Dear HDF

My question is after watching the On going Mahaa Bhaarat war in Surya Putra Karna.

Sriman Naaraayan in many occasions either directly or subtlety conveys, punishment is a kind of help to the wrongdoers and to the society. I am told by Sri Vaishnava Gurus, What ever Sriman does is beneficial to us and not harmful.
Not just VA, other schools too preach the same.

If punishment is a help then what is forgiveness? Is punishment and forgiveness one and the same?