For highest level devotees the test conducted by God will also be severe

Hanuman was a devotee of God in human form in the highest level of faith. At such level the tests of God also would be always severe. As soon as Rama arrived at Kishkindha hill, He started testing Hanuman who was waiting for Him there on the advice of His mother. Rama behaved like a selfish villain by making an agreement with Sugriva to kill his elder brother for getting help from Sugriva in the search for Sita. It looks very much selfish and Rama tested the internal faith of Hanuman.

However, Rama had to answer Vali who was going to die in a few minutes. Vali charged Rama for his selfishness. Rama revealed the truth by saying that He punished Vali for his injustice only. This clarified the confusion. Unless the clarification was given, Vali will not be convinced on his deathbed. Hence, there was no alternative for Rama and the test on the mind of Hanuman could not be continued. But He conducted the same test on the first day of war with Ravana. Rama told Ravana that if he returns back Sita, Rama would go back. This will appear as if Rama is very selfish about His personal work only and did not care for the social welfare. If Ravana returns back Sita, Rama will go away and Ravana can continue his crimes in the society. This confusion was kept on the mind of Hanuman forever.

Rama acted as helpless on several occasions and was saved by Hanuman every time. By such tests Rama tried to see the mind of Hanuman about the entry of ego and subsequent fall of His faith towards Rama as God. Again at the end Rama rewarded all the monkeys and neglected Hanuman acting as an ungrateful human being. Rama never told Hanuman that He will become God and this was a test till the last minute to see whether the aspiration for fruit arises in the mind of Hanuman. The highest level of spiritual effort will have the highest fruit and at the same time the tests are also very severe and continuous.