It is to transform man's nature from animal to human
that love has been as the powerful force.
The hearts of men in the olden days were soft and loving.
Although love inherently is soft and compassionate,
in certain situations, it assumes a stern form.
This is because even out of love, one has to sometimes
use harsh punishment. The harsh words and punishments
are associated with love. When it rains,
it is a downpour of drops of water. But sometimes,
the rain is accompanied by hailstones.
The hailstones are hard. But they are only
water in condensed form. Likewise
softness or punishment is different expression of love.

BSSB. Vol IV. p.293