Originally posted by: -Ravjot-
It's different because Vishaka left for her own selfish reasons where as Radhika left because she didn't want anymore fights and stuff happening because of her and though it would be better for everyone.
Rads left for the same reason she always takes major decisions: Vishaka. She is willing to sacrifice all her other relationships for Vishaka. She is willing to lie, cheat, and deceive for Vishaka. This is not selflessness. In the process, she is ruining the lives of both Shastriji and Dev...the two people who love her most. Not only does she feel the need to ruin her own life for Vishaka, but she is also willing to ruin everyone else's. Poor Dev has to bear the brunt of her obsession with her sister. She was not willing to leave the ashram for her father who was inches from death, but she will be willing to leave for Vish. She will be the reason Vishaka ultimately gets forgiven by all. This is not a question of selflessness but a question of sickness. She is mentally battered by Amma and Vishaka and has taken after Devki's submissiveness and passive nature.
The only reason Shastriji is accepting of Radhika's behavior is because she left to pursue a spiritual duty, while Vishaka's dreams are considered shameful and even sinful. If Vishaka ran away to join an ashram, he would have probably been fine with it. He has always favored Radhika only because her pursuits are more worthy to him. He is very much biased towards her and against Vishaka. He even blamed Vish for Rads running away, even though Vishaka had nothing to do with it.
I have mentioned this many times. Radhika and Vishaka are two sides of the same coin. Both of them have hurt their families. Both of them lie to achieve their goals. Both of them run away due to their inability to confront their problems. Both of them are trapped in circumstances they would rather not be in. Both of them are forced to hide their true feelings and put on a pretense. They are not that different. Radhika just does dirty work with a more innocent face and a more spiritual disguise.