Why great devotees insulted, scolded & mocked God
Have you ever felt angry at God? What if I said that’s awesome?
In Sanatan Dharma, God's biggest devotees often insult, criticise and scold Him, and it’s a completely accepted, normal part of our spiritual relationship.
In the Bhagavata Purana, 9.4.63 Vishnu says, "I am subordinate to My devotees." So if He is truly yours, you're allowed to argue and fight with Him honestly, like a child, partner or friend, and He’s totally chill with it.
The Bengali saint Ramprasad Sen sings to Kali, "This time, either You eat me or I eat You." In another song, he mocks her wild form.
Naughty Krishna gets tied up by Yashoda maiyya, and the Gopis constantly bully Him, calling Him a cheat.
In Gujarat, He's lovingly worshipped as Ranchhod, the one who ran away from the battlefield. Of course, that, too, was a part of His strategy against Jarasandha (जरासन्ध) and Kalayavana (कालयवन).
In Maharashtra, Janabai ties Vitthal with a rope, calls Him the thief of Pandhari and scolds His pride. And young Namdev doesn’t allow Vitthal to leave until He has eaten his offering.
The Tamil saint Sundarar calls Shiva a madman. And at Kerala's Kodungallur Bharani (कोडुंगल्लूर भरणी) festival, devotees sing highly abusive, crass & erotic songs humiliating the Goddess, and she accepts them as valid offerings, too.
But none of this comes from hatred or from outsiders. It comes from deep intimacy. Only those absorbed in Him, carrying an unbreakable bond, earn the right to fight with Him like a sibling or a boyfriend & girlfriend.
So the next time you're angry with God, remember that it’s not negative or bad. Express your feelings honestly to Him in the same way you'd say it to your family or best friend.
He will not judge or punish you for it.
In fact, even hating God can bring you closer to Him. That's Hiranyakashipu's story & we’ll talk about it next.