I have heard devotees say, “If you are not happy with what has happened or what is happening in your life, you can express that to Krishna frankly. You can even get angry at Him.”

Following such advice, I had once done something like that. But rather than going up in my spiritual life, I went down.

Do we, as sadhakas, have a right to get angry at Krishna?

Perfected Devotees’ Anger at Krishna:

Can we emulate the examples of great souls like Jagadananda Pandit?

Jagadananda Pandit personally prepared sandalwood oil for Mahaprabhu in Navadvipa and brought it all the way to Jagannath Puri. But Mahaprabhu refused to accept it. Jagadananda got angry and threw the entire pot of oil in a drain.

In the Tenth Canto, Chapter 47, Srimati Radharani speaks to a bumblebee, which she sees as Krishna’s messenger. Her words are full of emotions that include love, longing, resentment, and even anger.

After Uddhava returns from Vrindavan and sees the pitiable condition of the gopis, he himself is disturbed by Krishna’s apparent neglect. He pleads with Krishna to return to Vrindavan.

Thus, divine anger exists. How does it apply to us?

Anger Beyond Boundaries:

Sometimes, when Krishna doesn’t fulfill our expectations, we may get angry at Krishna.

Indra observed his worship being stopped by a naughty little boy. He got enraged and tried to destroy the entire Vrindavan. But Krishna taught him a good lesson. Indra came to his senses and begged forgiveness.

Of course, Indra is not a nitya-siddha devotee. He is a demigod with a tinge of pride and ambition. His anger arose out of his ego, and Krishna corrected him for that.

Devotees Descended for a Purpose

What about devotees who descend with a purpose?

Rupa Goswami and Sanatana Goswami wanted to leave the service of Nawab Hussain Shah. They wrote multiple letters to Lord Chaitanya, but He did not respond. Only once did He write back, and that too in cryptic language, indicating they had to be patient. They never got angry at Mahaprabhu for not replying to their messages!

Srila Prabhupada faced intense challenges. We never see a time in his life when he got angry at Krishna. Facing repeated failures in India, and even in the early days of America, he remained patient and hopeful.

When his factory caught fire, he quoted Krishna’s words to Yudhishthira: “If I especially favor someone, I gradually deprive him of all his wealth.” He recognized his failures as Krishna’s mercy.

When he suffered two heart attacks, he didn’t blame Krishna. After all, he was going to fulfill Krishna’s mission only. When his typewriter was stolen and the drugged David ran to kill him, Prabhupada didn’t question Krishna’s intention.

Being ‘Frank’ in our Expressions:

Some people believe that in a relationship, we need to be frank. And if need be, we can also express our anger, disgust and contempt to Krishna. Is it really so?

Generally, in this world, we observe that only when we try to be humble, tolerant and sensitive do relations last for a long period of time. We cannot get angry in relationships every now and then. One outburst of anger is sufficient to break a relationship forever. We need to accept, adjust and tolerate, sometimes even to the point of going through tears and hard times.

What can be done when life presents challenging circumstances? As devotees, we know Krishna is the controller, the master of the entire universe. Can we get angry or put up a stern inquiry unto Him?

Express, but Don’t Transgress

We can cry, we can inquire, we can even express our pain, but we must not cross our boundaries and blame Krishna.

Krishna sends Akrura on a mission to Hastinapura to find out how the Pandavas are being treated, so they can take the right action. Kunti and Vidura describe Dhrtarastra’s ill plans to Akrura. Kunti expresses her emotions in a very heartfelt way. She is not angry at Krishna, but she inquires about His intervention.

She asks, “Does Krishna remember us? Will Krishna come to console us in this time of crisis?”

After offering prayers to Krishna, she cries in grief. Vidura and Akrura console Kunti by reminding her of the extraordinary manner in which her sons were born.

Kunti’s emotions are perfectly valid, yet she never blames Krishna for her suffering.

Bhakti Means Favorable Service

Srila Rupa Goswami defines pure devotional service:
anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyaṁ
jnāna-karmādy-anāvṛtam
ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānu-
śīlanaṁ bhaktir uttamā
When first-class devotional service develops, one must be devoid of all material desires, speculative knowledge, and fruitive actions. The devotee must serve Krishna favorably, in a way that pleases Him.

The word ‘ānukūlyena’ is significant. Bhakti means rendering service to Krishna favorably. In this world, servants may go on strike against their bosses. But can we do that with Krishna?

Learning through Experience:

Even Lord Brahma once tried to test Krishna. He stole His friends and calves. After realizing his folly, Brahmaji came to his senses. He offered heartfelt prayers unto the Supreme Lord which form one of the most beautiful prayers in the Srimad Bhagavatam.

tat te ’nukampāṁ su-samīkṣamāṇo
bhunjāna evātma-kṛtaṁ vipākam
hṛd-vāg-vapurbhir vidadhan namas te
jīveta yo mukti-pade sa dāya-bhāk
“My dear Lord, one who patiently suffers the reactions of his past misdeeds and offers respectful obeisances with heart, words and body, while waiting for Your mercy, becomes eligible for Your liberation.” — SB 10.14.8

A devotee who tolerates pain and difficult situations becomes eligible for higher mercy.

Conclusion:

Instead of asking “Can I get angry at Krishna,” we can ask ourselves, “How can I take my feelings of resentment, pain, confusion, betrayals to Krishna without turning away, or getting angry at Him?”

After all, doesn’t Krishna know the entire picture of our life? And isn’t He more eager to take us back home, back to Godhead, than we desiring to go closer to Him?