good Post Tara..
When at first I saw everybody in PF forgiving Radhika so easily, I thought how did she get away so easily after what she has done. Then came Mahant ji and announced such a hard punishment to her, I thought does she deserve such a hard punishment. After thinking a lot, I came to a conclusion that YES, she deserves this punishment. Reasons:-
1) Yes, Radhika did suffer along with Dev but as Dev said she had his love to keep her going but he had nothing.
2) Radhika did sacrifice but it was for her own selfish reasons. Today she said that she ket quiet to keep the prestige and honour of 2 families intact in the society, but the question arises as y did she allow the Adharma to take place at the first, she had told this reason to Devki during the Phool Bangla episode. When Devki had asked --- "When u knew that Dev babu loved u and wanted to maary u then y did not u say then itself ?? Y did u keep quiet?? "
Radhika's reply -- "How could I say Ma ?? All the love which u ppl gave me, how could I not re-pay u all ?? How could I have forgot that u ppl raised and gave me an orphan, a shelter ?? How could I forget all those debts due to which I feel obligated to u all ??" This particular reply shows that Radhika gave up Dev for her own selfish reasons and not under pure pressure.
3) Radhika did have an easy solution to come out from all her pains, i.e by telling the truth, but Dev did not have any solution at all, as we saw.
4) Though Radhika got many chances to tell the truth but she always dis-respected her Patni Dharm and did Beti Dharm, thus in the process continuously hurt Dev to the core both physically and emotionally.
5) Radhika had over and over again had pushed Visakha on Dev's forehead although she knew the truth about both the marriage, Dev and Vish's feelings. Thus in the process again treading away from the path of Patni Dharm.
6) Visakha continuously made dramas and hurt her in-laws, as Chahchoo said -- "Did Tandav on their heads" but Radhika never told the truth, In fact even on the last day Kanha had to come himself and stop her from doing the Adharm.
7) Though Dev was the sufferer, he had to do Kshama Vrat for no fault of his, but Radhika has done a fault and needs to redeem it. She has insulted the sanctity of marriage and definitely needs to ask forgiveness from Lords just as Dev did