ke thande

pairoan par sir rakh diya aur use aankhoan ke garam pani se dhokar garam karane ka upay karane lagi. yahi usaki sari ashaoan aur kuchh aramanoan ki samadhi thi.

bhagataram ne aankh kholakar kaha, 'kya tum ho shrriddha ? maian janata tha ki tum aogi, isilie abhi tak pran avashesh the. jara mere hriday par apana sir rakh do. haan, mujhe ab vishvas ho gaya ki tumane mujhe kshama kar diya. ji doob raha hai. tumase kuchh maangana chahata hooan, par kis muanh se maangooan. jab jite-ji n maang saka to ab kya hai ? hamari aantim gh diyaan kisi apoorn sadh ko apane hiy ke bhitar chhipaye hue hoti haian. mrityu pahale hamari sari eershya, sara bhedabhav, sara dvesh nasht karati hai. jinaki soorat se hamean ghrina hoti hai, unase phir vahi purana sauhard, purani maitri karane ke lie, unako gale lagane ke lie ham utsuk ho jate haian. jo kuchh kar sakate the aur n kar sake usi ki ek sadh rah jati hai.' bhagataram ne ukh de hue vishadapoorn svar mean apane prem ki punaravritti shrriddha ke samane ki. us svargiy nidhi ko pakar vah prasann ho sakata tha, usaka

upayog kar sakata tha; kintu hay, aj vah ja raha hai, apoorn sadhoan ki smriti liye hue ! hay re, abhagin sadh ! shrriddha bhagataram ke vakshasthal par jhuki huee ro rahi thi . bhagataram ne sir uthakar usake murajhaye hue, aansuoan se dhoye hue svachchh kapoloan ko choom liya; marati huee sadh ki vah aantim hansi thi.

bhagataram ne avaruddh kanth se kaha, 'yah hamara aur tumhara vivah hai shrriddha yah meri aantim bheant hai. yah kahate hue usaki aankhean hamesha ke lie band ho gayian ! sadh bhi marakar gir p di.'

shrriddha ki aankhean rote-rote lal ho rahi thian. use aisa maloom hua mano bhagataram usake samane premaliangan ka sanket karate hue muskara rahe haian. vah apani dasha, kal, sthan, sab bhool gayi. jakhmi sipahi apani jit ka samachar pakar apana dard, apani pi da bhool jata hai. kshan bhar ke lie maut bhi hey ho jati hai. shrriddha ka bhi yahi hal hua. vah bhi apana jivan prem ki nithur vedi par utsarg karane ke lie taiyar ho gayi, jis par laila aur majanooan, shirian aur pharahad nahian, hajaroan ne apani bali chadha di. usane chumban ka uttar dete hue kaha, 'pyare, maian tumhari hooan aur sada tumhari hi rahooangi.'