WHY IS THEIR PAIN ON THE PATH?
The pain of absorbing the light comes from our clinging to the ego and that which is not true. I have often observed that people will cling to incorrectness to the point of death, refusing to admit that they are wrong and refusing to change their behavior. To suggest that the light is causing the pain is delusional and irrational. The pain is cause by clinging to the errant and resisting the light.
Notice how Manjusri wields the sword of discernment with compassion. Just as a surgeon is analytical and not emotional when cutting away the disease. The paradox of the messiah is that people do not know how to save themselves when they need to be saved. They need to be saved because they cling to delusion. The sword of discernment that is imprisoned in the stone of the body is the same sword that cast Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. It was their failure at relationship that caste them out. As long as people act like children and refuse to grow up they will continue experiencing pain. They will continue failing. They will not attain enlightenment.
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Hebrews 4 : 12
Shivastus Solomonicus 