Remember that the lessons taught to Bharata by Rama are ideal lessons. After instructing Bharata regarding the principles of good government, Rama told Bharata: ‘You must revere the parents, the preceptors and all elders. If any person misbehaves within your kingdom, do not punish him. Banish him. That will be punishment enough.’

Here I wish to explain what is meant by punishment. There is no need to beat or abuse the erring person. Stop talking to him. What is the use of talking to a person who is going astray? I do not want to waste my words on such a person. I attach great value to my words. They may not know it, but I know their value. None of my words has any selfish motive. Everything is for the welfare of all. If one has no such broad outlook and is only concerned about his personal interests, what is the use in talking to such a person? As long as one remains self-centered, he cannot understand the Divine. (SSS Vol.28, pp. 94-95)

Lanka was enveloped in great sorrow as the warriors started killing the demons. Even the people who did not commit any wrong became victims of this war. The sinner may be one, but the punishment falls on all those around him. Does the roaring fire in a forest burn only the neem trees and spare the mango trees since they are sweet ? The forest fire consumes every tree that comes in its way. The Jasmine in a forest wafts its fragrance to all those around it. Similarly, war kills the good as well as the bad people. (SSB 1996, p. 67)

Only those who understand the nature of the Divinity can appreciate the ways of the Divine. The Divine resorts to certain kinds of punishments to make the devotee pursue the right path and enable him to lead an ideal life. Such punishments are for the devotee’s good and well being. (SSS Vol.22, p. 37)

I am telling you in every discourse that Divinity resides in every being. But you must have noticed that I am inflicting rather hard punishment on those who have done some wrong or strayed into wrong paths. The Divinity has to shine in every activity and we should see that it is not befogged by human failing or ‘animalities’. For this purpose, such correctives and remedial measures are imperatives. Copper as an alloy will lessen the value of gold; so the stuff has to be melted in a crucible to remove the copper. So too, when the pure, holy and progressive human being is associated with certain impure, unholy and downward – dragging trends, Swami has to intervene to stop them and restore their value of the original ‘gold’. Or else why should I indulge in correction and punishment? Understanding My actions in their true light is the surest means of earning My Grace. (NNSG Vol.3, p. 92)