When the Lord metes out a punishment, it may appear harsh. But what
appears externally as passionate (raajasic) is in reality serene (saatvic). In
a hailstorm, along with rain there will be hailstones. But both the rain and
hailstones contain water. Likewise, there is serene quality even in the Lord's
passionate actions. Similarly there may be passionate quality even in slothful
(thaamasic) actions.
These depend on the time, place, and circumstances in which the Lord
acts. Butter can be split with a finger. But a powerful hammer is needed to
break a piece of iron. The Lord deals with serene persons in a serene way. He
applies the passionate weapon against passionate persons.
- From Bhagawan's Divine Discourse on 18th October 1991
