Torch bechne wala ( टोर्च बेचने वाला): Hindi story

by Harishankar Parsai

वह पहले चौराहों पर बिजली के टार्च बेचा करता था । बीच में कुछ दिन वह नहीं दिखा । कल फिर दिखा । मगर इस बार उसने दाढी बढा ली थी और लंबा कुरता पहन रखा था ।मैंने पूछा, ” कहाँ रहे? और यह दाढी क्यों बढा रखी है? ”उसने जवाब दिया, ” बाहर गया था । ”दाढीवाले सवाल का उसने जवाब यह दिया कि दाढी पर हाथ फेरने लगा । मैंने कहा, ” आज तुम टार्च नहीं बेच रहे हो? ”उसने कहा, ” वह काम बंद कर दिया । अब तो आत्मा के भीतर टार्च जल उठा है । ये ‘ सूरजछाप ‘ टार्च अब व्यर्थ मालूम होते हैं । ”मैंने कहा, ” तुम शायद संन्यास ले रहे हो । जिसकी आत्मा में प्रकाश फैल जाता है, वह इसी तरह हरामखोरी पर उतर आता है । किससे दीक्षा ले आए? ”मेरी बात से उसे पीडा हुई । उसने कहा, ” ऐसे कठोर वचन मत बोलिए । आत्मा सबकी एक है । मेरी आत्मा को चोट पहुँचाकर आप अपनी ही आत्मा को &#

9 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 26, 2020

About the author

Harishankar Parsai (हरिशंकर परसाई) was one of the greatest hindi satire writer. Despite holding a MA degree in English, he never wrote in this language. Started his career as a teacher, he later quit it to become a full time writer and started a literature magazine "Vasudha"(it was later closed because of financial difficulties).

He was famous for his blunt and pinching style of writing which included allegorical as well as realist approach. He was funny enough to make you laugh but serious enough to prick your conscience. There would be hardly any dimension of life left which has not appeared in his satires. He received Sahitya Academy Award(biggest literature award in India) for his book "Viklaang Sraddha ka Daur". He has penned down some novels also.

Reviews

[Madhur Srivastava · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is about two friends who begins their journey of starting a new business. The first friend chooses to sell torches and other friend to enlighten others. The first friend is indulged in material life but still compares his occupation with his second friend telling him that both of them are selling their products by fearing people. But after seeing the lifestyle of his second friend he asks what is the brand name of his product. To which the second friend replies it's "sanatan" dharma. The crux of the story is that even first friend is impressed and follows him.

[Ashutosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book!

Great book. Harishankar Parsai must be read by everyone. It gives a deep insight into the political and social fabric. Satire at its best... Simply loved the book.