बेटों वाली विधवा -प्रेमचंद

betoan vali vidhava -premachand
manasarovar, bhag-1|150px|center
lekhak	muanshi premachand
mool shirshak	betoan vali vidhava
mukhy patr	phoolamati, kamatanath, umanath, dayanath, sitanath, pan. ayodhyanath
kathanak	pati ki mrityu ke pashchath stri ke manobhavoan, adhikar aur tatkalin samajik vyavastha ka sookshm chitran
prakashak	dilli pustak sadan
prakashan tithi	janavari 01, 2008
ISBN	978-81-88032-23
desh	bharat
prishth:	264
bhasha	hiandi
shaili	saral, yatharthavad
vishay	nari manobhavoan par adharit
vidha	kahani
bhag	ek
tippani	premachand bahumukhi pratibha sanpann sahityakar the. premachand ki rachanaoan mean tatkalin itihas bolata hai. premachand ne kahani aur upanyas donoan hi likhe haian. ve bharat ke shreshthatam kahanikar aur upanyasakar ke roop mean jane jate haian.

pandit ayodhyanath ka dehaant hua to sabane kaha, eeshvar adami ki aisi hi maut de. char javan bete the, ek l daki. charoan l dakoan ke vivah ho chuke the, keval l daki kh‍vaanri thi. sanpatti bhi kafi chho di thi. ek pakka makan, do bagiche, kee hazar ke gahane aur bis hazar nakad. vidhava phoolamati ko shok to hua aur kee din tak behal p di rahi, lekin javan betoan ko samane dekhakar use dhadhas hua. charoan l dake ek se ek sushil, charoan bahuean ek se ek badhakar ajnakarini. jab vah rat ko letati, to charoan bari-bari se usake paanv dabatian; vah snan karake uthati, to usaki sa di chhaantatian. sara ghar usake ishare par chalata tha. b da l daka kamatanath, ek daftar mean 50 ru. par naukar tha, chhota umanath, d aauktari pas kar chuka tha aur kahian aushadhalay kholane ki fikr mean tha, tisara dayanath, bi. e. mean phel ho gaya tha aur patrikaoan mean lekh likhakar kuchh n kuchh kama leta tha, chautha sitanath, charoan mean sabase kushagr buddhi aur honahar tha aur abaki sal bi. e. pratham shreni mean pas karake em. e. ki taiyari mean laga hua tha. kisi l dake mean vah durvyasan, vah chhailapan, vah lutaoopan n tha, jo mata-pita ko jalata aur kul maryada ko dubata hai. phoolamati ghar ki malakin thi. goki kuanjiyaan b di bahoo ke pas rahati thian – budhiya mean vah adhikar prem n tha, jo vriddhajanoan ko katu aur kalahashil bana diya karata hai; kintu usaki ichchha ke bina koee balak mithaee tak n manga sakata tha.

sandhya ho gayi thi. pandit ko mare aj barahavaan din tha. kal terahi hai. brahmabhoj hoga. biradari ke log nimantrit hoange. usi ki taiyariyaan ho rahi thian. phoolamati apani kothari mean baithi dekh rahi thi, palledar bore mean ata lakar rakh rahe haian. ghi ke tin a rahe haian. shak-bhaji ke tokare, shakkar ki boriyaan, dahi ke matake chale a rahe haian. mahapatr ke lie dan ki chizean layi gayian- bartan, kap de, palang, bichhavan, chhate, joote, chh diyaan, lalatenean adi; kintu phoolamati ko koee chiz nahian dikhayi gayi. niyamanusar ye sab saman usake pas ane chahie the. vah pratyek vastu ko dekhati, use pasand karati, usaki matra mean kami beshi ka phaisala karati; tab in chizoan ko bhandare mean rakha jata. kyoan use dikhane aur usaki ray lene ki zaroorat nahian samajhi gayi? achchha vah ata tin hi bora kyoan aya? usane to paanch boroan ke lie kaha tha. ghi bhi paanch hi kanastar hai. usane to das kanastar mangavae the. isi tarah shak-bhaji, shakkar, dahi adi mean bhi kami ki gayi hogi. kisane usake hukm mean hastakshep kiya? jab usane ek bat tay kar di, tab kise usako ghatane-badhane ka adhikar hai? aj chalis varshoan se ghar ke pratyek mamale mean phoolamati ki bat sarvamany thi. usane sau kaha to sau kharch kiye gaye, ek kaha to ek. kisi ne minamekh n ki. yahaan tak ki pan. ayodhyanath bhi usaki ichchha ke viruddh kuchh n karate the; par aj usaki aankhoan ke samane pratyaksh roop se usake hukm ki upeksha ki ja rahi hai! ise vah kyoankar svikar kar sakati? kuchh der tak to vah jabt kiye baithi rahi; par aant mean n raha gaya. svayatt shasan usaka svabhav ho gaya tha. vah krodh mean bhari huee ayi aur kamatanath se boli- 'kya ata tin hi bore laye? maianne to paanch boroan ke lie kaha tha aur ghi bhi paanch hi tin mangavaya! tumhean yad hai, maianne das kanastar kaha tha? kifayat ko maian bura nahian samajhati; lekin jisane yah kuaan khoda, usi ki atma pani ko tarase, yah kitani lajja ki bat hai!'

kamatanath ne kshama-yachana n ki, apani bhool bhi svikar n ki, lajjit bhi nahian hua. ek minat to vidrohi bhav se kh da raha, phir bola- 'ham logoan ki salah tin hi boroan ki huee aur tin bore ke lie paanch tin ghi kafi tha. isi hisab se aur chizean bhi kam kar di gayi haian.'
phoolamati ugr hokar boli- 'kisaki ray se ata kam kiya gaya?'
'ham logoan ki ray se.'
'to meri ray koee chiz nahian hai?'
'hai kyoan nahian; lekin apana hani-labh to ham samajhate haian?'
phoolamati hakki-bakki hokar usaka muanh takane lagi. is vaky ka ashay usaki samajh mean n aya. apana hani-labh! apane ghar mean hani-labh ki zimmedar vah ap hai. doosaroan ko, chahe ve usake pet ke janme putr hi kyoan n hoan, usake kamoan mean hastakshep karane ka kya adhikar? yah lauanda to is dhithaee se javab de raha hai, mano ghar usi ka hai, usi ne mar-marakar grihasthi jo di hai, maian to gair hooan! jara isaki hek di to dekho.
usane tamatamaye hue mukh se kaha- 'mere hani-labh ke zimmedar tum nahian ho. mujhe akhtiyar hai, jo uchit samajhooan, vah karooan. abhi jakar do bore ata aur paanch tin ghi aur lao aur age ke lie khabaradar, jo kisi ne meri bat kati.'

apane vichar mean usane kafi tanbih kar di thi. shayad itani kathorata anavashyak thi. use apani ugrata par khed hua. l dake hi to haian, samajhe hoange kuchh kifayat karani chahie. mujhase isalie n poochha hoga ki ammaan to khud harek kam mean kifayat karati haian. agar inhean maloom hota ki is kam mean maian kifayat pasand n karooangi, to kabhi inhean meri upeksha karane ka sahas n hota. yadyapi kamatanath ab bhi usi jagah kh da tha aur usaki bhavabhangi se aisa jnat hota tha ki is ajna ka palan karane ke lie vah bahut utsuk nahian, par phoolamati nishchiant hokar apani kothari mean chali gayi. itani tanbih par bhi kisi ko usaki avajna karane ki samarthy ho sakati hai, isaki sanbhavana ka dhyan bhi use n aya.
par jyoan-jyoan samay bitane laga, us par yah hakikat khulane lagi ki is ghar mean ab usaki vah haisiyat nahian rahi, jo das barah din pahale thi. sanbandhiyoan ke yahaan ke nevate mean shakkar, mithaee, dahi, achar adi a rahe the. b di bahoo in vastuoan ko svamini bhav se sanbhal-sanbhalakar rakh rahi thi. koee bhi usase poochhane nahian ata. biradari ke log jo kuchh poochhate haian, kamatanath se ya b di bahoo se. kamatanath kahaan ka b da iantajamakar hai, rat-din bhang piye p da rahata haian kisi tarah ro-dhokar daftar chala jata hai. usamean bhi mahine mean pandrah nagoan se kam nahian hote. vah to kaho, sahab pandit ji ka lihaz karata hai, nahian ab tak kabhi ka nikal deta aur b di bahoo jaisi phooh d aurat bhala in sab batoan ko kya samajhegi! apane kap de-latte tak to jatan se rakh nahian sakati, chali hai grihasthi chalane! bhad hogi aur kya. sab milakar kul ki nak katavayeange. vakt par koee n koee chiz kam ho jayegi. in kamoan ke lie b da anubhav chahie. koee chiz to itani ban jayegi ki mari-mari phiregi. koee chiz itani kam banegi ki kisi pattal par pahuanchegi, kisi par nahian. akhir in saboan ko ho kya gaya hai! achchha, bahoo tijori kyoan khol rahi hai? vah meri ajna ke bina tijori kholane vali kaun hoti hai? kuanji usake pas hai avashy; lekin jab tak maian rupaye n nikalavaooan, tijori nahian khulati. aj to is tarah khol rahi hai, mano maian kuchh hooan hi nahian. yah mujhase n bardasht hoga!

vah jhamakakar uthi aur bahoo ke pas jakar kathor svar mean boli- 'tijori kyoan kholati ho bahoo, maianne to kholane ko nahian kaha?'
b di bahoo ne ni:sankoch bhav se uttar diya- 'bazar se saman aya hai, to dam n diya jayega.'
'kaun chiz kis bhav mean ayi hai aur kitani ayi hai, yah mujhe kuchh nahian maloom! jab tak hisab-kitab n ho jaye, rupaye kaise diye jayan?'
'hisab kitab sab ho gaya hai.'
'kisane kiya?'
'ab maian kya janooan kisane kiya? jakar maradoan se poochho! mujhe hukm mila, rupaye lakar de do, rupaye liye jati hooan!'
phoolamati khoon ka ghooant pikar rah gayi. is vakt big dane ka avasar n tha. ghar mean mehaman stri-purush bhare hue the. agar is vakt usane l dakoan ko daanta, to log yahi kaheange ki inake ghar mean pandit ji ke marate hi phoot p d gayi. dil par patthar rakhakar phir apani kothari mean chali gayi. jab mehaman vida ho jayeange, tab vah ek-ek ki khabar legi. tab dekhegi, kaun usake samane ata hai aur kya kahata hai. inaki sari chauk di bhula degi.

kintu kothari ke ekaant mean bhi vah nishchiant n baithi thi. sari paristhiti ko giddh drishti se dekh rahi thi, kahaan satkar ka kaun-sa niyam bhang hota hai, kahaan maryadaoan ki upeksha ki jati hai. bhoj arambh ho gaya. sari biradari ek sath pangat mean baitha di gayi. aangan mean mushkil se do sau adami baith sakate haian. ye paanch sau adami itani-si jagah mean kaise baith jayeange? kya adami ke oopar adami bithae jayeange? do pangatoan mean log bithaye jate to kya buraee ho jati? yahi to hota ki barah baje ki jagah bhoj do baje samapt hota; magar yahaan to sabako sone ki jaldi p di huee hai. kisi tarah yah bala sir se tale aur chain se soyean! log kitane satakar baithe hue haian ki kisi ko hilane ki bhi jagah nahian. pattal ek-par-ek rakhe hue haian. pooriyaan thandi ho geean. log garam-garam maang rahe haian. maide ki pooriyaan thandi hokar chim di ho jati haian. inhean kaun khayega? rasoiye ko kadhav par se n jane kyoan utha diya gaya? yahi sab batean nak katane ki haian.

sahasa shor macha, tarakariyoan mean namak nahian. b di bahoo jaldi-jaldi namak pisane lagi. phoolamati krodh ke mare oth chaba rahi thi, par is avasar par muanh n khol sakati thi. namak pisa aur pattaloan par dala gaya. itane mean phir shor macha- pani garam hai, thanda pani lao! thande pani ka koee prabandh n tha, barf bhi n mangaee gayi. adami bazar dau daya gaya, magar bazar mean itani rat gaye barf kahaan? adami khali hath laut aya. mehamanoan ko vahi nal ka garam pani pina p da. phoolamati ka bas chalata, to l dakoan ka muanh noanch leti. aisi chhichhaledar usake ghar mean kabhi n huee thi. us par sab malik banane ke lie marate haian. barf jaisi zaroori chiz mangavane ki bhi kisi ko sudhi n thi! sudhi kahaan se rahe- jab kisi ko gap l dane se phursat mile. mehaman apane dil mean kya kaheange ki chale haian biradari ko bhoj dene aur ghar mean barf tak nahian!
achchha, phir yah halachal kyoan mach gayi? are, log pangat se uthe ja rahe haian. kya mamala hai?
phoolamati udasin n rah saki. kothari se nikalakar baramade mean ayi aur kamatanath se poochha- 'kya bat ho gayi lalla? log uthe kyoan ja rahe haian?' kamata ne koee javab n diya. vahaan se khisak gaya. phoolamati jhuanjhalakar rah gayi. sahasa kaharin mil gayi. phoolamati ne usase bhi yah prashn kiya. maloom hua, kisi ke shorabe mean mari huee chuhiya nikal ayi. phoolamati chitralikhit-si vahian kh di rah gayi. bhitar aisa ubal utha ki divar se sir takara le! abhage bhoj ka prabandh karane chale the. is phooh dapan ki koee had hai, kitane adamiyoan ka dharm satyanash ho gaya! phir pangat kyoan n uth jaye? aankhoan se dekhakar apana dharm kaun ganvayega? ha! sara kiya-dhara mitti mean mil gaya. saik doan rupaye par pani phir gaya! badanami huee vah alag.

mehaman uth chuke the. pattaloan par khana jyoan-ka-tyoan p da hua tha. charoan l dake aangan mean lajjit kh de the. ek doosare ko iljam de raha tha. b di bahoo apani devaraniyoan par big d rahi thi. devaraniyaan sara dosh kumud ke sir dalati thi. kumud kh di ro rahi thi. usi vakt phoolamati jhallayi huee akar boli- 'muanh mean kalikh lagi ki nahian ya abhi kuchh kasar baki hai? doob maro, sab-ke-sab jakar chilloo-bhar pani mean! shahar mean kahian muanh dikhane layaq bhi nahian rahe.' kisi l dake ne javab n diya.
phoolamati aur bhi prachand hokar boli- 'tum logoan ko kya? kisi ko sharm-haya to hai nahian. atma to unaki ro rahi hai, jinhoanne apani zi ndagi ghar ki marajad banane mean kharab kar di. unaki pavitr atma ko tumane yoan kalankit kiya? shahar mean thu di-thu di ho rahi hai. ab koee tumhare dvar par peshab karane to ayega nahian!'
kamatanath kuchh der tak to chupachap kh da sunata raha. akhir jhuanjhala kar bola- 'achchha, ab chup raho ammaan. bhool huee, ham sab manate haian, b di bhayankar bhool huee, lekin ab kya usake lie ghar ke praniyoan ko halal-kar dalogi? sabhi se bhoolean hoti haian. adami pachhatakar rah jata hai. kisi ki jan to nahian mari jati?'
b di bahoo ne apani saphaee di- 'ham kya janate the ki bibi (kumud) se itana-sa kam bhi n hoga. inhean chahie tha ki dekhakar tarakari kadhav mean dalatian. tokari uthakar kadhav me dal di! hamara kya dosh!'
kamatanath ne patni ko daanta- 'isamean n kumud ka kasoor hai, n tumhara, n mera. sanyog ki bat hai. badanami bhag mean likhi thi, vah huee. itane b de bhoj mean ek-ek mutthi tarakari kadhav mean nahian dali jati! tokare-ke-tokare u del die jate haian. kabhi-kabhi aisi durghatana hoti hai. par isamean kaisi jag-hansaee aur kaisi nak-kataee. tum khamakhah jale par namak chhi dakati ho!'
phoolamati ne daant pisakar kaha- 'sharamate to nahian, ulate aur behayaee ki batean karate ho.'
kamatanath ne ni:sankoch hokar kaha- 'sharamaooan kyoan, kisi ki chori ki haian? chini mean chiante aur ate mean ghun, yah nahian dekhe jate. pahale hamari nigah n p di, bas, yahian bat big d gayi. nahian, chupake se chuhiya nikalakar pheank dete. kisi ko khabar bhi n hoti.'
phoolamati ne chakit hokar kaha- 'kya kahata hai, mari chuhiya khilakar sabaka dharm biga d deta?'
kamata hansakar bola- 'kya purane jamane ki batean karati ho ammaan. in batoan se dharm nahian jata? yah dharmatma log jo pattal par se uth gaye haian, inamean se kaun hai, jo bhe d-bakari ka maans n khata ho? talab ke kachhue aur ghoanghe tak to kisi se bachate nahian. zara-si chuhiya mean kya rakha tha!'
phoolamati ko aisa pratit hua ki ab pralay ane mean bahut der nahian hai. jab padhe-likhe adamiyoan ke man me aise adharmik bhav ane lage, to phir dharm ki bhagavan hi raksha karean. apana-sa muanh lekar chali gayi.

2

do mahine gujar gaye haian. rat ka samay hai. charoan bhaee din ke kam se chhutti pakar kamare mean baithe gap-shap kar rahe haian. b di bahoo bhi shadyantr mean sharik hai. kumud ke vivah ka prashn chhi da hua hai.

kamatanath ne masanad par tek lagate hue kaha- 'dada ki bat dada ke sath gayi. pandit vidvanh bhi haian aur kulin bhi hoange. lekin jo adami apani vidya aur kulinata ko rupayoan par beche, vah nich hai. aise nich adami ke l dake se ham kumud ka vivah seant mean bhi n kareange, paanch hazar to door ki bat hai. use batao dhata aur kisi doosare var ki talash karo. hamare pas kul bis hazar hi to haian. ek-ek ke hisse mean paanch-paanch hazar ate haian. paanch hazar dahej mean de dean, aur paanch hazar neg-nyochhavar, baje-gaje mean u da dean, to phir hamari badhiya hi baith jayegi.'
umanath bole- 'mujhe apana aushadhalay kholane ke lie kam-se-kam paanch hazar ki zaroorat hai. maian apane hisse mean se ek paee bhi nahian de sakata. phir khulate hi amadani to hogi nahian. kam-se-kam sal-bhar ghar se khana p dega.'
dayanath ek samachar-patr dekh rahe the. aankhoan se ainak utarate hue bole- 'mera vichar bhi ek patr nikalane ka hai. pres aur patr mean kam-se-kam das hazar ka kaipital chahie. paanch hazar mere raheange to koee-n-koee sajhedar bhi mil jayega. patroan mean lekh likhakar mera nirvah nahian ho sakata.'
kamatanath ne sir hilate hue kaha- 'aji, ram bhajo, seant mean koee lekh chhapata nahian, rupaye kaun deta hai.'
dayanath ne prativad kiya- 'nahian, yah bat to nahian hai. maian to kahian bhi bina peshagi puraskar liye nahian likhata.'
kamata ne jaise apane shabd vapas liye- 'tumhari bat maian nahian kahata bhaee. tum to tho da-bahut mar lete ho, lekin sabako to nahian milata.'
b di bahoo ne shraddha bhav ne kaha- 'kanya bhagyavan ho to daridr ghar mean bhi sukhi rah sakati hai. abhagi ho, to raja ke ghar mean bhi royegi. yah sab nasiboan ka khel hai.'
kamatanath ne stri ki or prashansa-bhav se dekha- 'phir isi sal hamean sita ka vivah bhi to karana hai.'
sitanath sabase chhota tha. sir jhukaye bhaiyoan ki svarth-bhari batean sun-sunakar kuchh kahane ke lie utavala ho raha tha. apana nam sunate hi bola- 'mere vivah ki ap log chinta n karean. maian jab tak kisi dhandhe mean n lag jaooanga, vivah ka nam bhi n looanga; aur sach poochhiye to maian vivah karana hi nahian chahata. desh ko is samay balakoan ki zaroorat nahian, kam karane valoan ki zaroorat hai. mere hisse ke rupaye ap kumud ke vivah mean kharch kar dean. sari batean tay ho jane ke bad yah uchit nahian hai ki pandit murarilal se sanbandh to d liya jaye.'
uma ne tivr svar mean kaha- 'das hazar kahaan se ayeange?'
sita ne darate hue kaha- 'maian to apane hisse ke rupaye dene ko kahata hooan.'
‘aur shesh?’
‘murarilal se kaha jaye ki dahej mean kuchh kami kar dean. ve itane svarthaandh nahian haian ki is avasar par kuchh bal khane ko taiyar n ho jayean, agar vah tin hazar mean santusht ho jaean to paanch hazar mean vivah ho sakata hai.'
uma ne kamatanath se kaha- 'sunate haian bhaee sahab, isaki batean.'
dayanath bol uthe- 'to isamean ap logoan ka kya nukasan hai? mujhe to is bat se khushi ho rahi hai ki bhala, hamamean koee to tyag karane yogy hai. inhean tatkal rupaye ki zaroorat nahian hai. sarakar se vazifa pate hi haian. pas hone par kahian-n-kahian jagah mil jayegi. ham logoan ki halat to aisi nahian hai.'
kamatanath ne dooradarshita ka parichay diya- 'nukasan ki ek hi kahi. hamamean se ek ko kasht ho to kya aur log baithe dekheange? yah abhi l dake haian, inhean kya maloom, samay par ek rupaya ek lakh ka kam karata hai. kaun janata hai, kal inhean vilayat jakar padhane ke lie sarakari vazifa mil jaye ya sivil sarvis mean a jayean. us vaqt saphar ki taiyariyoan mean char-paanch hazar lag jaeange. tab kisake samane hath phailate phireange? maian yah nahian chahata ki dahej ke pichhe inaki zindagi nasht ho jaye.'
is tark ne sitanath ko bhi to d liya. sakuchata hua bola- 'haan, yadi aisa hua to beshak mujhe rupaye ki zaroorat hogi.'
‘kya aisa hona asanbhav hai?
‘asabhanv to maian nahian samajhata; lekin kathin avashy hai. vajiphe unhean milate haian, jinake pas sipharishean hoti haian, mujhe kaun poochhata hai.’
‘kabhi-kabhi sipharishean dhari rah jati haian aur bina sipharish vale bazi mar le jate haian.’
‘to ap jaisa uchit samajhean. mujhe yahaan tak manjoor hai ki chahe maian vilayat n jaooan; par kumud achchhe ghar jaye.‘
kamatanath ne nishtha-bhav se kaha- 'achchha ghar dahej dene hi se nahian milata bhaiya! jaisa tumhari bhabhi ne kaha, yah nasiboan ka khel hai. maian to chahata hooan ki murarilal ko javab de diya jaye aur koee aisa ghar khoja jaye, jo tho de mean raji ho jaye. is vivah mean maian ek hazar se zyada nahian kharch kar sakata. pandit dinadayal kaise haian?'
uma ne prasann hokar kaha- 'bahut achchhe. em.e., bi.e. n sahi, yajamanoan se achchhi amadani hai.'
dayanath ne apatti ki- 'ammaan se bhi poochh to lena chahie.'
kamatanath ko isaki koee zaroorat n maloom huee. bole- 'unaki to jaise buddhi hi bhrasht ho gayi. vahi purane yug ki batean! murarilal ke nam par udhar khaye baithi haian. yah nahian samajhatian ki vah zamana nahian raha. unako to bas, kumud murari pandit ke ghar jaye, chahe ham log tabah ho jayean.'
uma ne ek shanka upasthit ki- 'ammaan apane sab gahane kumud ko de deangi, dekh lijiega.'
kamatanath ka svarth niti se vidroh n kar saka. bole- 'gahanoan par unaka poora adhikar hai. yah unaka stridhan hai. jise chahean, de sakati haian.'
uma ne kaha- 'stridhan hai to kya vah use luta deangi. akhir vah bhi to dada hi ki kamaee hai.'
‘kisi ki kamaee ho. stridhan par unaka poora adhikar hai!’
‘yah qanooni gorakhadhandhe haian. bis hazar mean to char hissedar hoan aur das hazar ke gahane ammaan ke pas rah jayean. dekh lena, inhian ke bal par vah kumud ka vivah murari pandit ke ghar kareangi.‘
umanath itani b di rakam ko itani asani se nahian chho d sakata. vah kapat-niti mean kushal hai. koee kaushal rachakar mata se sare gahane le lega. us vakt tak kumud ke vivah ki charcha karake phoolamati ko bh dakana uchit nahian. kamatanath ne sir hilakar kaha- 'bhaee, maian in chaloan ko pasand nahian karata.'
umanath ne khisiyakar kaha- 'gahane das hazar se kam ke n hoange.'
kamata avichalit svar mean bole- 'kitane hi ke hoan; maian aniti mean hath nahian dalana chahata.'
‘to ap alag baithie. haan, bich mean bhaanji n mariega.‘
‘maian alag rahooanga.‘
‘aur tum sita?’
‘alag rahooanga.‘
lekin jab dayanath se yahi prashn kiya gaya, to vah umanath se sahayog karane ko taiyar ho gaya. das hazar mean dhaee hazar to usake hoange hi. itani b di rakam ke lie yadi kuchh kaushal bhi karana p de to kshamy hai.

3

phoolamati rat ko bhojan karake leti thi ki uma aur daya usake pas ja kar baith gaye. donoan aisa muanh banae hue the, mano koee bhari vipatti a p di hai. phoolamati ne sashank hokar poochha- 'tum donoan ghab daye hue maloom hote ho?'

uma ne sir khujalate hue kaha- 'samachar-patroan mean lekh likhana b de jokhim ka kam hai ammaan! kitana hi bachakar likho, lekin kahian-n-kahian pak d ho hi jati hai. dayanath ne ek lekh likha tha. us par paanch hazar ki jamanat maangi gayi hai. agar kal tak jama n kar di gayi, to giraftar ho jayeange aur das sal ki saza thuk jayegi.'
phoolamati ne sir pitakar kaha- 'aisi batean kyoan likhate ho beta? janate nahian ho, ajakal hamare adin ae hue haian. jamanat kisi tarah tal nahian sakati?'
dayanath ne aparadhi-bhav se uttar diya- 'maianne to ammaan, aisi koee bat nahian likhi thi; lekin kismat ko kya karooan. hakim zila itana k da hai ki zara bhi riyayat nahian karata. maianne jitani dau d-dhoop ho sakati thi, vah sab kar li.'
‘to tumane kamata se rupaye ka prabandh karane ko nahian kaha?’
uma ne muanh banaya- 'unaka svabhav to tum janati ho ammaan, unhean rupaye pranoan se pyare haian. inhean chahe kalapani hi ho jaye, vah ek paee n deange.'
dayanath ne samarthan kiya- 'maianne to unase isaka zikr hi nahian kiya.'
phoolamati ne charapaee se uthate hue kaha- 'chalo, maian kahati hooan, dega kaise nahian? rupaye isi din ke lie hote haian ki ga dakar rakhane ke lie?'
umanath ne mata ko rokakar kaha- 'nahian ammaan, unase kuchh n kaho. rupaye to n deange, ulte aur hay-hay machayeange. unako apani naukari ki khairiyat manani hai, inhean ghar mean rahane bhi n deange. afasaroan mean jakar khabar de dean to ashchary nahian.'
phoolamati ne lachar hokar kaha- 'to phir jamanat ka kya prabandh karoge? mere pas to kuchh nahian hai. haan, mere gahane haian, inhean le jao, kahian giroan rakhakar jamanat de do. aur aj se kan pak do ki kisi patr mean ek shabd bhi n likhoge.'
dayanath kanoan par hath rakhakar bola- 'yah to nahian ho sakata ammaan, ki tumhare jevar lekar maian apani jan bachaooan. das-paanch sal ki qaid hi to hogi, jhel looanga. yahian baitha-baitha kya kar raha hooan!'
phoolamati chhati pitate hue boli- 'kaisi batean muanh se nikalate ho beta, mere jite-ji tumhean kaun giraftar kar sakata hai! usaka muanh jhulas dooangi. gahane isi din ke lie haian ya aur kisi din ke lie! jab tumhian n rahoge, to gahane lekar kya ag mean jhokooangian!'
usane pitari lakar usake samane rakh di.
daya ne uma ki or jaise phariyad ki aankhoan se dekha aur bola- 'apaki kya ray hai bhaee sahab? isi mare maian kahata tha, ammaan ko batane ki zaroorat nahian. jel hi to ho jati ya aur kuchh?'
uma ne jaise sipharish karate hue kaha- 'yah kaise ho sakata tha ki itani b di varadat ho jati aur ammaan ko khabar n hoti. mujhase yah nahian ho sakata tha ki sunakar pet mean dal leta; magar ab karana kya chahie, yah maian khud nirnay nahian kar sakata. n to yahi achchha lagata hai ki tum jel jao aur n yahi achchha lagata hai ki ammaan ke gahane giroan rakhe jayean.'
phoolamati ne vyathit kanth se poochha- 'kya tum samajhate ho, mujhe gahane tumase zyada pyare haian? maian to pran tak tumhare oopar nyochhavar kar dooan, gahanoan ki bisat hi kya hai.'
daya ne dridhata se kaha- 'ammaan, tumhare gahane to n looanga, chahe mujh par kuchh hi kyoan n a p de. jab aj tak tumhari kuchh seva n kar saka, to kis muanh se tumhare gahane utha le jaooan? mujh jaise kapoot ko to tumhari kokh se janm hi n lena chahie tha. sada tumhean kasht hi deta raha.'

phoolamati ne bhi utani hi dridhata se kaha- 'agar yoan n loge, to maian khud jakar inhean giroan rakh dooangi aur khud hakim zila ke pas jakar jamanat jama kar aooangi; agar ichchha ho to yah pariksha bhi le lo. aankhean band ho jane ke bad kya hoga, bhagavan janean, lekin jab tak jiti hooan tumhari or koee tirachhi aankhoan se dekh nahian sakata.'
umanath ne mano mata par ehasan rakhakar kaha- ab to tumhare lie koee rasta nahian raha dayanath. kya haraj hai, le lo; magar yad rakho, jyoan hi hath mean rupaye a jayean, gahane chhu dane p deange. sach kahate haian, matritv dirgh tapasya hai. mata ke sivay itana sneh aur kaun kar sakata hai? ham b de abhage haian ki mata ke prati jitani shradh‌dha rakhani chahie, usaka shataansh bhi nahian rakhate.
donoan ne jaise b de dharmasankat mean p dakar gahanoan ki pitari sanbhali aur chalate bane. mata vatsaly-bhari aankhoan se unaki or dekh rahi thi aur usaki sanpoorn atma ka ashirvad jaise unhean apani god mean samet lene ke lie vyakul ho raha tha. aj kee mahine ke bad usake bhagn matri-hriday ko apana sarvasv arpan karake jaise anand ki vibhooti mili. usaki svamini kalpana isi tyag ke lie, isi atmasamarpan ke lie jaise koee marg dhooandhati rahati thi. adhikar ya lobh ya mamata ki vahaan gandh tak n thi. tyag hi usaka anand aur tyag hi usaka adhikar hai. aj apana khoya hua adhikar pakar apani siraji huee pratima par apane pranoan ki bheant karake vah nihal ho gayi.

4

tin mahine aur gujar gaye. maan ke gahanoan par hath saf karake charoan bhaee usaki dilajoee karane lage the. apani striyoan ko bhi samajhate the ki usaka dil n dukhayean. agar tho de-se shishtachar se usaki atma ko shaanti milati hai, to isamean kya hani hai. charoan karate apane man ki, par mata se salah le lete ya aisa jal phailate ki vah sarala unaki batoan mean a jati aur harek kam mean sahamat ho jati. bag ko bechana use bahut bura lagata tha;lekin charoan ne aisi maya rachi ki vah use bechane par raji ho gayi, kintu kumud ke vivah ke vishay mean mataiky n ho saka. maan pan. murarilal par jami huee thi, l dake dinadayal par a de hue the. ek din apas mean kalah ho gayi.
phoolamati ne kaha- maan-bap ki kamaee mean beti ka hissa bhi hai. tumhean solah hazar ka ek bag mila, pachchis hazar ka ek makan. bis hazar nakad mean kya paanch hazar bhi kumud ka hissa nahian hai?
kamata ne namrata se kaha- ammaan, kumud apaki l daki hai, to hamari bahan hai. ap do-char sal mean prasthan kar jayeangi; par hamara aur usaka bahut dinoan tak sanbandh rahega. tab ham yathashakti koee aisi bat n kareange, jisase usaka amangal ho; lekin hisse ki bat kahati ho, to kumud ka hissa kuchh nahian. dada jivit the, tab aur bat thi. vah usake vivah mean jitana chahate, kharch karate. koee unaka hath n pak d sakata tha; lekin ab to hamean ek-ek paise ki kiphayat karani p degi. jo kam hazar mean ho jaye, usake lie paanch hazar kharch karana kahaan ki buddhimani hai?
umanath se sudhara- paanch hazar kyoan, das hazar kahie.
kamata ne bhavean siko dakar kaha- nahian, maian paanch hazar hi kahooanga; ek vivah mean paanch hazar kharch karane ki hamari haisiyat nahian hai.
phoolamati ne zid pak dakar kaha- vivah to murarilal ke putr se hi hoga, paanch hazar kharch hoan, chahe das hajar. mere pati ki kamaee hai. maianne mar-marakar jo da hai. apani ichchha se kharch karooangi. tumhian ne meri kokh se nahian janm liya hai. kumud bhi usi kokh se ayi hai. meri aankhoan mean tum sab barabar ho. maian kisi se kuchh maangati nahian. tum baithe tamasha dekho, maian sab-kuchh kar looangi. bis hazar mean paanch hazar kumud ka hai.
kamatanath ko ab k dave saty ki sharan lene ke siva aur marg n raha. bola- ammaan, tum barabas bat badhati ho. jin rupayoan ko tum apana samajhati ho, vah tumhare nahian haian; tum hamari anumati ke bina unamean se kuchh nahian kharch kar sakati.
phoolamati ko jaise sarp ne das liya- kya kaha! phir to kahana! maian apane hi sanche rupaye apani ichchha se nahian kharch kar sakati?
‘vah rupaye tumhare nahian rahe, hamare ho gaye.‘
‘tumhare hoange; lekin mere marane ke pichhe.‘
‘nahian, dada ke marate hi hamare ho gaye!’
umanath ne behayaee se kaha- ammaan, qanoon-kayada to janatian nahian, nahak uchhalati haian.
phoolamati krodh-vihval rokar boli- bha d mean jaye tumhara qanoon. maian aise qanoon ko nahian janati. tumhare dada aise koee dhannaseth nahian the. maianne hi pet aur tan katakar yah grihasthi jo di hai, nahian aj baithane ki chhaanh n milati! mere jite-ji tum mere rupaye nahian chhoo sakate. maianne tin bhaiyoan ke vivah mean das-das hazar kharch kiye haian. vahi maian kumud ke vivah mean bhi kharch karooangi.
kamatanath bhi garm p da- 'apako kuchh bhi kharch karane ka adhikar nahian hai.'
umanath ne b de bhaee ko daanta- 'ap khamakhvah ammaan ke muanh lagate haian bhaee sahab! murarilal ko patr likh dijie ki tumhare yahaan kumud ka vivah n hoga. bas, chhutti huee. kayada-qanoon to janatian nahian, vyarth ki bahas karati haian.'
phoolamati ne sanyamit svar mean kaha- 'achchha, kya qanoon hai, jara maian bhi sunooan.'
uma ne nirih bhav se kaha- 'qanoon yahi hai ki bap ke marane ke bad jayadad betoan ki ho jati hai. maan ka hak keval roti-kap de ka hai.'
phoolamati ne t dapakar poochha- 'kisane yah qanoon banaya hai?'
uma shaant sthir svar mean bola- 'hamare rrishiyoan ne, maharaj manu ne, aur kisane?'
phoolamati ek kshan avak rahakar ahat kanth se boli- 'to is ghar mean maian tumhare tuk doan par p di huee hooan?'
umanath ne nyayadhish ki nirmamata se kaha- 'tum jaisa samajho.'
phoolamati ki sanpoorn atma mano is vajrapat se chitkar karane lagi. usake mukh se jalati huee chinagariyoan ki bhaanti yah shabd nikal p de- 'maianne ghar banavaya, maianne sanpatti jo di, maianne tumhean janm diya, pala aur aj maian is ghar mean gair hooan? manu ka yahi qanoon hai? aur tum usi qanoon par chalana chahate ho? achchhi bat hai. apana ghar-dh‌var lo. mujhe tumhari ashrita banakar rahata svikar nahian. isase kahian achchha hai ki mar jaooan. vah re aandher! maianne pe d lagaya aur maian hi usaki chhaanh mean kh di nahian ho sakati; agar yahi qanoon hai, to isamean ag lag jaye.'
charoan yuvakoan par mata ke is krodh aur atank ka koee asar n hua. qanoon ka fauladi kavach unaki raksha kar raha tha. in kaantoan ka un par kya asar ho sakata tha?
jara der mean phoolamati uthakar chali gayi. aj jivan mean pahali bar usaka vatsaly magn matritv abhishap banakar use dhikkarane laga. jis matritv ko usane jivan ki vibhooti samajha tha, jisake charanoan par vah sadaiv apani samast abhilashaoan aur kamanaoan ko arpit karake apane ko dhany manati thi, vahi matritv aj use agnikuand-sa jan p da, jisamean usaka jivan jalakar bhasm ho gaya.
sandhya ho gayi thi. dvar par nim ka vriksh sir jhukae, nistabdh kh da tha, mano sansar ki gati par kshubdh ho raha ho. astachal ki or prakash aur jivan ka devata phoolavati ke matritv hi ki bhaanti apani chita mean jal raha tha.

5

phoolamati apane kamare mean jakar leti, to use maloom hua, usaki kamar toot gayi hai. pati ke marate hi apane pet ke l dake usake shatru ho jayeange, usako svapn mean bhi anuman n tha. jin l dakoan ko usane apana hriday-rakt pila-pilakar pala, vahi aj usake hriday par yoan aghat kar rahe haian! ab vah ghar use kaantoan ki sej ho raha tha. jahaan usaki kuchh kadr nahian, kuchh ginati nahian, vahaan anathoan ki bhaanti p di rotiyaan khaye, yah usaki abhimani prakriti ke lie asahy tha. par upay hi kya tha? vah l dakoan se alag hokar rahe bhi to nak kisaki kategi! sansar use thooke to kya, aur l dakoan ko thooke to kya; badanami to usi ki hai. duniya yahi to kahegi ki char javan betoan ke hote budhiya alag p di huee majoori karake pet pal rahi hai! jinhean usane hamesha nich samajha, vahi us par hanseange. nahian, vah apaman is anadar se kahian zyada hridayavidarak tha. ab apana aur ghar ka parada dhaka rakhane mean hi kushal hai. haan, ab use apane ko nayi paristhitiyoan ke anukool banana p dega. samay badal gaya hai. ab tak svamini banakar rahi, ab lauandi banakar rahana p dega. eeshvar ki yahi ichchha hai. apane betoan ki batean aur latean gairoan ki batoan aur latoan ki apeksha phir bhi ganimat haian.

vah b di der tak muanh dhaanpe apani dasha par roti rahi. sari rat isi atm-vedana mean kat gayi. sharad ka prabhav darata-darata usha ki god se nikala, jaise koee qaidi chhipakar jel se bhag aya ho. phoolamati apane niyam ke viruddh aj t dake hi uthi, rat-bhar mean usaka manasik parivartan ho chuka tha. sara ghar so raha tha aur vah aangan mean jhadoo laga rahi thi. rat-bhar os mean bhigi huee usaki pakki zamin usake nange pairoan mean kaantoan ki tarah chubh rahi thi. pandit ji use kabhi itane savere uthane n dete the. shit usake lie bahut hanikarak tha. par ab vah din nahian rahe. prakriti us ko bhi samay ke sath badal dene ka prayatn kar rahi thi. jhadoo se phurasat pakar usane ag jalayi aur chaval-dal ki kank diyaan chunane lagi. kuchh der mean l dake jage. bahuean uthian. sabhi ne budhiya ko sardi se siku de hue kam karate dekha; par kisi ne yah n kaha ki ammaan, kyoan halakan hoti ho? shayad sab-ke-sab budhiya ke is man-mardan par prasann the.

aj se phoolamati ka yahi niyam ho gaya ki ji to dakar ghar ka kam karana aur aantarang niti se alag rahana. usake mukh par jo ek atmagaurav jhalakata rahata tha, usaki jagah ab gahari vedana chhayi huee najar ati thi. jahaan bijali jalati thi, vahaan ab tel ka diya timatima raha tha, jise bujha dene ke lie hava ka ek halka-sa jhoanka kafi hai.

murarilal ko iankari-patr likhane ki bat pakki ho chuki thi. doosare din patr likh diya gaya. dinadayal se kumud ka vivah nishchit ho gaya. dinadayal ki umr chalis se kuchh adhik thi, maryada mean bhi kuchh hethe the, par roti-dal se khush the. bina kisi thaharav ke vivah karane par raji ho gaye. tithi niyat huee, barat ayi, vivah hua aur kumud bida kar di gayi phoolamati ke dil par kya gujar rahi thi, ise kaun jan sakata hai; par charoan bhaee bahut prasann the, mano unake hriday ka kaanta nikal gaya ho. ooanche kul ki kanya, muanh kaise kholati? bhagy mean sukh bhogana likha hoga, sukh bhogegi; du:kh bhogana likha hoga, du:kh jhelegi. hari ichchha bekasoan ka aantim avalanb hai. gharavaloan ne jisase vivah kar diya, usamean hazar aib hoan, to bhi vah usaka upasy, usaka svami hai. pratirodh usaki kalpana se pare tha.

phoolamati ne kisi kam mean dakhal n diya. kumud ko kya diya gaya, mehamanoan ka kaisa satkar kiya gaya, kisake yahaan se nevate mean kya aya, kisi bat se bhi use sarokar n tha. usase koee salah bhi li gayi to yahi kaha- 'beta, tum log jo karate ho, achchha hi karate ho. mujhase kya poochhate ho!'

jab kumud ke lie dvar par doli a gayi aur kumud maan ke gale lipatakar rone lagi, to vah beti ko apani kothari mean le gayi aur jo kuchh sau pachas rupaye aur do-char mamooli gahane usake pas bach rahe the, beti ki aanchal mean dalakar boli- 'beti, meri to man ki man mean rah gayi, nahian to kya aj tumhara vivah is tarah hota aur tum is tarah vida ki jatian!'

aj tak phoolamati ne apane gahanoan ki bat kisi se n kahi thi. l dakoan ne usake sath jo kapat-vyavahar kiya tha, ise chahe ab tak n samajhi ho, lekin itana janati thi ki gahane phir n mileange aur manomaliny badhane ke siva kuchh hath n lagega; lekin is avasar par use apani saphaee dene ki zaroorat maloom huee. kumud yah bhav man me lekar jaye ki ammaan ne apane gahane bahuoan ke lie rakh chho de, ise vah kisi tarah n sah sakati thi, isalie vah use apani kothari mean le gayi thi. lekin kumud ko pahale hi is kaushal ki toh mil chuki thi; usane gahane aur rupaye aanchal se nikalakar mata ke charanoan mean rakh diye aur boli- 'ammaan, mere lie tumhara ashirvad lakhoan rupayoan ke barabar hai. tum in chizoan ko apane pas rakho. n jane abhi tumhean kin vipattiyoan ka samana karana p de.'
phoolamati kuchh kahana hi chahati thi ki umanath ne akar kaha- 'kya kar rahi hai kumud? chal, jaldi kar. sait tali jati hai. vah log hay-hay kar rahe haian, phir to do-char mahine mean ayegi hi, jo kuchh lena-dena ho, le lena.'
phoolamati ke ghav par jaise manoan namak p d gaya. boli- 'mere pas ab kya hai bhaiya, jo ise maian dooangi? jao beti, bhagavan tumhara sohag amar karean.'
kumud vida ho gayi. phoolamati pachha d khakar gir p di. jivan ki lalasa nasht ho gayi.

6

ek sal bit gaya.
phoolamati ka kamara ghar mean sab kamaroan se b da aur havadar tha. kee mahinoan se usane b di bahoo ke lie khali kar diya tha aur khud ek chhoti-si kothari mean rahane lagi, jaise koee bhikharin ho. betoan aur bahuoan se ab use jara bhi sneh n tha, vah ab ghar ki lauandi thi. ghar ke kisi prani, kisi vastu, kisi prasang se use prayojan n tha. vah keval isalie jiti thi ki maut n ati thi. sukh ya du:kh ka ab use leshamatr bhi jnan n tha. umanath ka aushadhalay khula, mitroan ki davat huee, nach-tamasha hua. dayanath ka pres khula, phir jalasa hua. sitanath ko vazifa mila aur vilayat gaya, phir utsav hua. kamatanath ke b de l dake ka yajnopavit sanskar hua, phir dhoom-dham huee; lekin phoolamati ke mukh par anand ki chhaya tak n ayi! kamataprasad taiphaid mean mahine-bhar bimar raha aur marakar utha. dayanath ne abaki apane patr ka prachar badhane ke lie vastav mean ek apattijanak lekh likha aur chh: mahine ki saza payi. umanath ne ek faujadari ke mamale mean rishvat lekar galat riport likhi aur usaki sanad chhin li gayi; par phoolamati ke chehare par ranj ki parachhayian tak n p di. usake jivan mean ab koee asha, koee dilachaspi, koee chinta n thi. bas, pashuoan ki tarah kam karana aur khana, yahi usaki zindagi ke do kam the. janavar marane se kam karata hai; par khata hai man se. phoolamati bekahe kam karati thi; par khati thi vish ke kaur ki tarah. mahinoan sir mean tel n p data, mahinoan kap de n dhulate, kuchh paravah nahian. chetanashoony ho gayi thi.

savan ki jh di lagi huee thi. maleriya phail raha tha. akash mean matiyale badal the, zamin par matiyala pani. ardr vayu shit-jvar aur shvas ka vitaran karati phirati thi. ghar ki mahari bimar p d gayi. phoolamati ne ghar ke sare baratan maanje, pani mean bhig-bhigakar sara kam kiya. phir ag jalayi aur choolhe par patiliyaan chadha dian. l dakoan ko samay par bhojan milana chahie. sahasa use yad aya, kamatanath nal ka pani nahian pite. usi varsha mean gangajal lane chali.
kamatanath ne palang par lete-lete kaha- 'rahane do ammaan, maian pani bhar laooanga, aj mahari khoob baith rahi.'
phoolamati ne matiyale akash ki or dekhakar kaha- 'tum bhig jaoge beta, sardi ho jayagi.'
kamatanath bole- 'tum bhi to bhig rahi ho. kahian bimar n p d jao.'
phoolamati nirmam bhav se boli- 'maian bimar n padooangi. mujhe bhagavan ne amar kar diya hai.'
umanath bhi vahian baitha hua tha. usake aushadhalay mean kuchh amadani n hoti thi, isalie bahut chintit tha. bhaee-bhavaj ki muanhadekhi karata rahata tha. bola- 'jane bhi do bhaiya! bahut dinoan bahuoan par raj kar chuki haian, usaka prayashchit to karane do.'
ganga badhi huee thi, jaise samudr ho. kshitij ke samane ke kool se mila hua tha. kinaroan ke vrikshoan ki keval phunagiyaan pani ke oopar rah gayi thian. ghat oopar tak pani mean doob gaye the. phoolamati kalasa liye niche utari, pani bhara aur oopar ja rahi thi ki paanv phisala. sanbhal n saki. pani mean gir p di. pal-bhar hath-paanv chalaye, phir laharean use niche khianch le gayian. kinare par do-char pande chillae- ‘are dau do, budhiya doobi jati hai.’ do-char adami dau de bhi lekin phoolamati laharoan mean sama gayi thi, un bal khati huee laharoan mean, jinhean dekhakar hi hriday kaanp uthata tha.
ek ne poochha- 'yah kaun budhiya thi?'
‘are, vahi pandit ayodhyanath ki vidhava hai.‘
‘ayodhyanath to b de adami the?’
‘haan the to, par isake bhagy mean thokar khana likha tha.‘
‘unake to kee l dake b de-b de haian aur sab kamate haian?’
‘haan, sab haian bhaee; magar bhagy bhi to koee vastu hai!'

sanbandhit lekh

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