I remember when I was a brand new bhakta in Toronto Radha Gopinatha temple. The devotees told me how Krsna does not take offense, but that Srimati Radharani might, out of her love for Krsna.
Today, as our bodies age, some of the devotees find themselves enduring so much pains, both physical and mental, due to austerities and karma and the usurpation of our life's struggled construction, the Hare Krishna Movement, by Maya's agents. Some say, Krsna is very cruel ! He allows such sufferings of His devotees.
But wait! Srila Prabhupada explains in the Nectar of Devotion that Sri Krsna is very grateful and always remembers even a little service. As well, in His appearance as Lord Vishnu, Brghu muni went so far as to kick the Lord, and He was dismissive of this offense and in fact was concerned about His devotee's foot!
So, the evidence is clear that Krsna is not cruel. However, let us speak of the jivas...
Mostly, we associate with each other. Always there is fighting and competition. We set very high standards for each other, such that the devotees, who control Him, also control access to Him! They will certainly never allow anyone of anything but the highest possible standards to approach the Lord. So who has done this? Is it Krsna? No! It is the tyrrany of the jivas upon each other! In love madness, the jivas following Radharani insist that love be free, and so Krsna allows us this dream of material madness. And we insist on such freedoms to leave the perfections of Heaven, and this means love is given not just taken, and this seperation between the jiva soul and Godhead is our treasure as devotees. It is the pride of the jivas that they can say no, and all suffering flows from this. The jivas insist on suffering as proof of their fidelity. A girl has to have a little pride, after all. The existence of extremes in suffering simply demonstrates the determination of the jivas, and despite Krsna's pleading, we do it.
There are none so deaf as those who just will not listen, the saying goes. A child and a fool, or a prideful man or a woman, may all insist on their way, even if it sometimes flies in the face of good reason. And so we leave the spiritual world in the first place.
This article is in development, direct quotes will be added over the next day or two, but the ideas are so important, I thought to post it and get some feedback.
Replies
At the source of her aggression and interference in the affairs of Radha and Krsna we find a great and deep affection. This justifies all her activities as the leader accepted by the associates of Radha-Krsna. She always veers towards that Couple with such a standard. She can’t tolerate a drop of sweat on the foot of the Divine Damsel. On that level she works, as if with millions of bodies she wants to correct it, to remove that drop of sweat. She can’t tolerate any trouble, not the least trouble. Uttunga-sauhrda-visesa-bharat pragalbham – she is very aggressive and talkative, and goes forward to do anything and everything as if she is mad with leadership. But at the source is her great concern for Them. This justification is there.
Sometimes she chastises Radharani Herself, “You do not know how to behave with Krsna. I will teach You what to do. Don’t make Yourself available to Krsna so cheaply. You must be careful of Your own dignity.” Though a little younger, still Lalita takes the position as caretaker of Radharani, always first to look after the cause of Radharani, to espouse the cause of Radharani. And she is always thinking herself responsible for all the affairs concerning Them.
Sometimes she goes to chastise Krsna also, “You don’t know the dignified position, what dignified love my friend has towards You. You undermine that. I cannot allow it.