अवसर

राम-कथा #2

by नरेंद्र कोहली, Narendra Kohli

राम-कथा पर आधारित सात खंडों में यह एक ऐसी उपन्यास-श्रृंखला है, जो मर्यादा पुरुषोत्तम राम तथा अन्य पात्रों को आधुनिक सन्दर्भों में जीवन्तता का प्रतीक बना देती है। इन उपन्यास-खंडों में लेखक ने मानवीय संवेदना का गहन और सटीक चित्रण किया है।

अवसर कथा-माला का दूसरा पुष्प है। इसमें रूढ़ियों और सड़ी-गली परम्पराओं एवं मान्यताओं का विरोध किया गया है तथा राम के माध्यम से नई चेतना का शंख फूंकने और समाज को प्रेरणा देने का प्रयास भी इसमें परिलक्षित होता है।

इस कथा-माला के रचनाकार हैं हिन्दी कथा-साहित्य के प्रतिष्ठित लेखक नरेंद्र कोहली |

174 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Padmashree Narendra Kohli is one of the most eminent and well-known Hindi writers of our times. His novel based on the Ram-Katha, Abhyuday, shifted the course of Hindi novel-writing. Another of his novels, Mahasamar, based on the Pandava-katha went on to become just as popular. His novel-series, Todo Kara Todo is considered the greatest and foremost novel in any language on the life of Swami Vivekananda. Abhigyan, Vasudev, Sharnam, Aatmaswikriti, Varunaputri, Sagar-Manthan, Ahalya etc. are his other well-known works. Apart from the Padmashree, he has also been awarded the Hindi Akademi award; Delhi Salaka Samman; Uttar Pradesh Hindi Sansthaan award; Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Samman, Lucknow; K.K. Birla Foundation award; Vyasa Samman, New Delhi; Madhya Pradesh government and Bhopal’s Maithili Sharan Gupt Rashtriya Samman, among numerous other honours.

डॉ॰ नरेन्द्र कोहली (जन्म ६ जनवरी १९४०, निधन १७ अप्रैल २०२१, चैत्र शुक्ल पंचमी, नवरात्रि) प्रसिद्ध हिन्दी साहित्यकार हैं। उन्होंने साहित्य के सभी प्रमुख विधाओं (यथा उपन्यास, व्यंग्य, नाटक, कहानी) एवं गौण विधाओं (यथा संस्मरण, निबंध, पत्र आदि) और आलोचनात्मक साहित्य में अपनी लेखनी चलाई है। उन्होंने शताधिक श्रेष्ठ ग्रंथों का सृजन किया है। हिन्दी साहित्य में 'महाकाव्यात्मक उपन्यास' की विधा को प्रारंभ करने का श्रेय नरेंद्र कोहली को ही जाता है। पौराणिक एवं ऐतिहासिक चरित्रों की गुत्थियों को सुलझाते हुए उनके माध्यम से आधुनिक सामाज की समस्याओं एवं उनके समाधान को समाज के समक्ष प्रस्तुत करना कोहली की अन्यतम विशेषता है। कोहलीजी सांस्कृतिक राष्ट्रवादी साहित्यकार हैं, जिन्होंने अपनी रचनाओं के माध्यम से भारतीय जीवन-शैली एवं दर्शन का सम्यक् परिचय करवाया है। जनवरी, २०१७ में उन्हें पद्मश्री से सम्मानित किया गया।

Reviews

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avsar by Narendra Kohli- Books by Narendra Kohli bring about dilemma faced by different characters and the logic behind their decisions. The Books is Part II of the epic Ramayana. It shows the life of epic characters of Ramayana and Mahabharata as humans rather than Gods with super powers. This Book begins with an incident from Ayodhya where King Dasratha, King of Kosal orders that two white horses should be brought from the Army cantonment which is situated outside the palace gates to his palace. The Palace Guards do not let the horses enter the gates on the ground that Bharat and his younger brother Shatrughan are going with their maternal uncle Yudhaji to Kaikeya Pradesh, the home kingdom of Kekeyi his third wife. The order of the ministry under Yudhajit and Bharat was that no one will pass through the entry gates of Ayodhya until Yudhajit and Bharat- Shatrughan and accompanying team do not pass from the gate for Kekay Pradesh. Dasrath understands that his orders have been straight away disobeyed but he is so much in love with Kekeyi that he not able to take action against the orders. Dasrathastarts thinking on the events in the past- in order to extend their territory Ayodhya has attached Kekya Pradesh, he has defeated the Kekeyas, the King and his crown prince Yudajit have been bound by chains and have been brought before him. Here he sees Kekeyi and wants to marry her. Kekeya becomes a vassal of Kosal, Dasrath marries Kekeyi. As the Kekeyas loose the battle and are chained and produced before Dasratha, they take this as insult and always make an attempt to insult King Dashrath or bring such a situation that King Dasrath is regularly in mental agony. Thus after marriage with Kekeyi, there is a power struggle between the orders of Kekeyi and that of Dasarahta. During the marriage, King of Kekeya takes a promise from Dashrath that son of Kekeyi will be Crown Prince of Kosal. After the education of his four children at the Ashram of Rishi Vashistha, Dasratha does not declare Ram or Bharat is Crown Prince. Rama and Lakshmana go with Rishi Vishwamitra to fight the Rakashasas at his tapovan at Siddashram. Vishwamitra asks Ram not to accept Kingship of Kosal and come to the forests to serve the subjects including Rishis, monkeys, bears, snakes, boatmen, and farmers & also to unite them and awaken them to fight against the Rakshasa. After demolishing the Rakshasas, both brothers attend Swayamwar of Sita daughter of King Janaka. Here Ram is able to string the arrow on Shiva’s bow and marries Sita. A marriage party comes from Ayodhya to Janakpuri where all four sons are married in the family of Janaka. After the marriage party returns, the guests return and Bharat and Shatrudhan go to visit their maternal uncle King of Kekeya. The Book describes the character of four brothers. Ram is conscious about social causes and duties of King towards the subjects and does his best to serve. Rama is aware that Rakshasa are spreading their territory and killing the Rishis in their Ashrams and creating difficulty in spread of Kosal culture and religion. Lakshamana is his equally enthusiastic brother. Lakshamna and Shaturghana sons of Mother Sumitra are different, Lakshana is active and supports and serves Rama while Shatrughana is like Bharata and both have high level of individual character but interference with wrong deeds is not their activity. Sita keeps busy in serving her husband but wants a larger and effective role in their life. Bharat and Shatrughan are aware of all situations but they do not react like Rama and Lakshmana to situations and take action. They remain silent. In the above situation, King Dashrath declares that Ram will be made Crown Prince on the coming day, As Queen Kekeyi’s children are out of town and this decision is against the promise of Dasaratha that son of Kekeyi will be declared Crown Prince, she feels enraged and shows her anger when Dashratha comes to her palace. In the Book, Kakeyi has been depicted as a character which has nectar and poison equally in her about reaction to all situations. It depends on how she feels about a particular situation that is how she will react – in favour of a decision or in getting the decision changed immediately. After marriage of Dashtratha and Kekeyi, the King Dashratha overlooked her and though she was elder queen, she did not get the required importance while Kekeyi had been in the limelight of Kosal Empire. Kekeyi comes to know that tomorrow Rama shall be declared Crown Prince by King Dashratha. In the evening, Dasratha goes the palace of Kekeyi where she shows her anger and informs two facts- first, her father had taken a promise from Dasratha at the time of marriage with Kekeyi had promised that her son would be Crown Prince. Second, in the war with Shawar tribe, Kekeyi helped Dasrath by driving his chariot out of the war zone for which Dasratha had granted two boons to her which she could demand at any time. For his promise to her father, she said that I am not demanding any compliance but for her two boons she wants first, Bharata should be declared Crown Prince /second Ram should leave royal dress as go to forest for 14 years dressed as a Tapaswi. In the Book, two facts have been mentioned first, the mental struggle of Rama, second, if the reins of power are held by a weak King by his teeth, the power shall be transferred to the powerful person and the teeth of the King will be broken. After declaration of Crown Prince Ceremony date for tomorrow, Rama is asked to meet his father Dasaratha. Here Rama wishes to ask his father why the ceremony is being held in such a big hurry and secrecy. But his father informs him to do the necessary Puja and remain watchful for his safety. Ram comes to his palace and sees Sita who is happy and busy in completing rituals. Ram knows that he has vowed to Vishwamitra who has provided him with celestial weapons to come to the forests and encourage the the residents and encourage them to unite and fight against the spread of Rakshas civilisation. Ultimately, the wish of Rama for going to forests is fulfilled. Ram inform his mother Kaushalya that because of two boons granted by his father to Kekeyi, she has asked for two wishes first that Bharat should be declared crown prince and second Ram should leave to live in the forest dressed as a Tapaswi for a period of 14 years. Sita and Laxman request him to permit them accompany him to the forest. After some discussion, he agrees. Ram calls his friends and arranges to transfer their arms to a location outside Ayodhya territory. He also arranges that information about important Ayodhya affairs be sent to a location outside Ayodhya territory from where it will be carried to Kewat at the banks of Ganga river and later to Rishi Bhardwaj at Prayag and onwards to Rishi Valmiki and at last to them at Chitrakoot where they plan to stay. The three meets King Dasratha and take permission to leave for the forest. They change into Tapaswi clothesand move for the forest. Ram asks the gathering public to remain calm and not agitate. The group moves out while Dasratha sends his chariot with Sumant to take them. Ram accepts the chariot and they move towards Tamsa River where they rest. In the morning they move to Kewat’s area near the river Ganga. Kewat asks Ram to be their King and live in his territory. Ram refuses and takes rest under a Shinshupa tree for the night. Here in the morning, all their arms and ammunition are kept in a boat and they leave for Prayagraj to the Ashram of Rishi Bhardway. At Bhardway Ashram, Ram informs the Rishi about his plan and enquires about a suitable forest location where he can stay. The Rishi suggests that Chitrakoot to which Ram agrees. His arms and the group moves towards Chitrakoot where they meet Rishi Valmiki on the way. He also informs Ram that a suitable location for him to stay is Chitrakoot. Here Ram discusses that local people should be trained in use of arms so that they can protect themselves from Rakashasas. The Rakashas win the local people and keep them as their slaves. The group moves to Chitrakoot and with the help of disciples of Rishi Valmiki, choose a suitable location on a hillock from where they can see the entrants and the river bed. They cut trees and prepare four huts one for Ram and Sita, one for keeping arms, one for Laxman and last for guests. Ram and Laxman traveled to nearby villages and encouraged them to free themselves from the customary chains. One purpose of journey of Laxman was first, to collect food and fruits for the group and the second were to supervise the training of local village youth and Brahmacharis. All people are free and no one is in any type of bondage. He also trained his wife Sita and some of the active villagers about use of various type of arms and ammunition. Ram travelled to Ashrams of Rishis and took stock of the situation of pressure of Rakashas on neighboring villages and making them slaves for their limited purpose. Meanwhile, information was received that Bharat and Shatrughan have retuned from their maternal uncle’s palace. Cremation of King Dashrath was performed and Bharat had taken consent of the Committee of Ministers to visit Ram at Chitrakoot in order to invite him to return and take the throne of Ayodhya. It was also informed that for this purpose, he was coming with his Ayodhya army. Ram waited for message from Kewat and Rishi Bhardwaj. In Chapter VI, during the period of their stay at this hillock, Sita had developed a kitechen garden. Sita already knows to swim. Ram coaches Sita to drive a boat and use arms and track hills- the reasons set forth in the Book are that if any case Ram and Laxman are not available and some one attacks Sita she must be able to fight back and if she has to run she must swim across the river and hide in the hills on the other side of the river. One day when Ram and Laxman is away from the camp, Jayant son of Indra, whose behaviour is like a crow, visits the Ashram and misbehaves with her. Sita fights him but looses and Jayant jumps on her. At the same Ram enters the gate of the Ashram and comes to the rescue of Sita. Jayant wants to run but is caught by Ram. Jayant threatens Ram with dire consequences and informs that he is Jayant son of Indra and Brahma is in his support. Ram tries to strangulate him by keeping his foot on his neck. Now, Jayant surrenders and seeks benefit of his life. Ram removes one of his eyes and lets him run away. Ram receives information that Kewat, all three mothers, Kaushalya, Subhadra and Kekeyi, Guru Vashist, army, cabinet members and both brothers Bharat and Shatrughan are coming to take him back with them to Ayodhya and to crown him king of Ayodhya at Chitrakoot. Chapter 7-The information that Kewat is coming removes the doubt from the minds of all three Ram Laxman and Sita that they are not coming with animosity but they remain vigilant. The Rakashas are aware of the arrival of Ayodhya Kingdom army and they single out members of various Rishi Ashrams and beat them with the intention to collect information about who has called the Army? Why has the Ayodhya army moved to Chitrakoot? Residents of the Ashrams do not have this information, further Ram is busy and is cordoned by the Ayodhya Army for important discussion, and therefore, he is not available for advice about how to deal with Rakashas immediately to them. Bharat visits with his team with a proposal that he wishes that in the Kingdom a situation of doubt, frequently changing decisions and similar practices should be over, Ram should be crowned King and all to serve him loyally including his uncle Yudajit. Other Rishis like Valmiki and others wanted that Ram should remain with them and develop the morale of the residents to resist the Rakshas community and culture. Ram takes notice of the fact that Rakashasas are in larger number in Jansthan and now as he is sure to safety of his people at Ayodhya, he plans move to Janshathan to encourage, unite and train the residents in use of arms to face the Rakashas. In the Book, the character sketch of Dasrath as a weak king having many queens except the three main ones- Kaushalya, Sumitra and Kekeyi. Yudhajit brother of Kekeyi, who was lost the war with Dasrath and he hates Dasrath and is an important minister in Ayodhya. Friends of Ram and Laxman are common people with a conscience that all questions should be decided on the principles mentioned in Hindu scriptures. Kewat is a common man with leadership quality. There is superhuman among them. They face struggles and live. It is a classic novel. It should be translated in other Indian and foreign languages so that international readers become aware of Indian culture and philosophy. It is a worth reading book for all.

[सौरभ | ਸੌਰਭ | Saurabh · Rating 3 out of 5]

रामकथा का पुनर्लेखन - मुख्यतः अयोध्या कांड। लेखक ने श्री राम को समाजवाद, नारीवाद का अधिनायक बनाने का प्रयत्न किया है। ऐसा अधिनायक जो स्वयं नायक बन दुर्जनों का संहार नहीं करता वरन सामाजिक चेतना फैला कर समाज के जन जन को जागृत करने का प्रयास करता है।

कई जगह लेखक ने रामायण की मूल कथा से पथभ्रष्ट हो, अपनी रामगंगा बहा दी है।

[Abhilash Mittal · Rating 5 out of 5]

लेखक की विचार शक्ति अद्भुत है
इस खंड में लेखक ने राम के वनवास की आज्ञा से लेकर वन में उनके दस माह के समय का वर्णन किया है। इस अवधि में प्रत्येक पात्र के मन में चल रहे द्वंधों को दिखाया है। प्रत्येक पात्र कैसे इन द्वंधों से बाहर निकल किसी निर्णय को लेता है, इसका सुंदर वर्णन है। जिसके माध्यम से उस समय के परिवेश का व्यापाक ज्ञान मिलता है।

[Ved Prakash · Rating 4 out of 5]

रामायण सीरीज का एक पार्ट है ये। इसमें राम को वनवास भेजने के लिए बन रहे माहौल से लेकर वनवास में बिताये प्रथम 10 महीने तक का विवरण है।
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कथाकार ने एक अलग perspective में रामायण को पेश किया है। साधारण मनुष्यों की कहानी....संघर्ष की कहानी. कोई चमत्कार नहीं, कोई दिव्यशक्ति नहीं। सारे पात्र तब के समाज के अनुसार हैं।इस पुस्तक के अनुसार समाज में व्याप्त (बाहुबलियों/राक्षसों का) अत्याचार, छुआछूत, दास प्रथा इत्यादि के खिलाफ आम जनता को जागरूक करने का अभियान ही वस्तुतः रामायण का सार था।

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दशरथ एक वृद्ध राजा हैं जो कि अय्यास थे। उनके अन्तरमहल में सैकड़ों रानियां हैं लेकिन वे कैकेयी के मोह में बंधे होते हैं और कैकेयी के सामने एकदम भीरु। पुरे राज्य में कैकेयी और उसके भाई के विश्वासपात्र ही शीर्ष पदों पर आसीन हैं। वृद्ध दशरथ अब उनके डर से राम को युवराज घोषित करना चाहते है और वो भी भरत को दूर ननिहाल भेजकर और कैकेयी से छुपाकर । इधर राम विश्वामित्र को आश्वस्त कर चुके थे कि वे राज्य में न रह, जनजागरण के लिए जंगलों में आ जायेंगे। कैकेयी शुरू के दिनों में राम से नफरत करती थी लेकिन समय के साथ प्यार करने लगी है लेकिन दशरथ की गुप्त योजना से खफा हो वरदान में राम का वनवास माँग लेती है। तो एक तरीके से राम के लिए ये वरदान ही हुआ।

इस समय की नाटकीय घटनाएं वैसी ही है जैसा हमसब जानते हैं।

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राम को दंडकारण्य जाना है लेकिन इस बिच कई जगह रुकते और क्रांति का बिज बोते हुए जायेंगे।

इस नॉवेल में वे चित्रकूट में रुके हैं। सीता सहित आस-पास के कुछ नवयुवकों को अस्त्र शस्त्र की शिक्षा देते हैं। और एक अतिसाधारण युवक ने हाथों उस इलाके के राक्षस का वध कराते हैं।

राक्षस के रूप में यहाँ समाज के अमीर शोसक अत्याचारी वर्ग को दिखाया गया है। वे अपने आतंक से लोगों को डरा कर रखते हैं ताकि उनपर शासन कर सकें।

ऋषियों के रूप में गुरुकुल चलाने वाले वैसे लोग चित्रित किये गए हैं जो अपने लेख और विचार से जनजागरण का कार्य करते हैं और इसी वजह से राक्षस (शोसक) उनके दुश्मन हैं।

वानर, रीक्ष इत्यादि का अर्थ different race के मनुष्यों से है।

राम को ये पता है कि अकेले वे कुछ नहीं कर सकते। एकमात्र उपाय है कि लोगों को अपने अधिकारों के प्रति जागरूक किया जाए और उनके मन का डर हटाया जाए ताकि वे शोसक के खिलाफ क्रांति का बिगुल फूँक सकें।



इस नॉवेल में वे चित्रकूट में जनजागरण ला चुके हैं। अब यहीं के लोकल लोग राक्षसों से लड़ेंगे। राम अब आगे दूसरे इलाके में चले जायेंगे।

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कुछ चीज़ें जो लेखक ने थोड़ा अलग प्रस्तुत किया है :

*लक्ष्मण अपने पिता से नफरत करते हैं। वध तक करने को आतुर हैं। राम mature हैं इसलिए पिता के प्रति श्रद्धा बस एक कर्तव्य के रूप में निभाते हैं।

* भरत के नेचर के बारे में पूर्ण ज्ञान नहीं है इन्हें। भरत से ससंकित रहते हैं। भरत जब सेना लेकर जंगल में इन्हें मना कर वापस लौटाने आते हैं तो ये लोग ये भी सोचते हैं कि भरत हमें ख़त्म करने आ रहे हैं और युद्ध के लिए तैयार रहते हैं।

*सीता पितृसत्तात्मक समाज में घुटन फील करती हैं। राम भी चाहते हैं कि वो सामाजिक कार्य करे लेकिन अभी समाज के बंधन को तोड़ना उनके वश का नहीं। लेकिन जंगल प्रवास में सीता को वो स्वतंत्रता मिलती है।

* जंगल में राम इत्यादि मांसाहार करते हैं। कंदमूल के अलावा हिरन मुख्य भोजन है।

[kukku [u donno me] · Rating 5 out of 5]

again....just one word... BRILLIENT....