“I am not controlled; I am free,” I do not speak well for my sanity. In this
conditioned state of life, at any rate, we are all controlled. Next we may consider
prakrti, or Nature. Then time—the duration of the existence or manifestation of
this created universe. Then karma, or activity. The living beings are all engaged in
different activities. All cosmic manifestation is engaged in activity.

So, we have to learn from Bhagavad-gita what God is. What is the nature of the
living entity? Its relationship with the supreme controller? What is prakrti, the
cosmic manifestation? What is the control of time? And what are the activities of
the living entities?

In the Bhagavad-gita it is established that the Supreme, or Krsna—or Brahman, or
whatever you like—the supreme controller is greatest of all. The living beings are
controlled. The Lord has control over universal affairs—the material Nature.
Material Nature is not independent. It is working under the direction of the
Supreme Lord. When we see wonderful things happening, we should know that
behind these manifestations there is a controller. Matter belongs to the inferior
nature, or prakrti,' and the living entities are explained as being of the superior
nature. Prakrti means “who is controlled.” Prakrti is female. A husband controls the
activities of his wife. Prakrti is also subordinate, predominated. The Lord—the
Supreme Personality of Godhead—is the predominator, and prakrti—the living
entities and material Nature—is predominated over. So, according to the Bhagavad-
gita the living entities, although they are part and parcel of the Supreme, are taken
as prakrti. It is clearly mentioned in the Secenth Chapter of Bhagavad-gita that this
material Nature is prakrti and that the living entities are also prakrti. The
constitution of the material, or inferior prakrti, is divided into three modes: the
mode of goodness, the mode of passion, and the mode of ignorance. Above these
modes is eternal time. By the combinations of these modes and the control of eternal
time, the activities, called karma, come into being. These activities have been going
on from time immemorial, and we are suffering from—or enjoying—the fruits of
these activities, just as in the present life we enjoy the fruits of our activities. It is as
though I am a businessman who has worked very hard and intelligently and has
amassed a large bank balance. I am the enjoyer of the fruits of my activities. Again,
if] open a business with a large amount of money and lose it all, I am the sufferer.
Similarly, in the field of life, we enjoy the different fruits of our work. Now, these
things—the Supreme, the living entities, prakrti or Nature, time, and karma are
explained in the Bhagavad-gita.
