Question: We know that Puṇḍarīka Vidyānidhi is an incarnation of Vṛṣabhānu mahārāja. So he is like the father of Lord Jagannātha. So giving him a slap or punishing him – is it appropriate or correct?

Jayapatākā Swami: Even if we take the position of being a parent of Kṛṣṇa, but still doing it as a service. So Puṇḍarīka Vidyānidhi, he is acting as a devotee, he is not acting as a parent. Although he may have been a parent in the previous līlā, he is not a parent in this līlā so the Lord is chastising him as a special mercy.
03-June-2021 SRI MAYAPUR DHAM, INDIA