Showing results by narrator "Neeraj Yadav" in Parenting & Relationships

Beeti raat, poore samay moosaladhar baaris hoti rahi thi aur subah kachhuwa darr ke karan paani se door khada tha. Machchhraja ke poochhne par usne darr ke ghoont gatakte huye kaha ki kal usne jheel mein magarmachchh dekha hai aur ab use jheel mein jaane par kaafi bhay ho raha hai. Machchhraja ne kaha ‘Sthal-ruddh jheel mein magar kahan se aa sakta hai? Kahin tumhari dasha us khalihaan mein rehne-wale choohe jaisi to nahin ho gayi, jo billi ko dekhkar isi tarah bhaygrast ho utha tha.’ Kisse ki gunjaish banti dekh mitra mandali taiyaar ho gayi kissagoi ke liye. ‘Gaon ke khalihaan mein ek chooha bill banakar maje se rehta tha. Vah poore khalihaan ka maalik tha aur apni marzi se jeeta tha. Khalihaan varshbhar fasalon se bhara rehta tha isliye khane ki koi chinta na rehti thi. Ek raat chuha anaaj kha raha tha tabhi use aisa laga ki koi use dekh raha hai. Usne jab aahat-wali jagah dekha to use ek kaale bilaar ki do chamakti aankhein dikhayi di aur darr kar apne bill mein chala gaya. Ab chooha bill se bahar nahin aata tha aur isi tarah kamjor aur dubla ho gaya. Magar achaanak ek din voh bilaar uske ghar tak aa gaya aur choohe per hamala karne laga. Choohe laakh koshish ki bilaar ko manane ki, chaaploossi ki, magar koi fayda na hua. Ant mein chooha usse ladne ki thani aur uske gale pe lipat gaya, tabhi chuhe ki neend khul gayi. Aur darrte huye usne kaha “Kitna bhayaawah swapn tha.”’ Jalkaak ne kaha bhay ka khel aisa hi hota hai. Machchhraja ne kachhuwa ko bataya usne kele ke thumbe ko jheel mein tairte dekha hoga jis par jugnoo baithe honge jo usey magar ki aankhon ke bhaati prateet hua hoga.

Jheel ke alawa door tak paani ka koi doosra srot nahin tha. Pichhle kuchh dino se roj bhedon ka jhund wahan pani peene aa raha tha, machchhraja bhi apne ghanishth mitron ke saath jheel ke gupt adde par baitha tha, tabhi uski nazar bhedon par padi. Usne kaha ki bhedon ke dukhon ka ekmatra karan hai andhanukaran. Jis din bhedein yah kukhyaat pravritti chhod deingi, inse sukhi koi na hoga. Kachhuwa, ‘Fir bhedein andhanukaran tyaag kyon nahin deti?’ Machchhraja kehta hai yah unki bas ki baat nahin hai. Fir jalkaak poochhta hai kya kabhi kisi ne is pravritti se nivritti dilaane ki koshish nahin ki? Machchhraja kehta hai ek baar ek maarkhor ne koshish ki thi, magar yah ek kahani hai, main tumhe sunaata hoon. Kachhuwa aur jalkaak kisse ka zikr aate hi uske sameep baith gaye. ‘Ekbaar ek maarkhor ne bhedon ko unki shakti aur gadediye ke dwara unka kiye jaane-wale shoshan ki duhai deta hai aur usse chhutkara paane ko bolta hai. Bhedein ekjoot hokar gadediye ke khilaaf vidroh kar deti hain aur uske paaltu kutton ka anusaran shuru kar deti hain. Maarkhor fir unhe kutton ke anusaran karne ko mana karta hai aur punah lambe chhlangein lagata hua gayab ho jaata hai. Bhedein kutton pe aakraman kar deti hain aur fir ek purane medhh ka anusaran shuru kar deti hain. Medhh bhi unka shoshan kar raha yah baat fir maarkhor ne bhedon ko samjhaya aur tez kadmon se aage badha, magar pehle ki bhaati gayab na ho saka. Usne peechhe mudd kar dekha to bhedon ka jhoond uske peechhe chala aa raha tha.’

Ek din kachhuwa apne mitron se kehta hai ‘Mujhe samajh nahin aata tumlog pratyek din itni door se aate ho aur fir wapas jaate ho. Tumlog apna basera yahin jheel ke kinare kyon nahin bana lete ho.’ Machchhraja kehta hai, ‘Hum apna basera to yahin bana lenge per us tees se kaise niptenge.’ Machchhraja bolta hai, ‘Main tumhe ek bhains ki kahani sunata hoon jisne is tees ka naubhaw kiya tha.’ ‘Ek gaon tha. Wahan ek balishth aur unmukt bhains rehta tha. Dinbhar gaon mein ghoomta rehta tha. Khaane ki to jaise mauj hi thi, saare khet uske liye bhojanaalay jaise the. Raat mein kab neend use apne aagosh mein le leti iska pata raat ko bhi na hota. Ek baar ek kisan ne makke ki kheti ki. Fasal lehlaha uthi. Ek din bhainse ne makke ki baaliyan khayi jo use bahut pasand aayi aur fir har din wahan aane laga. Kisan pareshaan hokar gaon-walon ke saath bahinse ki aankh per patti baandhkar kahin door chhod aaya. Yahan par khaane ke liye anekon prakaar ke phal-phool the, magar bhainse ke mann mein apne desh jaane ki tees uthi. Use kuchh bhi raas na aaya aur saamne aayi ufanti nadi ko paar karne laga apne desh jaane ke liye. Nadi ke paar use makke ke khet mile magar in baaliyon mein wo swaad nahin tha. Bhainsa anvarat chalta raha apne desh ki khoj mein aur raaste mein mile kai jagahon aur phalon ko chhodta hua apne dil mein tees liye huye. Chalte chalte aakhir bhainsa apne gaon pahuch hi gaya, uske mukh se jhaag nikal raha tha, hriday ki gati asmaanya thi par dil mein ab wo tees nahin thi.’ Jalkaak bola ‘Hum chaah kar bhi matribhoomi se door nahin reh sakte kyonki hum usi ke ansh hote hain.’

Ek din kachhuwa aur jalkaak, machchhraja ke sath jheel ke kinare susta rahe the. Jalkaak ne bola, ‘Aaj maine aate samay raste mei ek vishal nar-shukar ko ek shavak ko do tukdon mein faadte dekha. Yeh sun kachhuwa bola ‘Yah bahut bura hua, shukar toh bada krur hoga.’ Toh machchhraja bola ‘Isme nar-shukar ka koi dosh nahi. Asal mei uska vyavhaar prakriti dwara poorva nirdeshit hai. Phir machchhraja ne unhe uss billaute ki kahani sunayi jo jungle mein jaan bachane ke liye chhipta phir raha tha. ‘Ek baar jungle mein ek billi ka nanha-sa bacha “main kaun” ki ratt barambaar laga raha tha. Wo jungle mei ghani ghaason ke beech khoya aur dara hua chala jaa raha tha. Tabhi usey jhurmuth mein baithi ek ati prachin puraatan billi ne apne paas bulaya aur bataya ki wo iss jungle ki sabse chhoti billi ‘jungi dhabbedaar billi’ hai aur shakhaon ke kotar mei chhipne ko bola, warna maara jayega. Usney aisa hi kiya lekin kuchh dino baad wo kotar usey chhota padne laga. Wo bada ho gaya tha. Aadim billi ne uske badle swaroop ko dekhkar achambhit ho bola ki tum toh ‘tendua billi’ ho, jaakar kisi tane ki khodar mei chhip jao. Kintu wo bhi usey chhota padne laga. Isi tarah wo barabar aakar mei bada hota gaya aur usey chhipne ke liye nayi jagah dhoondhni padti rahi. Uske badhte aakar ke anusaar aadim billi ne usey ‘banbilli’, ‘syahgosh billi’, aur phir pahadi billi ‘puma’ bataya. Antatah wo badhkar khoonkhar roop le leta hain. Daaton ki jagah radnak aa jaate hai, panjo mei se nukili chheze bahar aa jati hain, vakshasthal par sarsarati si reshayein bahar aa jati hain. Wo ‘sher’ mei badal jata hain. Isi prakar maanav bhi ab maanav nahi raha, mahamaanav ho gaya hain.’

Ek suhani subah jab machchhraja machhli pakadne jheel pohoncha, tab mitra kachhue se usey pata chalta hain ki unka mitra jalkaak subah se udaas aur vyathit hai. Puchhne par jalkaak apni vyatha vyakt karte hue kehta hai ki samoocha sansaar usey machchharaja kyu nahi bulata, jabki uske paas toh jyada sansadhan hai machhliya maarne ke liye. Ispar machchharaja hasta hai aur ek bagule ki kahani sunata hai, jo sansadhan viheenta ko apni asafalta ka kaaran manta tha. ‘Ek baar ek badi si aur machhliyon se bhari sarpil nadi ke kinare ek bagula rehta tha. Wo sara din nadi ke viraan tatt par khada rehta aur machhliyon ke kinare aane ki pratiksha karta. Jabki sadhan se bharpoor dusri jal-pakshiya jo machhliyan pakadne mei maahir thi lapak kar nadi ke bheetar se machhliyan maar leti the. Lamdeng saaras, daabil, daldali baaz, pandubbi, sarp pakshi aur murgabiyan, sabhi ke apne-apne ajeebogareeb tarike and vishisht ang the machhliyan pakadne ke liye. Bas ek bagula tha jisey lagta tha wo saadhanviheen hai aur bhagwan ko kosta rehta usey iss tarah banana ke liye. Dusre pakshi bhi uska mazaak udaate thei. Ek baar bagula apne saadhanheenta aur apmaan se dukhi ho kar nadi chhod jaane laga. Bagula nadi se dur dhaan ke kheton ke upar se uda ja raha tha. Achaanak uski nazar ek billi par padi jo chuhe ke bil ke bahar ghaat lagaye baithi thi. Tabhi wahan ek saanp bhi aaya chuhe ka shikar karne. Dono ke paas shikaar ke saadhan the, lekin wo chuhe ko pakad na paaye aur waapas chale gaye. Ab waha ek saadhanviheen kala-kaluta aadmi aaya aur bil ke baahar sukhi ghaas ka dhuan kar baith gaya. Kuchh hi der mein saare chuhe ardh-behoshi mei bahar aa gaye aur wo unhe ikaththa kar chala gaya. Bagule ko samajh aa gaya ki saadhan se nahi upaay se lakshya prapt kiya jata hai. Safalta sansadhno par nahi, avsar par nirbhar karti hain aur avsar buddhi par.’

Ek baar aisa hua ki bhaari varsha aur olavrishti ke kaaran teeno mitra – machchhraja, jalkaak aur kachhuwa – ko jheel ke tatt par hi ek mitti ki maand mei raat guzarni padi. Ekaek unhe ek pakshi ki pratah gaayan sunayi padti hai. Machchhraja batata hai ki bhujanga hai jise bhor ka sabse pehle aabhaas hota hai. Phir machchharaja iss nidar pakshi ke baare mei ek kissa sunata hain. ‘…saghan basti ko nirjan upjaau kheto se jodti ek kaafi lambi dagar thi. Uss dagar se hokar rozana ek bakra niyamit roop se ek veerane mei ghaas charne aata tha. Waha uska ek mitra, bhujanga, bhi aata tha jo uski peeth par baith kar sawari karta aur ghaas se udne-wale patinge khata. Ek roj bakra ghaas charne nahi aaya. Bhujanga kisi anisht ki ashanka mei apne mitra ki kushalta ka pata lagane basti ki ore udd chala. Waha jaakar bhujanga ko pata chalta hai ki uske mitra ko ek badhik ne kharid liya hai aur saansatghar le aaya hai. Bhujanga khoonte se bandhe bakre ki peeth par hamesha ki tarah jaa kar baith gaya. Bakre ne bataya ki aaj shaam badhik usey tukdo mei baant dega aur shavbhakshi insaano ko bhech dega. Apne mitra ke pranraksharth bhujanga madad ki talash mei basti ke chakkar lagane lagta hai. Basti mei maanvo ka anveekshan karne par usey pata chala hain ki “daya ka dharma” maanav jeevan ki sabse pehli shart hain. Waapas bakre ke paas jaakar bhujanga ussey bolta hai ki jab badhik tumhe kaatne chale tab tum marmbhedi aawaz mei chillana, tab waha aaye grahako ko tum par daya aayegi aur wo tumhe chhod denge. Lekin aisa kuchh na hota hai aur bakra tukdo mei kaat diya jata hai, jisey kharidne yeh daya ko dharma manne-wale insaan “zombie” ki tarah toot padte hai.’

Baaris ke baad tez dhoop se jheel ke aas-paas kaafi umas ka mahaul ho gaya tha. Kachhuwa bolta hai gazab ka umas hai, jee karta hai ki kawach utaarkar faink doon. Tabhi jalkaak kehta hai ‘Sirf hum hi nahin, sabhi pareshan hai umas se. Wo dekho madhumakkhiyan bhi aakash mein kaise mandra rahi hai.’ Tab machchhraja bolta hai ‘Ye madhumakkhiyan nahin cheentiyan hain jo hawa mein udd rahi hain. Sirf raani aur nar cheetiyon ke pankh hote hain magar ek kissa sunata hoon jab shramik cheetiyon ke bhi par nikal aaye the.’ ‘Ek baar ek baambi ki shramik cheetiyon ke par nikal aaye to unhone saare kaarya chhod diya aur raani cheeti ka virodh karne lagi apne mukti ke liye. Unhone baambi ke liye saaman dhona aur uski suraksha ka saara kaam rok diya. Samasya ko dekhte huye raani cheenti unhe samjhane aayi. Magar par aane ke baad veh sab udne ko betab the. Raani cheeti ki ek baat na maani bus mikti ki ghoshana kar rahi thi. Jab unhone koi baat nahin maani, shabdon ke jaal mein fasane ke liye raani cheeti ne kaha ‘Batao tumhe bhookh, bhay, mausam, museebat, abhaw aur anishchitata se mukti chaiye? Sabne ek swar mein kaha: “Haan chahiye.” Tab raani cheeti ne kaha ‘Ye sab tumhe isi baambi mein mil sakta hai aur hum isi liye kaam kar rahe hain. Isliye tum sab apne pankh kaat do kyonki ye unmukti ke pankh hain. sabhi cheetiyon ne apne pankh kaatkar kaam per lag gayi.”’ Kahani khatm hone par kachhuwa kehta hai, bechare shramik lakshya ko paane ke liye swyam hi lakshya ka saadhan ban gaye.

Machchhraja jheel ke kinare chhichhle paani mein apne adde par mitron ke sath baitha tha. Tabhi kisi janwar ki daravani si aawaz unki ore aane lagi jisse sun kar machchhraja sabhi ko apne basere mein jaane bolta hai. Tab kachhuwa aur jalkaak ne bola ki kisi ko jaane bina uske prati poorvadhaarna banakar nakratmak soch paal lena anuchit hota hai. Ispar machchhraja ne unhe ek vaakya sunaya. ‘Ek baar ek lagghad kadi dhoop mei shikaar ki khoj mei jungle mei ghoom raha tha. Murdakhori ke liye badnam lagghad ashakt zinda khane mein bhi kukhyaat tha. Wo aisa hi koi shikaar dhoondh raha tha par koi safalta na mili. Safal shikaar ke saare hathiyaar thei uske paas – vehshiyana taakat, khooni mansikta, aur kuchh bhi phaad dene-wale radnak, bas kami thi toh uske dost hadgeela ki. Hadgeela usey ashakt ka pata bataya karta tha. Tabhi usey khoon se sarabor ek saaras jaisa pakshi dikha. Veh uska dost hadgeela tha. Uske pankh sukhe hue rakt ki wajah se chipke hue the. Wo rakt hadgeela ka nahi balki lagghad ke pichhle shikar ka tha, jo fawware ki tarah hadgeela pe jaa gira tha. Dost ko dekh bhaavpoorna hadgeela dosti aur sath kiye shikaar ke shuruaati din yaad karta hai. Kaise veh lagghad ko ashakt ki upasthiti ki jaankari deta tha aur wo unhe cheed-faad kar zinda khata tha. Hiran ka bachcha, langda mrig, budhi neelgaay, jakhmi bhainsa, daldal mei fansa hiran, tooti kamar-wala bandar, aur wo garbhwati maanda, inn sabke shikaar ki yaad dilata hai. Yeh sab sun lagghad bhavpoorna muskura raha tha. Apne dost aur uski dosti ko lekar aashwast hadgeela vakya yaad kiye jaa raha tha tabhi usney bhoonkhe lagghad ke bhaav mei badlav dekhe. Shikar karne se theek pehle hone-wale badlav. Samast jungle ko pata chal gaya ki lagghad ko ashakt mil gaya hai.”

Machchhraja apne ghanishth mitron ke saath machhliyan pakadne mein vyast tha. Achanak pair patakne aur kutte ke bhaunkane jaisi awaz goonj uthi. Machchhraja kehta hai ‘Ye saambhar ki awaz hai aur agar saambhar aapda pukar de, to baagh ki upasthiti pakki jaano. Isliye sabhi chaukanne ho gaye hain.’ Machchhraja fir kehta hai baagh paani pine aaya hai shikaar karne nahin. Kachhuwa kehta hai baagh apna shikaar chhodkar paani pine aaya hai, koi uska shikaar chura na le jayega? Machchhraja kehta hai baagh shikaariyon ka shikaari hai aur uska shikaar kaun churayega? Kuchh yaad karte huye kehta hai, haan ek baar ek chorni ne aisa kiya tha. Itna bolte-hi kachhuwa aur jalkaak kissa sunane ko uske paas aajate hain. ‘Andheri raat mein ek siyaarni niwaale ki badi khep munh mein dabai hui bhaagi jaa rahi thi aur baagh dabe paon uska peechha kar raha tha. Baagh lagatar chhupao mein rehte huye us chorni ka peechha karta raha aur mann-hi-mann usse dardnaak maut dene ka tareeka sochta raha. Samay ke saath saath baagh ka gussa bhi us ‘chorni kutiya’ ke liye badhta jaa raha tha. Baagh ne uska peechha uske maand tak kiya aur hamla karne ko taiyaar hi tha ki tehar sa gaya. Usne dekha ki siyaarni ke maand se do chhote shaavak bahar aate hain aur chorni ne unke saamne maans ka lothda rakh unhe niharne lagti hai aur shaavak apni bhookh mitane lagte hain. Baagh yah dekhkar siyaarni ki mamta ko pranam karke bolta hai dhanya hai mamta, main tujhe nahin maar sakta, humsab teri godd mein pale hai aur wapas laut jaata hai.’

Machchhraja apne jheel ke ghanishth mitron ke saath jal sparsh ka anand le raha tha. Tabhi kachhuye ne kaha jaane jal mein kya jaadoo hai, sparsh hote hi tan mein taazgi bhar jaati hai? Ispar machchhraja bolta hai ‘Hum sabke bheetar machhli hai. Jal ko dekhkar hamare bheetar ki machhli machal uthti hai kyonki machhli sabhi reedhdhariyon ki poorwaj hai.’ Jalkaak ne kaha main nahin maanta ki hum sabhi ka poorwaj ek hai, aur agar hai to maanav itna aage kaise nikal gaya. Fir kya tha, machchhraja ko yaad aagayi ek aur kahani jab kapiyon ko aise hi kisi prashn ne pareshan kar diya tha. ‘Chaaron mahakapi: gorilla, orangutan, chimpanzee aur gibbon andhere mein baithe the. Jabse unhe pata chala hai ki kapi aur maanav ki utpatti ek hi jeev se hui hai, veh tabhi se hatbodh baithe the. Unke mann mein ek hi prashn tha: ‘Maanav itni pragati kaise kar gaya aur hum kyon peechhe reh gaye?’ Fir gibbon ne kaha ‘Main batata hoon, manushya bhi hamari tarah vriksh pe rehta tha, parantu shakhayein use rok na saki, usne vriksh se neeche utarna shuru kar diya. Prakritik aatankon ke prachand ko jhelte huye aur hinsak janwaron se jujhte huye vah naye dhratal par badhte gaya. Raah mein aane-wale samasyayein uski jeevatta ki poshak ban gayi. Isi wajah se maanav aaj vikas ke shisrh per baitha hai aur hum vipatmoh mein usi shakhaon pe hain jahan se manushya kabhi chala tha.’ Fir kapiyon ne apne apne tark diye magar kisi nishchay tak nahin pahuch paaye. Unhe yah samajh nahin aaya ki utsukta, jigyansa aur pravartan ka mishran kautoohal hi wo utprerak hai jo manushyon ke vikaas ka mukhya karan hai.

Safal vyaktiyon ke kaary karne kaa tareeka apne aap mein any logon se alag hota hai. Safalta chaahe chhotee ho ya badee iske peechhe yojana tatha uske anusaar kaary karne kaa vishesh mahatva hota hai. Safal vyakti apnee kshamtaaon kaa har samay bharpoor prayog karte hain. Is pustak mein Safalta praapti ke anek upaay bataye gaye hain. Yah pustak jeevan ko nikhaarne ke liye har drishti se sangrahneey hai.  

Jheel ke ghanishth mitra abhi vishram kar rahe the. Tabhi jor se huaane ki awaz aayi. Machchhraja bola ‘Dhyan se suno, ye na to kisi bhediye ki awaz hai na kutte ki. Yeh awaz kisi boodhe siyaar ki hai.’ Ye jungle ke tamaam siyaaron ko aane-wale khatre se aagaah kar raha hai, par siyaar iski sunenge nahin. Kachhuwa ne kaha aisa kyon? Is par machchhraja ne kaha ‘Main tumhe aisi hi boodhe siyaar ka kissa sunata hoon’. Fir kya tha mitrmandali baith gayi kissagoi karne ko. ‘Koi unche swar mein siyaaron ka ahwahan kar raha tha. Saare siyaar awaz ki disha mein daud pade. Ek vridh siyaar umr ke antim padao mein tha, maano ginti ki saasein bachi hon. Siyaaron ke jhoond se usne kaha ‘Raatri ke andheron mein bhatakne-wale saathiyon meri baat suno. Main ek sadharan prani hoon maine jeevan ke kai pehluon ko dekha aur samjha hai aur unhi ke anubhav se keh raha hoon. Brahmand ki har cheez apna astitva kaayam rakhna chahti hai. Jeevan apna astitva kaayam rakhna chahta aur isi nimitt hamari utpatti hui hai. Prakriti se saamanjsya banakar chalo varna jeevan swyam se sangharsh karte beetega. Magar hume iska daas bhi nahin banana balki inka istemaal apne astitva ko kayam rakhne mein karna hai.’ Itne mein vridh siyaar ne pran tyaag diye aur baaki siyaar uspe behas karne lage. Koi kehta yeh unishwarwadi tha, to koi sandehwadi, kisine agyanwaadi kaha, aur ant mein ek siyaar ne kaha ki navwaadi tha kyonki isne sabhi baatein nayi kahi.’ Kahani khatm hote hi mitramandali chali gayi apne liye surakshit sthan doondhne.

Jalkaak pehle se upar dekh raha tha, ab kachhuwa bhi aakash ki ore dekhne laga. Ek vishal pakshi apne vrihtaakar dainon ko lehraate huye jheel ke upar se gujar raha tha. Itne bade pakshi ko dekhkar dono awaak reh gaye. Tab machchhraja ne kaha ye garud hai, pakshiyon ka raja. Itne mein jalkaak bol pada agar ye zameen par utre to kitna vishal dikhega. Machchhraja ne kuchh bhoolta hua bola ‘Tumhari kalpana se ek kahani yaad aa rahi hai’. Kahani shabd kehne bhar ki deri thi, kachhuwa aur jalkaak taktaki lagakar machchhraja ki ore dekhne lage utsukta se bhare huye. ‘Ek din cheel hamesha ki tarah gast lagaakar jungle ki toh le rahi thi ki uski nigaah ek vishal pakshi pe padi. Uska roop-rang, aakar aur haaw-bhaaw sabkuchh shikaari pakshiyon se the. Cheel ne ye khabar titheri ko di aur usne samooche jungle mein ye baat faila diya ki pakshiraaj gadur aaye hain aur hum unke pratyaksh shasan mein rahenge. Saare pakshi us jagah ki ore chal pade jahan pakshiraaj aaye the. Sameep pahuchkar pakshiyon ne uska swagat kiya aur aav-bhagat mein lag gaye. Har koi use prasann karne mein lag gaya. Tab us vishalkaay pakshi ne khane mein mrit jeev ki asthiyon ki maang ki. Logo ke poochhne per usne bataya ki wo shikar nahin karta aur ek boodha geedh lamageer hoon. Yah sunte hi saare pakshi wahan se chale gaye aur unka darr bhi samapt ho gaya’ kahani ke ant mein machchhraja ne kaha ki ajeeb vidambana hai pashuwon ki hatya karne-wala sher pashuraaj aur pakshiyon ka shikaar karne-wale gadur ko log pakshiraaj maante hain.

Machhliyon par aaye sankat aur paani ke ghate star ka laabh sabhi apne-apne tareeke se le rahe the. Paani ke peechhe hat jaane se jaleeye paudhe bhi ab shakahariyon ke pohonch ke bheetar ho gayi thi. Tabhi machchhraja ki nazar ek sooar per padi aur usne bola ‘Wo dekho is mauke ka laabh uthane-wale hum akele nahin hain, ye bansooar bhi aa pahucha hai.’ Jalkaak ne bola ‘Yah to shehari sooar jaisa lag raha, dono mein koi fark hi nahin hai.’ Machchhraja bolta hai ‘Fark hai par bahut baareek tabhi to isse shehar bheja gaya tha.’ Maamla dilchasp hota dekh mitramandali baith gayi kissagoi karne ko. ‘Bus isi pal ki pratiksha thi shayad is bansooar ko. Usne ek chhoti si angdaai li aur kachron ko raundta hua naale ke upar chadh aaya. Jhaad ki darar se usne jhakne ki koshish ki to thuga sa reh gaya shehar ki pehli jhalak ko dekhkar. Saamne adbhut sansar tha, jitni tilasmi utna hi sach. Hriday mein manushyon ke liye shradha umad padi aur unke saamne natmastak ho gaya. Vah aage badha to use ek kutte ka saath mila jo use shehar dikhane ko taiyaar ho gaya. Bansooar ne kaha “Mujhe maanavta ka pata lagane yahan bheja gaya hai”, aur fir dono nikal pade shehar bhraman par. Aage ghere mein baithe logon ko dekhkar kutte ne kaha manushya hamesha bhoot ki yaad ya bhavishya ki chinta mein rehte hain, fir kaamuk manushyon ka joda dikha park mein. Fir ek imaarat dikhi jahan manushya dara sehma haath jode khada tha. Fir aage ek restaurant mila jahan ka haal dekha bansooar shehar mein rook na saka aur agle din murchhit awastha mein jungle mein kehta chal raha tha “Pashuta hi achchhiu hai … pashuta hi achchhi hai.”’

Jalkaak apni kamaanidaar gardan seedhi taan, uchak-uchak jheel ke daldali pradesh ki ore dekhne laga, fir bola ‘Mitra machchhraja udhar to koi vriksh bhi nahin fir wahan se shaakhayein chatakne ki aawz bhala kaise aa sakti hai?’ Machchhraja haste huye bola ‘Daldal mein baarahsingey varchaswa ki ladai lad rahe hain, ye unhi ke singon ke takrane ki awaz hai. Kabhi kabhi inke beech ki ladai bhayankar roop le leti hai, mujhe aisa hi ek vaakya yaad aa raha hai.’ Fir kya, mitramandali baith gayi kissagoi karne. ‘Tad tad tadak … kachhar pradesh ke sarhad par vrikshrahit ghaas ke daldali maidan mein lad rahe do baarahsingon ke sing takrane ki awaz thi. Dono badi der se lad rahe the aur is ladai ka ant hota na dikhta tha. Aaj veh ek-doosre ki jaan lene ko taiyaar the. Yeh ladai astitva ki thi. Ye mrityu yudh tha, jo jitega wahi bachega. Yeh ladai varchaswa ki nahin uttarjeevita ki thi, isise dono maidan chhodne ko taiyaar na the. Aaj unmein gajab ki jijeevisha bhar gayi thi, veh bina khaye, bina piye, isi tarah kai ghanton se lad rahe the. Sab thak gaye par veh na thakte the. Unhe kuchh khabar nahin ki aas-paas kya ho raha tha, ve bus ladte jaa rahe the. Achanak gaganbhedi goonj ke saath jordar takkar hui. Dono baarahsingon ke bahushaakhit sing ek doosre mein sannivisht ho buri tarah ulajh gaye, sing jakad gaye, sir aur gardan bhi jakad gaye, aur fir ek saath bhoomi par gir pade aur dubaara kabhi na uthe.’ Ant mein jalkaak ne kaha, athak ladaiyaan ladne-wale baarahsingey aapas mein ladkar mar gaye, per kabhi unse ladne ki na sochi jo unki durdasha ke jimmevaar the.

Jheel ke kinaare sampoorn sannata pasara tha. Chaand ki roshani mein sabkuchh spasht dikh raha tha. Kachhuwe ne apne aaye mitron se poochha bhor ho gayi kya? Ispar jalkaak ne kaha ‘Hum to yahi samajhkar aaye the, per lagta hai raat vihansi hai.’ Kachhuwe ke poochhne bhar ki deri thi, ki machchhraja bol pada ‘Chandni raat mein kabhi kabhi bhor ka ehsaas hone lagta hai aur jab bahut der tak bhor nahin hota toh hum thaga sa mehsoos karte hain. Is tarah raat thitholi karti hai jise raat ka vihasna kehte hain.’ Raat ki machhliyon ko jal satah par dekh machchhraja kissa sunane laga aur uske mitra sunne. ‘Jahan kai taarh ke jeev rehte hon, wahan aapsi tulana shuru ho jaati hai, aur tulnaatmak soch mein sabse pehle baat taakat ki hoti hai. Ab samasya aayi taakat ko maapa kaise jaye? Samadhan nikala, jo apne wajan ka jitna guna wajan uthayega, wah utna hi takatwar mana jayega. Sabhi janwar apne aap ko takatwar batane lage. Haathi sirf apne wajan ka aadha bojh to garud apne wajan ke barabar to tenduye ne doguna wajan uthaya. Tabhi gadhe ne kaha ki “Main sabse takatwar hoon kyonki main apne wajan ka teen guna wajan uthata hoon,” fir cheenti ne apni pratidwandita prastut ki, tabhi ghongha bol pada “Main dus guna bojh uthata hoon.” Taakatwar ka taj milne hi wala tha tabhi ek gubraila ne kaha woh hai sabse takatwar kyonki vah apne wajan ka sahasraguna wajan uthata hai. Vijeta ghoshit hote hi gubraila ped se girkar jameen par ulta ho jaata hai. Laakh koshishon ke baad bhi duniya ka sabse taakatwar ghosit jaanwar seedha bhi nahin ho paata hai.’ Machchhraja fir bolta hai aaj maanav sabse takatwar hai parantu uska bhi apne shareer pe koi vash nahin hai gubraile ki tarah.

Jalkaak ne apne mitron ko ek vichitra ghatna sunata hai. Gauraiye ka jhoond baaz ko thokar maar raha tha aur baaz bhagta fir raha tha. Machchhraja ne kaha ‘Iska kaaran tumhe swatah samajh aa jayega, jab tumlog un chaupaayon ka kissa sunoge jo manushyon ka saath chhod apne dum par rehne jungle gaye the. Kisse ka zikr aate hi jheel ke ghanishth mitron ki toli taiyaar ho gayi kissagoi ki. ‘Ek baar ek billi manushyon ke atyachar se dukhi hokar jungle ki ore nikal padti hai. Ek kutte ne dekha aur socha pata karna chahiye. Wo billi ke pass gaya aur uske udasi ka kaaran poochha. Billi ne apne upar huye atyachar ko bataya, itne mein kutta bhi bol pada ‘Main bhi chaloonga tumhare saath.’ Ye manushya hum sabhi ko satate hain. Raaste mein inhe gaay, gadha, bhainsa aur bakra ka bhi saath mila aur sabhi jungle ki ore chal diye. Jungle dekh kar sabhi kaafi praphullit huye tabhi unhe ek gaur dikha. Gaur ne unhe saavdhan karaya ki jungle mein kitni kathinaayi aur khatra hai. Magar veh maane nahin. Tab gaur ne kaha ki ‘Tumhare shareer se partantrata ki boo aa rahi jo tumhe jungle mein nahin rehne dega kyonki jo swabhiman se aaya wahi jungle mein reh sakta hai, kasht jhel sakta hai woh nahin jo kasht se kshubdh ho kar aaya hai. Jungle ke andar hinsak janwar aur lahoo-luhaan praniyon ko dekhkar sabhi ulte paaon shehar ki ore bhag liye.’ Tab jalkaak ne kaha ‘Wo baaz manushya ka paaltoo raha hoga aur gauraiyon ko baaz se partantrata ki boo aa rahi hogi. Isliye weh use thokar maarkar laut jaane ko keh rahi hongi kyonki unhe aabhaash ho gaya hoga ki swatantra aakash mein iska guzara nahin ho paayega.’

Jheel ka chhichhala paani tez varsha ke karan matmaila ho rakha tha, jiske karan kachhuwa aur jalkaak machhli pakad nahin paa rahe the. Machchhraja ne unhe intezaar karne ko kaha to unhone kahani sunane ka aagrah kiya. Fir kya tha shuru ho gaya kissagoi jheel ke ghanishth mitron ki. ‘Kahani ek jungle ki hai jahan maansaahari aur shaakaahari janwar rehte the. Magar wahan shaasan vyavstha ka saara jimma maansaahari janwaron ke paas tha. Sher karyapalika ka pradhan tha, geedad vyasthaapika ka, aur vishal kaala bhaloo nyaaypalika ka pramukh tha. Sabhi shaakaahari janwar maansaahari janwaron ke vartaw tatha unke atyaachar se kaafi pareshan the. Ek din shaakaahari janwaron ne sher ke gufa ke bahar sangathit hokar virodh jatane lage aur apne adhikaaron ki maang ki. Shaakaahariyon ke virodh ki prabaltaa aur badh gayi saath hi saath wo kaafi ugra aur hinsak ho uthe. Mahaul ko bhaap kar sher ne unhe saare adhikaar de diye jo unhone maanga. Shaakaahari janwaron ne sher se prashn karne ka, samanta ka, swechchhacharita ka, aatmabhimaan ka aur jeene tatha nyaay ka adhikaaron ki maang ki thi. Saare adhikaar milne ke baad sabhi janwar khushi khushi wahan se chale gaye. Tab sher ne apne chamchon se kaha “Tumlog apna kaam yathawat jaari rakho kyonki unhone adhikaar maange hain shakti nahin maangi. Unhe maangna chahiye tha adhikaaron ko paane ka adhikaar. Ab ye sirf adhikaar maang sakte hain magar manwa nahin sakte.”’ Kachhuwa kehta hai bechare shaakaahari adhikaar lekar kya karenge jab unhe manwane ki shakti hi na ho. Jalkaak bhi bol padta hai kaash ki wo janwar shakti aur adhikaar ka fark samajh paate to unki durdasha na hoti.

Aaj kachhuwa bada sakriya tha. Aamtaur per apni susti ke liye prasidh yeh kawachdhaari dhoop sokhane ke baad hi sakriya hota tha, par aaj gajardum se utsaahit ghoom raha tha. Vah machchhraja ko kuchh batane ke liye vyagra jaan padta tha. Kachhuwa jhat se wahan khada ho gaya jahan machchhraja utarne-wala tha. Kachhuwe ne apne mitra se kaha kal raat usne aadami dekha. Uski bahuprateekshit ichchha poori ho gayi. Usne dharti ke sabase adbhut jeev ko dekh liya. Machchhraja haste huye bolta hai itni thandh aur raat mein aadami kyon aayega yahan. ‘Tumhe bhram hua hoga. Magar fir bhi sahi aakalan karne ke liye main kuchh sawal poochhta hoon us jeev ke baare mein fir yah nirnay lenge ki vah aadami tha kya koi anya jeev.’ Machharaja ne us jeev ka kad-kathi aur aankhon ke baare mein poochha? Kachhuwa dwara us jeev ka vivaran bilkul insanon se male khata tha. Machchhraja ne uske chalne aur poonchh par sawal kiya. Jawab fir insanon se male khata tha. Fir machchhraja ne usse wastron ke baare mein poochha. Kahhuwa ne bataya ki uska shareer wastron se dhaka hua tha. Ab machchhraja uljhan mein pad gaya fir bhi use yakeen nahin hua. Usne us jagah ke baare mein poochha jahan kachhuwa ne us jeev ko dekha tha. Kachhuwa kehta hai wo jeev abhi bhi jheel mein hai aur mrit pada hoga, kyonki usne jheel mein khud ko doobane ke liye nishchesht chhod diya tha. Tab machchhraja ne kahan woh jeev aadmi hi tha. ‘Tumne aadmi ko dekh liya.’ Ab kachhuwa asmanjas mein pad gaya aur machchhraja se uske yakeen ka karan poochhne laga. Ispar machchhraja ne kaha poore dharti pe sirf insaan hi hai jo aatmhatya karta hai baaki koi aur jeev nahin.

Baadalon ko nihaarte huye kachhuwa bola ‘Baadal bade ajeeb hote hain na! Yeh dharti se door apni alag hi duniya basate hain, wahan sabkuchh hai, dharti sareekhi banawatein. Inke bina aakash kitna soona lagta hai.’ Jalkaak bol padta hai: ‘Sach kaha, mitra, badalon ki duniya niraali hoti hai aur mujhe khoob lubhati hai. Jab bhi main unhe dekhta hoon, wahan pohonchne ka romanch mujhe anand se bhar deta hai. Machchhraja bolta hai, ‘Tum logon ki baatein sunkar mujhe anaayaas us pakshi ki yaad aagayi jo baadalon per basera karne gaya tha.’ Itna kehne ki der thi ki fir shuru ho gaya kisson ka daur. ‘Neele aakash ki unchai mein ek parinda dheere-dheere upar uth raha tha. Bahut unchai mein chadhkar chakkar kaatne-wali cheel bhi usse utni hi neeche nazar aati thi jitni dharti se upar. Saaf nazar aata tha ki ab usse upar sirf baadal hain. Vah dharti ka ek titiha tha jo lagatar baadalon ki ore badhta jaa raha tha. Kaafi mushkilon aur mehnat ke baad titiha aakhir apne sapnon ke duniya baadalon ki duniya mein pohonch jaata hai. Titiha bahut der tak baadalon ki niraali duniya ka anand leta raha. Titiha budbudata hai ‘Baadalon mein ab tumhari safed malmal ki tarah komal bhoomi par utar raha hoon.’ Par yah kya, vah baadalon mein samata chala jaa raha tha. Vah sochata hai, ye baadal nahin ye to safed jhooth hain, spasht hua lekin sparsh ke baad. Pankhon ki shakti khatm hone per titiha kisi tarah hawa se nipatta hua chakkar khate neeche ki ore girta gaya. Jab aankh khooli to dekha ye uska wahi ghaasleti basera hai. Uske baad usne kabhi baadalon ki ore nahin dekha.’ Ispar jalkaak kehta hai, ‘Yah sach hai, mitra, hum swapnil kshano ke kalpana mein vartaman ki upeksha karte chale jaate hain.