बभ्रुवाहन -जयशंकर प्रसाद

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

mani-prabhapoor manipur nagar ke prant mean ek udyan ke dvar par pratichi disha-nayikanukool tarani ke arun-kiran ki prabha p d rahi hai. vasantik sandhy vayu ka pratap kramash: uday ho raha hai, poorv disha mean apoorv sundar chandr ki malin abha dikhaee de rahi hai. aha! nilambaravrit vidhubadani ke badan ke saman svachchh nilambar mean yah chandr kaisa sundar dikhaee de raha hai—

dhaval manohar drishti sukh dayak hiy anurag;
manahu sudha ke bimb mean, lapatyo nalin-parag.
nav ghan, sundar shyama ur, manahuan hirakabhas;
kalindi jal nil mean kai aravind vikas.

andhakar ka adhikar to sarvatr ho gaya hai; parantu chandramukh ke samip krishna kesh-bhar ke andhakar ke saman jyotsana-sammilit andhakar mean ek pathik usi dvar par aya aur sthan ke lie idhar-udhar drishti dau dane laga.

akasmath ek manushy usi dvar se bahar hua aur ek aparichit manushy ko dekhakar poochha—‘‘ap kaun haian?’’—uttar mila—‘‘bhrant pathik’’ kintu sath hi usake—

ayat ujjval bhal, karikar ganjan kar yugal;
vilulit kuntal jal, vrishabh-kandh rajiv charu.
ati hi subhag saroop, rajat kotihuan mar-chhavi;
mukh bidhu ko pratiroop, mishrit vir-shrriangar-ras.
dekhat jan harashahian, kalit kalevar kalabh sam;
arigan hiye darahian bikat bhrikuti tat lakhe jehi.
vir vesh sajjit kripan kati mahian suchhajat;
bhare nishang tunir prishth kar chap surajat.
amit sved-kan aang maanhi mukta jhalakavat;
kiandhauan niradhar niravindu bhari ati sukh pavat.
sakal sujanata khan soan shil nivas prakash yut;
mukh vinod barasat amal, mamata lahai n sindhu sut.

dekhakar upavan-rakshak ne pranamoparant kaha—‘‘yadi vishram karane ki ichchha ho, to upavan mean chalie.’’

yah sunakar pathik malakar anugami hua.

upavan mean pravesh karate makarand-lobhi mahat ne pathik ke mukh-kamal se madhuraliangan karake shramal v makarandabindu ko aharan kar liya. phir vah yuvak upavan ki shobha dekhane laga—

lasai loni lata lapati taru te, sumanavali bharajhuki-si parai;
chhaki mod madhoo tyoan milind badhoo luri phoolan pai arasi-si parai.
kal kokil kiran ko kalanad vipanchi sucharu baji-si karai ;
makarand soan poori rahi puhumi sukh saurabh sisi khasi-si parai.

yoan hi pad-sanchalan karate tatha chandrika mean chamatkrit chancharik manj gunjit praphull pushpavali par drishtipat karate hue yuvak pathik malakar ke bataye sthan par sab vastr aur shastr utarakar sandhyavandan ke lie sarovar ke mukhy tir par gaya. nity krity se kritakrity hokar pathik prakrit sushama nirakhane laga—

nil sarasi salit kanj, sunil praphulit charu;
nil nabh ujjval anant, gambhir tasu agaru.
nishachchhadit rajahi, ati nil taruvar puanj;
kokila kalarav kalapi, kir koojat kunj.
kaumudi pratibimb sarasi jal karat sukalol;
pavan vichalit jal lahari, lila dharati imi lol.
manahu ratanakar lutavat ratan gan ehi bhaanti;
kabahuan hirak paanti parat kabahuan nilam paanti.
vyom varidhi min phaansan nisha mahishi hal;
tarakavali jyoan bikheryo tori mukata-mal.
nishakar nij kar pasari sudha madhur paripoor!
prakriti-lila ko hansavat chhiraki rajat suchoor.

yuvak pathik drishy ke saundary-sagar mean nimagn tha, aur prasann man se dekh raha tha ki akasmath usake karn kuhar mean kisi kamini ka ek kantharav sunaee p da—

bikasahu kamalini kali-nikar nij saurabh so bhari;
uthahu kusum sar sadhi kusum dhanu nij kati dridh kari.
mudit hohu chakee ke yugal driganchal chanchal;
uday bhayi hai priy darshan darshan avasar bhal.

vipanchidhvani vimohit mantr mrig ke saman usi madhur svar ka anusaran karake vah yuvak ek matt milind-milit malati-lata-mandir ke samip pahuancha, aur lata ki ot se dekhane laga, to use do sundari usamean baithi dikhaee dian, jo parasr kuchh hans-hansakar vatrtalap kar rahi thian.

ek boli—sakhi! chandrama kyoan itana sundar hai? aur usi se ratri ki shobha kyoan hoti hai? dekh—

mallikadik suman te suchi rachyo dharani vitan;
jatit hirak-tar nabh pat sakhi odhi़ saman.
shit surabhit malay marut vijan sachi chachain;
sudhakar soan milan baithi svachchh raka rain.

doosari, jo kuchh usase vayask thi, boli-sakhi! tumhean abhi isaka poorn jnan nahian hai. abhi tumhare lie sab vastu anandamay hai. dekh—

shitalaee sudhakar mean hai nahian sunu saanch;
sakhi! yake kiran mean suanokhiye hai aanch.
jauan n aisi hoy to kyoan vimal saravar vari;
bich sarasiji murajhi ke giri jay lakhu sukumari.

ab to yuvak se n raha gaya! vah bol utha—

sumukhi sundar shil roop suval sunu dhari kan;
yahai to sabahi kahai nij bhagy hai ju pradhan.
sudha soan paritript hiy jaki rahai aviram;
tahi nishi mean nishanath amand det aram.

is aparichit shabd ko sunakar praudha bahar aee; parantu yuvak ko dekhakar saham kar kh di ho gayi, aur kuchh krodhit hokar boli—ap kaun haian?

yuvak—ek bhrant pathik.

praudha—is upavan mean kaise aye? kya apako yah nahian jnat ki rajakumari is samay yahaan haian?

yuvak—kya yah manipur ki rajakumari haian? yadi aisa ho, to kshama kijiye. sarale! bhrant pathik is samvad se avagat nahian tha.

praudha—nahian, ap avashy dandaniy haian.

yuvak—(hansakar)—yadi aisa hai, to adhikari ke samaksh le chalie.

praudha—yah vakchaturi rahane dijie......

rajakumari se n raha gaya, vah bol uthi—sakhi, kya hai?

yuvak ko sath mean lekar praudha us lata-mandir ke dvar par pahuanchi. vastav mean adhishthatri lata-mandir hi ki nahian,—sundari saundary-upavan ki adhishthatri van devi ke saman thi.

usaka yauvan nivi d kadambini mean saudamini ke saman, alak-pash mean hirakhand ke saman, madhukar nikar anasvadit praphullarajiv ke saman, ujjval madhur tatha manohar tha.

kintu yuvak ka manohar avayav bhi apani samata n rakhata tha. jalabaddh chakor ke saman sundari ke yugal netr nispand, nirnimesh ho rahe the. idhar mantramugdh ke saman yuvak us naisargik saundaryamayi bala ka mukh nirikshan kar raha tha. sakhi donoan ka yah apoorv drishy dekhakar chakit ho gee, aur hriday dridh karake boli—rajakumari! dekho, yah mahashay nirbhay is sthan tak chale aye haian, hamean jnat hota hai ki yah koee chatur vyakti haian, kyoanki—

soodhe dekhan mean bane karat atapati bat.
kapati nahar ke manahuan chhipi nakhan ki paant..

yadi apaki ajna ho, to inhean prahari ki ajna mean bhej diya jay.

yuvak (hansakar)—

alak-pash soan baandhi chahai rakhi to rahi sakai.
kidhauan rakhaian avaradhi natu ham bandhan yogu nahian..

sakhi (sakrodh)—rajakumari ki ajna ho, to tumhari pragalbhata ka phal tumhean abhi mile.

yuvak—unhian ki ajna ki apeksha to mujhe bhi hai, kyoanki ab ham vishram karana chahate haian.

rajakumari—sakhi! vyarth vad se kya labh, pahale tumhean inase poornaroop se parichay le lena chahiye.

yuvak—rajakumari! jo kuchh poochhana ho, poochha jay, ham spasht uttar deange.

praudha—ap apana vansh-parichay dijie.

yuvak—sundari! samay ke anurodh se ham keval itana kah sakate haian ki yah tumhara atithi pauravavansh ka kshatriyakumar hai, tirth-paryatan karate-karate yahaan tak a pahuancha hai.

praudha—ap hamare atithi kaise? kya ap yahian par thahare haian?

yuvak—

kamalini-madhulobhi madhup lahi marand ki as.
kumud-kananahian chho di ke kahaan sakai kari bas..

praudha—pun: ve hi vyarth ki batean!

yuvak—to apane nahian samajha, isaka tatpary yah hai ki upavan-rakshak ne shrant pathik janakar apane grih-samip mean mujhe rahane ka sthan diya hai, isi se ham ap logoan ke atithi haian. avashyak vastu sab prastut hai, ab yadi ajna ho, to ham vishram karean, kyoanki hamane yahaan tak akar ap logoan ko b da kasht diya.

rajakumari ke iangit karane par sakhi ne poochha—ap kab tak thahareange? kya ap ham logoan ke atithy se asantusht haian?

yuvak—pathik ka kya thikana!

praudha—to bhi kuchh din thaharana hovehi ga?

yuvak—jaisi rajakumari ki ajna.

praudha—achchha, ab kal bheant hogi.

yuvak—kal to meri ichchha hai ki yahaan ka nagar-nirikshan karean , aur maharaj ka bhi darshan karean.

praudha—avashy.

itana kahakar rajaprasad ki or, rajakumari ke pichhe-pichhe chali. par , yuvak us maralagati mean mugdh kh da tha.

dvitiy parichchhed

vistrit kuntal bhar poor shram ambu kani ke.
rati shram jal lav mandit shrant vadan ramani ke..
lakhi lajaee man maanhi sahit tara sahachar gan.
chahat chhipan pashchim mean yah lanchhit shashi lanchhan..
airavat kari kumbh arun-sindoor-vibhooshit.
sam lakhat prachi mean tarani-vishv arunanchit..
malin chandr sah nakhat-paanti pashchimahian sidharat.
nav ooshapat odhi़ dhara nav roop sudharat..
shishir-kiran soan poori rahyo hariyali upavan.
viharat vayu manohar lahi parimal saroj ban..
tarani-kiran kari kari pravesh samput saroj mean.
vikasavat harashavat madhukar ganahian oj mean..
malayanil saurabhit subarasat suman kali bahu.
mridul kanth soan gavat dvij kul shakha mean kahuan..
sarita mand pravah lahar lai chalat lahar soan.
vikach nalin sah nal hilat makarand jhahar soan.
kanchaniy ravi-kiran dari nij abha sundar.
pit karat hai sit saroj gan ko ati manahar..
saanchahuan kami madhup saman madhup nalani sah.
jhoomi jhoomi guanjar madhur alap manahuan kahan..

aisi prabhatik shobha dekhata hua vah pathik manipur ke rajamarg se chala ja raha hai. is yuva ka vah viravesh nahian hai; kintu vah gayakavesh mean rajakiy mandir ke samip pahuancha. vahaan ki shobha mean usaka man mugdh ho gaya. vahaan use vina, mridang ke sath stuti-svar sunaee p da.

yuvak yah janakar ki rajakiy shivalay mean prabhatik poojan ho raha hai, usi or chala. shivalay ke suvistrit praangan mean manohar mandir madhyavarti moorti ko pranam kar yuvak bhi anand se apani vina bajakar gane laga—

he shiv, dhany tumhari maya.
jehi bas bhooli bhramat haian sabahi sur aru asur nikaya.
bhanu bhramat aru bahat samiran prakat jiv samudaya..
tav mahima ko par n pavat jehi par karahu n chhaya.
das dinata dekhi dayanidhi begi karahu ab daya..

yuvak ne aise bhaktipoorit svar se gaya ki mandir mean ke sab manushy mohit ho gaye. yuvak to ga chuka; kintu vina ki jhankar jo usake kal-kanth se mishrit gooanj rahi thi, mandir ko svar-may kiye huee thi.

isi samay do dirghakay ujjval varn purush samane se ate hue drishtigat hue aur kshanabhar mean nikat a pahuanche. yuvak ko dekhakar ek ne samipasth vyakti se poochha—mantrivar, yah kaun vyakti hai?

lai bina kar mahian bajavat yadapi ahai yah.
tadapi kahat kar-chihn dhanush ko akarshak yah..
vidyadhar sam kanti ju mukh sahaj batavat.
tabahu yah rajany kumar saris mohian bhavat..

mantrivar—manipur ke rajavansh mean pray: ek hi santan hota hua aya hai........

raja—(jo vastav mean manipur ke maharaj the)—isase kya tatpary hai?

mantrivar—kumari chitraangada jab utpann huee thian, us samay ap bahut du:khi hue the. us samay maharshi ne apase kaha ki—rajanh chintit mat ho, yah kumari b de uchch rajavansh ko svayan varan karegi, aur usaka sakshath pahale usi purush se hoga, usase ek sundar putr rajakumari ko hoga, jo ki apake vansh ko ujjval karane-vala hoga—astu, mujhe unhian maharshiji ke bataye hue pratyek lakshan is yuvak mean dikhaee p date haian.

yah sunate hi maharaj ko poorv ki katha ka smaran ho aya. unhoanne saharsh us yuvak ke samip akar poochha—

nij sukhamay agaman soan diyo pramod anand.
kehi kul udugan ke ahau kahau manohar chand?

yuvak ne pranam karake kaha—rajanh , is samay to maian ek gayak hooan.

kuchh vicharakar yuvak ko liye hue maharaj rajamandir mean aye, aur ek sundar grih mean baithakar vartalap karane lage.

maharaj—vats, ab adhik n chhipao.

dhanu akarshan ke yugal kar mean chihn lakhat.
bina savyasachi nahian, dooje mean yah bat..

yuvak (namrabhav se)—yadi ap jan gaye ki maian arjun hooan, to barambar kyoan lajjit karate haian?

maharaj—keval isalie ki is vesh mean ap kaise yahaan aye? dharmaraj to sakushal haian n?

yuvak—

gorakshan ke hetu jab, bipran kari pukar.
hauhooan tab turate gayo, jahan mam shastragar..
nrip kul choo damani tahaan, dharmaraj asin.
krishnaa ke sang lakhyo ham, kiyo pratijnahin..
karan hetu tehi pap ko, utkat prayashchit.
tirath ke payryatan mean thanyoan tab nij chitt..

maharaj—

sahi ke du:kh anek, tajat nahian nij dharm ko.
rakhat ko as tek, bina chandr kul chand ke..

to yahaan ap kahaan nivas karate haian aur kab rajy ko pavitr kiya?

arjun—rajanh , abhi kal hi to maian yahaan aya hooan , aur nagar ke samip hi ek udyan mean thahara hooan.

maharaj—par ab maian apase do batean chahata hooan, asha hai ki ap use man leange?

arjun—kaun kary hai? yadi mere kiye ho, to maian saharsh karane ke lie taiyar hooan.

maharaj—pratham ap hamara atithy svikar karean, aur doosare is rajy ki raksha karean.

arjun—pahala to ham saharsh svikar karate haian. aur manipur-rajy par mere rahate koee apatti nahian a sakati.

maharaj—yah to thik hai; par ham apase nivedan karate haian ki is rajavansh mean pray: ek santati hoti aee hai, kintu ab keval ek rajakumari hi hai, phir rajy ka uttaradhikari kaun hoga? isi hetu mera vichar hai ki—

jag zahir jag band chandakul ko sab janat.
ta kul ke tum hau kumar lakhi hiy sukh manat..
tumako kanya deee kaun b dabhagi as.
sab vidhi ko sukh ahai aur yahi mean hai bahu yas..
pai shulk-roop ham leihaian ta sut ko yah janihauan.
manipur surajy ko vahai bhavi raja manihauan..

arjun—jaisi apaki ajna.

nidan maharaj ke ajnanusar shubh samay mean vaivahik ayojan hua, aur arjun aur chitraangada vivah-mandap mean dikhaee dene lage.

havan dhoom ke ot mean jo di bhali lakhay.
manahuan jalad ke patal mean yug thir chand lakhay..

yatha riti vaivahik kary sampann hone par brahman log ashirvad dene lage—

yug-yug yah jo di jiye, avichal hovai raj.
premalata tum duhuann ki, phalai suphal sukh saj..

tritiy parichchhed

piya bisarayo kaune het?
tan man dhan sarbas jehi sauanpyo, se karat nachet..
jehi ke rang rangyo hai hiy-pat liyo sukhay sanvari.
dekhi parat nahian jahi udhaoan kusum visikh anuhari..
bina megh damini nahian rahati chaandanihu bin chand.
ao jivan moori milo ab bhuj bhari-bhari svachchhand..

mani-jatit paryank par leti huee ek sundari donoan hathoan se apane vaksh-sthal ko dabaye hue katar drishti se avaran-mukt dvar ki or nihar rahi hai. usake kunchit keshakalap vatayan se a rahe malayanil ki prerana se us ramani ke hriday ki bhaanti kabhi-kabhi kaanp uthate haian.

samane baithi huee ek stri kokil-kanth se alapati huee oopar likha git ga rahi hai, aur doosari, vina ka svar, usi sangit ki lay mean mila rahi hai. sangit samapt hote-hote vah ramani vatayan ke samip kh de hokar kalanadini nadi ke mand pravah ko nirakhane lagi. nadi ki chanchal tarangabhangi dekhakar usaka chitt aur bhi chanchal hone laga. yadyapi vah apani antarik abhilasha ko talasthayi muktaphaloan ki bhaanti gupt rakhana chahati hai, tathapi vah ashruroop se nikal hi p dati hai. ramani ke netroan se nikale hue ashru-binduoan ko kamal-kri da karane vala malay pavan makarandabindu janakar har le jata hai.

vasant ki manohar sandhya, usaki tara-mal-mandit manohar moorti aur tarapati ki kshin dipti chitraangada ko poorv smriti ki jhalak dikha deti hai. srotasvini ke apar tat ke kunjoan se oopar uthata hua chandr jagath ko rajat-ranjit bana raha hai, parantu chitraangada ka hriday andhakaramay hai.

arjun se viyog hue kee varsh bit gaye, chitraangada ne kabhi darshan bhi nahian paya.

rahe banabas sahe bahu kasht.
kiyo nij bairin ko mand nasht..
layo sukh raj mile sab bhrat.
nahian hiy mahian anand samat..
vyatit bhaye bahu basar jat.
n parath poochhat haian ik bat..
sudhiraj hay dharean kimi pran.
liyo nahian khoj aho sukhadan..

isi se chitraangada ka hriday vyathit ho raha hai. chitraangada ne nishvas le kar sakhi se kaha—sakhi! kuchh aur aisa hi gao. sakhi ne yah pady gana prarambh kiya—

madhukar priti ki riti nee.
nij din dekhat hau gulab ko kaliyaan kalit nee.
kaantan se urajhat ghoomat ho sudhi budhi bisari gee.
khilat n malayanil soan jau lauan tau lauan dhig thaharavo.
leee puhup ras nij svarath rat phir nahian muanh darasavo..

kokil-kanth-vinirgat vah madhur rag ghar bhar mean gooanj gaya aur chitraangada ki hriday-vipanchi pancham svar se baj uthi. usaki anand-smriti-sudha usake nayan-nirjhar se ashruroop hokar jharane lagi. usane usi avesh mean kahana prarambh kiya—

sakhi!
yauvan oosha pratham prakat jab hiye bhee hai.
shaishav taranikar malinata dhay lee hai..
naval rag soan rangyo gayo hiyanabh-pat aiso.
sahyo chandakar tap tadapi sandhya mean taiso..
hay pranay-smriti-soory uday nit hiy-nabh hovai.
poorv rag bistari alaukik rang sanjovai..
puni dhari tichhan kiran barasi birahagini jvala.
shant hot lahi ashruvari dharahian vishala..
tab puni dharat rag vahai jo pratham bhayo hai.
madhur karun sukh-roop hriday saurabhit kiyo hai..
nav basant ki sandhy maha sukhama-si sohai.
sahai yadapi bahu kasht tadapi man vahi mahan mohai..

‘‘sakhi! dekho to, itane din hue, prananath ne is dasi ka kuchh bhi dhyan nahian kiya. yadyapi apana chihn-svaroop lochananandadayak hridayamani yah sukumar kumar babhruvahan hamean de gaye haian; par, kya unhean isako bhi dekhane ke lie n ana chahie! haan! jivanadhar! tumako kuchh bhi daya nahian hai?’’

jyoanhi itana kahakar vah chup ho rahi ki mrigaya-vesh se susajjit ek sundar kumar ata hua dikh p da. chitraangada ne anchal se aansoo poanchhate hue us kumar ko uthakar god mean le liya.

kumar babhruvahan us samay ek anirvachaniy anand se hans raha tha, use yoan hansate dekhakar chitraangada ne poochha—vats, aj kya hai, jo itana hans rahe ho?

kumar—mata, aj b de anand ka samachar hai.

chitraangada—vah kya?

kumar—pandavoan ke ashvamedh yajn ka gho da hamare rajy ke samip pahuanch gaya hai, kal savere ham use pak d laveange.

chitraangada—(prasann hokar) achchha beta—

kumar (apani dhun mean)—mata, suna hai ki vah ashv bahut sundar hai.

chitraangada—kaisa ashv, vats?

kumar—vahi-vahi pandavoan ke ashvamedh ka.

chitraangada—(chihuankakar)—pandavoan ka? kaisa? ashvamedh ka?

kumar—apane nahian suna? dharmaraj ashvamedh kar rahe haian?

chitraangada—vats, usamean yuddh karana hoga.

kumar—mata, phir tumhare putr ko aur kya karana chahie?

chitraangada—(hansakar) achchha vats, yah to kaho ki ashv ka rakshak kaun hai?

kumar—so to abhi nahian maloom. koee bhi ho, jo hoga usase yuddh kar ashv ko avashy le aooanga.

chitraangada—achchha, prat:kal—

putr, tumhean pahanay kavach nij hathan hi te.
saji vastr sab aang deee ashish suhi te..
gorochan ko tilak bhal mangalamay daike.
lakhihauan bir prasooti hvai anand hiy laike..

chaturth parichchhed

chitraangada udyan mean ghoom rahi hai. udyan ki shobha dekhate-dekhate chitraangada ne sakhi se kaha—sakhi! kuchh is udyan ka varnan kar.

sakhi kahane lagi—

dinakar kiran prabhat mean. kusum kalin ki ghat mean..
nirakhat oosha-ot te. ambar pat mean lotate..
taru bahu kusuman bhavate. bhari sugandh ras-bhar te..
mod bhare haian jhoomate. dhara dhay kai choomate..
doorvadal ati shyamale. shishir sikt chhabi soan bhale..
paanyan soan mili jat haian. tab ati sukhad janat haian..
kyari kusumit kunj ki. papiha parimal puanj ki..
malayanil mili mohate. sukhad saras hvai sohate..

chitraangada—vah sakhi, vah! (tho di der chup rahakar)—haan sakhi, yah to bata ki ashvarakshak kaun hai, kuchh pata laga?

sakhi (sir jhukakar)—maharaj dhananjay haian.

chitraangada—kya prananath?

sakhi—haan devi, vah dekho kumar bhi chale a rahe haian.

chitraangada—ah, ab maian kya karooan?

kumar—mata ke charanoan mean pranam. ab shighr ajna kijie, kyoanki anucharoan ne ashv ko baandh liya hai aur yah samachar pakar pandavoan ne yuddh ka udyog kiya hai. maian yuddh-yatra se pahale apaka ashirvad lene ke liye aya hooan.

chitraangada—(kampit svar se)—ab to maian tumako yahi ashirvad deti hooan ki tum apane pita se bhi ashirvad pao.

kumar—kya maan, kya kaha?

sakhi—kumar, apake pita madhyam pandav dhananjay hi us gho de ke rakshak haian?

chitraangada—haan vats, jao, dev-bhakti se apane pita ka poojan kar prasann karo.

kumar—jaisi apaki ajna.

yoan kahakar kumar chal diye, aur maangalik vastu v poojanopachar lekar mantri ke sath yuddh-bhoomi mean pahuanche.

sena ke madhy se kh de hue arjun ne us tejasvi kumar ko ate hue dekha—

vir badan mahan vibha, gaman janu kehari shavak.
kar kripan jhalamalai, tej janu jvala pavak..
bhrikuti vikat vilol, kesh kandhar pai chhajai.
janu jvala kahan dhoom, gherikai atishay rajai..

poojan ki samagri lie hue mantri aur kumar ne vijay ko dandavath kiya aur mantri ne kaha—

rajy apako hi ahai ya mean sanshay nahian.
chhamahu chook anucharan ki jate shanka jahi..

arjun—achchha mantrivar, apane yah achchha socha. aise hi chatur mantriyoan se rajy ki raksha hoti hai. par, yah to kaho, yah kumar kaun hai? isaka kya nam hai?

mantri—maharaj, yah apahi ke chiranjiv babhruvahan haian, aur yahi manipur rajy ke uttaradhikari haian.

arjun—(chauankakar) kya chitraangada ka putr?

kumar—haan pitaji.

itana kah dau dakar kumar arjun ke gale se lipat gaye, aur arjun ne bhi vatsaly-sneh se kumar ko aank mean le liya.

phir savadhan hokar jab donoan samane kh de hue, tab arjun ne mantri se kaha—mantri, tum vastav mean manipur rajy ke mantri hone ke yogy ho. yadi tum pandavoan ke mantri hote, to kumar ko kabhi aisi shiksha n dete.

is par kumar ne chidhaqar kaha—kyoan pitaji, kaisi shiksha?

arjun—

"kshatradharm mahan hoy guruhuan soan kari l daee.
devavrat se gaye jaun kul lahi b daee..
tero pitu hauan soee dharm mahan dikshit hvai kai.
kari l daee maharudr soan sahas kai kai..
too soee nij janak ko arati kai rijhavan chahai.
dhikkar ahai tav matu ko laj ajauan too na gahai..
sunikatu vachan amarash-bhare, tab kopi kathin kumarane.
ajnakari rath lavane ko, tir dhanu jo dridh bane..
puni kaho teri supandavahian, " sannaddh sangar ko rahau.
yadyapi pita tum ho tadapi, hauan maian tumhari sut ahauan..

rath a gaya. yuddhavesh se sajjit kumar ne arjun ke samane akar pranam kiya, aur phir dhanush tankara.

dhaye dhari dhanu sayak sapachchh. sab vir jure dekhat sulachchh..
tab chale tir taravar bhall. kari darp dabi bhi di gaye mall..
it vijay aur unako kumar. daure duhuan pai duhuan gak bar..
duhuan ki sena pooran umang. tab karan lagi mili yuddh rang..
kah teri sarathi soan kumar. dabahuan dushtan ko ek bar..
hauan tumhean dikhao kala koti. nachaian kabandh shir paraian loti..
imi kahyau jabai kopit kumar. sainahian davyo sarathi sudhar..
lagyo pahiravan tab hajar. banan ke biran-gale har..
so kapat mitr se kanth mahi. lagi kai katat hiy soan uchhahi..
puni tikhe shar jalahi pasar. pandav kumar kiy andhakar..
tab tinhaian kati dinhoan subir. madhyam pandav bahu chho di tir..
turatahi shar jalan dinh chhay. pandav kumar puni pitahi dhay..
sab katat haian arjun sushastr. shir dhari anupam svarn-chhatr..
manu jalad-patal begihian sanvari. dinanath prakat hvai jat tari..
turatahi chhavat shar jal dari. kaushal kumar karikai vichari..
tab krodhit hvaike vijay vir. maryo kumar ke kathin tir..
moorchchhit hvai balak dand ek. puni uthyo shastr dharikai satek..
chha dyo tichhan ik mahabhall. giri paryo dhananjay maha mall..
tab kolahal bhi katak mahan. sab chakit bhaye yah drishy chah..
turatahi ik sundar ramani roop. lakhi chakit bhaye duhuan dal anoop..

vimukt-kuntala ujjval kantimayi ramani ne tatkal akar us gire hue vir dhananjay ko utha liya aur rath par arohan kar sabake dekhate-dekhate us sena se nikal gee.

kumar bhi chakit hokar niharane lage. itane mean mantri ne akar kaha ki chaliye, maharani ne apako bulaya hai.

kumar aur mantri donoan rajabhavan ki or padhare. senapatiyoan ke n rahane ke karan senaean apane-apane sthan ko laut geean.

susajjit prakoshth mean paryank par arjun lete hue haian, aur chitraangada unake mukh par sugandhit salil sinchan kar rahi hai. kumar ne bhayabhit bhav se mata ko pranam kiya.

dhananjay ko chet hua, unhoanne apane ko ek vichitr-manimay bhavan mean paya, samane dekha to chitraangada virajaman hai. arjun ne gadgadh kanth se kaha—priye! kshama karana.

chitraangada ne tatkal pranam karake kaha—aryaputr, yah ap kya kahate haian, is balak ke aparadh ko kshama kijie.

arjun ne hansakar kaha—

chirajivi sab bhaanti yah,
rahe raj sukh pai..
nij kul kahan ujjal karai.
tin lok yash chhai..