संघर्ष की ओर

राम-कथा #3

by नरेंद्र कोहली, Narendra Kohli, नरेंद्र कोहली, Narendra Kohli

राम कथा पर आधारित सात खण्डों में यह एक ऐसी उपन्यास श्रृंखला है, जो पुरातन मर्यादाओं को आधुनिक संदर्भों में देखती है।

इन उपन्यास खण्डों में लेखक ने उपन्यास श्रृंखला को नई और खोजपूर्ण दृष्टि से सँवारा है। ‘संघर्ष की ओर’ कथा माला की तीसरी कड़ी है, जिसमें पीड़ित नारी की मुक्ति, बुद्धिजीवियों के सत्ता के साथ गठजोड़ और अन्याय के विरुद्ध दलित वर्ग के संगठन को बड़ी बेबाकी से चित्रित किया गया है।

370 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

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]

Sangharsh ki aur by Narendra Kohli- Part I- Chapter 1- Ram decides to leave Chitrakoot and move to Dandakvan where the Rakshasas are in large number and the people are forced to work as their slaves and their independence is curbed. On the way, he visits Ashram of Rishi Sharbhang. Rishi Sharbhang has been meeting people to be aware of their problems. In the area, mines are located and metal can be excavated. Rakshahas have taken control of mines and are using the locals to excavate metal ore for manufacture of arms. Rishi was eagerly waiting for arrival of Ram so that in his area also he could ignite the idea of equality, justice and unite and fight for your rights in residents. The Book states that Indra, King of Devatas came to his Ashram. After meeting Indra, Rishi Sharbhang was demoralised; he felt that he will not be able to help the residents of neighboring areas so he committed suicide by burning himself on fire. Feeling dejected, moves to the Ashram of Rishi Atri. This is a differently managed Ashram because Atri lives with his wife Anusuiya. Ram is welcomed as a family guest. This Ram discusses the situation of pressure created by Rakashasas on the local population and with Rishis. Rakshasas come in contact with intelligent people; they kill them or enslave them. Indra buys the intelligent people to work for him. Ram planned to take the bull by the horn. He moved from Atri Ashram and confronted Viradh a Rakashasas. He caught Sita and ran away towards the forest. Ram comes out of the shock and both brothers run after him. As Viradh is fat and he is carrying Sita, he is unable to run fast. They catch him and attack him with swords. Viradh uses Sita as a cover. Ram challenges him a duel of wrestling. Sometimes Ram and Laxman are faster and other time Viradh is better. Ultimately Laxman is able to turn his hand and break some bones. Viradh falls on the ground. Ram keeps his foot over his neck and applies pressure. Viradh weakens and inform Ram that he belongs to the Gandharva class. Because of his big stature and non- governed area, he started creating fear in people, enslaved them and had friendship with Rakshasas. Viradh is killed and his body is burned. Ram meets other Rishis and villagers. They find that there is a small hillock where bodies of rishis and villagers killed by Rakashasas are placed and foul smell is emanating from them. Ram finds that Rishis are engaged in Tapasya; their Ashram dwellers take help from villagers and know their problems about safety from Rakashasas. They are unable to help them or train them into a fighting unit. Ram is carrying arms and ammunition with him; therefore, Rishis do not wish to accomodte him in their ashram for the fear of Rakashasas. However, Rishis talk to him with respect. Ram visits the Ashram of a disciple of Rishi August named Rishi Sutikshana where Ram is welcomed. Rishi informs Ram that he can stay in his Ashram with his arms. In the Ashram strong animals move and disturb the residents but they do not kill or harm them. Ram understands the suggestion and enquires about a suitable place of stay. Chapter 2- Story or Rishi August- Begins with an incidcent where villagers are attacked four persons killed, animals taken away, arson and the looters ran away on a chariot. Rishi August is made aware of this incident. Rishi August and his wife Lopamudra daughter to Rishi Valmiki live in their Ashram north of Vindhachala. Unlike other Rishis of this area north of Vindhyachala, Rishi August more with the villagers and has established a school for children. He has also trained the villagers in self-defence with arms. Rishi August resides in an area where villagers are engaged in agriculture and were well to do. While the monkey like men residing south of Vindhyachla have not developed agriculture so well and attack these villagers and loot them. Rishi August goes to attend a meeting of village heads who have gathered to take stock of the situation and plan an attack on the Monkeylike people after crossing the Vidhyachala. Rishi explains that Monkeylike men do not have a chariot or are aware of horse riding and are not trained to use of arms while sitting on horseback. Thus they conclude that the group of attackers is different from Monkeylike men. They prepare for betterment of defences and more vigilance. Rishi August instructed that he and his wife are crossing the Vidhayachal and are moving south of Vindhyachal and until he returns no attack should be planned on Monkeylike men. Rishi August reached south and found that an attack similar to the attack at north of Vindhyachala had taken place which had created an atmosphere of distrust on northerners. Rishi August stayed in south created an atmosphere of trust, trained them in use of arms and educated their children. Chapter 3- After leaving his place of stay at Chitrakoot, Ram moves out to find another place to stay. He meets Rishis and villagers. In this area there are mines and the work of exaction of ore is done later to be converted to metal. On the way they find that the Rakashasas are trying to make their presence felt by killing the intellectuals- Rishis and their ashram residents and the villagers. Ram concludes that Rishis are quite busy in their Tapasya and do not have a channel to connect with the villagers. He informs the group of Rishis and villagers that they should form a group and endeavour to help raise the standard of life to villagers by educating them, help in providing better houses, improve agriculture, cleanliness, maintain pet animals and also train them in self defense. Ram starts the process. Chapter 4-Villagers inform Rishi August that the Rakashasas regularly kidnap men women and children and take them to Lanka the capital of the Kingdom of Rakashasas headed by Ravan. One child named Murthu from the south Vindhyachal regions was kidnapped with some children, men and women. He describes that we all walked towards the sea coast. Here a boast appears, they board and move on. After some a ship appears and they are transferred to the ship. Women are taken away first. The children weep of fear for their future. Later it is shown that the first person captured reaches Lanka where he grows up, he later learns Ship engineering and is in-charge of a ship. He has described that Lanka as affluent land of palaces, markets for food items, jewellery, scent, diamonds and variety of clothes for women, army, ships, education is in a developed cultured state. On his return his father who is living in poverty, suggests that both should meet the village Pradhan and Rishi August. Chapter 5- Ram plans that the mine labours by provided better houses for their residence. Laxman, villagers and mine workers go to the forest and cut wood for this purpose. While they are feeling trees from the forest, the allenged owners of the mines gherao and plan to attack them. One person whom Laxman had trained faces him and he surrenders. He is tied and brought before Ram. He informs Ram that he is protected by Mine owners, Indra, Fire and Ravana will teach them a lesson. After discussion, Ram informs him that they have been being treating humans like slaves and not providing them human facilities. Ram leaves the mine owner. Ram understands that these people will attack the mine workers locality and try to burn the mines. Ram calls all and informs them that for freedom every person has to be ready to fight otherwise the life of slavery is worse than death. They agree. Ram asks the elderly persons and children to stay in his ashram. Rest arm themselves with cut wood lathis, the rest who have been trained are provided with Bhala- Javeline. They have to take care of mines and basti of mine workers. About midnight about 15 armed persons appears but on seeing the preparation for armed assault, they ran away in the dark. Next morning in the meeting, Ram informs that the mine belongs to the people. They should manage it. Chapter 6- Under the guidance of Ram and Laxman, the mines are inspected and Laxman suggests changes in size of hearth of head where ore is heated to excavate metals. They help the mine families to construct houses, community farming, security of area by constructing places to sit above trees and watch the incumbents whether enemies or others. Chapter 7- Rishi August has been living on the southern side of Vindhyachala and has taught the monkey like people to catch fish, make salt and use better mode of agriculture. In the earlier Chapter 4, it was informed that one boy Murthu, who was captured by Rakashasas and has become a sea ship engineer and captain, returns to his house. He sees the dire poverty to his folks and villagers. He is taken before Rishi August and other heads of villages. Rishi August asks the youngman to stay in the village and work for betterment of his kith and kin. The youngman is impressed with Rishi August. He questions himself that how Rishi August became aware of his arrival by a boat? Does he own ships and boats? He is intelligent and could have become a minister to Ravana and could have enjoyed affluent life. He has committed his life for the bettement of his people. He wanted to construct boats so that more fish could be caught and the salt prepared by them can be sold to others who resided on other coast of the sea. But the Pradhan and Yuthpati did not permit him on the ground that Sea God would get angry and knowledge used by Rakashasas is not acceptable to them. Chapter 8- Ram again- One person on guard duty came inform Ram that some Rakashasas have attached the neighboring Ashram, arrested some residents and are preparing to attack Ram. Ram plans for security of the mine workers and families and arranges to awaken the mine worker and village farmers to bear arms and be ready. During the whole night no attack started. Ram plans to counter attack and save the Ashram residents who have been captured. Ram leads the attack and finds that the group of Rakshasas are drunk and on apparoaching they try to attack. Ram kills a few of them with his arrow, the rest are drunk and surrender before him. Soon the bound Ashramites are freed and the Rakashasas are tied with the ropes which were used to tie the Ashramites. They are brought to Ram’s Ashram where Ram announces that justice will be done. Ram thinks of his education in Ayodhya under Rishi Vashisth and later under Rishi Vishwamitra exposure to the position of people residing in forests and Ashramites. Areas under a king were administered but the forest land was unadministered. Kings were interested in advancing their empire without bothering about the wishes of the subjects. Ram realises that he left Ayodhya at the appropriate time to start to establish a new type of society where all are equal and have equal rights over the natural resources. Ravana would endeavor to curb and annihilate such a society, so ultimately Ram should plan to fight the empire of Ravana. Chapter 9- The Rakashasas who had been caught and bound were kept in the village house. One night the Rakashasas attacked the guards of the house and freed their bound friends and took them away. Ram trains more youth in physical fitness, use of arms and hiding on trees at night and checking for intruders. Women from the village come and complain that their husbands are still drinking hard drinks, beat them if they stop them and do treat women as socially equal to them. Ram gets the illicit liquor manufacturing stopped. Ram plans to leave this place and move further to face the Rakshasas through their horns. Here after discussion, Ram concludes that Rishi Sharbhang was helping village agriculuurist and mine workers to up their standard and live a better life. Indra did not like this. He wanted the people should remain uneducated and live a crude life of poverty. Thus Indra must have asked Sharbhang to live with him in his house filled with dance and drinks or lead a life of luxury but stay away from the people. Sharbhang was a Rishi with a clear conscience and decided to burn himself in fire rather than accept the favour of Indra. Chapter 10- Story of Rishi August continued- Murthu was a slave, he served the aged sea ship captain with love and devotion. The captain bought him and kept him in his service. Here Murthu moved on ships and learned about shipping and saw many parts of the world from Lanka, viz Urpur, Asimpur. His owner taught him the art of ship building also which he learnt soon. He had offers from Ravana about joining his workshop for ship building on good service conditions. But however, Murthu returned back to his village. He found that people here are not aware of importance of ship building and fishing in deep sea. Therefore, He went to meet Rishi August. Here he met Prabha who was learning use of medicine and surgery. She was brought up in religious atmosphere and had a glow of shine on her face. Rishi August proposed her marriage with Murthu. Murthu started thinking on the proposal. Rishi August has been able to read his mind clearly. If Murthu marries Prabha, he will be able to settle in his home country. Murthu has seen lot of beautiful women during his journey of the world on ship but he was never charmed to marry any of them. Murthu planned to construct a boat. He designed the size, the lengh and size of oars in his mind. He and his father went to the nearby forest to cut a tree. The moment they started to cut, men from Youthpati- incharge of the area stopped them from work. They were informed that their arrest is not possible as it has been stopped by Rishi August but felling of trees is stopped by youthpati. Chapter 11- Ram moves his establishment (arms and ammuniton) further towards Jansthan which is an influence area of Rakashasas by fear of death. Ram distributes the unused land of runaway landowners to village agriculturists. Thus a message is sent to Rakshasas that he is moving towards their mainland. Ram organised machan (place on treetop from where surveillance of intruders can be done) and various trained villagers sit and watch. Training of Ashram residents and villagers in use of arms and also starting agriculture is done. The reason is that villagers can face the Rakshasas with arms but if there is famine. They will succumb to death or have to leave the place for food and work. Ram educates the Rishis that if they survive, then only they can follow their path of tapasya –meditation but they die of fear and hunger, they will not be able to follow their motto, to which the Rishis agree. Ram and Sita visit the village residents’ houses regularly to maintain confidence and a sense of security from Rakshasas. Chapter 12- Agriculturist villagers were not prepared to own land of the runaway agriculturists because they thought that afte Ram leaves the Rakshasas will return with especial vengeance to annihilate them on priority. Ram himself works on the farm with villagers. The aim is to sow crops, save the land from being barren and keep all of them away from famine. Ram had arranged for passing of communication about movement of Rakshasas from all neighboring villages which were prone to attack. Chapter 13- In the mind of villagers, fear of Rakshasas was such that wanted Ram to protect them but they did not want to liase with him and remain neutral. Ram has found that under the guidance of Laxman, the villagers and Ashramite are able to construct dwellings at speed. Ram plans more dwelling on the bordering influence areas. Information was received that about 250 Rakshasas are in the area planning to attack. Target of the attack could be villages and mines. Ultimately it was confirmed that the group is moving towards the mines. Therefore, all forces at other locations were ordered to collect at one point. The action plan was to surround them from all sides after they attack. Ram, Sita, Laxman and the armed persons participated. The Rakshasas did not plan their fight. Earlier they used to attack unarmed villagers and killed and looted them. This time the resistance was formidable but still the Rakshasas fought back. One group ran towards the farm to burn the standing crops. The farm workers though unarmed resisted with farm equipment. All three Ram, Laxman and Sita were able to kill all party taking one person as prisoner. Ram had to use his bow and arrows very fast to kill about 250 attackers. Ram is also hurt in the fight on his chest. After the fight is over, the wounded are taken care of. Later a meeting is held in which all inform Ram that they will resort to community farming, learning use of arms, and educating children, women and men. The prisoner of war named Ogaru informs Ram that he is a slave of the neighbouring mine owner. He has been sent with the direction that he must see the arms and ammunition used by Ram and to mould similar arms and ammunition for them also. His story is that once an ordinary farmer. One day he called the villagers and told them Goddess has come in his dream and informed that she is lying in the form of statue in the lake. He goes to the lake and brings out the statue of the Goddess. He becomes the chief Priest of the Goddess and all villagers become his slaves. They work for him in farms and mines as he becomes owner of the mine also. Ram informs him that your owner is a farce and he is still a common man. Group of villagers must test him and come out of the false notion. Ram sets him free. After the victory there was peace in the area. Muni Sutikshana sent a letter to Ram that large animals have left the area and he is searching for Ram. Here the freed Ogaru appears before Ram and tell him the further story. Ogaru informs the villagers that the mine owner is not the Priest and his story is false. In order to test the truth whether Goddess will save him or not, in the night, Ogaru hits the mine owner on the head, ties him to the Goddess and throws the Goddess in the lake. After two days, the body of the mine owner tied to the Goddess comes on the lake. The villagers understand sent Ogaru to Ram. Ram informs that he will send his team for training them in better agriculture, communication, use of arms and ammunition, better exaction of minerals. Chapter 14- Ram instructs his trained armed villagers to move in the area and become aware of the geography, location of Rakshas camps and road towards Muni Sutikshan Ashram because he is carrying arms and ammunition with him. Muni Sutikshana welcomes him to his Ashram and the arms and ammunition are placed in a safe location. Muni Sutikshana informed Ram that though he teaches about how to control fear, but he himself was afraid of the Rakshasas. He has started providing training in use of arms to his Ashramites. He also informs that he is a disciple of Rishi August and is ashmed for his fear of Rakshasas. Ram explains to the Muni that in order initiate change in thinking of people, the Muni should involve the neighboring villagers and Ashramites. They talk about the work of facing Rakshasas by Rishi August and help, guide the residents of South of Vindhyachala mountain. Muni Sutikshana started the story of Rishi August from where it was left in the previous chapter. Murthu the trained ship builder left the village. All villagers grouped and took notice that if other youth are not encouraged to do new work for the betterment of all, similarly other youngmen will also leave the area. Rishi August comes to know from his surveillance group that the Rakshasas from Kalkeya of Ashimpuri were grouping to attack them. Ashimpuri was an area across the sea. The Rakshasas had to cross the sea and attack them. Rishi August called a meeting and questioned about who will lead them. In the meantime, Rishi August secretly had asked some youth to construct boats and he trained them in use of arms and ammunition. The youthpati and all unanimously agreed that Rishi August will lead. Rishi August asks the Purohit to perform puja of Sea so that Sea does not allow the Rakshasas to travel over it

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

10/10

[Deepali Agarwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good gift for youth

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

नरेंद्र कोहली जी एक बेहतरीन लेखक हैं मगर यह पुस्तक उनकी श्रेष्ठतम कृतियों में नहीं गिनी जाएगी।

काला पत्थर फिल्म की कोयले की खान की तरह ही फ़िल्मी और हास्यपद सी कहानी है। समाजवाद का समय अब समाप्त हो चुका है - समाजवादी नेता एवं अन्य समाजवादी अगड़े अब साम्राज्यवाद के फल फूलों का स्वाद चख रहे हैं। भगवान राम अब हिंदू आस्था के प्रतीक बन चुके हैं उन्हें गांधीजी के राम राज्य की तरह समाजवादी चोले में लपेटना नहीं जँचता।