माँ -प्रेमचंद

maan -premachand
manasarovar, bhag-1|150px|center
lekhak	muanshi premachand
mool shirshak	maan
mukhy patr	karuna, adity, prakash
kathanak	ek patni aur maan ke manobhavoan 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, adarshonmukh 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.

aj bandi chhootakar ghar a raha hai. karuna ne ek din pahale hi ghar lip-pot rakha tha. in tin varshoan mean usane kathin tapasya karake jo das-paanch rupaye jama kar rakhe the, vah sab pati ke satkar aur svagat ki taiyariyoan mean kharch kar diye. pati ke lie dhotiyoan ka naya jo da layi thi, naye kurate banavaye the, bachche ke lie naye kot aur topi ki ayojana ki thi. bar-bar bachche ko gale lagati or prasann hoti. agar is bachche ne soory ki bhaanti uday hokar usake aandhere jivan ko pradipt n kar diya hota, to kadachit thokaroan ne usake jivan ka aant kar diya hota. pati ke karavas-dand ke tin hi mahine bad is balak ka janm hua. usi ka muanh dekh-dekhakar karuna ne yah tin sal kat diye the. vah sochati- jab maian balak ko unake samane le jaooangi, to vah kitane prasann hoange! use dekhakar pahale to chakit ho jayeange, phir god mean utha leange aur kaheange- karuna, tumane yah ratn dekar mujhe nihal kar diya. kaid ke sare kasht balak ki totali batoan mean bhool jayeange, unaki ek saral, pavitr, mohak drishti hriday ki sari vyathaoan ko dho dalegi. is kalpana ka anand lekar vah phooli n samati thi.

vah soch rahi thi- adity ke sath bahut se adami hoange. jis samay vah dvar par pahuanchege, jay-jayakar’ ki dhvani se akash gooanj uthega. vah kitana svargiy drishy hoga! un adamiyoan ke baithane ke lie karuna ne ek phata-sa tat bichha diya tha, kuchh pan bana diye the aur bar-bar ashamay netroan se dvar ki or takati thi. pati ki vah sudridh udar tejapoorn mudra bar-bar aankhoan mean phir jati thi. unaki ve batean bar-bar yad ati thian, jo chalate samay unake mukh se nikalati thi, unaka vah dhairy, vah atmabal, jo pulis ke praharoan ke samane bhi atal raha tha, vah muskarahat jo us samay bhi unake adharoan par khel rahi thi; vah atmabhiman, jo us samay bhi unake mukh se tapak raha tha, kya karuna ke hriday se kabhi vismrit ho sakata tha! usaka smaran ate hi karuna ke nistej mukh par atmagaurav ki lalima chha gayi. yahi vah avalamb tha, jisane in tin varshoan ki ghor yatanaoan mean bhi usake hriday ko ashvasan diya tha. kitani hi ratean faqoan se gujarian, bahudha ghar mean dipak jalane ki naubat bhi n ati thi, par dinata ke aansoo kabhi usaki aankhoan se n gire. aj un sari vipattiyoan ka aant ho jaega. pati ke pragadh aliangan mean vah sab kuchh hansakar jhel legi. vah anant nidhi pakar phir use koee abhilasha n rahegi.

gagan-path ka chiragami lapaka hua vishram ki or chala jata tha, jahaan sandhya ne sunahara pharsh sajaya tha aur ujjval pushpoan ki sej bichha rakhi thi. usi samay karuna ko ek adami lathi tekata ata dikhaee diya, mano kisi jirn manushy ki vedana-dhvani ho. pag-pag par rukakar khaansane lagata thi. usaka sir jhuka hua tha, karuna usaka chehara n dekh sakati thi, lekin chal-dhal se koee boodha adami maloom hota tha; par ek kshan mean jab vah samip a gaya, to karuna pahachan gayi. vah usaka pyara pati hi tha, kintu shok! usaki soorat kitani badal gayi thi. vah javani, vah tej, vah chapalata, vah sugathan, sab prasthan kar chuka tha. keval hadh‌diyoan ka ek dhaancha rah gaya tha. n koee sangi, n sathi, n yar, n dost. karuna use pahachanate hi bahar nikal ayi, par aliangan ki kamana hriday mean dabakar rah gayi. sare manasoobe dhool mean mil gaye. sara manollas aansuoan ke pravah mean bah gaya, vilin ho gaya.

adity ne ghar mean qadam rakhate hi muskarakar karuna ko dekha. par us muskan mean vedana ka ek sansar bhara hua tha. karuna aisi shithil ho gayi, mano hriday ka spandan ruk gaya ho. vah phati huee aankhoan se svami ki or takataki baandhe kh di thi, mano use apani aankhoan par ab bhi vishvas n ata ho. svagat ya du:kh ka ek shabd bhi usake muanh se n nikala. balak bhi god mean baitha hua sahami aankhoan se is kankal ko dekh raha tha aur mata ki god mean chipata jata tha.

akhir usane katar svar mean kaha- yah tumhari kya dasha hai? bilkul pahachane nahian jate!
adity ne usaki chinta ko shaant karane ke lie muskarane ki cheshta karake kaha- kuchh nahian, zara dubala ho gaya hooan. tumhare hathoan ka bhojan pakar phir svasth ho jaooanga.
karuna- chhi! sookhakar kaanta ho gaye. kya vahaan bharapet bhojan nahian milata? tum kahate the, rajanitik adamiyoan ke sath b da achchha vyavahar kiya jata hai aur vah tumhare sathi kya ho gaye jo tumhean athoan pahar ghere rahate the aur tumhare pasine ki jagah khoon bahane ko taiyar rahate the?
adity ki tyoriyoan par bal p d gaye. bole- yah b da hi katu anubhav hai karuna! mujhe n maloom tha ki mere qaid hote hi log meri or se yoan aankhean pher leange, koee bat bhi n poochhega. rashtr ke nam par mitane valoan ka yahi puraskar hai, yah mujhe n maloom tha. janata apane sevakoan ko bahut jald bhool jati hai, yah to maian janata tha, lekin apane sahayogi aur sahayak itane bevapha hote haian, isaka mujhe yah pahala hi anubhav hua. lekin mujhe kisi se shikayat nahian. seva svayan apana puraskar hai. meri bhool thi ki maian isake lie yash aur nam chahata tha.
karuna- to kya vahaan bhojan bhi n milata tha?
adity- yah n poochho karuna, b di karun katha hai. bas, yahi ganimat samajho ki jita laut aya. tumhare darshan bade the, nahian kasht to aise-aise uthae ki ab tak mujhe prasthan kar jana chahie tha. maian zara letooanga. kh da nahian raha jata. din-bhar mean itani door aya hooan.
karuna- chalakar kuchh kha lo, to aram se leto. (balak ko god mean uthakar) baboo ji haian beta, tumhare baboo ji. inaki god mean jao, tumhean pyar kareange.

adity ne aansoo-bhari aankhoan se balak ko dekha aur unaka ek-ek rom unaka tiraskar karane laga. apani jirn dasha par unhean kabhi itana du:kh n hua tha. eeshvar ki asim daya se yadi unaki dasha sanbhal jati, to vah phir kabhi rashtriy andolan ke samip n jate. is phool se bachche ko yoan sansar mean lakar daridrata ki ag mean jhoankane ka unhean kya adhikar tha? vah ab lakshmi ki upasana kareange aur apana kshudr jivan bachche ke lalan-palan ke lie arpit kar deange. unhean is samay aisa jnat hua ki balak unhean upeksha ki drishti se dekh raha hai, mano kah raha hai— 'mere sath apane kaun-sa kartavy-palan kiya?' unaki sari kamana, sara pyar balak ko hriday se laga dene ke lie adhir ho utha, par hath phail n sake. hathoan mean shakti hi n thi.

karuna balak ko liye hue uthi aur thali mean kuchh bhojan nikalakar layi. adity ne kshudhapoorn, netroan se thali ki or dekha, manoan aj bahut dinoan ke bad koee khane ki chiz samane ayi hai. janata tha ki kee dinoan ke upavas ke bad aur arogy ki is gayi-gujari dasha mean use zuban ko kaboo mean rakhana chahie par sabr n kar saka, thali par toot p da aur dekhate-dekhate thali saf kar di. karuna sashank ho gayi. usane dobara kisi chiz ke lie n poochha. thali uthakar chali gayi, par usaka dil kah raha tha- itana to kabhi n khate the.
karuna bachche ko kuchh khila rahi thi, ki ekaek kanoan mean avaz ayi- karuna!
karuna ne akar poochha- kya tumane mujhe pukara hai?
adity ka chehara pila p d gaya tha aur saans jor-jor se chal rahi thi. hathoan ke sahare vahian tat par let gaye the. karuna unaki yah halat dekhakar ghabara gayi. boli- jakar kisi vaidy ko bula laooan?
adity ne hath ke ishare se use mana karake kaha- vyarth hai karuna! ab tumase chhipana vyarth hai, mujhe tapedik ho gaya hai. kee bar marate-marate bach gaya hooan. tum logoan ke darshan bade the, isalie pran n nikalate the. dekho priye, roo mat.
karuna ne sisakiyoan ko dabate hue kah- maian vaidy ko lekar abhi ati hooan.
adity ne phir sir hilaya- nahian karuna, keval mere pas baithi raho. ab kisi se koee asha nahian hai. d aauktaroan ne javab de diya hai. mujhe to yah ashchary hai ki yahaan pahuanch kaise gaya. n jane kaun daivi shakti mujhe vahaan se khianch layi. kadachit yah is bujhate hue dipak ki antim jhalak thi. ah! maianne tumhare sath b da anyay kiya. isaka mujhe hamesha du:kh rahega! maian tumhean koee aram n de saka. tumhare lie kuchh n kar saka. keval sohag ka dag lagakar aur ek balak ke palan ka bhar chho dakar chala ja raha hooan. ah!
karuna ne hriday ko dridh karake kaha- tumhean kahian dard to nahian hai? ag bana laooan? kuchh batate kyoan nahian?
adity ne karavat badalakar kaha- kuchh karane ki zaroorat nahian priye! kahian dard nahian. bas, aisa maloom ho raha hai ki dil baitha jata hai, jaise pani mean dooba jata hooan. jivan ki lila samapt ho rahi hai. dipak ko bujhate hue dekh raha hooan. kah nahian sakata, kab avaz band ho jaye. jo kuchh kahana hai, vah kah dalana chahata hooan, kyoan vah lalasa le jaooan. mere ek prashn ka javab dogi, poochhooan?

karuna ke man ki sari durbalata, sara shok, sari vedana mano lupt ho gayi aur unaki jagah us atmabal ka uday hua, jo mrityu par hansata hai aur vipatti ke saanpoan se khelata hai. ratnajatit makhamali myan mean jaise tej talavar chhipi rahati hai, jal ke komal pravah mean jaise asim shakti chhipi rahati hai, vaise hi ramani ka komal hriday sahas aur dhairy ko apani god mean chhipaye rahata hai. krodh jaise talavar ko bahar khianch leta hai, vijnan jaise jal-shakti ka udghatan kar leta hai, vaise hi prem ramani ke sahas aur dhairy ko pradipt kar deta hai.
karuna ne pati ke sir par hath rakhate hue kah- poochhate kyoan nahian pyare!
adity ne karuna ke hathoan ke komal sparsh ka anubhav karate hue kaha- tumhare vichar mean mera jivan kaisa tha? badhaee ke yogy? dekho, tumane mujhase kabhi parda nahian rakha. is samay bhi spasht kahana. tumhare vichar mean mujhe apane jivan par hansana chahie ya rona chahie?
karuna ne ullas ke sath kaha- yah prashn kyoan karate ho priyatam? kya maianne tumhari upeksha kabhi ki hai? tumhara jivan devataoan ka sa jivan tha, ni:svarth, nirlipt aur adarsh! vighn badhaoan se tang akar maianne tumhean kitani hi bar sansar ki or khianchane ki cheshta ki hai; par us samay bhi maian man mean janati thi ki maian tumhean ooanche asan se gira rahi hooan. agar tum maya moh mean phanse hote, to kadachit mere man ko adhik santosh hota; lekin meri atma ko vah garv aur ullas n hota, jo is samay ho raha hai. maian agar kisi ko b de se b da arshivad de sakati hooan, to vah yahi hoga ki usaka jivan tumhare jaisa ho.
yah kahate-kahate karuna ka abhahin mukhamandal jyotirmay ho gaya, mano usaki atma divy ho gayi ho. adity ne sagarv netroan se karuna ko dekhakar kaha bas, ab mujhe santosh ho gaya, karuna, is bachche ki or se mujhe koee shanka nahian hai, maian use isase adhik kushal hathoan mean nahian chho d sakata. mujhe vishvas hai ki jivan-bhar yah ooancha aur pavitr adarsh sadaiv tumhare samane rahega. ab maian marane ko taiyar hooan.

2

sat varsh bit gaye.
balak prakash ab das sal ka roopavan, balishth, prasannamukh kumar tha, bal ka tej, sahasi aur manasvi. bhay to use chhoo bhi nahian gaya tha. karuna ka santapt hriday use dekhakar shital ho jata. sansar karuna ko abhagini aur din samajhe. vah kabhi bhagy ka rona nahian roti. usane un abhooshanoan ko bech dala, jo pati ke jivan mean use pranoan se priy the, aur us dhan se kuchh gayean aur bhaiansean mol le lian. vah krishak ki beti thi, aur gau-palan usake lie koee naya vyavasay n tha. isi ko usane apani jivika ka sadhan banaya. vishuddh doodh kahaan mayassar hota hai? sab doodh hathoan-hath bik jata. karuna ko pahar rat se pahar rat tak kam mean laga rahana p data, par vah prasann thi. usake mukh par nirasha ya dinata ki chhaya nahian, sankalp aur sahas ka tej hai. usake ek-ek aang se atmagaurav ki jyoti si nikal rahi hai; aankhoan mean ek divy prakash hai, ganbhir, athah aur asim. sari vedanaean- vaidhavy ka shok aur vidhi ka nirmam prahar, sab us prakash ki gaharaee mean vilin ho gaya hai.

prakash par vah jan deti hai. usaka anand, usaki abhilasha, usaka sansar usaka svarg sab prakash par nyauchhavar hai; par yah majal nahian ki prakash koee shararat kare aur karuna aankhean band kar le. nahian, vah usake charitr ki b di kathorata se dekhabhal karati hai. vah prakash ki maan nahian, maan-bap donoan hai. usake putr sneh mean mata ki mamata ke sath pita ki kathorata bhi mili huee hai. pati ke antim shabd abhi tak usake kanoan mean gooanj rahe haian. vah atmollas, jo unake chehare par jhalakane laga tha, vah garvamay lali, jo unaki aankho mean chha gayi thi, abhi tak usaki aankhoan mean phir rahi hai. nirantar pati-chintan ne adity ko usaki aankhoan mean pratyaksh kar diya hai. vah sadaiv unaki upasthiti ka anubhav kiya karati hai. use aisa jan p data hai ki adity ki atma sadaiv usaki raksha karati rahati hai. usaki yahi hardik abhilasha hai ki prakash javan hokar pita ka pathagami ho.

sandhya ho gayi thi. ek bhikharin dvar par akar bhikh maangane lagi. karuna us samay goooan ko pani de rahi thi. prakash bahar khel raha tha. balak hi to thahara! shararat soojhi. ghar mean gaya aur katore mean tho da sa bhoosa lekar bahar nikala. bhikharin ne abaki jholi phaila di. prakash ne bhoosa usaki jholi mean dal diya aur zor zor se taliyaan bajata hua bhaga.
bhikharin ne agnimay netroan se dekhakar kaha- vah re la dale! mujhase hansi karane chala hai! yahi maan-bap ne sikhaya hai! tab to khoob kul ka nam jagaoge!
karuna usaki boli sunakar bahar nikal ayi aur poochha- kya hai mata? kise kah rahi ho?
bhikharin ne prakash ki taraph ishara karake kaha- vah tumhara l daka hai n. dekho, katore mean bhoosa bharakar meri jholi mean dal gaya hai. chutaki-bhar ata tha, vah bhi mitti mean mil gaya. koee is tarah dukhiyoan ko satata hai? sabake din ek-se nahian rahate! adami ko ghamand n karana chahie.
karuna ne kathor svar mean pukara- prakash!
prakash lajjit n hua. abhiman se sir uthae hue aya aur bola- vah hamare ghar bhikh kyoan maangane ayi hai? kuchh kam kyoan nahian karati?
karuna ne use samajhane ki cheshta karake kaha- sharm nahian ati, ulte aur aankh dikhate ho.
prakash- sharm kyoan ae? yah kyoan roj bhikh maangane ati hai? hamare yahaan kya koee chiz muft ati hai?
karuna- tumhean kuchh n dena tha to sidhe se kah dete; jao. tumane yah shararat kyoan ki?
prakash- unaki adat kaise chhootati?
karuna ne big dakar kaha- tum ab pitoge mere hathoan.
prakash- pitooanga kyoan? ap zabaradasti piteangi? doosare mulkoan mean agar koee bhikh maange, to kaid kar liya jay. yah nahian ki ulte bhikhamangoan ko aur shah di jay.
karuna- jo apang hai, vah kaise kam kare?
prakash- to jakar doob mare, zinda kyoan rahati hai?
karuna niruttar ho gayi. budhiya ko to usane ata-dal dekar vida kiya, kintu prakash ka kutark usake hriday mean pho de ke saman tisata raha. usane yah dhrishtata, yah avinay kahaan sikhi? rat ko bhi use bar-bar yahi khyal satata raha.
adhi rat ke samip ekaek prakash ki niand tooti. lalaten jal rahi hai aur karuna baithi ro rahi hai. uth baitha aur bola- ammaan, abhi tum soyi nahian?
karuna ne muanh pherakar kah- niand nahian ayi. tum kaise jag gaye? pyas to nahian lagi hai?
prakash- nahian ammaan, n jane kyoan aankh khul gayi. mujhase aj b da aparadh hua, ammaan!
karuna ne usake mukh ki or sneh ke netroan se dekha.
prakash- maianne aj budhiya ke sath b di natakhat ki. mujhe kshama karo, phir kabhi aisi shararat n karooanga.
yah kahakar rone laga. karuna ne snehardr hokar use gale laga liya aur usake kapoloan ka chumban karake boli- beta, mujhe khush karane ke lie yah kah rahe ho ya tumhare man mean sachamuch pachhatava ho raha hai?
prakash ne sisakate hue kaha- nahian ammaan, mujhe dil se afasos ho raha hai. abaki vah budhiya ayegi, to maian use bahut se paise dooanga.
karuna ka hriday matavala ho gaya. aisa jan p da, adity samane kh de bachche ko arshivad de rahe haian aur kah rahe haian, karuna, kshobh mat kar, prakash apane pita ka nam roshan karega. teri sanpoorn kamanaean poori ho jaeangi.

3

lekin prakash ke karm aur vachan mean mel n tha aur dinoan ke sath usake charitr ka aang pratyaksh hota jata tha. zahin tha hi, vishvavidyalay se use vazife milate the, karuna bhi usaki yathesht sahayata karati thi, phir bhi usaka kharch poora n p data tha. vah mitavyayata aur saral jivan par vidvatta se bhare hue vyakhyan de sakata tha, par usaka rahan sahan phaishan ke aandhabhaktoan se jauan bhar ghatakar n tha. pradarshan ki dhun use hamesha savar rahati thi. usake man aur buddhi mean nirantar dvandv hota rahata tha. man jati ki or tha, buddhi apani or. buddhi man ko dabaye rahati thi. usake samane man ki ek n chalati thi. jati seva oosar ki kheti hai, vahaan b de se b da upahar jo mil sakata hai, vah hai gaurav aur yash; par vah bhi sthayi nahian, itana asthir ki kshan mean jivan bhar ki kamaee par pani phir sakata hai. atev usaka aant:karan anivary veg ke sath vilasamay jivan ki or jhukata tha. yahaan tak ki dhire-dhire use tyag aur nigrah se ghrina hone lagi. vah duravastha aur daridrata ko hey samajhata tha. usake hriday n tha, bhav n the, keval mastishk tha. mastishk mean dard kahaan? vahaan to tark haian, manasoobe haian.

siandh mean badh ayi. hajaroan adami tabah ho gaye. vidyalay ne vahaan ek seva samiti bheji. prakash ke man mean dvandv hone laga- jaooan ya n jaooan? itane dinoan agar vah pariksha ki taiyari kare, to pratham shreni mean pas ho. chalate samay usane bimari ka bahana kar diya. karuna ne likha, tum sindh n gaye, isaka mujhe du:kh hai. tum bimar rahate hue bhi vahaan ja sakate the. samiti mean chikitsak bhi to the! prakash ne patr ka uttar n diya.

u disa mean akal p da. praja makkhiyoan ki tarah marane lagi. kaangres ne pi dito ke lie ek mishan taiyar kiya. unhian dinoan vidyalayoan ne itihas ke chhatroan ko aitihasik khoj ke lie lanka bhejane ka nishchay kiya. karuna ne prakash ko likha- 'tum u disa jao.' kintu prakash lanka jane ko lalayit tha. vah kee din isi duvidha mean raha. aant ko silon ne u disa par vijay payi. karuna ne abaki use kuchh n likha. chupachap roti rahi.

silon se lautakar prakash chhuttiyoan mean ghar gaya. karuna usase khianchi-khianchi rahian. prakash man mean lajjit hua aur sankalp kiya ki abaki koee avasar aya, to ammaan ko avashy prasann karooanga. yah nishchay karake vah vidyalay lauta. lekin yahaan ate hi phir pariksha ki fikr savar ho gayi. yahaan tak ki pariksha ke din a gaye; magar imtahan se phurasat pakar bhi prakash ghar n gaya. vidyalay ke ek adhyapak kashmir sair karane ja rahe the. prakash unhian ke sath kashmir chal kh da hua. jab pariksha phal nikala aur prakash pratham aya, tab use ghar ki yad ayi! usane turant karuna ko patr likha aur apane ane ki soochana di. mata ko prasann karane ke lie usane do-char shabd jati seva ke vishay mean bhi likhe- 'ab mai apaki ajna ka palan karane ko taiyar hooan. maianne shiksha-sambandhi kary karane ka nishchay kiya hai isi vichar se maine vah vishisht sthan prapt kiya hai. hamare neta bhi to vidyalayoan ke acharyoan hi ka samman karate haian. abhi tak in upadhiyoan ke moh se ve mukt nahian hue haian. hamare neta bhi yogyata, sadh‌utsah, lagan ka utana samman nahian karate, jitana upadhiyoan ka! ab meri ijjat kareange aur zimmedari ka kam saupeangean, jo pahale maange bhi n milata.
karuna ki as phir bandhi.

4

vidyalay khulate hi prakash ke nam rajistrar ka patr pahuancha. unhoanne prakash ko ianglaiand jakar vidyabhyas karane ke lie sarakari vazife ki manjoori ki soochana di thi. prakash patr hath mean liye harsh ke unmad mean jakar maan se bola‌ ammaan, mujhe ianglaiand jakar padhane ke lie sarakari vazifa mil gaya.
karuna ne udasin bhav se poochha- to tumhara kya irada hai?
prakash- mera irada? aisa avasar pakar bhala kaun chho data hai!
karuna- tum to svayansevakoan mean bharati hone ja rahe the?
prakash- to ap samajhati haian, svayansevak ban jana hi jati seva hai? maian ianglaiand se akar bhi to seva kary kar sakata hooan aur ammaan, sach poochho, to ek majistret apane desh ka jitana upakar kar sakata hai, utana ek hazar svayansevak milakar bhi nahian kar sakate. maian to sivil sarvis ki pariksha mean baithooanga aur mujhe vishvas hai ki saphal ho jaooanga.
karuna ne chakit hokar poochha- to kya tum majistret ho jaoge?
prakash- seva-bhav rakhanevala ek majistret kaangres ke ek hazar sabhapatiyoan se zyada upakar kar sakata hai. akhabaroan mean usaki lambi-lambi tariphean n chhapeangi, usaki vaktritaoan par taliyaan n bajeangi, janata usake juloos ki ga di n khianchegi aur n vidyalayoan ke chhatr usako abhinandan patr deange; par sachchi seva majistret hi kar sakata hai.
karuna ne apatti ke bhav se kaha- lekin yahi majistret to jati ke sevakoan ko sajaean dete hean, un par goliyaan chalate haian?
prakash- agar majistret ke hriday mean paropakar ka bhav hai, to vah narami se vahi kam karata hai, jo doosare goliyaan chalakar bhi nahian kar sakate.
karuna- maian yah nahian manooangi. sarakar apane naukaroan ko itani svadhinata nahian deti. vah ek niti bana deti hai aur har ek sarakari naukar ko usaka palan karana p data hai. sarakar ki pahali niti yah hai ki vah din-din adhik sangathit aur dridh hoan. isake lie svadhinata ke bhavoan ka daman karana zaroori hai; agar koee majistret is niti ke viruddh kam karata hai, to vah majistret n rahega. vah hindustani tha, jisane tumhare baboo ji ko zara si bat par tin sal ki saza de di. isi saza ne unake pran liye. beta, meri itani bat mano, sarakari padoan par n giro. mujhe yah manjoor hai ki tum mota khakar aur mota pahanakar desh ki kuchh seva karo, isake badale ki tum hakim ban jao aur shan se jivan bitao. yah samajh lo ki jis din tum hakim ki kurasi par baithoge, us din se tumhara dimag hakimoan ka sa ho jaega. tum yahi chahege ki afasaroan mean tumhari nekanami aur taraqqi ho. ek ganvaroo misal lo. l daki jab tak maike mean kvaanri rahati hai, vah apane ko usi ghar ki samajhati hai, lekin jis din sasural chali jati hai, vah apane ghar ko doosaroan ka ghar samajhane lagati hai. maan bap, bhaee band sab vahi rahate haian, lekin vah ghar apana nahian rahata. yahi duniya ka dastoor hai.
prakash ne khijhakar kaha- to kya ap yahi chahati haian ki maian ziandagi bhar charoan taraph thokarean khata phirooan?
karuna kathor netroan se dekhakar boli- agar thokar khakar atma svadhin rah sakati hai, to maian kahooangi, thokar khana achchha hai.
prakash ne nishchayatmak bhav se poochha- to apaki yahi ichchha hai?
karuna ne usi svar mean uttar diya- haan, meri yahi ichchha hai.

prakash ne kuchh javab n diya. uthakar bahar chala gaya aur turant rajistrar ko inakari patr likh bheja; magar usi kshan se manoan usake sir par vipatti ne asan jama liya. virakt aur viman apane kamare mean p da rahata, n kahian ghoomane jata, n kisi se milata. muanh latakaye bhitar ata aur phir bahar chala jata, yahaan tak mahina gujar gaya. n chehare par vah lali rahi, n vah oj; aankhean anathoan ke mukh ki bhaanti yachana se bhari huee, oth hansana bhool gaye, manoan us inakari patr ke sath usaki sari sajivata, aur chapalata, sari saralata vida ho gayi. karuna usake manobhav samajhati thi aur usake shok ko bhulane ki cheshta karati thi, par roothe devata prasann n hote the.

akhir ek din usane prakash se kaha- beta, agar tumane vilayat jane ki than hi li hai, to chale jao. mana n karooangi. mujhe khed hai ki maianne tumhean roka. agar maian janati ki tumhean itana aghat pahuanchega, to kabhi n rokati. maianne to keval is vichar se roka tha ki tumhean jati seva mean magn dekhakar tumhare baboo ji ki atma prasann hogi. unhoanne chalate samay yahi vasiyat ki thi.
prakash ne rookhaee se javab diya- ab kya jaooanga! inakari khat likh chuka. mere lie koee ab tak baitha tho de hi hoga. koee doosara l daka chun liya hoga aur phir karana hi kya hai? jab apaki marzi
hai ki gaanv-gaanv ki khak chhanata phirooan, to vahi sahi.
karuna ka garv choor-choor ho gaya. is anumati se usane badha ka kam lena chaha tha; par saphal n huee. boli- abhi koee n chuna gaya hoga. likh do, maian jane ko taiyar hooan.
prakash ne jhuanjhalakar kaha- ab kuchh nahian ho sakata. log hansi u dayeange. maine tay kar liya hai ki jivan ko apaki ichchha ke anukool banaooanga.
karuna- tumane agar shuddh man se yah irada kiya hota, to yoan n rahate. tum mujhase satyagrah kar rahe ho; agar man ko dabakar, mujhe apani rah ka kaanta samajhakar tumane meri ichchha poori bhi ki, to kya? maian to jab janati ki tumhare man mean ap hi ap seva ka bhav utpann hota. tum aj hi rajistrar sahab ko patr likh do.
prakash- ab maian nahian likh sakata.
'to isi shok mean tane baithe rahoge?'
'lachari hai.'
karuna ne aur kuchh n kaha. jara der mean prakash ne dekha ki vah kahian ja rahi hai; magar vah kuchh bola nahian. karuna ke lie bahar ana jana koee asadharan bat n thi; lekin jab sandhya ho gayi aur karuna n ayi, to prakash ko chinta hone lagi. amma kahaan gayian? yah prashn bar-bar usake man mean uthane laga.

prakash sari rat dvar par baitha raha. bhaanti-bhaanti ki shankaean man mean uthane lagian. use ab yad aya, chalate samay karuna kitani udas thi; usaki aankhean kitani lal thi. yah batean prakash ko us samay kyoan n nazar ayi? vah kyoan svarth mean aandha ho gaya tha?

haan, ab prakash ko yad aya- mata ne saph-suthare kap de pahane the. unake hath mean chhatari bhi thi. to kya vah kahian bahut door gayi haian? kisase poochhe? anisht ke bhay se prakash rone laga.

shravan ki aandheri bhayanak rat thi. akash mean shyam meghamalaean, bhishan svapn ki bhaanti chhayi huee thian. prakash rah-rahakar akash ki or dekhata tha, mano karuna unhian meghamalaoan mean chhipi baithi ho. usane nishchay kiya, savera hote hi maan ko khojane chalooanga aur agar....

kisi ne dvar khatakhataya. prakash ne dau dakar khola, to dekha, karuna kh di hai. usaka mukh-mandal itana khoya hua, itana karoon tha, jaise aj hi usaka sohag uth gaya hai, jaise sansar mean ab usake lie kuchh nahian raha, jaise vah nadi ke kinare kh di apani ladi huee nav ko doobate dekh rahi hai aur kuchh kar nahian sakati.
prakash ne adhir hokar poochha- ammaan kahaan chali gayi thian? bahut der lagayi?
karuna ne bhoomi ki or takate hue javab diya- ek kam se gayi thi. der ho gayi.
yah kahate hue usane prakash ke samane ek band liphapha pheank diya. prakash ne utsuk hokar liphapha utha liya. oopar hi vidyalay ki muhar thi. turant hi liphapha kholakar padha. halki si lalima chehare par dau d gayi. poochh- yah tumhean kahaan mil gaya amma?
karuna- tumhare rajistrar ke pas se layi hooan.
'kya tum vahaan chali gayi thi?'
'aur kya karati.'
'kal to ga di ka samay n tha?'
'motar le li thi.'
prakash ek kshan tak maun kh da raha, phir kuanthit svar mean bola- jab tumhari ichchha nahian hai to mujhe kyoan bhej rahi ho?
karuna ne virakt bhav se kaha- isalie ki tumhari jane ki ichchha hai. tumhara yah malin vesh nahian dekha jata. apane jivan ke bis varsh tumhari hit kamana par arpit kar diye; ab tumhari mahattvakaanksha ki hatya nahian kar sakati. tumhari yatra saphal ho, yahi hamari hardik abhilasha hai.
karuna ka kanth rooandh gaya aur kuchh n kah saki.

5

prakash usi din se yatra ki taiyariyaan karane laga. karuna ke pas jo kuchh tha, vah sab kharch ho gaya. kuchh rrin bhi lena p da. naye soot bane, sootakes lie gaye. prakash apani dhun mean mast tha. kabhi kisi chiz ki pharamaish lekar ata, kabhi kisi chiz ki.

karuna is ek saptah mean itani durbal ho gayi hai, usake baloan par kitani saphedi a gayi hai, chehare par kitani jhurriyaan p d gayi haian, yah use kuchh n najar ata. usaki aankhoan mean ianglaiand ke drishy samaye hue the. mahattvakaanksha aankhoan par parada dal deti hai.

prasthan ka din aya. aj kee dinoan ke bad dhoop nikali thi. karuna svami ke purane kap doan ko bahar nikal rahi thi. unaki gadhe ki chadarean, khaddar ke kurate, pajamean aur lihaph abhi tak sandook mean sanchit the. prativarsh ve dhoop mean sukhaye jate aur jha d poanchhakar rakh diye jate the. karuna ne aj phir un kap do ko nikala, magar sukhakar rakhane ke lie nahian, gariboan mean baant dene ke lie. vah aj pati se naraz hai. vah lutiya, dor aur gh di, jo adity ki chirasangini thian aur jinaki bis varsh se karuna ne upasana ki thi, aj nikalakar aangan mean pheank di gayi; vah jholi jo barasoan adity ke kandhoan par aroodh rah chuki thi, aj koo de mean dal di gayi; vah chitr jisake samane bis varsh se karuna sir jhukati thi, aj vahi nirdayata se bhoomi par dal diya gaya. pati ka koee smriti chihn vah ab apane ghar mean nahian rakhana chahati. usaka aant:karan shok aur nirasha se vidirn ho gaya hai aur pati ke siva vah kis par krodh utare? kaun usaka apana haian? vah kisase apani vyatha kahe? kise apani chhati chirakar dikhae? vah hote to kya prakash dasata ki janzir gale mean dalakar phoola n samata? use kaun samajhaye ki adity bhi is avasar par pachhatane ke siva aur kuchh n kar sakate.

prakash ke mitroan ne aj use vidaee ka bhoj diya tha. vahaan se vah sandhya samay kee mitroan ke sath motar par lauta. saphar ka saman motar par rakh diya gaya, tab vah andar akar maan se bola- amma, jata hooan. bambee pahuanch kar patr likhooanga. tumhean meri qasam, rona mat aur mere khatoan ka javab barabar dena.
jaise kisi lash ko bahar nikalate samay sambandhiyoan ka dhairy chhoot jata hai, ruke hue aansoo nikal p date haian aur shok ki tarangean uthane lagati haian, vahi dasha karuna ki huee. kaleje mean ek hahakar hua, jisane usaki durbal atma ke ek-ek anu ko kanpa diya. maloom hua, paanv pani mean phisal gaya hai aur vah laharoan mean bahi ja rahi hai. usake mukh se shok ya arshivad ka ek shabd bhi n nikala. prakash ne usake charan chhue, ashru jal se mata ke charanoan ko pakhara, phir bahar chala. karuna pashan moorti ki bhaanti kh di thi.
sahasa gvale ne akar kaha- bahoo ji, bhiya chale gaye. bahut rote the.
tab karuna ki samadhi tooti. dekha, samane koee nahian hai. ghar mean mrityu ka sa sannata chhaya hua hai, aur manoan hriday ki gati band ho gayi hai.
sahasa karuna ki drishti oopar uth gayi. usane dekha ki adity apani god mean prakash ki nirjiv deh lie kh de ho rahe haian. karuna pachha d khakar gir p di.

6

karuna jivit thi, par sansar se usaka koee nata n tha. usaka chhota-sa sansar, jise usane apani kalpanaoan ke hriday mean racha tha, svapn ki bhaanti anant mean vilin ho gaya tha. jis prakash ko samane dekhakar vah jivan ki aandheri rat mean bhi hriday mean ashaoan ki sampatti liye ji rahi thi, vah bujh gaya aur sampatti lut gayi. ab n koee ashray tha aur n usaki zaroorat. jin goooan ko vah donoan vakt apane hathoan se dana chara deti aur sahalati thi, ve ab khooante par bandhi nirash netroan se dvar ki or takati rahati thian. bachh doan ko gale lagakar puchakarane vala ab koee n tha, jisake lie doodh duhe, mattha nikale. khane vala kaun tha? karuna ne apane chhote-se sansar ko apane hi aandar samet liya tha.

kintu ek hi saptah mean karuna ke jivan ne phir rang badala. usaka chhota sa sansar phailate-phailate vishvavyapi ho gaya. jis langar ne nauka ko tat se ek kendr par baandh rakha tha, vah ukh d gaya. ab nauka sagar ke ashesh vistar mean bhraman karegi, chahe vah uddam tarangoan ke vaksh mean hi kyoan n vilin ho jae.
karuna dvar par a baithati aur muhalle bhar ke l dakoan ko jama karake doodh pilati. dopahar tak makkhan nikalati aur vah makkhan muhalle ke l dake khate. phir bhaanti bhaanti ke pakavan banati aur kuttoan ko khilati. ab yahi usaka nity ka niyam ho gaya. chi diyaan, kutte, billiyaan chiante chitiyaan sab apane ho gaye. prem ka vah dvar ab kisi ke lie band n tha. us aangul-bhar jagah mean, jo prakash ke lie bhi kafi n thi, ab samast sansar sama gaya tha.

ek din prakash ka patr aya. karuna ne use uthakar pheank diya. phir tho di der ke bad use uthakar pha d dala aur chi diyoan ko dana chugane lagi; magar jab nisha yogini ne apani dhooni jalayi aur vedanaean usase varadan maangane ke lie vikal hokar chalian, to karuna ki manovedana bhi sajag ho uthi- prakash ka patr padhane ke lie usaka man vyakul ho utha. usane socha, prakash mera kaun hai? mera usase kya prayojan? haan, prakash mera kaun hai? haan, prakash mera kaun hai? hriday ne uttar diya, prakash tera sarvasv hai, vah tere us amar prem ki nishani hai, jisase too sadaiv ke lie vanchit ho gayi. vah tera pran hai, tere jivan dipak ka prakash, teri vanchit kamanaoan ka madhury, tere ashru jal mean vihar karane vala karane vala hans. karuna us patr ke tuk doan ko jama karane lagi, mana usake pran bikhar gaye hoan. ek ek tuk da use apane khoye hue prem ka ek padachihn sa maloom hota tha. jab sare puraje jama ho gaye, to karuna dipak ke samane baithakar use jo dane lagi, jaise koee viyogi hriday prem ke toote hue taroan ko jo d raha ho. hay ri mamata! vah abhagin sari rat un purajoan ko jo dane mean lagi rahi. patr donoan or likha tha, isalie purajoan ko thik sthan par rakhana aur bhi kathin tha. koee shabd, koee vaky bich mean gayab ho jata. us ek tuk de ko vah phir khojane lagati. sari rat bit gayi, par patr abhi tak apoorn tha.
din chadh aya, muhalle ke lauande makkhan aur doodh ki chah mean ekatr ho gaye, kuttoan or billiyoan ka agaman hua, chi diyaan a akar aangan mean phudakane lagian, koee okhali par baithi, koee tulasi ke chautare par, par karuna ko sir uthane tak ki phurasat nahian.
dopahar hua, karuna ne sir n uthaya. n bhookh thi, n pyas. phir sandhya ho gayi. par vah patr abhi tak adhoora tha. patr ka ashay samajh mean a raha tha- prakash ka jahaz kahian se kahian ja raha hai. usake hriday mean kuchh utha hua hai. kya utha hua hai, yah karuna n soch saki? karuna putr ki lekhani se nikale hue ek-ek shabd ko padhana aur use hriday par aankit kar lena chahati thi.
is bhaanti tin din gujar gaye. sandhya ho gayi thi. tin din ki jagi aankhean jara jhapak gayi. karuna ne dekha, ek lamba-chau da kamara hai, usamean mejean aur kursiyaan lagi huee haian, bich mean ooanche manch par koee adami baitha hua hai. karuna ne dhyan se dekha, prakash tha.
ek kshan mean ek qaidi usake samane laya gaya, usake hath-paanv mean janzir thi, kamar jhuki huee, yah adity the.
karuna ki aankhean khul gayian. aansoo bahane lage. usane patr ke tuk doan ko phir samet liya aur use jalakar rakh kar dala. rakh ki ek chutaki ke siva vahaan kuchh n raha, jo usake hriday mean vidirn kie dalati thi. isi ek chutaki rakh mean usaka gu diyoan vala bachapan, usaka santapt yauvan aur usaka trishnamay vaidhavy sab sama gaya.

prat:kal logoan ne dekha, pakshi pianj de se u d chuka tha! adity ka chitr ab bhi usake shoony hriday se chipata hua tha. bhagn hriday pati ki snehasmriti mean vishram kar raha tha aur prakash ka jahaz yoorop chala ja raha tha.