विश्वास -प्रेमचंद

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

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un dinoan mis joshi bambee sabhy-samaj ki radhika thi. thi to vah ek chhoti-si kanya-pathashala ki adhyapika par usaka that-bat, man-samman b di-b di dhan-raniyoan ko bhi lajjit karata tha. vah ek b de mahal mean rahati thi, jo kisi jamane mean satara ke maharaj ka nivas-sthan tha. vahaan sare din nagar ke reesoan, rajoan, raj-karmachariyoan ka taanta laga rahata tha. vah sare praant ke dhan aur kirti ke upasakoan ki devi thi. agar kisi ko khitab ka khabt tha to vah mis joshi ki khushamad karata tha. kisi ko apane ya apane sanbandhoan ke lie koee achchha ohada dilane ki dhun thi to vah mis joshi ki aradhana karata tha. sarakari imaratoan ke thike; namak, sharab, aphim adi sarakari chijoan ke thike; lohe-lak di, kal-puraje adi ke thike sab mis joshi hi ke hathoan mean the. jo kuchh karati thi vahi karati thi, jo kuchh hota tha usi ke hathoan hota tha. jis vakt vah apani arabi gho doan ki phitan par sair karane nikalati to reesoan ki savariyaan ap hi ap raste se hat jati thian, b de-b de dukanadar kh de ho-hokar salam karane lagate the. vah roopavati thi, lekin nagar mean usase badhakar roopavati ramaniyaan bhi thian; vah sushikshita thi, vakchatur thi, gane mean nipun, hansati to anokhi chhavi se, bolati to nirali chhata se, takati to baanki chitavan se; lekin in gunoan mean usaka ekadhipaty n tha. usaki pratishtha, shakti aur kirti ka kuchh aur hi rahasy tha. sara nagar hi nahian; sare praant ka bachcha-bachcha janata tha ki bambee ke gavarnar mistar jauhari mis joshi ke bina damoan ke gulam haian. mis joshi ki aankhoan ka ishara unake lie nadirashahi hukm hai. vah thietaroan mean, davatoan mean, jalasoan mean mis joshi ke sath saye ki bhaanti rahate haian aur kabhi-kabhi unaki motar rat ke sannate mean mis joshi ke makan se nikalati huee logoan ko dikhayi deti hai. is prem mean vasana ki matra adhik hai ya bhakti ki, yah koee nahian janata. lekin mistar jauhari vivahit haian aur mis joshi vidhava, isalie jo log unake prem ko kalushit kahate haian, ve un par koee atyachar nahian karate.

bambee ki vyavasthapika-sabha ne anaj par kar laga diya tha aur janata ki or se usaka virodh karane ke lie ek virath sabha ho rahi thi. sabhi nagaroan se praja ke pratinidhi usamean sammilit hone ke lie hajaroan ki sankhya mean aye the. mis joshi ke vishal bhavan ke samane, chau de maidan mean hari-hari ghas par bambee ki janata apani phariyad sunane ke lie jama thi. abhi tak sabhapati n aye the, isalie log baithe gap-shap kar rahe the. koee karmachariyoan par akshep karata tha, koee desh ki sthiti par, koee apani dinata par agar ham logoan mean ak dane ka jara bhi samarthy hota to majal thi ki yah kar laga diya jata, adhikariyoan ka ghar se bahar nikalana mushkil ho jata. hamara zaroorat se zyada sidhapan hamean adhikariyoan ke hathoan ka khilauna banaye hue hai. ve janate haian ki inhean jitana dabate jao, utana dabate jayeange, sir nahian utha sakate. sarakar ne bhi upadrav ki ashanka se sashastr pulis bula li. us maidan ke charoan kone par sipahiyoan ke dal dera dale p de the. unake aphasar, gho doan par savar, hath mean hantar liye, janata ke bich mean nishshank bhav se gho de dau date phirate the, mano saf maidan hai. mis joshi ke ooanche baramade mean nagar ke sabhi b de-b de rees aur rajyadhikari tamasha dekhane ke lie baithe hue the. mis joshi mehamanoan ka adar-satkar kar rahi thi aur mistar jauhari, aramakursi par lete, is jan-samooh ko ghrina aur bhay ki drishti se dekh rahe the.

sahasa sabhapati mahashay apate ek kiraye ke taange par ate dikhayi diye. charoan taraph halachal mach gayi, log uth-uthakar unaka svagat karane dau de aur unhean lakar manch par baitha diya. apate ki avastha 30-35 varsh se adhik n thi; dubale-patale adami the, mukh par chianta ka gadha rang chadha hua; bal bhi pak chale the, mukh par saral hasy ki rekha jhalak rahi thi. vah ek saphed mota kurata pahane the, n paanv mean joote the, n sir par topi. is ardhdanagn, durbal, nistej prani mean n-jane kaun-sa jadoo tha ki samast janata usaki pooja karati thi, usake pairoan par sir rag dati thi. is ek prani ke hathoan mean itani shakti thi ki vah kshanamatr mean sari miloan ko band kara sakata tha, shahar ka sara karobar mita sakata tha. adhikariyoan ko usake bhay se niand n ati thi, rat ko sote-sote chauank p date the. usase zyada bhayankar jantu adhikariyoan ki drishti mean doosara n tha. yah prachand shasan shakti us ek haddi ke adami se tharathar kaanpati thi, kyoanki us haddi mean ek pavitr, nishkalank, balavan aur divy atma ka nivas tha.

2 apate ne manch par kh de hokar pahale janata ko shaant chitt rahane aur ahiansa-vrat palan karane ka adesh diya. phir desh ki rajanitik sthiti ka varnan karane lage. sahasa unaki drishti samane mis joshi ke baramade ki or gayi to unaka praja-du:kh-pi dit hriday tilamila utha. yahaan aganit prani apani vipatti ki phariyad sunane ke lie jama the aur vahaan mejoan par chay aur biskut, meve aur phal, barf aur sharab ki rel-pel thi. ve log in abhagoan ko dekh-dekh hansate aur taliyaan bajate the. jivan mean pahali bar apate ki jaban kaboo se bahar ho gayi. megh ki bhaanti garajakar bole-

'idhar to hamare bhaee dane-dane ko muhataj ho rahe haian, udhar anaj par kar lagaya ja raha hai, keval isalie ki rajakarmachariyoan ke haluve-poori mean kami n ho. ham jo desh ke raja haian, jo chhati pha dakar dharati se dhan nikalate haian, bhookhoan marate haian; aur ve log, jinhean hamane apane sukh aur shaanti ki vyavastha karane ke lie rakha hai, hamare svami bane hue sharaboan ki botalean u date haian. kitani anokhi bat hai ki svami bhookhoan marean aur sevak sharabean u dayean, meve khayean aur itali aur spen ki mithaiyaan chalean! yah kisaka aparadh hai? kya sevakoan ka? nahian, kadapi nahian, hamara hi aparadh hai ki hamane apane sevakoan ko itana adhikar de rakha hai. aj ham uchch svar se kah dena chahate haian ki ham yah kroor aur kutil vyavahar nahian sah sakate. yah hamare lie asahy hai ki ham aur hamare bal-bachche danoan ko tarasean aur karmachari log, vilas mean doobe hue hamare karun-krandan ki jara bhi parava n karate hue vihar karean. yah asahy hai ki hamare gharoan mean choolhe n jalean aur karmachari log thietaroan mean aish karean, nach-rang ki mahaphilean sajayean, davatean u dayean, veshyaoan par kanchan ki varsha karean. sansar mean aisa aur kaun desh hoga, jahaan praja to bhookhoan marati ho aur pradhan karmachari apani prem-kri daoan mean magn hoan, jahaan striyaan galiyoan mean thokarean khati phirati hoan aur adhyapikaoan ka vesh dharan karane vali veshyaean amod-pramod ke nashe mean choor hoan...'

3 ekaek sashastr sipahiyoan ke dal mean halachal p d gayi. unaka aphasar hukm de raha tha sabha bhang kar do, netaoan ko pak d lo, koee n jane paye. yah vidrohatmak vyakhyan hai. mistar jauhari ne pulis ke aphasar ko ishare se bulakar kaha- aur kisi ko giraphtar karane ki zaroorat nahian. apate hi ko pak do. vahi hamara shatru hai. pulis ne dande chalane shuroo kiye aur kee sipahiyoan ke sath jakar aphasar ne apate ko giraphtar kar liya.

janata ne tyoriyaan badalian. apane pyare neta ko yoan giraphtar hote dekh kar unaka dhaury hath se jata raha.

lekin usi vakt apate ki lalakar sunaee di- tumane ahiansa-vrat liya hai aur agar kisi ne us vrat ko to da to usaka dosh mere sir hoga. maian tumase savinay anurodh karata hooan ki apane-apane ghar jao. adhikariyoan ne vahi kiya jo ham samajhate the. is sabha se hamara jo uddeshy tha vah poora ho gaya. ham yahaan balava karane nahian, keval sansar ki naitik sahanubhooti prapt karane ke lie jama hue the, aur hamara uddeshy poora ho gaya. ek kshan mean sabha bhang ho gayi aur apate pulis ki havalat mean bhej diye gaye.

4 mistar jauhari ne kaha- bachcha bahut dinoan ke bad panje mean aye haian, rajadroh ka mukadama chalakar kam se kam 10 sal ke lie aandaman bhejooanga.

mis joshi- isase kya fayada?

'kyoan? usako apane kiye ki saza mil jayagi.'

'lekin sochie, hamean usaka kitana mooly dena p dega. abhi jis bat ko gine-ginaye log janate haian vah sare sansar mean phailegi aur ham kahian muanh dikhane layaq n raheange. ap akhabaroan ke sanvadadataoan ki jaban to nahian band kar sakate.'

'kuchh bhi ho, maian ise jel mean s dana chahata hooan. kuchh dinoan ke lie to chain ki niand nasib hogi. badanami se to darana hi vyarth hai. ham praant ke sare samachar-patroan ko apane sadachar ka rag alapane ke lie mol le sakate haian. ham pratyek laanchhan ko jhooth sabit kar sakate haian, apate par mithya dosharopan ka aparadh laga sakate haian.' 'maian isase sahaj upay batala sakati hooan. ap apate ko mere hath mean chho d dijie. maian usase milooangi aur un yantroan se, jinaka prayog karane mean hamari jati sidhdahast hai, usake aantarik bhavoan aur vicharoan ki thah lekar apake samane rakh dooangi. maian aise praman khoj nikalana chahati hooan jinake uttar mean use muanh kholane ka sahas n ho, aur sansar ki sahanubhooti usake badale hamare sath ho. charoan or se yahi avaz aye ki yah kapati aur dhoort tha aur sarakar ne usake sath vahi vyavahar kiya hai jo hona chahie. mujhe vishvas hai ki vah shadayantrakariyoan ka mukhiya hai aur maian ise sidhd kar dena chahati hooan. maian use janata ki drishti mean devata nahian banana chahati, usako rakshas ke roop mean dikhana chahati hooan.'

'yah kam itana asan nahian hai, jitana tumane samajh rakha hai. apate rajaniti mean b da chatur hai.'

'aisa koee purush nahian hai, jis par yuvati apani mohini n dal sake.'

'agar tumhean vishvas hai ki tum yah kam poora kar dikhaogi, to mujhe koee apatti nahian hai. maian to keval use dand dena chahata hooan.'

'to hukm de dijie ki vah isi vakt chho d diya jay.'

'janata kahian yah to n samajhegi ki sarakar dar gayi?'

'nahian, mere khayal mean to janata par is vyavahar ka bahut achchha asar p dega. log samajheange ki sarakar ne janamat ka samman kiya hai.'

'lekin tumhean usake ghar jate log dekheange to man mean kya kaheange?'

'nakab dalakar jaooangi, kisi ko kanoankan khabar n hogi.'

'mujhe to ab bhi bhay hai ki vah tumhean sandeh ki drishti se dekhega aur tumhare panje mean n ayega, lekin tumhari ichchha hai to ajama kar dekho.'

yah kahakar mistar jauhari ne mis joshi ko premamay netroan se dekha, hath milaya aur chale gaye.

akash par tare nikale hue the, chait ki shital, sukhad vayu chal rahi thi, samane ke chau de maidan mean sannata chhaya hua tha, lekin mis joshi ko aisa maloom hua mano apate manch par kh da bol raha hai. usaka shaant, saumy, vishadamay svaroop usaki aankhoan mean samaya hua tha.

5 prat:kal mis joshi apane bhavan se nikali, lekin usake vastr bahut sadharan the aur abhooshan ke nam sharir par ek dhaga bhi n tha. alankaravihin hokar usaki chhavi svachchh, nirmal jal ki bhaanti aur bhi nikhar gayi. usane s dak par akar ek taanga liya aur chali.

apate ka makan gariboan ke ek door ke muhalle mean tha. taangevala makan ka pata janata tha. koee dikkat n huee. mis joshi jab makan ke dvar par pahuanchi to n jane kyoan usaka dil dh dak raha tha. usane kaanpate hue hathoan se kuandi khatakhatayi. ek adhe d aurat ne nikalakar dvara khol diya. mis joshi us ghar ki sadagi dekhakar dang rah gayi. ek kinare charapaee p di huee thi, ek tooti alamari mean kuchh kitabean chuni huee thian, pharsh par likhane ka desk tha aur ek rassi ki alagani par kap de latak rahe the. kamare ke doosare hisse mean ek lohe ka choolha tha aur khane ke baratan p de hue the. ek lamba-t danga adami, jo usi adhe d aurat ka pati tha, baitha ek toote hue tale ki marammat kar raha tha aur ek paanch-chh: varsh ka tejasvi balak apate ki pith par chadhane ke lie usake gale mean hath dal raha tha. apate isi lohar ke sath usi ke ghar mean rahate the. samachar-patroan mean lekh likhakar jo kuchh milata use de dete aur is bhaanti grih-prabandh ki chiantaoan se chhutti pakar jivan vyatit karate the.

mis joshi ko dekhakar apate jara chauanke, phir kh de hokar usaka svagat kiya aur sochane lage ki kahaan baithaooan. apani daridrata par aj unhean jitani laj ayi utani aur kabhi n ayi thi. mis joshi unaka asamanjas dekhakar charapaee par baith gayi aur jara rukhaee se boli- maian bina bulaye apake yahaan ane ke lie kshama maangati hooan kiantu kam aisa zaroori tha ki mere aye bina poora n ho sakata. kya maian ek minat ke lie apase ekaant mean mil sakati hooan.

apate ne jagannath ki or dekhakar kamare se bahar chale jane ka ishara kiya. usaki stri bhi bahar chali gayi. keval balak rah gaya. vah mis joshi ki or bar-bar utsuk aankhoan se dekhata tha. mano poochh raha ho ki tum apate dada ki kaun ho?

mis joshi ne charapaee se utarakar zamin par baithate hue kaha- ap kuchh anuman kar sakate haian ki maian is vakt kyoan ayi hooan?

apate ne jheanpate hue kaha- apaki kripa ke siva aur kya karan ho sakata hai?

mis joshi nahian, sansar itana udar nahian hua ki ap jise galiyaan dean, vah apako dhanyavad de. apako yad hai ki kal apane apane vyakhyan mean mujh par kya-kya akshep kiye the ? maian apase zor dekar kahati hooan ki ve akshep karake apane mujh par ghor atyachar kiya hai. ap jaise sahriday, shilavan, vidvanh, adami se mujhe aisi asha n thi. maian abala hooan, meri raksha karane vala koee nahian hai? kya apako uchit tha ki ek abala par mithyaropan karean ? agar maian purush hoti to apase dayool khelane ka agrah karati. abala hooan, isalie apaki sajjanata ko sparsh karana hi mere hath mean hai. apane mujh par jo laanchhan lagaye haian, ve sarvatha nirmool haian.

apate ne dridhata se kaha- anuman to bahari pramanoan se hi kiya jata hai.

mis joshi- bahari pramanoan se ap kisi ke aantastal ki bat nahian jan sakate.

apate- jisaka bhitar-bahar ek n ho, use dekhakar bhram mean p d jana svabhavik hai.

mis joshi- haan, to vah apaka bhram hai aur maian chahati hooan ki ap us kalank ko mita dean jo apane mujh par lagaya hai. ap isake lie prayashchitt kareange?

apate- agar n karooan to mujhase b da duratma sansar mean n hoga.

mis joshi- ap mujh par vishvas karate haian?

apate- maianne aj tak kisi ramani par avishvas nahian kiya.

mis joshi- kya apako yah sandeh ho raha hai ki maian apake sath kaushal kar rahi hooan?

apate ne mis joshi ki or apane saday, sajal, saral netroan se dekhakar kaha- baeeji, maian ganvar aur ashisht prani hooan, lekin nari-jati ke lie mere hriday mean jo adar hai, vah us shradhda se kam nahian hai, jo mujhe devataoan par hai. maianne apani mata ka mukh nahian dekha, yah bhi nahian janata ki mera pita kaun tha; kintu jis devi ke daya-vriksh ki chhaya mean mera palan-poshan hua unaki prem-moorti aj tak meri aankhoan ke samane hai aur nari ke prati meri bhakti ko sajiv rakhe hue hai. maian un shabdoan ko muanh se nikalane ke lie atyant du:khi aur lajjit hooan jo avesh mean nikal gaye, aur maian aj hi samachar-patroan mean khed prakat karake apase kshama ki prarthana karooanga.

mis joshi ko ab tak adhikaansh svarthi adamiyoan hi se sabika p da tha, jinake chikane-chup de shabdoan mean matalab chhipa hua tha. apate ke saral vishvas par usaka chitt anand se gadh‌gad ho gaya. shayad vah ganga mean kh di hokar apane any mitroan se yah kahati to usake phaishanebul milanevaloan mean se kisi ko us par vishvas n ata. sab muanh ke samane to haan-haan karate, par bahar nikalate hi usaka majak u dana shuroo karate. un kapati mitroan ke sammukh yah adami tha jisake ek-ek shabd mean sachchaee jhalak rahi thi jo usake aantastal se nikalate hue maloom hote the.

apate use chup dekhakar kisi aur hi chianta mean p de hue the. unhean bhay ho raha tha ab maian chahe kitani kshama magooan, mis joshi ke samane kitani saphaiyaan pesh karooan, mere akshepoan ka asar kabhi n mitega.

is bhav ne ajnat roop se unhean apane vishay ki gum batean kahane ki prerana ki jo unhean usaki drishti mean laghu bana dean, jisase vah bhi unhean nich samajhane lage, usako santosh ho jay ki yah bhi kalushit atma hai. bole- maian any se abhaga hooan. mata-pita ka to muanh hi dekhana nasib n hua, jis dayashil mahila ne mujhe ashray diya tha, vah bhi mujhe 13 varsh ki avastha mean anath chho dakar paralok sidhar gayi. us samay mere sir par jo kuchh biti use yad karake itani lajja ati hai ki kisi ko muanh n dikhaooan. maianne dhobi ka kam kiya; mochi ka kam kiya; gho de ki saeesi ki; ek hotal mean baratan maanjata raha; yahaan tak ki kitani hi bar kshudha se vyakul hokar bhikh bhi maangi. mazadoori karane ko bura nahian samajhata, aj bhi mazadoori hi karata hooan. bhikh maangani bhi kisi-kisi dasha mean kshamy hai, lekin maianne us avastha mean aise-aise karm kiye, jinhean kahate lajja ati hai- chori ki, vishvasaghat kiya, yahaan tak ki chori ke aparadh mean kaid ki saza bhi payi.

mis joshi ne sajal nayan hokar kaha- ap yah sab batean mujhase kyoan kah rahe haian? maian inaka ullekh karake apako kitana badanam kar sakati hooan, isaka apako bhay nahian hai? apate ne hansakar kaha- nahian, apase mujhe yah bhay nahian hai.

mis joshi- agar maian apase badala lena chahooan, to ?

apate- jab maian apane aparadh par lajjit hokar apase kshama maang raha hooan, to mera aparadh raha hi kahaan, jisaka ap mujhase badala leangi. isase to mujhe bhay hota hai ki apane mujhe kshama nahian kiya. lekin yadi maianne apase kshama n maangi hoti to mujhase badala n le sakatian. badala lene vale ki aankhean yoan sajal nahian ho jaya karatian. maian apako kapat karane ke ayogy samajhata hooan. ap yadi kapat karana chahatian to yahaan kabhi n atian.

mis joshi- maian apaka bhed lene hi ke lie ayi hooan.

apate- to shauq se lijie. maian batala chuka hooan ki maianne chori ke aparadh mean kaid ki saza payi thi. nasik ke jel mean rakha gaya tha. mera sharir durbal tha, jel ki k di mehanat n ho sakati thi aur adhikari log mujhe kamachor samajhakar beantoan se marate the. akhir ek din maian rat ko jel se bhag kh da hua.

mis joshi- ap to chhipe rustam nikale!

apate- aisa bhaga ki kisi ko khabar n huee. aj tak mere nam varant jari hai aur 500 ru. inam bhi hai.

mis joshi- tab to maian apako zaroor pak da dooangi.

apate- to phir maian apako apana asal nam bhi batalaye deta hooan. mera nam damodar modi hai. yah nam to pulis se bachane ke lie rakh chho da hai.

balak ab tak to chupachap baitha hua tha. mis joshi ke muanh se pak dane ki bat sunakar vah sajag ho gaya. use daantakar bola- hamale dada ko kaun pakalega?

mis joshi- sipahi aur kaun?

balak- ham sipahi ko maleange.

yah kahakar vah ek kone se apane khelane ka danda utha laya aur apate ke pas virochit bhav se kh da ho gaya, mano sipahiyoan se unaki raksha kar raha hai.

mis joshi- apaka rakshak to b da bahadur maloom hota hai.

apate- isaki bhi ek katha hai. sal-bhar hota hai, yah l daka kho gaya tha. mujhe raste mean mila. maian poochhata-poochhata ise yahaan laya. usi din se in logoan se mera itana prem ho gaya ki maian inake sath rahane laga.

mis joshi- ap anuman kar sakate haian ki apaka vrittaant sunakar maian apako kya samajh rahi hooan.

apate- vahi, jo maian vastav mean hooan- nich, kamina, dhoort...

mis joshi- nahian, ap mujh par phir anyay kar rahe haian. pahala anyay to kshama kar sakati hooan, yah anyay kshama nahian kar sakati. itani pratikool dashaoan mean p dakar bhi jisaka hriday itana pavitr, itana nishkapat, itana saday ho, vah adami nahian devata hai. bhagavanh, apane mujh par jo akshep kiye vah saty haian. maian apake anuman se kahian bhrasht hooan. maian is yogy bhi nahian hooan ki apaki or tak sakooan. apane apane hriday ki vishalata dikhakar mera asali svaroop mere samane prakat kar diya. mujhe kshama kijie, mujh par daya kijie. yah kahate-kahate vah unake pairoan par gir p di. apate ne use utha liya aur bole- mis joshi, eeshvar ke lie mujhe lajjit n karo.

mis joshi ne gadh‌gad kanth se kaha- ap in dushtoan ke hath se mera udhdar kijie. mujhe is yogy banaie ki apaki vishvasapatri ban sakooan. eeshvar sakshi hai ki mujhe kabhi-kabhi apani dasha par kitana du:kh hota hai. maian bar-bar cheshta karati hooan ki apani dasha sudharooan; is vilasita ke jal ko to d dooan, jo meri atma ko charoan taraph se jak de hue hai, par durbal atma apane nishchay par sthit nahian rahati. mera palan-poshan jis dhang se hua, usaka yah parinam hona svabhavik-sa maloom hota hai. meri uchch shiksha ne grihini-jivan se mere man mean ghrina paida kar di. mujhe kisi purush ke adhin rahane ka vichar asvabhavik jan p data tha. maian grihini ki zimmedariyoan aur chiantaoan ko apani manasik svadhinata ke lie vish-tuly samajhati thi. maian tarkabudhdi se apane stritv ko mita dena chahati thi, maian purushoan ki bhaanti svatantra rahana chahati thi. kyoan kisi ki paband hokar rahooan? kyoan apani ichchhaoan ko kisi vyakti ke saanche mean dhalooan? kyoan kisi ko yah kahane ka adhikar dooan ki tumane yah kyoan kiya? dampaty meri nigah mean tuchchh vastu thi. apane mata-pita ki alochana karana mere lie uchit nahian, eeshvar unhean sadgati de, unaki ray kisi bat par n milati thi. pita vidvanh the, mata ke lie 'kala akshar bhaians barabar' tha. unamean rat-din vad-vivad hota rahata tha. pitaji aisi stri se vivah ho jana apane jivan ka sabase b da durbhagy samajhate the. vah yah kahate kabhi n thakate the ki tum mere paanv ki be di ban gayian, nahian to maian n jane kahaan u dakar pahuancha hota. unake vichar mean sara dosh mataji ki ashiksha ke sir tha. vah apani ekamatr putri ko moorkha mata ke sansarg se door rakhana chahate the. mata kabhi mujhase kuchh kahati thian to pitaji un par toot p date- tumase kitani bar kah chuka ki l daki ko daanto mat, vah svayan apana bhala-bura soch sakati hai, tumhare daantane se usake atm-samman ko kitana dhakka lagega, yah tum nahian jan sakatian. akhir mataji ne nirash hokar mujhe mere hal par chho d diya aur kadachith isi shok mean chal basian. apane ghar ki ashanti dekhakar mujhe vivah se aur bhi ghrina ho gayi. sabase b da asar mujh par mere kalej ki ledi priansipal ka hua jo svayan avivahita thian. mera to ab yah vichar hai ki yuvakoan ki shiksha ka bhar keval adarsh charitroan par rakhana chahie. vilas mean rat, kalejoan ke shaukin prophesar vidyarthiyoan par koee achchha asar nahian dal sakate. maian is vakt aisi bat apase kah rahi hooan par abhi ghar jakar yah sab bhool jaooangi. maian jis sansar mean hooan, usaki jalavayu hi dooshit hai. vahaan sabhi mujhe kich d mean lathapath dekhana chahate haian, mere vilasasakt rahane mean hi unaka svarth hai. ap vah pahale adami haian jisane mujh par vishvas kiya hai, jisane mujhase nishkapat vyavahar kiya hai. eeshvar ke lie ab mujhe bhool n jaiega.

apate ne mis joshi ki or vedanapoorn drishti se dekhakar kaha- agar maian apaki kuchh seva kar sakooan to yah mere lie saubhagy ki bat hogi. mis joshi! ham sab mitti ke putale haian, koee nirdosh nahian. manushy big data hai to paristhitiyoan se, ya poorvasanskaroan se. paristhitiyoan ka tyag karane se hi bach sakata hai, sanskaroan se giranevale manushy ka marg isase kahian kathin hai. apaki atma sundar aur pavitr hai, keval paristhitiyoan ne usekuhare ki bhaanti dhank liya hai. ab vivek ka soory uday ho gaya hai, eeshvar ne chaha to kuhara bhi phat jayaga. lekin sabase pahale un paristhitiyoan ka tyag karane ko taiyar ho jaie.

mis joshi- yahi apako karana hoga.

apate ne chubhati huee nigahoan se dekhakar kaha- vaidy rogi ko jabaradasti dava pilata hai.

mis joshi- maian sabakuchh karooangi. maian k davi se k davi dava piyooangi yadi ap pilayeange. kal ap mere ghar ane ki kripa kareange, sham ko?

apate- avashy aooanga.

mis joshi ne vida lete hue kaha- bhooliega nahian, maian apaki rah dekhati rahooangi. apane rakshak ko bhi laiega.

yah kahakar usane balak ko god mean uthaya aur use gale se laga kar bahar nikal ayi.

garv ke mare usake paanv zamin par n p date the. maloom hota tha, hava mean u di ja rahi hai. pyas se t dapate hue manushy ko nadi ka tat najar ane laga tha. 6 doosare din prat:kal mis joshi ne mehamanoan ke nam davati kard bheje aur utsav manane ki taiyariyaan karane lagi. mistar apate ke samman mean parti di ja rahi thi. mistar jauhari ne kard dekha to muskaraye. ab mahashay is jal se bachakar kahaan jayeange? mis joshi ne unhean phansane ki yah achchhi tarakib nikali. is kam mean nipun maloom hoti hai. maianne samajha tha, apate chalak adami hoga, magar in aandolanakari vidrohiyoan ko bakavas karane ke siva aur kya soojh sakati hai.

char hi baje se mehaman log ane lage. nagar ke b de-b de adhikari, b de-b de vyapari, b de-b de vidvanh, pradhan samachar-patroan ke sampadak apani-apani mahilaoan ke sath ane lage. mis joshi ne aj apane achchhe-se-achchhe vastr aur abhooshan nikale hue the, jidhar nikal jati thi maloom hota tha, arun prakash ki chhata chali a rahi hai. bhavan mean charoan taraph se sugandh ki lapatean a rahi thian aur madhur sangit ki dhvani hava mean gooanj rahi thi.

paanch bajate-bajate mistar jauhari a pahuanche aur mis joshi se hath milate hue muskarakar bole- ji chahata hai tumhare hath choom looan. ab mujhe vishvas ho gaya ki yah mahashay tumhare panje se nahian nikal sakate.

misez petit bolian- mis joshi diloan ka shikar karane hi ke lie banayi gayihaian.

mistar sorabaji- maianne suna hai apate bilakul ganvar-sa adami hai.

mistar bharoocha- kisi yoonivarsiti mean shiksha hi nahian payi sabhyata kahaan se ati?

misez bharoocha- aj use khoob banana chahie.

mahant virabhadr dadhi ke bhitar se bole- maianne suna hai, nastik hai. varnashram dharm ka palan nahian karata.

mis joshi- nastik to maian bhi hooan. eeshvar par mera bhi vishvas nahian hai.

mahant- ap nastik hoan, par ap kitane hi nastikoan ko astik bana deti haian.

mistar jauhari- apane lakh ki bat kahi mahantaji!

misez bharoocha- kyoan mahantaji, apako mis joshi hi ne astik banaya hai kya?

sahasa apate lohar ke balak ki uangali pak de hue bhavan mean dakhil hue. vah poore phaishanebul rees bane hue the. balak bhi kisi rees ka l daka maloom hota tha. aj apate ko dekhakar logoan ko vidit hua ki vah kitana suandar, sajila adami hai. mukh se shaury tapak raha tha, por-por se shishtata jhalakati thi, maloom hota tha vah isi samaj mean pala hai. log dekh rahe the ki vah kahian chooke aur taliyaan bajayean, kahian phisale aur kahakahe lagayean par apate manje hue khila di ki bhaanti, jo qadam uthata tha vah sadha hua, jo hath dikhalata tha vah jama hua. log use pahale tuchchh samajhate the, ab usaserh eershya karane lage, us par phabatiyaan u dani shuroo kian. lekin apate is kala mean bhi ek hi nikala. bat muanh se nikali aur usane javab diya, par usake javab mean maliny ya katuta ka lesh bhi n hota tha. usaka ek-ek shabd saral, svachchh, chitt ko prasann karanevale bhavoan mean dooba hota tha. mis joshi usaki vakchaturi par phool uthati thi?

sorabaji- apane kis yunivarsiti se shiksha payi thi?

apate- yunivarsiti mean shiksha payi hoti to aj maian bhi shiksha-vibhag ka adhyaksh n hota.

misej bharoocha- maian to apako bhayankar jantu samajhati thi?

apate ne muskarakar kaha- apane mujhe mahilaoan ke samane n dekha hoga.

sahasa mis joshi apane sone ke kamare mean gayi aur apane sare vastrabhooshan utar pheanke. usake mukh se shubh sankalp ka tej nikal raha tha. netroan se dabi jyoti prasphutit ho rahi thi, mano kisi devata ne use varadan diya ho. usane saje hue kamare ko ghrina ke netroan se dekha, apane abhooshanoan ko pairoan se thukara diya aur ek moti saf sa di pahanakar bahar nikali. aj prat:kal hi usane yah sa di manga li thi.

use is naye vesh mean dekhakar sab log chakit ho gaye. kayapalat kaisi? sahasa kisi ki aankhoan ko vishvas n aya; kintu mistar jauhari bagalean bajane lage. mis joshi ne ise phansane ke lie yah koee naya svaang racha hai.

'mitroan! apako yad hai, parasoan mahashay apate ne mujhe kitani galiyaan di thian. yah mahashay kh de haian. aj maian inhean us durvavy,vahar ka dand dena chahati hooan. maian kal inake makan par jakar inake jivan ke sare gupt rahasyoan ko jan ayi. yah jo janata ki bhi d mean garajate phirate haian, mere ek hi nishane mean gir p de. maian un rahasyoan ko kholane mean ab vilamb n karooangi, ap log adhir ho rahe hoange. maianne jo kuchh dekha, vah itana bhayankar hai ki usaka vrittant sunakar shayad ap logoan ko moorchchha a jayagi. ab mujhe leshamatr bhi sandeh nahian hai ki yah mahashay pakke vidrohi haian...'

mistar jauhari ne tali bajayi aur taliyoan se h aaul gooanj utha.

mis joshi- lekin raj ke drohi nahian, anyay ke drohi, daman ke drohi, abhiman ke drohi...

charoan or sannata chha gaya. log vismit hokar ek doosare ki or takane lage.

mis joshi- mahashay apate ne gupt roop se shastri jama kiye haian aur gupt roop se hatyae ki haian...

mistar jauhari ne taliyaan bajayian aur taliyoan ka dauang da phir baras gaya.

mis joshi- lekin kisaki hatya? du:kh ki, daridrata ki, praja ke kashtoan ki, hathadharmi ki aur apane svarth ki.

charoan or phir sannata chha gaya aur log chakit ho-hokar ek-doosare ki or takane lage, mano unhean apane kanoan par vishvas nahian hai. mis joshi- maharaj apate ne gupt roop se dakaitiyaan ki haian aur kar rahe haian... abaki kisi ne tali n bajayi, log sunana chahate the ki dekhean age kya kahatihai. 'unhoanne mujh par bhi hath saf kiya hai, mera sabakuchh apaharan kar liya hai, yahaan tak ki ab maian niradhar hooan aur unake charanoan ke siva mere lie aur koee ashray nahian hai.

pranadhar! is abala ko apane charanoan mean sthan do, use doobane se bachao. maian janati hooan, tum mujhe nirash n karoge.'

yah kahate-kahate vah jakar apate ke charanoan par gir p di. sari mandali stabhit rah gayi. 7 ek saptah gujar chuka tha. apate pulis ki hirasat mean the. un par abhiyog chalane ki taiyariyaan ho rahi thian. sare praant mean halachal machi huee thi. nagar mean roj sabhaean hoti thian, pulis roj das-paanch adamiyoan ko pak dati thi. samachar-patroan mean joroan ke sath vad-vivad ho raha tha.

rat ke nau baj gaye the. mistar jauhari raj-bhavan mean mej par baithe hue soch rahe the ki mis joshi ko kyoankar vapas laean? usi din se unaki chhati par saanp lot raha tha. usaki soorat ek kshan ke lie aankhoan se n utarati thi.

vah soch rahe the, isane mere sath aisi daga ki! maianne isake lie kya kuchh n kiya? isaki kaun-si ichchha thi, jo maianne poori nahian ki aur isi ne mujhase bevaphaee ki. nahian, kabhi nahian, maian isake bagair jianda nahian rah sakata. duniya chahe mujhe badanam kare, hatyara kahe, chahe mujhe pad se hath dhona p de, lekin apate ko n chho dooanga. is ro de ko raste se hata dooanga, is kaante ko pahaloo se nikal bahar karooanga.

sahasa kamare ka dvar khula aur mis joshi ne pravesh kiya. mistar jauhari hakabakakar kurasi par se uth kh de hue aur yah sochakar ki shayad mis joshi udhar se nirash hokar mere pas ayi hai, kuchh rookhe, lekin namr bhav se bole- ao bala, tumhari yad mean baitha tha. tum kitani hi bevaphaee karo, par tumhari yad mere dil se nahian nikal sakati. mis joshi- ap keval jaban se kahate haian.

mistar jauhari- kya dil chir kar dikha dooan?

mis joshi- prem pratikar nahian karata, prem se duragrah nahian hota. ap mere khoon ke pyase ho rahe haian; us par bhi ap kahate haian, maian tumhari yad karata hooan. apane mere svami ko hirasat mean dal rakha hai, yah prem hai! akhir ap mujhase kya chahate haian? agar ap samajh rahe hoan ki in sakhtiyoan se darakar maian apake sharan a jaooangi to apaka bhram hai. apako akhtiyar hai ki apate ko kalepani bhej dean, phaansi par chadha dean, lekin isaka mujh par koee asar n hoga. vah mere svami haian, maian unako apana svami samajhati hooan. unhoanne apani vishal udarata se mera udhdar kiya. ap mujhe vishay ke phandoan mean phansate the, meri atma ko kalushit karate the. kabhi apako yah khayal aya ki isaki atma par kya bit rahi hogi? ap mujhe atmashoony samajhate the. is devapurush ne apani nirmal svachchh atma ke akarshan se mujhe pahali hi mulakat mean khianch liya. maian usaki ho gayi aur marate dam tak usi ki rahooangi. us marg se ab ap mujhe nahian hata sakate. mujhe ek sachchi astha ki zaroorat thi, vah mujhe mil gayi. use pakar ab tinoan lok ki sampada meri aankhoan mean tuchchh hai. maian unake viyog mean chahe pran de dooan, par apake kam nahian a sakati.

mistar jauhari- mis joshi! prem udar nahian hota, kshamashil nahian hota. mere lie tum sarvasv ho, jab tak maian samajhata hooan ki tum meri ho. agar tum meri nahian ho sakati to mujhe isaki kya chianta ho sakati hai ki tum kis disha mean ho?

mis joshi- yah apaka aantim nishchay hai?

mistar jauhari- agar maian kah dooan ki haan, to?

mis joshi ne sine se pistaul nikalakar kaha- to pahale apaki lash zamin par ph dakati hogi aur apake bad meri. bolie, yah apaka aantim nishchay hai?

yah kahakar mis joshi ne jauhari ki taraph pistaul sidha kiya. jauhari kurasi se uth kh de hue aur muskarakar bole kya tum mere lie kabhi itana sahas kar sakati thian? kadapi nahian. ab mujhe vishvas ho gaya ki maian tumhean nahian pa sakata. jao, tumhara apate tumhean mubarak ho. us par se abhiyog utha liya jayaga. pavitr prem hi mean yah sahas hai. ab mujhe vishvas ho gaya ki tumhara prem pavitr hai. agar koee purana papi bhavishyavani kar sakata hai to maian kahata hooan, vah din door nahian, jab tum is bhavan ki svamini hogi. apate ne mujhe prem ke kshetr mean nahian, rajaniti ke kshetr mean bhi parast kar diya. sachcha adami ek mulakat mean hi jivan ko badal sakata hai, atma ko jaga sakata hai aur ajnan ko mitakar prakash ki jyoti phaila sakata hai, yah aj sidhd ho gaya.