स्वामिनी -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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shivadas ne bhandare ki kuanji apani bahoo ramapyari ke samane pheankakar apani boodhi aankhoan mean aansoo bharakar kaha- bahoo, aj se girasti ki dekhabhal tumhare oopar hai. mera sukh bhagavan se nahian dekha gaya, nahian to kya javan bete ko yoan chhin lete! usaka kam karane vala to koee chahie. ek hal to d dooan, to gujara n hoga. mere hi kukaram se bhagavan ka yah kop aya hai, aur maian hi apane mathe par use looanga. birajoo ka hal ab maian hi sanbhalooanga. ab ghar ki dekh-rekh karane vala, dharane-uthane vala tumhare siva doosara kaun hai? roo mat beta, bhagavan ki jo ichchha thi, vah hua; aur jo ichchha hogi vah hoga. hamara-tumhara kya bas hai? mere jite-ji tumhean koee tedhi aankh se dekh bhi n sakega. tum kisi bat ka soch mat kiya karo. birajoo gaya, to abhi baitha hi hua hooan.

ramapyari aur ramadulari do sagi bahanean thian. donoan ka vivah mathura aur birajoo do sage bhaiyoan se hua. donoan bahanean naihar ki tarah sasural mean bhi prem aur anand se rahane lagian. shivadas ko peanshan mili. din-bhar dva r par gap-shap karate. bhara-poora parivar dekhakar prasann hote aur adhikatar dharm-charcha mean lage rahate the; lekin daivagati se b da l daka birajoo bimar p da aur aj use mare hue pandrah din bit gaye. aj kriya-karm se phurasat mili aur shivadas ne sachche karmavir ki bhaanti phir jivan sangram ke lie kamar kas li. man mean use chahe kitana hi du:kh hua ho, use kisi ne rote nahian dekha. aj apani bahoo ko dekhakar ek kshan ke lie usaki aankhean sajal ho gayian; lekin usane man ko sanbhala aur rooddh kanth se use dilasa dene laga. kadachith usane, socha tha, ghar ki svamini banakar vidhava ke aansoo puanchh jayeange, kam-se-kam use itana kathin parishram n karana p dega, isalie usane bhandare ki kuanji bahoo ke samane pheank di thi. vaidhavy ki vyatha ko svamitv ke garv se daba dena chahata tha.

ramapyari ne pulakit kanth se kaha- yah kaise ho sakata hai dada, ki tum mehanat-mazadoori karo aur maian malakin banakar baithooan? kam dhandhe mean lagi rahooangi, to man badala rahega. baithe-baithe to rone ke siva aur kuchh n hoga.

shivadas ne samajhaya- beta, daivagati mean to kisi ka bas nahian, rone-dhone se halakani ke siva aur kya hath ayega? ghar mean bhi to bisoan kam haian. koee sadhu-sant a jayan, koee pahuna hi a pahuanche, to unake seva-satkar ke lie kisi ko ghar par rahana hi p dega.

bahoo ne bahut-se hile kiye, par shivadas ne ek n suni.

2

shivadas ke bahar chale jane par ramapyari ne kuanji uthayi, to use man mean apoorv gaurav aur uttaradayitv ka anubhav hua. jara der ke lie pati-viyog ka du:kh use bhool gaya. usaki chhoti bahan aur devar donoan kam karane gaye hue the. shivadas bahar tha. ghar bilakul khali tha. is vakt vah nishchit hokar bhandare ko khol sakati hai. usamean kya-kya saman hai, kya-kya vibhooti hai, yah dekhane ke lie usaka man lalayit ho utha. is ghar mean vah kabhi n ayi thi. jab kabhi kisi ko kuchh dena ya kisi se kuchh lena hota tha, tabhi shivadas akar is kothari ko khola karata tha. phir use bandakar vah tali apani kamar mean rakh leta tha.

ramapyari kabhi-kabhi dvar ki dararoan se bhitar jhaankati thi, par aandhere mean kuchh n dikhaee deta. sare ghar ke lie vah kothari tilism ya rahasy tha, jisake vishay mean bhaanti-bhaanti ki kalpanaean hoti rahati thian. aj ramapyari ko vah rahasy kholakar dekhane ka avasar mil gaya. usane bahar ka dvar band kar diya, ki koee use bhandar kholate n dekh le, nahian sochega, bezaroorat usane kyoan khola, tab akar kaanpate hue hathoan se tala khola. usaki chhati dh dak rahi thi ki koee dvar n khatakhatane lage. aandar paanv rakha to use kuchh usi prakar ka, lekin usase kahian tivr anand hua, jo use apane gahane-kap de ki pitari kholane mean hota tha. matakoan mean gu d, shakkar, gehooan, jau adi chizean rakhi huee thian. ek kinare b de-b de baratan dhare the, jo shadi-byah ke avasar par nikale jate the, ya maange diye jate the. ek ale par malagujari ki rasidean aur len-den ke puraje bandhe hue rakhe the. kothari mean ek vibhooti-si chhayi thi, mano lakshmi ajnat roop se viraj rahi hoan. us vibhooti ki chhaya mean ramapyari adhe ghante tak baithi apani atma ko tript karati rahi. pratikshan usake hriday par mamatv ka nasha-sa chhaya ja raha tha. jab vah us kothari se nikali, to usake man ke sanskar badal gaye the, mano kisi ne us par mantr dal diya ho.

usi samay dvar par kisi ne avaz di. usane turant bhandare ka dvar band kiya aur jakar sadar daravaza khol diya. dekha to p dosin jhuniya kh di hai aur ek rupaya udhar maang rahi hai.

ramapyari ne rookhaee se kaha- abhi to ek paisa ghar mean nahian hai jiji, kriya-karm mean sab kharach ho gaya.

jhuniya chakara gayi. chaudhari ke ghar mean is samay ek rupaya bhi nahian hai, yah vishvas karane ki bat n thi. jisake yahaan saik doan ka len-den hai, vah sab kuchh kriya-karm mean nahian kharch kar sakata. agar shivadas ne bahana kiya hota, to use ashchary n hota. pyari to apane saral svabhav ke lie gaanv mean mashahoor thi. akasar shivadas ki aankhean bachakar p dosiyoan ko ichchhit vastuean de diya karati thi. abhi kal hi usane janaki ko ser-bhar doodh diya. yahaan tak ki apane gahane tak maange de deti thi. kripan shivadas ke ghar mean aisi sakharaj bahoo ka ana gaanv vale apane saubhagy ki bat samajhate the.

jhuniya ne chakit hokar kaha- aisa n kaho jiji, b de gadhe mean p dakar ayi hooan, nahian tum janati ho, meri adat aisi nahian hai. baki ka ek rupaya dena hai. pyada dvar par kh da bakajhak kar raha hai. rupaya de do, to kisi tarah yah vipatti tale. maian aj ke athavean din akar de jaooangi. gaanv mean aur kaun ghar hai, jahaan maangane jaooan?

pyari tas se mas n huee.

usake jate hi pyari saanjh ke lie rasoee-pani ka iantajam karane lagi. pahale chaval-dal binana apadh lagata tha aur rasoee mean jana to sooli par chadhane se kam n tha. kuchh der bahanoan mean jhaanv- jhaanv hoti, tab shivadas akar kahate, kya aj rasoee n banegi, to do mean se ek uthati aur mote- mote tikk d lagakar rakh deti, mano bailoan ka ratib ho. aj pyari tan-man se rasoee ke prabandh mean lagi huee hai. ab vah ghar ki svamini hai.

tab usane bahar nikalakar dekha, kitana koo da-karakat p da hua hai! budhoo din-bhar makkhi mara karate haian. itana bhi nahian hota ki jara jha doo hi laga dean. ab kya inase itana bhi n hoga? dvar chikana hona chahie ki dekhakar adami ka man prasann ho jay. yah nahian ki ubakaee ane lage. abhi kah dooan, to tinak uthean. achchha, munni naand se alag kyoan kh di hai?

usane munni ke pas jakar naand mean jhaanka. durgandh a rahi thi. thik! maloom hota hai, mahinoan se pani hi nahian badala gaya. is tarah to gay rah chuki. apana pet bhar liya, chhutti huee, aur kisi se kya matalab? haan,doodh sabako achchha lagata hai. dada dvar par baithe chilam pi rahe haian,magar itana nahian hota ki char gh da pani naand mean dal dean. majoor rakha hai vah bhi tin kau di ka. khane ko dedh ser; kam karate nani marati hai. aj ata hai to poochhati hooan, naand mean pani kyoan nahian badala. rahana ho, rahe ya jay. adami bahut mileange. charoan or to log mare-mare phir rahe haian.

akhir usase n raha gaya. gh da uthakar pani lane chali.

shivadas ne pukara- pani kya hoga bahoo? isamean pani bhara hua hai.

pyari ne kaha- naand ka pani s d gaya hai. munni bhoose mean muanh nahian dalati. dekhate nahian ho, kos-bhar par kh di hai.

shivadas marmik bhav se musakaraye aur akar bahoo ke hath se gh da le liya.

3

kee mahine bit gaye. pyari ke adhikar me ate hi us ghar me jaise vasant a gaya. bhitar-bahar jahaan dekhie, kisi nipun prabandhak ke hastakaushal, suvichar aur suruchi ke chihn dikhate the. pyari ne grihayantr ki aisi chabhi kas di thi ki sabhi puraje thik-thak chalane lage the. bhojan pahale se achchha milata hai aur samay par milata hai. doodh zyada hota hai, ghi zyada hota hai, aur kam zyada hota hai. pyari n khud vishram leti hai, n doosaroan ko vishram lene deti hai. ghar mean aisi barakat a gayi hai ki jo chiz maango, ghar hi mean nikal ati hai. adami se lekar janavar tak sabhi svasth dikhaee dete haian. ab vah pahale ki-si dasha nahian hai ki koee chith de lapete ghoom raha hai, kisi ko gahane ki dhun savar hai. haan agar koee roogn aur chiantit tatha malin vesh mean hai, to vah pyari hai; phir bhi sara ghar usase jalata hai. yahaan tak ki boodhe shivadas bhi kabhi-kabhi usaki badagoee karate haian. kisi ko pahar rat rahe uthana achchha nahian lagata. mehanat se sabhi ji churate haian. phir bhi yah sab manate haian ki pyari n ho, to ghar ka kam n chale. aur to aur, donoan bahanoan mean bhi ab utana apanapan nahian.

prat:kal ka samay tha. dulari ne hathoan ke k de lakar pyari ke samane patak diye aur ghunnaee huee boli- lekar ise bhi bhandare mean band kar de.

pyari ne k de utha liye aur komal svar se kaha- kah to diya, hath mean rupaye ane de, banava dooangi. abhi aisa ghis nahian gaya hai ki aj hi utarakar pheank diya jay.

dulari l dane ko taiyar hokar ayi thi. boli- tere hath mean kahe ko kabhi rupaye ayeange aur kahe ko k de baneange. jo d- jo d rakhane mean maja ata hai n?

pyari ne hॅansakar kaha- jo d-jo d rakhati hooan to tere hi lie ki mere koee aur baitha hua hai, ki maian sabase zyada kha-pahan leti hooan. mera anant kab ka toota p da hai.

dulari- tum n khao-n pahano, jas to pati ho. yahaan khane-pahanane ke siva aur kya hai? maian tumhara hisab-kitab nahian janati, mere k de aj banane ko bhej do.

pyari ne saral vinod ke bhav se poochha- rupaye n hoan, to kahaan se laooan?

dulari ne uddandata ke sath kaha- mujhe isase koee matalab nahian. maian to k de chahati hooan.

isi tarah ghar ke sab adami apane-apane avasar par pyari ko do-char khoti-khari suna jate the, aur vah garib sabaki dhauans hansakar sahati thi. svamini ka yah dharm hai ki sabaki dhauans sun le aur kare vahi, jisamean ghar ka kalyan ho! svamitv ke kavach par dhauans, tane, dhamaki kisi ka asar n hota. usaki svamini ki kalpana in aghatoan se aur bhi svasth hoti thi. vah grihasthi ki sanchalika hai. sabhi apane-apane du:kh usi ke samane rote haian, par jo kuchh vah karati hai, vahi hota hai. itana use prasann karane ke lie kafi tha. gaanv mean pyari ki sarahana hoti thi. abhi umr hi kya hai, lekin sare ghar ko sanbhale hue hai. chahati to sagaee karake chain se rahati. is ghar ke pichhe apane ko mitaye deti hai. kabhi kisi se hansati-bolati bhi nahian, jaise kaya palat ho gayi.

kee din bad dulari ke k de banakar a gaye. pyari khud sunar ke ghar dau d-dau d gayi.

sandhya ho gayi thi. dulari aur mathura hat se laute. pyari ne naye k de dulari ko diye. dulari nihal ho gayi. chatapat k de pahane aur dau di huee barauthe mean jakar mathura ko dikhane lagi. pyari barauthe ke dvar par chhipi kh di yah drishy dekhane lagi. usaki aankhean sajal ho gayian. dulari usase kul tin hi sal to chhoti hai! par donoan mean kitana aantar hai. usaki aankhean manoan us drishy par jam gayian, dampati ka vah saral anand, unaka premaliangan, unaki mugdh mudra- pyari ki takataki-si bandh gayi, yahaan tak ki dipak ke dhuandhale prakash mean ve donoan usaki najaroan se gayab ho gaye aur apane hi atit jivan ki ek lila aankhoan ke samane bar-bar naye-naye roop mean ane lagi.

sahasa shivadas ne pukara- b di bahoo! ek paisa do. tamakhoo mॅangavaooan.

pyari ki samadhi toot gayi. aansoo poanchhati huee bhandare mean paisa lene chali gayi.

4

ek-ek karake pyari ke gahane usake hath se nikalate jate the. vah chahati thi, mera ghar gaanv mean sabase sanpann samajha jay, aur is mahatvakaanksha ka mooly dena p data tha. kabhi ghar ki marammat ke lie aur kabhi bailoan ki nayi goee kharidane ke lie, kabhi natedaroan ke vyavaharoan ke lie, kabhi bimaroan ki dava- daroo ke lie rupaye ki zaroorat p dati rahati thi, aur jab bahut katarabyoant karane par bhi kam n chalata to vah apani koee-n-koee chiz nikal deti. aur chiz ek bar hath se nikalakar phir n lautati thi. vah chahati, to inamean se kitane hi kharchoan ko tal jati; par jahaan ijjat ki bat a p dati thi, vah dil kholakar kharch karati. agar gaanv mean hethi ho gayi, to kya bat rahi! log usi ka nam to dhareange. dulari ke pas bhi gahane the. do-ek chizean mathura ke pas bhi thian, lekin pyari unaki chizean n chhooti. unake khane-pahanane ke din haian. ve is janjal mean kyoan phॅansean!

dulari ko l daka hua, to pyari ne dhoom se janmotsav manane ka prastav kiya.

shivadas ne virodh kiya- kya fayada? jab bhagavan ki daya se sagaee-byah ke din ayeange, to dhoom-dham kar lena.

pyari ka hausaloan se bhara dil bhala kyoan manata! boli- kaisi bat kahate ho dada? pahalauthe l dake ke lie bhi dhoom-dham n huee to kab hogi? man to nahian manata. phir duniya kya kahegi? nam b de, darshan tho de. maian tumase kuchh nahian maangati. apana sara saranjam kar looangi.

gahanoan ke mathe jayagi, aur kya?- shivadas ne chiantit hokar kaha- is tarah ek din dhaga bhi n bachega. kitana samajhaya, beta, bhaee-bhaujaee kisi ke nahian hote. apane pas do chizean raheangi, to sab muanh joheange; nahian koee sidhe bat bhi n karega.

pyari ne aisa muanh banaya, mano vah aisi boodhi batean bahut sun chuki hai, aur boli- jo apane haian, ve bhi n poochhean, to bhi apane hi rahate haian. mera dharam mere sath hai, unaka dharam unake sath hai. mar jaooangi to kya chhati par lad le jaooangi?

dhoom-dham se janmotsav manaya gaya. barahi ke din sari biradari ka bhoj hua. log kha-pikar chale gaye, pyari din-bhar ki thaki-maandi aangan mean ek tat ka tuk da bichhakar kamar sidhi karane lagi. aankhean jhapak gayian. mathura usi vakt ghar mean aya. navajat putr ko dekhane ke lie usaka chitt vyakul ho raha tha. dulari saur-grih se nikal chuki thi. garbhavastha mean usaki deh kshin ho gayi thi, muanh bhi utar gaya tha, par aj svasthata ki lalima mukh par chhayi huee thi. saur ke sanyam aur paushtik bhojan ne deh ko chikana kar diya tha. mathura use aangan mean dekhate hi samip a gaya aur ek bar pyari ki or takakar usake nidramagn hone ka nishchay karake usane shishu ko god mean le liya aur usaka muanh choomane laga.

ahat pakar pyari ki aankhean khul gayian; par usane niand ka bahana kiya aur adhakhuli aankhoan se yah anand-kri da dekhane lagi. mata aur pita donoan bari-bari se balak ko choomate, gale lagate aur usake mukh ko niharate the. kitana svargiy anand tha! pyari ki trishit lalasa ek kshan ke lie svamini ko bhool gayi. jaise lagam se mukhabaddh, bojh se lada hua, haankane vale ke chabuk se pi dit, dau date-dau date bedam turang hinahinane ki avaz sunakar kanautiyaan kh di kar leta hai aur paristhiti ko bhoolakar ek dabi huee hinahinahat se usaka javab deta hai, kuchh vahi dasha pyari ki huee. usaka matritv jo pianjare mean band, mook, nishchesht p da hua tha, samip se anevali matritv ki chahakar sunakar jaise jag p da aur chintaoan ke us pianjare se nikalane ke lie pankh ph daph dane laga.

mathura ne kaha- yah mera l daka hai.

dulari ne balak ko god mean chipatakar kaha- haan, kyoan nahian. tumhian ne to nau mahine pet mean rakha hai. saansat to meri huee, bap kahalane ke lie tum kood p de.

mathura- mera l daka n hota, to meri soorat ka kyoan hota. chehara-mohara, rang-roop sab mera hi-sa hai ki nahian?

dulari- isase kya hota hai. bij baniye ke ghar se ata hai. khet kisan ka hota hai. upaj baniye ki nahian hoti, kisan ki hoti hai.

mathura- batoan mean tumase koee n jitega. mera l daka b da ho jayaga, to maian dvar par baithakar maje se huqqa piya karooanga.

dulari- mera l daka padhe-likhega, koee b da hudda paega. tumhari tarah din-bhar bail ke pichhe n chalega. malakin se kahana hai, kal ek palana banava dean.

mathura- ab bahut sabere n utha karana aur chhati pha dakar kam bhi n karana.

dulari- yah maharani jine deangi?

mathura- mujhe to bechari par daya ati hai. usake kaun baitha hua hai? hamian logoan ke lie marati hai. bhaiya hote, to ab tak do-tin bachchoan ki maan ho gayi hoti.

pyari ke kanth mean aansuoan ka aisa veg utha ki use rokane mean sari deh kaanp uthi. apana vanchit jivan use maroosthal-sa laga, jisaki sookhi ret par vah hara-bhara bag lagane ki nishphal cheshta kar rahi thi.

5

kuchh dinoan ke bad shivadas bhi mar gaya. udhar dulari ke do bachche aur hue. vah bhi adhikatar bachchoan ke lalan-palan mean vyast rahane lagi. kheti ka kam mazadooroan par a p da. mathura mazadoor to achchha tha, sanchalak achchha n tha. use svatantr roop se kam lene ka kabhi avasar n mila. khud pahale bhaee ki nigarani mean kam karata raha. bad ko bap ki nigarani mean kam karane laga. kheti ka tar bhi n janata tha. vahi majoor usake yahaan tikate the, jo mehanat nahian, khushamad karane mean kushal hote the, isalie pyari ko ab din mean do-char chakkar har ke bhi lagana p data. kahane ko vah ab bhi malakin thi, par vastav mean ghar-bhar ki sevika thi. majoor bhi usase tyoriyaan badalate, zamiandar ka pyada bhi usi par dhauans jamata. bhojan mean bhi kiphayat karani p dati; l dakoan ko to jitani bar maange, utani bar kuchh-n-kuchh chahie. dulari to l dakauri thi, use bharapoor bhojan chahie. mathura ghar ka saradar tha, usake is adhikar ko kaun chhin sakata tha? majoor bhala kyoan riyayat karane lage the. sari kasar pyari par nikalati thi. vahi ek falatoo chiz thi; agar adha pet khay, to kisi ko hani n ho sakati thi. tis varsh ki avastha mean usake bal pak gaye, kamar jhuk gayi, aankhoan ki jot kam ho gayi; magar vah prasann thi. svamitv ka gaurav in sare jakhmoan par maraham ka kam karata tha.

ek din mathura ne kaha- bhabhi, ab to kahian paradesh jane ka ji hota hai. yahaan to kamaee mean barakat nahian. kisi tarah pet ki roti chal jati hai. vah bhi ro-dhokar. kee adami poorab se aye haian. ve kahate haian, vahaan do-tin rupaye roj ki mazadoori ho jati hai. char-paanch sal bhi rah gaya, to malamal ho jaooanga. ab age l dake-bale hue, inake lie kuchh to karana hi chahie.

dulari ne samarthan kiya- hath mean char paise hoange, l dakoan ko padhayeange-likhayeange. hamari to kisi tarah kat gayi, l dakoan ko to adami banana hai.

pyari yah prastav sunakar avakh rah gayi. unaka muanh takane lagi. isake pahale is tarah ki batachit kabhi n huee thi. yah dhun kaise savar ho gayi? use sandeh hua, shayad mere karan yah bhavana utpann huee. boli- maian to jane ko n kahooangi, age jaisi ichchha ho. l dakoan ko padhane-likhane ke lie yahaan bhi to madarasa hai. phir kya nity yahi din bane raheange. do-tin sal bhi kheti ban gayi, to sab kuchh ho jayaga.

mathura- itane din kheti karate ho gaye, jab ab tak n bani, to ab kya ban jayagi! is tarah ek din chal deange, man-ki-man mean rah jayagi. phir ab paurookh bhi to thak raha hai. yah kheti kaun sanbhalega. l dakoan ko maian chakki mean jotakar unaki ziandagi nahian kharab karana chahata.

pyari ne aankhoan mean aansoo lakar kaha- bhaiya, ghar par jab tak adhi mile, sari ke lie n dhavana chahie, agar meri or se koee bat ho, to apana ghar-bar apane hath mean karo, mujhe ek tuk da de dena, p di rahooangi.

mathura ardr kanth hokar bola- bhabhi, yah tum kya kahati ho. tumhare hi sॅanbhale yah ghar ab tak chala hai, nahian rasatal mean chala gaya hota. is girasti ke pichhe tumane apane ko mith‍ti mean mila diya, apani deh ghula dali. maian aandha nahian hooan. sab kuchh samajhata hooan. ham logoan ko jane do. bhagavan ne chaha, to ghar phir sanbhal jayaga. tumhare lie ham barabar kharach-barach bhejate raheange.

pyari ne kaha- jo aisa hi hai to tum chale jao, bal-bachchoan ko kahaan-kahaan baandhe phiroge.

dulari boli- yah kaise ho sakata hai bahan, yahaan dehat mean l dake kya padhe-likheange. bachchoan ke bina inaka ji bhi vahaan n lagega. dau d-dau dakar ghar ayeange aur sari kamaee rel kha jayagi. paradesh mean akele jitana kharacha hoga, utane mean sara ghar aram se rahega.

pyari boli- to maian hi yahaan rahakar kya karooangi? mujhe bhi lete chalo.

dulari use sath le chalane ko taiyar n thi. kuchh din jivan ka anand uthana chahati thi, agar paradesh mean bhi yah bandhan raha, to jane se fayada hi kya. boli- bahan, tum chalatian to kya bat thi, lekin phir yahaan ka karobar to chaupat ho jayaga. tum to kuchh-n-kuchh dekhabhal karati hi rahogi.

prasthan ki tithi ke ek din pahale hi ramapyari ne rat-bhar jagakar halua aur pooriyaan pakayian. jab se is ghar mean ayi, kabhi ek din ke lie akele rahane ka avasar nahian aya. donoan bahanean sada sath rahian. aj us bhayankar avasar ko samane ate dekhakar pyari ka dil baitha jata tha. vah dekhati thi, mathura prasann hai, bal-vriand yatra ke anand mean khana-pina tak bhoole hue haian, to usake ji mean ata, vah bhi isi bhaanti nirdvandv rahe, moh aur mamata ko pairoan se kuchal dale, kintu vah mamata jis khadyal ko kha-khakar pali thi, use apane samane se hataye jate dekhakar kshubdh hone se n rookati thi. dulari to is tarah nishchiant hokar baithi thi, mano koee mela dekhane ja rahi hai. nayi- nayi chijoan ko dekhane, nayi duniya mean vicharane ki utsukata ne use kriyashoony-sa kar diya tha. pyari ke sire sare prabandh ka bhar tha. dhobi ke ghar se sab kap de aye haian, ya nahian, kaun-kaun-se baratan sath jayeange, saphar-kharch ke lie kitane rupaye ki zaroorat hogi. ek bachche ko khaansi a rahi thi. doosare ko kee din se dast a rahe the, un donoan ki aushadhiyoan ko pisana-kootana adi saik doan hi kam vyast kie hue the. l dakori n hokar bhi vah bachchoan ke lalan-poshan mean dulari se kushal thi. dekho, bachchoan ko bahut marana-pitana mat. marane se bachche jiddi ya behaya ho jate haian. bachchoan ke sath adami ko bachcha ban jana p data hai. jo tum chaho ki ham aram se p de rahean aur bachche chupachap baithe rahean, hath-pair n hilayean, to yah ho nahian sakata. bachche to svabhav ke chanchal hote haian. unhean kisi-n-kisi kam mean phॅansaye rakho. dhele ka khilauna hazar ghu dakiyoan se badhakar hota hai. dulari in upadeshoan ko is tarah beman hokar sunati thi, manoan koee sanakakar bak raha ho.

vidaee ka din pyari ke lie pariksha ka din tha. usake ji mean ata tha kahian chali jay, jisamean vah drishy dekhana n p de. ha! gh di-bhar mean yah ghar soona ho jayaga. vah din-bhar ghar mean akeli p di rahegi. kisase hॅansegi-bolegi. yah sochakar usaka hriday kaanp jata tha. jyoan-jyoan samay nikat ata tha, usaki vrittiyaan shithil hoti jatian thian.vah koee kam karate-karate jaise kho jati thi aur apalak netroan se kisi vastu ko takane lagati. kabhi avasar pakar ekaant mean jakar tho da-sa ro ati thi. man ko samajha rahi thi, yah log apane hote to kya is tarah chale jate. yah to manane ka nata hai; kisi par koee jabaradasti hai? doosaroan ke lie kitana hi maro, to bhi apane nahian hote. pani tel mean kitana hi mile, pir bhi alag hi rahega.bachche naye-naye kurate pahane, navab bane ghoom rahe the. pyari unhean pyar karane ke lie god lena chahati, to rone ka-sa muanh banakar chhu dakar bhag jate. vah kya janati thi ki aise avasar par bahudha apane bachche bhi nishthur ho jate haian.

das bajate-bajate dvar par bailaga di a gayi. l dake pahale hi se us par ja baithe. gaanv ke kitane stri-purush milane aye. pyari ko is samay unaka ana bura lag raha tha. vah dulari se tho di der ekaant gale milakar rona chahati thi, mathura se hath jo dakar kahana chahati thi, meri khoj-khabar lete rahana, tumhare siva mera sansar mean kaun hai, lekin is bhambh d mean usako in batoan ka mauqa n mila. mathura aur dulari donoan ga di mean ja baithe aur pyari dvar par roti kh di rah gayi. vah itani vihrival thi ki gaanv ke bahar tak pahuanchane ki bhi use sudhi n rahi.

6

kee din tak pyari moorchhit-si p di rahi. n ghar se nikali, n choolha jalaya, n hath-muanh dhoya. usaka halavaha jokhoo bar-bar akar kahata - ‘malakin, utho, muanh-hath dhoo, kuchh khao-piyo. kab tak is tarah p di rahogi. is tarah ki tasalli gaanv ki aur striyaan bhi deti thian. par unaki tasalli mean ek prakar ki eershya ka bhav chhipa hua jan p data tha.

jokhoo ke svar mean sachchi sahanubhooti jhalakati thi. jokhoo kamachor, batooni aur nashebaj tha. pyari use barabar daantati rahati thi. do-ek bar use nikal bhi chuki thi. par mathura ke agrah se phir rakh liya tha. aj bhi jokhoo ki sahanubhooti-bhari batean sunakar pyari jhuanjhalati, yah kam karane kyoan nahian jata. yahaan mere pichhe kyoan p da hua hai, magar use jhi dak dene ko ji n chahata tha. use us samay sahanubhooti ki bhookh thi. phal kaantedar vriksh se bhi milean to kya unhean chho d diya jata hai?

dhire-dhire kshobh ka veg kam hua. jivan ke vyapar hone lage. ab kheti ka sara bhar pyari par tha. logoan ne salah di, ek hal to d do aur khetoan ko utha do, par pyari ka garv yoan dhol bajakar apani parajay svikar n karana tha. sare kam poorvavath chalane lage. udhar mathura ke chitthi-patri n bhejane se usake abhiman ko aur bhi uttejana mili. vah samajhata hai, maian usake asare baithi hooan, usake chitthi bhejane se mujhe koee nidhi n mil jati. use agar meri chianta nahian hai, to maian kab usaki paravah karati hooan.

ghar mean to ab vishesh kam raha nahian, pyari sare din kheti-bari ke kamoan mean lagi rahati. kharabooze boye the. vah khoob phale aur khoob bike. pahale sara doodh ghar mean kharch ho jata tha, ab bikane laga. pyari ki manovrittiyoan mean bhi ek vichitr parivartan a gaya. vah ab saf kap de pahanati, maang-choti ki or se bhi utani udasin n thi. abhooshanoan mean bhi ruchi huee. rupaye hath mean ate hi usane apane giravi gahane chhu dae aur bhojan bhi sanyam se karane lagi. sagar pahale khetoan ko sianchakar khud khali ho jata tha. ab nikas ki naliyaan band ho gayi thian. sagar mean pani jama hone laga aur usamean halki-halki laharean bhi thian, khile hue kamal bhi the.

ek din jokhoo har se lauta, to aandhera ho gaya tha. pyari ne poochha- ab tak vahaan kya karata raha?

jokhoo ne kaha- char kyariyaan bach rahi thi. maianne socha, das mot aur khianch dooan. kal ka jhanjhat kaun rakhe?

jokhoo ab kuchh dinoan se kam mean man lagane laga tha. jab tak malik usake sir par savar rahate the, vah hile-bahane karata tha. ab sab-kuchh usake hath mean tha. pyari sare din har mean tho di hi rah sakati thi, isalie ab usamean zimmedari a gayi thi.

pyari ne lote ka pani rakhate hue kaha- achchha, hath muanh dho dalo. adami jan rakhakar kam karata hai, hay-hay karane se kuchh nahian hota. khet aj n hote, kal hote, kya jaldi thi.

jokhoo ne samajha, pyari big d rahi hai. usane to apani samajh mean karagujari ki thi aur samajha tha, tariph hogi. yahaan alochana huee. chidhakar bola- malakin, dahane-bayean dono or chalati ho. jo bat nahian samajhati ho, usamean kyoan koodati ho? kal ke lie to uanchava ke khet p de sookh rahe haian. aj b di mushkil se kuaan khali hua tha. savere maian pahuanchata, to koee aur akar n chheank leta? phir athavare tak rah dekhani p dati. tak tak to sari ukh bida ho jati.

pyari usaki saralata par hॅansakar boli- are, to maian tujhe kuchh kah tho di rahi hooan, pagal. maian to kahati hooan ki jan rakhakar kam kar. kahian bimar p d gaya, to lene ke dene p d jayeange.

jokhoo- kaun bimar p d jayaga, maian? bis sal mean kabhi sir tak to dukha nahian, age ki nahian janata. kaho rat-bhar kam karata rahooan.

pyari- maian kya janooan, tumhian aantare din baithe rahate the, aur poochha jata tha to kahate the- jur a gaya tha, pet mean darad tha.

jokhoo jheanpata hua bola- vah batean jab thian, jab malik log chahate the ki ise pis dalean. ab to janata hooan, mere hi mathe haian. maian n karooanga to sab chaupat ho jayaga.

pyari- mai kya dekh-bhal nahian karati?

jokhoo- tum bahut karogi, do ber chali jaogi. sare din tum vahaan baithi nahian rah sakatian.

pyari ko usake nishkapat vyavahar ne mugdh kar diya. boli- to itani rat gaye choolha jalaoge. koee sagaee kyoan nahian kar lete?

jokhoo ne muanh dhote hue kaha- tum bhi khoob kahati ho malakin! apane pet-bhar ko to hota nahian, sagaee kar looan! sava ser khata hooan ek joon poora sava ser! donoan joon ke lie do ser chahie.

pyari- achchha, aj meri rasoee mean khao, dekhooan kitana khate ho?

jokhoo ne pulakit hokar kaha- nahian malakin, tum banate-banate thak jaogi. haan, adh-adh ser ke do rota banakar khila do, to kha looan. maian to yahi karata hooan. bas, ata sanakar do lit banata hooan aur upale par seank leta hooan. kabhi mathe se, kabhi namak se, kabhi pyaj se kha leta hooan aur akar p d rahata hooan.

pyari- maian tumhe aj phulake khilaooangi.

jokhoo- tab to sari rat khate hi bit jayagi.

pyari- bako mat, chatapat akar baith jao.

jokhoo-jara bailoan ko sani-pani deta jaooan to baithooan.

7

jokhoo aur pyari mean thani huee thi.

pyari ne kaha- maian kahati hooan, dhan ropane ki koee zaroorat nahian. jh di lag jay, to khet doob jay. barkha band ho jay, to khet sookh jay. juar, bajara, san, arahar sab to haian, dhan n sahi.

jokhoo ne apane vishal kandhe par phav da rakhate hue kaha- jab sabaka hoga, to mera bhi hoga. sabaka doob jayaga, to mera bhi doob jayaga. maian kyoan kisi se pichhe rahooan? baba ke jamane mean paanch bigha se kam nahian ropa jata tha, birajoo bhaiya ne usamean ek-do bighe aur badha diye. mathura ne bhi tho da-bahut har sal ropa, to maian kya sabase gaya-bita hooan? maian paanch bighe se kam n lagaooanga.

‘tab ghar mean do javan kam karane vale the.‘

‘mai akela un donoan ke barabar khata hooan. donoan ke barabar kam kyoan n karooanga?

‘chal, jhootha kahian ka. kahate the, do ser khata hooan, char ser khata hooan. adh ser mean rah gaye.‘

‘ek din taulo tab maloom ho.‘

‘taula hai. b de khanevale! mai kahe deti hooan dhan n ropo majoor mileange nahian, akele halakan hona p dega.

‘tumhari bala se, maian hi halakan hooanga n? yah deh kis din kam ayegi.‘

pyari ne usake kandhe par se phav da le liya aur boli- tum pahar rat se pahar rat tak tal mean rahoge, akele mera ji oobega.

jokhoo ko oobane ka anubhav n tha. koee kam n ho, to adami p d kar so rahe. ji kyoan oobe? bola- ji oobe to so rahana. maian ghar rahooanga tab to aur ji oobega. maian khali baithata hooan to bar- bar khane ki soojhati hai. batoan mean der ho rahi hai aur badal ghire ate haian.

pyari ne kaha- achchha, kal se jana, aj baitho.

jokhoo ne manoan bandhan mean p dakar kaha- achchha, baith gaya, kaho kya kahati ho?

pyari ne vinod karate hue poochha- kahana kya he, maian tumase poochhati hooan, apani sagaee kyoan nahian kar lete? akele marati hooan. tab ek se do ho jaooangi.

jokhoo sharamata hua bola- tumane phir vahi bebat ki bat chhe d di, malakin! kisase sagaee kar looan yahaan? aisi mehariya lekar kya karooanga, jo gahanoan ke lie meri jan khati rahe.

pyari- yah to tumane b di k di shart lagayi. aisi aurat kahaan milegi, jo gahane bhi n chahe?

jokhoo- yah maian tho de hi kahata hooan ki vah gahane n chahe;haan, meri jan n khay. tumane to kabhi gahanoan ke lie hath n kiya, balki apane sare gahane doosaroan ke oopar laga diye.

pyari ke kapoloan par halka-sa rang a gaya. boli- achchha, aur kya chahate ho?

jokhoo- maian kahane lagooanga, to big d jaogi.

pyari ki aankhoan mean lajja ki ek rekha najar ayi, boli- big dane ki bat kahoge, to zaroor bigadooangi.

jokhoo- to maian n kahooanga.

pyari ne use pichhe ki or thelate hue kaha- kahoge kaise nahian, maian kahala ke chho dooangi.

jokhoo- maian chahata hooan ki vah tumhari tarah ho, aisi ganbhir ho, aisi hi batachit mean chatur ho, aisa hi achchha pakati ho, aisi hi kiphayati ho, aisi hi hansamukh ho. bas, aisi aurat milegi, to karooanga, nahian isi tarah p da rahooanga.

pyari ka mukh lajja se arakt ho gaya. usane pichhe hatakar kaha- tum b de natakhat ho! hansi- hansi mean sab kuchh kah gaye.

sanbandhit lekh

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