ईश्वरीय न्याय -प्रेमचंद

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

kanapur jile mean pandit bhrigudatt namak ek b de jamiandar the. muanshi satyanarayan unake karianda the. vah b de svamibhakt aur sachcharitr manushy the. lakhoan rupaye ki tahasil aur hajaroan man anaj ka len-den unake hath mean tha; par kabhi unaki niyat dav aauandol n hoti. unake suprabandh se riyasat dinoandin unnati karati jati thi. aise kattarvyaparayan sevak ka jitana samman hona chahie, usase adhik hi hota tha. du:kh-sukh ke pratyek avasar par pandit ji unake sath b di udarata se pesh ate. dhire-dhire muanshi ji ka vishvas itana badha ki pandit ji ne hisab-kitab ka samajhana bhi chho d diya. sambhav hai, unase ajivan isi tarah nibh jati, par bhavi prabal hai. prayag mean kumbh laga, to pandit ji bhi snan karane gaye. vahaan se lautakar phir ve ghar n aye. maloom nahian, kisi gadhe mean phisal p de ya koee jal-jantu unhean khianch le gaya, unaka phir kuchh pata hi n chala. ab muanshi satyanaran ke adhikar aur bhi badhe. ek hatabhagini vidhava aur do chhote-chhote bachchoan ke siva pandit ji ke ghar mean aur koee n tha. aantyeshti-kriya se nivritt hokar ek din shokatur panditain ne unhean bulaya aur rokar kaha—lala, pandit ji hamean manjhadhar mean chho dakar surapur ko sidhar gaye, ab yah naiya tumhi par lagaoge to lag sakati hai. yah sab kheti tumhari lagayi huee hai, ise tumhare hi oopar chho dati hooan. ye tumhare bachche haian, inhean apanao. jab tak malik jiye, tumhean apana bhaee samajhate rahe. mujhe vishvas hai ki tum usi tarah is bhar ko sanbhale rahoge.

satyanaran ne rote hue javab diya—bhabhi, bhaiya kya uth gaye, mere to bhagy hi phoot gaye, nahian to mujhe adami bana dete. maian unhian ka namak khakar jiya hooan aur unhian ki chakari mean maruanga bhi. ap dhiraj rakhean. kisi prakar ki chianta n karean. maian jite-ji apaki seva se muanh n modooanga. ap keval itana kijiega ki maian jis kisi ki shikayat karuan, use d aauant dijiega; nahian to ye log sir chadh jaeeange.

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is ghatana ke bad kee varsho tak muanshiji ne riyasat ko sanbhala. vah apane kam mean b de kushal the. kabhi ek kau di ka bhi bal nahian p da. sare jile mean unaka samman hone laga. log pandit ji ko bhool- sa gaye. darabaroan aur kametiyoan mean ve sammilit hote, jile ke adhikari unhian ko jamiandar samajhate. any reesoan mean unaka adar tha; par man-vridvi ki mahangi vastu hai. aur bhanukuanvari, any striyoan ke sadrish paise ko khoob pak dati. vah manushy ki manovrittiyoan se parichit n thi. pandit ji hamesha lala ji ko inam ikaram dete rahate the. ve janate the ki jnan ke bad eeman ka doosara stambh apani sudasha hai. isake siva ve khud bhi kabhi kagajoan ki j aauanch kar liya karate the. namamatr hi ko sahi, par is nigarani ka dar jarur bana rahata tha; kyoanki eeman ka sabase b da shatru avasar hai. bhanukuanvari in batoan ko janati n thi. atev avasar tatha dhanabhav-jaise prabal shatruoan ke panje mean p d kar muanshiji ka eeman kaise bedag bachata?

kanapur shahar se mila hua, thik ganga ke kinare, ek bahut ajad aur upajaoo g aauanv tha. pandit ji is g aauanv ko lekar nadi-kinare pakka ghat, mandir, bag, makan adi banavana chahate the; par unaki yah kamana saphal n ho saki. sanyog se ab yah g aauanv bikane laga. unake jamiandar ek thakur sahab the. kisi phaujadari ke mamale mean phanse hue the. mukadama l dane ke lie rupaye ki chah thi. muanshiji ne kachahari mean yah samachar suna. chatapat mol-tol hua. donoan taraph garaj thi. sauda patane mean der n lagi, bainama likha gaya. rajistri huee. rupaye maujood n the, par shahar mean sakh thi. ek mahajan ke yahaan se tis hajar rupaye mangavaye gaye aur thakur sahab ko najar kiye gaye. haan, kam-kaj ki asani ke khayal se yah sab likha-padhi muanshiji ne apane hi nam ki; kyoanki malik ke l dake abhi nabalig the. unake nam se lene mean bahut jhanjhat hoti aur vilamb hone se shikar hath se nikal jata. muanshiji bainama liye asim anand mean magn

bhanukuanvari ke pas aye. parda karaya aur yah shubh-samachar sunaya. bhanukuanvari ne sajal netroan se unako dhanyavad diya. pandit ji ke nam par mandir aur ghat banavane ka irada pakka ho gaya.

muanshi ji doosare hi din us g aauanv mean aye. asami najarane lekar naye svami ke svagat ko hajir hue. shahar ke reesoan ki davat huee. logoan ke navoan par baith kar ganga ki khoob sair ki. mandir adi banavane ke lie abadi se hat kar ramanik sthan chuna gaya.

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yadyapi is g aauanv ko apane nam lete samay muanshi ji ke man mean kapat ka bhav n tha, tathapi do-char din mean hi unaka aankur jam gaya aur dhire-dhire badhane laga. muanshi ji is g aauanv ke ay-vyay ka hisab alag rakhate aur apane svaminoan ko usaka byoro samajhane ki jarurat n samajhate. bhanukuanvari in batoan mean dakhal dena uchit n samajhati thi; par doosare kariandoan se batean sun-sun kar use shanka hoti thi ki kahian muanshi ji daga to n deange. apane man ka bhav muanshi se chhipati thi, is khayal se ki kahian kariandoan ne unhean hani pahuanchane ke lie yah sh dayantr n racha ho.

is tarah kee sal gujar gaye. ab us kapat ke aankur ne vriksh ka rup dharan kiya. bhanukuanvari ko muanshi ji ke us marg ke lakshan dikhayi dene lage. udhar muanshi ji ke man ne kanoon se niti par vijay payi, unhoanne apane man mean phaisala kiya ki g aauanv mera hai. haan, maian bhanukuanvari ka tis hajar ka rrini avashy hooan. ve bahut kareangi to apane rupaye le leangi aur kya kar sakati haian? magar donoan taraph yah ag andar hi andar sulagati rahi. muanshi ji astrasajjit hokar akraman ke iantazar mean the aur bhanukuanvari isake lie avasar dhooandh rahi thi. ek din usane sahas karake muanshi ji ko andar bulaya aur kaha—lala ji ‘baragada’ ke mandir ka kam kab se lagavaiega? use liye ath sal ho gaye, ab kam lag jae to achchha ho. jiandagi ka kaun thikana hai, jo kam karana hai; use kar hi dalana chahie.

is dhang se is vishay ko utha kar bhanukuanvari ne apani chaturaee ka achchha parichay diya. muanshi ji bhi dil mean isake kayal ho gaye. jara soch kar bole—irada to mera kee bar hua, par mauke ki jamin nahian milati. gangatat ki jamin asamiyoan ke jot mean hai aur ve kisi tarah chho dane par raji nahian.

bhanukuanvari—yah bat to aj mujhe maloom huee. ath sal hue, is g aauanv ke vishay mean apane kabhi bhool kar bhi di to charcha nahian ki. maloom nahian, kitani tahasil hai, kya munapha hai, kaisa g aauanv hai, kuchh sir hoti hai ya nahian. jo kuchh karate haian, ap hi karate haian aur kareange. par mujhe bhi to maloom hona chahie?

muanshi ji sanbhal uthe. unhean maloom ho gaya ki is chatur stri se baji le jana mushkil hai. g aauanv lena hi hai to ab kya dar. khul kar bole—apako isase koee sarokar n tha, isalie maianne vyarth kasht dena munasib n samajha.

bhanukuanvari ke hriday mean kuthar-sa laga. parde se nikal ayi aur muanshi ji ki taraph tej aankhoan se dekh kar boli—ap kya kahate haian! apane g aauanv mere liye liya tha ya apane lie! rupaye maianne diye ya apane? us par jo kharch p da, vah mera tha ya apaka? meri samajh mean nahian ata ki ap kaisi batean karate haian.

muanshi ji ne savadhani se javab diya—yah to ap janati haian ki g aauanv hamare nam se basa hua hai. rupaya jarur apaka laga, par maian usaka denadar hooan. raha tahasil-vasool ka kharch, yah sab maianne apane pas se diya hai. usaka hisab-kitab, ay-vyay sab rakhata gaya hooan.

bhanukuanvari ne krodh se k aauanpate hue kaha—is kapat ka phal apako avashy milega. ap is nirdayata se mere bachchoan ka gala nahian kat sakate. mujhe nahian maloom tha ki apane hriday mean chhuri chhipa rakhi hai, nahian to yah naubat hi kyoan ati. khair, ab se meri rok d aur bahi khata ap kuchh n chhuऍan. mera jo kuchh hoga, le looangi. jaie, ekaant mean baith kar sochie. pap se kisi ka bhala nahian hota. tum samajhate hoge ki balak anath haian, inaki sampatti hajam kar looanga. is bhool mean n rahana, maian tumhare ghar ki eet tak bikava looangi.

yah kahakar bhanukuanvari phir parde ki a d mean a baithi aur rone lagi. striy aauan krodh ke bad kisi n kisi bahane roya karati haian. lala sahab ko koee javab n soojha. yahaan se uth aye aur daphtar jakar kagaj ulat-palat karane lage, par bhanukuanvari bhi unake pichhe-pichhe daphtar mean pahuanchi aur d aauant kar boli—mera koee kagaj mat chhoona. nahian to bura hoga. tum vishaile saanp ho, maian tumhara muanh nahian dekhana chahati.

muanshi ji kagajoan mean kuchh kat-chh aauant karana chahate the, par vivash ho gaye. khajane ki kunji nikal kar pheank di, bahi-khate patak diye, kiva d dh dake-se band kiye aur hava ki tarah sann-se nikal gaye. kapat mean hath to dala, par kapat mantr n jana.

doosarean kariandoan ne yah kaiphiyat suni, to phoole n samaye. muanshi ji ke samane unaki dal n galane pati. bhanukuanvari ke pas akar ve ag par tel chhi dakane lage. sab log is vishay mean sahamat the ki muanshi satyanarayan ne vishvasaghat kiya hai. malik ka namak unaki haddiyoan se phoot-phoot kar nikalega.

donoan or se mukadamebaji ki taiyariy aauan hone lagian! ek taraph nyay ka sharir tha, doosari or nyay ki atma. prakriti ka purush se l dane ka sahas hua.

bhanakuanvari ne lala chhakkan lal se poochha—hamara vakil kaun hai? chhakkan lal ne idhar-udhar jh aauank kar kaha—vakil to seth ji haian, par satyanarayan ne unhean pahale g aauanth rakha hoga. is mukadamean ke lie b de hoshiyar vakil ki jarurat hai. mehara baboo ki ajakal khoob chal rahi hai. hakim ki kalam pak d lete haian. bolate haian to jaise motarakar chhoot jati hai sarakar! aur kya kahean, kee adamiyoan ko ph aauansi se utar liya hai, unake samane koee vakil jaban to khol nahian sakata. sarakar kahean to vahi kar liye jaean.

chhakkan lal ki atyukti se sandeh paida kar liya. bhanukuanvari ne kaha—nahian, pahale seth ji se poochh liya jae. usake bad dekha jayaga. ap jaie, unhean bula laie.

chhakkanalal apani takadir ko thoankate hue seth ji ke pas gaye. seth ji pandit bhrigudatt ke jivan- kal se hi unaka kanoon-sambandhi sab kam kiya karate the. mukadame ka hal suna to sannate mean a gaye. satyanaran ko yah b da nekaniyat adami samajhate the. unake patan se b da khed hua. usi vakt aye. bhanukuanvari ne ro-ro kar unase apani vipatti ki katha kahi aur apane donoan l dakoan ko unake samane kh da karake boli—ap in anathoan ki raksha kijie. inhean maian apako sauanpati hooan.

seth ji ne samajhaute ki bat chhe di. bole—apas ki l daee achchhi nahian.

bhanukuanvari—anyayi ke sath l dana hi achchha hai.

seth ji—par hamara paksh nirbal hai.

bhanukuanvari phir parde se nikal ayi aur vismit hokar boli—kya hamara paksh nirbal hai? duniya janati hai ki g aauanv hamara hai. use hamase kaun le sakata hai? nahian, maian sulah kabhi n karuangi, ap kagajoan ko dekhean. mere bachchoan ki khatir yah kasht uthayean. apaka parishram nishphal n jayaga. satyanarayan ki niyat pahale kharab n thi. dekhie jis miti mean g aauanv liya gaya hai, us miti mean tis hajar ka kya kharch dikhaya gaya hai. agar usane apane nam udhar likha ho, to dekhie, varshik sood chukaya gaya ya nahian. aise narapishach se maian kabhi sulah n karuangi.

seth ji ne samajh liya ki is samay samajhane-bujhane se kuchh kam n chalega. kagajat dekhean, abhiyog chalane ki taiyariy aauan hone lagian.

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muanshi satyanarayanalal khisiyaye hue makan pahuanche. l dake ne mithaee m aauangi. use pita. stri par isalie baras p de ki usane kyoan l dake ko unake pas jane diya. apani vriddha mata ko d aauant kar kaha—tumase itana bhi nahian ho sakata ki jara l dake ko bahalao? ek to maian din-bhar ka thaka-m aauanda ghar aooan aur phir l dake ko khelaooan? mujhe duniya mean n aur koee kam hai, n dhandha. is tarah ghar mean bavaila macha kar bahar aye, sochane lage—mujhase b di bhool huee. maian kaisa moorkh hooan. aur itane din tak sare kagaj-patr apane hath mean the. chahata, kar sakata tha, par hath par hath dhare baithe raha. aj sir par a p di, to soojhi. maian chahata to bahi-khate sab naye bana sakata tha, jisamean is g aauanv ka aur rupaye ka jikr hi n hota, par meri moorkhata ke karan ghar mean ayi huee lakshmi ruthi jati haian. mujhe kya maloom tha ki vah chu dail mujhase is tarah pesh ayegi, kagajoan mean hath tak n lagane degi.

isi udhe dabun mean muanshi ji ekaek uchhal p de. ek upay soojh gaya—kyoan n karyakarttaoan ko mila looan? yadyapi meri sakhti ke karan ve sab mujhase naraz the aur is samay sidhe bat bhi n kareange, tathapi unamean aisa koee bhi nahian, jo pralobhan se muththi mean n a jae. haan, isamean rupaye pani ki tarah bahana p dega, par itana rupaya ayega kahaan se? hay durbhagy? do-char din pahale chet gaya hota, to koee kathinaee n p dati. kya janata tha ki vah dain is tarah vajr-prahar karegi. bas, ab ek hi upay hai. kisi tarah kagajat gum kar dooan. b di jokhim ka kam hai, par karana hi p dega.

dushkamanaoan ke samane ek bar sir jhukane par phir sanbhalana kathin ho jata hai. pap ke athah daladal mean jahaan ek bar p de ki phir pratikshan niche hi chale jate haian. muanshi satyanarayan-sa vicharashil manushy is samay is phikr mean tha ki kaise seandh laga paooan!

muanshi ji ne socha—kya seandh lagana asan hai? isake vaste kitani chaturata, kitana sahab, kitani budvi, kitani virata chahie! kaun kahata hai ki chori karana asan kam hai? maian jo kahian pak da gaya, to marane ke siva aur koee marg n rahega.

bahut sochane-vicharane par bhi muanshi ji ko apane oopar aisa dussahas kar sakane ka vishvas n ho saka. haan, isamean sugam ek doosari tadabir najar ayi—kyoan n daphtar mean ag laga dooan? ek botal mitti ka tel aur diyasalaee ki jarurat haian kisi badamash ko mila looan, magar yah kya maloom ki vahi usi kamare mean rakhi hai ya nahian. chu dail ne use jarur apane pas rakh liya hoga. nahian; ag lagana gunah belajjat hoga.

bahut der muanshi ji karavatean badalate rahe. naye-naye manasoobe sochate; par phir apane hi tarko se kat dete. varshakal mean badaloan ki nayi-nayi sooratean banati aur phir hava ke veg se big d jati haian; vahi dasha is samay unake manasooboan ki ho rahi thi.

par is manasik ashaanti mean bhi ek vichar poornarup se sthir tha—kisi tarah in kagajat ko apane hath mean lana chahie. kam kathin hai—mana! par himmat n thi, to rar kyoan mol li? kya tis hajar ki jayadad dal-bhat ka kaur hai?—chahe jis tarah ho, chor bane bina kam nahian chal sakata. akhir jo log choriy aauan karate haian, ve bhi to manushy hi hote haian. bas, ek chhal aauang ka kam hai. agar par ho gaye, to raj kareange, gir p de, to jan se hath dhoyeange.

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rat ke das baj gaye. muanshi satyanaran kuanjiyoan ka ek guchchha kamar mean dabaye ghar se bahar nikale. dvar par tho da-sa pual rakha hua tha. use dekhate hi ve chauank p de. mare dar ke chhati dh dakane lagi. jan p da ki koee chhipa baitha hai. kadam ruk gaye. pual ki taraph dhyan se dekha. usamean bilakul harakat n huee! tab himmat b aauandhi, age b de aur man ko samajhane lage—maian kaisa baukhal hooan

apane dvar par kisaka dar aur s dak par bhi mujhe kisaka dar hai? maian apani rah jata hooan. koee meri taraph tirachhi aankh se nahian dekh sakata. haan, jab mujhe seandh lagate dekh le—nahian, pak d le tab alabatte darane ki bat hai. tis par bhi bachav ki yukti nikal sakati hai.

akasmat unhoanne bhanukuanvari ke ek chaparasi ko ate hue dekha. kaleja dh dak utha. lapak kar ek aandheri gali mean ghus gaye. b di der tak vahaan kh de rahe. jab vah sipahi aankhoan se ojhal ho gaya, tab phir s dak par aye. vah sipahi aj subah tak inaka gulam tha, use unhoanne kitani hi bar galiy aauan di thian, latean mari thian, par aj use dekhakar unake pran sookh gaye.

unhoanne phir tark ki sharan li. maian manoan bhang khakar aya hooan. is chaparasi se itana dara mano ki vah mujhe dekh leta, par mera kar kya sakata tha? hajaroan adami rasta chal rahe haian. unhian mean maian bhi ek hooan. kya vah aantaryami hai? sabake hriday ka hal janata hai? mujhe dekhakar vah adab se salam karata aur vahaan ka kuchh hal bhi kahata; par maian usase aisa dara ki soorat tak n dikhayi. is tarah man ko samajha kar ve age badhe. sach hai, pap ke panjoan mean phansa hua man patajh d ka patta hai, jo hava ke jara-se jhoanke se gir p data hai.

muanshi ji bajar pahuanche. adhikatar dookanean band ho chuki thian. unamean s aauan d aur gayean baithi huee jugali kar rahi thi. keval halavaiyoan ki dookanean khuli thi aur kahian-kahian gajarevale har ki haank lagate phirate the. sab halavaee muanshi ji ko pahachanate the, atev muanshi ji ne sir jhuka liya. kuchh chal badali aur lapakate hue chale. ekaek unhean ek bagghi ati dikhayi di. yah seth ballabhadas savakil ki bagghi thi. isamean baithakar hajaroan bar seth ji ke sath kachahari gaye the, par aj vah bagghi kaladev ke saman bhayankar maloom huee. phauran ek khali dookan par chadh gaye. vahaan vishram karane vale s aauan d ne samajha, ve mujhe padachyut karane aye haian! matha jhukaye phuankarata hua uth baitha; par isi bich mean bagghi nikal gayi aur muanshi ji ki jan mean jan ayi. abaki unhoanne tark ka ashray n liya. samajh gaye ki is samay isase koee labh nahian, khairiyat yah huee ki vakil ne dekha nahian. yah ek ghagh haian. mere chehare se ta d jata.

kuchh vidvanoan ka kathan hai ki manushy ki svabhavik pravritti pap ki or hoti hai, par yah kora anuman hi anuman hai, anubhav-siddh bat nahian. sach bat to yah hai ki manushy svabhavat: pap-bhiru hota hai aur ham pratyaksh dekh rahe haian ki pap se use kaisi ghrina hoti hai.

ek pharlaang age chal kar muanshi ji ko ek gali mili. vah bhanukuanvari ke ghar ka ek rasta tha. dhuandhali-si lalaten jal rahi thi. jaisa muanshi ji ne anuman kiya tha, paharedar ka pata n tha. astabal mean chamaroan ke yahaan nach ho raha tha. kee chamarinean banav-siangar karake nach rahi thian. chamar mridang baja-baja kar gate the—

‘nahian ghare shyam, gheri aye badara.

sovat raheuan, sapan ek dekheuan, rama.

khuli gayi niand, dharak gaye kajara.

nahian ghare shyam, gheri aye badara.’

donoan paharedar vahi tamasha dekh rahe the. muanshi ji dabe-p aauanv lalaten ke pas ge aur jis tarah billi choohe par jhapatati hai, usi tarah unhoanne jhapat kar lalaten ko bujha diya. ek p dav poora ho gaya, par ve us kary ko jitana dushkar samajhate the, utana n jan p da. hriday kuchh majaboot hua. daphtar ke baramade mean pahuanche aur khoob kan lagakar ahat li. charoan or sannata chhaya hua tha. keval chamaroan ka kolahal sunayi deta tha. is samay muanshi ji ke dil mean dh dakan thi, par sir dhamadham kar raha tha; hath-p aauanv k aauanp rahe the, s aauans b de veg se chal rahi thi. sharir ka ek-ek rom aankh aur kan bana hua tha. ve sajivata ki moorti ho rahe the. unamean jitana paurush, jitani chapalata, jitana-sahas, jitani chetana, jitani budvi, jitana ausan tha, ve sab is vakt sajag aur sachet hokar ichchha-shakti ki sahayata kar rahe the.

daphtar ke daravaje par vahi purana tala laga hua tha. isaki kuanji aj bahut talash karake ve bajar se laye the. tala khul gaya, kiva do ne bahut dabi jaban se pratirodh kiya. is par kisi ne dhyan n diya. muanshi ji daphtar mean dakhil hue. bhitar chirag jal raha tha. muanshi ji ko dekh kar usane ek daphe sir hilaya, mano unhean bhitar ane se roka.

muanshi ji ke pair thar-thar k aauanp rahe the. e diy aauan jamin se uchhali p dati thian. pap ka bojh unhean asahy tha.

pal-bhar mean muanshi ji ne bahiyoan ko ulata-palata. likhavat unaki aankhoan mean tair rahi thi. itana avakash kahaan tha ki jaruri kagajat chh aauant lete. unhoannean sari bahiyoan ko samet kar ek gatthar banaya aur sir par rakh kar tir ke saman kamare ke bahar nikal aye. us pap ki gathari ko lade hue vah aandheri gali se gayab ho ge.

tang, aandheri, durgandhapoorn kich d se bhari huee galiyoan mean ve nange p aauanv, svarth, lobh aur kapat ka bojh lie chale jate the. mano papamay atma narak ki naliyoan mean bahi chali jati thi.

bahut door tak bhatakane ke bad ve ganga kinare pahuanche. jis tarah kalushit hridayoan mean kahian-kahian dharm ka dhuandhala prakash rahata hai, usi tarah nadi ki kali satah par tare jhilamila rahe the. tat par kee sadhu dhooni jamaye p de the. jnan ki jvala man ki jagah bahar dahak rahi thi. muanshi ji ne apana gatthar utara aur chadar se khoob majaboot b aauandh kar balapoorvak nadi mean pheank diya. soti huee laharoan mean kuchh halachal huee aur phir sannata ho gaya.

muanshi satayanaranalal ke ghar mean do striy aauan thian—mata aur patni. ve donoan ashikshita thian. tis par bhi muanshi ji ko ganga mean doob marane ya kahian bhag jane ki jarurat n hoti thi ! n ve b aaudi pahanati thi, n moje-joote, n haramoniyam par ga sakati thi. yahaan tak ki unhean sabun lagana bhi n ata tha. heyarapin, bruchej, jaket adi paramavashyak chijoan ka to nam hi nahian suna tha. bahoo mean atm- samman jara bhi nahian tha; n sas mean atm-gaurav ka josh. bahoo ab tak sas ki ghu dakiy aauan bhigi billi ki tarah sah leti thi—ha moorkhe ! sas ko bachche ke nahalane-dhulane, yahaan tak ki ghar mean jha doo dene se bhi ghrina n thi, ha jnanaandhe! bahoo stri kya thi, mitti ka loanda thi. ek paise ki jarurat hoti to sas se m aauangati. saraansh yah ki donoan striy aauan apane adhikaroan se bekhabar, aandhakar mean p di huee pashuvath jivan vyatit karati thian. aisi phooh d thi ki rotiyaan bhi apane hathoan se bana leti thi. kanjoosi ke mare dalamot, samose kabhi bajar se n mangatian. agare vale ki dookan ki chijean khayi hoti to unaka maja janatian. budhiya khoosat dava-darapan bhi janati thi. baithi-baithi ghas- pat koota karati.

muanshi ji ne m aauan ke pas jakar kaha—amm aauan ! ab kya hoga? bhanukuanvari ne mujhe javab de diya.

mata ne ghabara kar poochha—javab de diya?

muanshi—haan, bilakul bekasoor!

mata—kya bat huee? bhanukuanvari ka mijaj to aisa n tha.

muanshi—bat kuchh n thi. maianne apane nam se jo g aauanv liya tha, use maianne apane adhikar mean kar liya. kal mujhase aur unase saph-saph batean huee. maianne kah diya ki g aauanv mera hai. maianne apane nam se liya hai, usamean tumhara koee ijara nahian. bas, big d gayian, jo muanh mean aya, bakati rahian. usi vakt mujhe nikal diya aur dhamaka kar kaha—maian tumase l d kar apana g aauanv le looangi. ab aj hi unaki taraph se mere oopar mukadama dayar hoga; magar isase hota kya hai? g aauanv mera hai. us par mera kabja hai. ek nahian, hajar mukadamean chalaean, digari meri hogi?

mata ne bahoo ki taraph marmaantak drishti se dekha aur boli—kyoan bhaiya? vah g aauanv liya to tha tumane unhian ke rupaye se aur unhian ke vaste?

muanshi—liya tha, tab liya tha. ab mujhase aisa abad aur maladar g aauanv nahian chho da jata. vah mera kuchh nahian kar sakati. mujhase apana rupaya bhi nahian le sakati. dedh sau g aauanv to haian. tab bhi havas nahian manati.

mana—beta, kisi ke dhan zyada hota hai, to vah use pheank tho de hi deta hai? tumane apani niyat biga di, yah achchha kam nahian kiya. duniya tumhean kya kahegi? aur duniya chahe kahe ya n kahe, tumako bhala aisa karana chahie ki jisaki god mean itane din pale, jisaka itane dinoan tak namak khaya, ab usi se daga karo? narayan ne tumhean kya nahian diya? maje se khate ho, pahanate ho, ghar mean narayan ka diya char paisa hai, bal-bachche haian, aur kya chahie? mera kahana mano, is kalank ka tika apane mathe n lagao. yah apajas mat lo. barakkat apani kamaee mean hoti hai; haram ki kau di kabhi nahian phalati.

muanshi—ooanh! aisi batean bahut sun chuka hooan. duniya un par chalane lage, to sare kam band ho jaean. maianne itane dinoan inaki seva ki, meri hi badaulat aise-aise char-p aauanch g aauanv badh ge. jab tak pandit ji the, meri niyat ka man tha. mujhe aankh mean dhool dalane ki jarurat n thi, ve ap hi meri khatir kar diya karate the. unhean mare ath sal ho ge; magar musammat ke ek bi de pan ki kasam khata hooan; meri jat se unako hajaroan rupaye-masik ki bachat hoti thi. kya unako itani bhi samajh n thi ki yah bechara, jo itani eemanadari se mera kam karata hai, is naphe mean kuchh use bhi milana chahie? yah kah kar n do, inam kah kar do, kisi tarah do to, magar ve to samajhati thi ki maianne ise bis rupaye mahine par mol le liya hai. maianne ath sal tak sab kiya, ab kya isi bis rupaye mean gulami karata rahooan aur apane bachchoan ko doosaroan ka muanh takane ke lie chho d jaooan? ab mujhe yah avasar mila hai. ise kyoan chhodooan? jamiandari ki lalasa liye hue kyoan maruan? jab tak jiooanga, khud khaooanga. mere pichhe mere bachche chain u dayeange.

mata ki aankhoan mean aansoo bhar aye. boli—beta, maianne tumhare muanh se aisi batean kabhi nahian suni thian, tumhean kya ho gaya hai? tumhare age bal-bachche haian. ag mean hath n dalo.

bahoo ne sas ki or dekh kar kaha—hamako aisa dhan n chahie, ham apani dal-roti mean magan haian.

muanshi—achchhi bat hai, tum log roti-dal khana, gadha pahanana, mujhe ab halve-poori ki ichchha hai.

mata—yah adharm mujhase n dekha jayaga. maian ganga mean doob maruangi.

patni—tumhean yah sab k aauanta bona hai, to mujhe mayake pahuancha do, maian apane bachchoan ko lekar is ghar mean n rahooangi!

muanshi ne jhuanjhala kar kaha—tum logoan ki budvi to bh aauang kha gayi hai. lakhoan sarakari naukar rat-din doosaroan ka gala daba-daba kar rishvatean lete haian aur chain karate haian. n unake bal-bachchoan hi ko kuchh hota hai, n unhian ko haija pak data hai. adharm unako kyoan nahian kha jata, jo mujhi ko kha jayaga. maianne to satyavadiyoan ko sada du:kh jhelate hi dekha hai. maianne jo kuchh kiya hai, sukh lootooanga. tumhare man mean jo aye, karo.

prat:kal daphtar khula to kagajat sab gayab the. muanshi chhakkanalal baukhalaye se ghar mean gaye aur malakin se poochha—kagajat apane uthava lie haian.

bhanukuanvari ne kaha—mujhe kya khabar, jahaan apane rakhe hoange, vahian hoange.

phir sare ghar mean khalabali p d gayi. paharedaroan par mar p dane lagi. bhanukuanvari ko turant muanshi satyanarayan par sandeh hua, magar unaki samajh mean chhakkanalal ki sahayata ke bina yah kam hona asambhav tha. pulis mean rapat huee. ek ojha nam nikalane ke lie bulaya gaya. maulavi sahab ne kurra pheanka. ojha ne bataya, yah kisi purane bairi ka kam hai. maulavi sahab ne pharamaya, kisi ghar ke bhediye ne yah harakat ki hai. sham tak yah dau d-dhoop rahi. phir yah salah hone lagi ki in kagajatoan ke bagair mukadama kaise chale. paksh to pahale se hi nirbal tha. jo kuchh bal tha, vah isi bahi-khate ka tha. ab to saboot bhi hath se gaye. dave mean kuchh jan hi n rahi, magar bhanakuanvari ne kaha—bala se har jaऍange. hamari chij koee chhin le, to hamara dharm hai ki usase yathashakti l dean, har kar baithana kayaroan ka kam hai. seth ji (vakil) ko is durghatana ka samachar mila to unhoanne bhi yahi kaha ki ab dave mean jara bhi jan nahian hai. keval anuman aur tark ka bharosa hai. adalat ne mana to mana, nahian to har manani p degi. par bhanukuanvari ne ek n mani. lakhanoo aur ilahabad se do hoshiyar bairistir bulaye. mukadama shuru ho gaya.

sare shahar mean is mukadamean ki dhoom thi. kitane hi reesoan ko bhanukuanvari ne sathi banaya tha. mukadama shuru hone ke samay hajaroan adamiyoan ki bhi d ho jati thi. logoan ke is khianchav ka mukhy karan yah tha ki bhanukuanvari ek parde ki a d mean baithi huee adalat ki karavaee dekha karati thi, kyoanki use ab apane naukaroan par jara bhi vishvas n tha.

vadi bairistar ne ek b di marmik vaktrita di. usane satyanaran ki poorvavastha ka khoob achchha chitr khiancha. usane dikhalaya ki ve kaise svamibhakt, kaise kary-kushal, kaise karm-shil the; aur svargavasi pandit bhrigudatt ka us par poorn vishvas ho jana, kis tarah svabhavik tha. isake bad usane siddh kiya ki muanshi satyanarayan ki arthik vyavastha kabhi aisi n thi ki ve itana dhan-sanchay karate. aant mean usane muanshi ji ki svarthaparata, kootaniti, nirdayata aur vishvas-ghatakata ka aisa ghrinotpadak chitr khiancha ki log muanshi ji ko goliy aauan dene lage. isake sath hi usane pandit ji ke anath balakoan ki dasha ka b da karoonotpadak varnan kiya—kaise shok aur lajja ki bat hai ki aisa charitravan, aisa niti-kushal manushy itana gir jae ki apane svami ke anath balakoan ki gardan par chhuri chalane par sankoch n kare. manav-patan ka aisa karun, aisa hriday-vidarak udaharan milana kathin hai. is kutil kary ke parinam ki drishti se is manushy ke poorv parichit sadagunoan ka gaurav lupt ho jata hai. kyoanki ve asali moti nahian, nakali k aauanch ke dane the, jo keval vishvas jamane ke nimitt darshaye gaye the. vah keval suandar jal tha, jo ek saral hriday aur chhal- chhand se door rahane vale rees ko phansane ke lie phailaya gaya tha. is nar-pashu ka aant:karan kitana aandhakaramay, kitana kapatapoorn, kitana kathor hai; aur isaki dushtata kitani ghor, kitani apavan hai. apane shatru ke sath daya karana ek bar to kshamy hai, magar is malin hriday manushy ne un bekasoan ke sath daga diya hai, jin par manav-svabhav ke anusar daya karana uchit hai! yadi aj hamare pas bahi-khate maujood hote, adalat par satyanarayan ki satyata spasht rup se prakat ho jati, par muanshi ji ke barakhast hote hi daphtar se unaka lupt ho jana bhi adalat ke lie ek b da saboot hai.

shahar mean kee reesoan ne gavahi di, par suni-sunayi batean jirah mean ukh d gayian. doosare din phir mukadama pesh hua.

prativadi ke vakil ne apani vaktrita shuru ki. usamean ganbhir vicharoan ki apeksha hasy ka adhiky tha—yah ek vilakshan nyay-siddhaant hai ki kisi dhanadhay manushy ka naukar jo kuchh kharide, vah usake svami ki chij samajhi jae. is siddhaant ke anusar hamari gavarnameant ko apane karmachariyoan ki sari sampatti par kabja kar lena chahie. yah svikar karane mean hamako koee apatti nahian ki ham itane rupayoan ka prabandh n kar sakate the aur yah dhan hamane svami hi se rrin liya; par hamase rrin chukane ka koee takaja n karake vah jayadad hi m aauangi jati hai. yadi hisab ke kagajat dikhalaye jaean, to ve saph bata deange ki maian sara rrin de chuka. hamare mitr ne kaha ki aisi avastha mean bahiyoan ka gum ho jana bhi adalat ke liye ek saboot hona chahie. maian bhi unaki yukti ka samarthan karata hooan. yadi maian apase rrin le kar apana vivah karuan to kya mujhase meri nav- vivahit vadhoo ko chhin leange?

‘hamare suyog mitr ne hamare oopar anathoan ke sath daga karane ka dosh lagaya hai. agar muanshi satyanaran ki niyat kharab hoti, to unake lie sabase achchha avasar vah tha jab pandit bhrigudatt ka svargavas hua tha. itane vilamb ki kya jarurat thi? yadi ap sher ko phansa kar usake bachche ko usi vakt nahian pak d lete, use badhane aur sabal hone ka avasar dete haian, to maian apako budviman n kahooanga. yatharth bat yah hai ki muanshi satyanaran ne namak ka jo kuchh hak tha, vah poora kar diya. ath varsh tak tan-man se svami ke santan ki seva ki. aj unhean apani sadhuta ka jo phal mil raha hai, vah bahut hi du:khajanak aur hriday-vidarak hai. isamean bhanukuanvari ka dosh nahian. ve ek gun-sampann mahila haian; magar apani jati ke avagun unamean bhi vidyaman haian! eemanadar manushy svabhavat: spashtabhashi hota hai; use apani batoan mean namak-mirch lagane ki jarurat nahian hoti. yahi karan hai ki muanshi ji ke mridubhashi matahatoan ko un par akshep karane ka mauka mil gaya. is dave ki j d keval itani hi hai, aur kuchh nahian. bhanukuanvari yahaan upasthit haian. kya ve kah sakati haian ki is ath varsh ki muddat mean kabhi is g aauanv ka jikr unake samane aya? kabhi usake hani-labh, ay-vyay, len-den ki charcha unase ki gayi? man lijie ki maian gavarnameant ka mulajim hooan. yadi maian aj daphtar mean akar apani patni ke ay-vyay aur apane tahaluoan ke taiksoan ka pach da gane lagooan, to shayad mujhe shighr hi apane pad se prithak hona p de, aur sambhav hai, kuchh dinoan tak bareli ki atithishala mean bhi rakha jaooan. jis g aauanv se bhanukuanvari ka sarovar n tha, usaki charcha unase kyoan ki jati?’

isake bad bahut se gavah pesh hue; jinamean adhikaansh as-pas ke dehatoan ke jamiandar the. unhoanne bayan kiya ki hamane muanshi satyanarayan asamiyoan ko apani dastakhati rasidean aur apane nam se khajane mean rupaya dakhil karate dekha hai.

itane mean sandhya ho gayi. adalat ne ek saptah mean phaisala sunane ka hukm diya.

6

satyanaran ko ab apani jit mean koee sandeh n tha. vadi paksh ke gavah bhi ukh d gaye the aur bahas bhi saboot se khali thi. ab inaki ginati bhi jamiandaroan mean hogi aur sambhav hai, yah kuchh dinoan mean rees kahalane lageange. par kisi n kisi karan se ab shahar ke ganamany purushoan se aankhean milate sharmate the. unhean dekhate hi unaka sir nicha ho jata tha. vah man mean darate the ki ve log kahian is vishay par kuchh poochh-tachh n kar baithean. vah bajar mean nikalate to dookanadaroan mean kuchh kanaphoosi hone lagati aur log unhean tirachhi drishti se dekhane lagate. ab tak log unhean vivekashil aur sachcharitr manushy samajhate, shahar ke dhani-mani unhean ijjat ki nigah se dekhate aur unaka b da adar karate the. yadyapi muanshi ji ko ab tak inase tedhi-tirachhi sunane ka sanyog n p da tha, tathapi unaka man kahata tha ki sachchi bat kisi se chhipi nahian hai. chahe adalat se unaki jit ho jae, par unaki sakh ab jati rahi. ab unhean log svarthi, kapati aur dagabaj samajheange. doosaroan ki bat to alag rahi, svayan unake gharavale unaki upeksha karate the. boodhi mata ne tin din se muanh mean pani nahian dala! stri bar-bar hath jo d kar kahati thi ki apane pyare balakoan par daya karo. bure kam ka phal kabhi achchha nahian hota! nahian to pahale mujhi ko vish khila do.

jis din phaisala sunaya janevala tha, prat:kal ek kuanj din tarakariy aauan lekar ayi aur muanshiyain se boli—

‘bahoo ji! hamane bajar mean ek bat suni hai. bura n manoan to kahooan? jisako dekho, usake muanh se yahi bat nikalati hai ki lala baboo ne jalasaji se panditain ka koee halaka le liya. hamean to is par yakin nahian ata. lala baboo ne n sanbhala hota, to ab tak panditain ka kahian pata n lagata. ek aangul jamin n bachati. inhian mean ek saradar tha ki sabako sanbhal liya. to kya ab unhian ke sath badi kareange? are bahoo! koee kuchh sath laya hai ki le jayaga? yahi nek-badi rah jati hai. bure ka phal bura hota hai. adami n dekhe, par allah sab kuchh dekhata hai.’

bahoo ji par gh doan pani p d gaya. ji chahata tha ki dharati phat jati, to usamean sama jati. striy aauan svabhavat: lajjavati hoti haian. unamean atmabhiman ki matra adhik hoti hai. ninda-apaman unase sahan nahian ho sakata hai. sir jhukaye hue boli—bua! maian in batoan ko kya janooan? maianne to aj hi tumhare muanh se suni hai. kaun-si tarakariy aauan haian?

muanshi satyanarayan apane kamare mean lete hue kuanj din ki batean sun rahe the, usake chale jane ke bad akar stri se poochhane lage—yah shaitan ki khala kya kah rahi thi.

stri ne pati ki or se muanh pher liya aur jamin ki or takate hue boli—kya tumane nahian suna? tumhara gun-gan kar rahi thi. tumhare pichhe dekho, kis-kisake muanh se ye batean sunani p dati haian aur kis-kisase muanh chhipana p data hai.

muanshi ji apane kamare mean laut aye. stri ko kuchh uttar nahian diya. atma lajja se parast ho gayi. jo manushy sadaiv sarv-sammanit raha ho; jo sada atmabhiman se sir utha kar chalata raha ho, jisaki sukriti ki sare shahar mean charcha hoti ho, vah kabhi sarvatha lajjashoony nahian ho sakata; lajja kupath ki sabase b di shatru hai. kuvasanaoan ke bhram mean p d kar muanshi ji ne samajha tha, maian is kam ko aisi gupt-riti se poora kar le jaooanga ki kisi ko kanoan-kan khabar n hogi, par unaka yah manorath siddh n hua. badhaऍan a kh di huee. unake hatane mean unhean b de dussahas se kam lena p da; par yah bhi unhoanne lajja se bachane ke nimitt kiya. jisamean yah koee n kahe ki apani svamini ko dhokha diya. itana yatn karane par bhi nianda se n bach sake. bajar ka sauda bechanevaliy aauan bhi ab apaman karatian haian. kuvasanaoan se dabi huee lajja-shakti is k di chot ko sahan n kar saki. muanshi ji sochane lage, ab mujhe dhan-sampatti mil jayagi, aishvaryavanh ho jaooanga, parantu ninda se mera pichha n chhootega. adalat ka phaisala mujhe lok-ninda se n bacha sakega. aishvary ka phal kya hai?—man aur maryada. usase hath dho baitha, to aishvary ko lekar kya karuanga? chitt ki shakti khokar, lok-lajja sahakar, janasamuday mean nich ban kar aur apane ghar mean kalah ka bij bokar yah sampatti mere kis kam ayegi? aur yadi vastav mean koee nyay-shakti ho aur vah mujhe is kukrity ka dand de, to mere lie siva mukh mean kalikh laga kar nikal jane ke aur koee marg n rahega. satyavadi manushy par koee vipatt p dati haian, to log unake sath sahanubhooti karate haian. dushtoan ki vipatti logoan ke lie vyangy ki samagri ban jati hai. us avastha mean eeshvar anyayi thaharaya jata hai; magar dushtoan ki vipatti eeshvar ke nyay ko siddh karati hai. paramatman! is durdasha se kisi tarah mera uddhar karo! kyoan n jakar maian bhanukuanvari ke pairoan par gir p dooan aur vinay karuan ki yah mukadama utha lo? shok! pahale yah bat mujhe kyoan n soojhi? agar kal tak mean unake pas chala gaya hota, to bat ban jati; par ab kya ho sakata hai. aj to phaisala sunaya jayaga.

muanshi ji der tak isi vichar mean p de rahe, par kuchh nishchay n kar sake ki kya karean.

bhanukuanvari ko bhi vishvas ho gaya ki ab g aauanv hath se gaya. bechari hath mal kar rah gayi. rat-bhar use niand n ayi, rah-rah kar muanshi satyanarayan par krodh ata tha. hay papi! dhol baja kar mera pachas hajar ka mal lie jata hai aur maian kuchh nahian kar sakati. ajakal ke nyay karane vale bilakul aankh ke aandhe haian. jis bat ko sari duniya janati hai, usamean bhi unaki drishti nahian pahuanchati. bas, doosaroan ko aankhoan se dekhate haian. kore kagajoan ke gulam haian. nyay vah hai jo doodh ka doodh, pani ka pani kar de; yah nahian ki khud hi kagajoan ke dhokhe mean a jae, khud hi pakhandiyoan ke jal mean phans jae. isi se to aisi chhali, kapati, dagabaj, aur duratmaoan ka sahas badh gaya hai. khair, g aauanv jata hai to jae; lekin satyanarayan, tum shahar mean kahian muanh dikhane ke layaq bhi n rahe.

is khayal se bhanukuanvari ko kuchh shanti huee. shatru ki hani manushy ko apane labh se bhi adhik priy hoti hai, manav-svabhav hi kuchh aisa hai. tum hamara ek g aauanv le gaye, narayan chaheange to tum bhi isase sukh n paoge. tum ap narak ki ag mean jaloge, tumhare ghar mean koee diya jalane vala n rah jayaga.

phaisale ka din a gaya. aj ijalas mean b di bhi d thi. aise-aise mahanubhav upasthit the, jo baguloan ki tarah aphasaroan ki badhaee aur bidaee ke avasaroan hi mean najar aya karate haian. vakiloan aur mukhtaroan ki palatan bhi jama thi. niyat samay par jaj sahab ne ijalas sushobhit kiya. vistrit nyay bhavan mean sannata chha gaya. ahalamad ne sandook se tajabij nikali. log utsuk hokar ek-ek kadam aur age khisak ge.

jaj ne phaisala sunaya—muddee ka dava kharij. donoan paksh apana-apana kharch sah lean.

yadyapi phaisala logoan ke anuman ke anusar hi tha, tathapi jaj ke muanh se use sun kar logoan mean halachal-si mach gayi. udasin bhav se phaisale par alochanaऍan karate hue log dhire-dhire kamare se nikalane lage.

ekaek bhanukuanvari ghooanghat nikale ijalas par a kar kh di ho gayi. janevale laut p de. jo bahar nikal gaye the, dau d kar a gaye. aur kautoohalapoorvak bhanukuanvari ki taraph takane lage.

bhanukuanvari ne kanpit svar mean jaj se kaha—sarakar, yadi hukm dean, to maian muanshi ji se kuchh poochhooan.

yadyapi yah bat niyam ke viruddh thi, tathapi jaj ne dayapoorvak ajna de di.

tab bhanukuanvari ne satyanarayan ki taraph dekh kar kaha—lala ji, sarakar ne tumhari digri to kar hi di. g aauanv tumhean mubarak rahe; magar eeman adami ka sab kuchh hai. eeman se kah do, g aauanv kisaka hai?

hajaroan adami yah prashn sun kar kautoohal se satyanarayan ki taraph dekhane lage. muanshi ji vichar-sagar mean doob gaye. hriday mean sankalp aur vikalp mean ghor sangram hone laga. hajaroan manushyoan ki aankhean unaki taraph jami huee thian. yatharth bat ab kisi se chhipi n thi. itane adamiyoan ke samane asaty bat muanh se nikal n saki. lajja se jaban band kar li—‘mera’ kahane mean kam banata tha. koee bat n thi; kiantu ghoratam pap ka dand samaj de sakata hai, usake milane ka poora bhay tha. ‘apaka’ kahane se kam big data tha. jiti-jitayi baji hath se nikali jati thi, sarvotkrisht kam ke lie samaj se jo inam mil sakata hai, usake milane ki poori asha thi. asha ke bhay ko jit liya. unhean aisa pratit hua, jaise eeshvar ne mujhe apana mukh ujjaval karane ka yah aantim avasar diya hai. maian ab bhi manav-samman ka patr ban sakata hooan. ab apani atma ki raksha kar sakata hooan. unhoanne age badh kar bhanukuanvari ko pranam kiya aur k aauanpate hue svar se bole—apaka!

hajaroan manushyoan ke muanh se ek gaganasparshi dhvani nikali—saty ki jay!

jaj ne kh de hokar kaha—yah kanoon ka nyay nahian, eeshvariy nyay hai! ise katha n samajhiega; yah sachchi ghatana hai. bhanukuanvari aur saty narayan ab bhi jivit haian. muanshi ji ke is naitik sahas par log mugadh ho ge. manaviy nyay par eeshvariy nyay ne jo vilakshan vijay payi, usaki charcha shahar bhar mean mahinoan rahi. bhanukuanvari muanshi ji ke ghar gayi, unhean mana kar layian. phir apana sara karobar unhean sauanpa aur kuchh dinoan uparaant yah g aauanv unhian ke nam hibba kar diya. muanshi ji ne bhi use apane adhikar mean rakhana uchit n samajha, krishnaarpan kar diya. ab isaki amadani din-dukhiyoan aur vidyarthiyoan ki sahayata mean kharch hoti hai.