In plain words
Fire has no power of attraction, but to one who comes near it gives light and warmth. In the same way, God is the sun of Jñāna. For one who draws near Him, sorrows and troubles are removed, and Ānanda and happiness are gained. Not only that. When you think of God as far away and not near, how can the grace of God or the mercy of God come to us? “God has not spoken; God has not given darśan; God has not greeted me”: what comes of brooding like this? How close to God are you in your mind? How close to God are you moving in what you do? First of all one must examine oneself. Beyond that, God has neither anger nor grace: neither of the two. Yet even in His anger there is grace. Even in punishment there is kindness. Even in wrath there is mercy. Only those who have understood the nature of God well will understand this well. To lead the devotee onto the right path and settle him in an exemplary life, He gives certain kinds of punishment. We must understand that the punishment is only for our protection.
No happiness without hardship
A certain gardener, from daybreak till night, carried a pot on his head and watered the plants, and he made them flourish greatly. One day he had a headache. He was wondering whether to put down the pot on his head and go home. Then the pot on his head gave him some fine counsel. “Foolish fellow! Kaṣṭe phale. Without hardship, happiness does not come to us. My own story is the example for you. I shall teach you; listen,” it said. “At first I was dust and dirt under everyone's feet. The potter brought that clay, trod it with his feet and put me through much pain. In the end he set me on the wheel and turned me round and round in many ways. After that he put me in the fire and baked me. Everyone who came to buy me rapped me with their knuckles before they took me.