Text 19] Understanding Material Nature 1157

TRANSLATION

Hence even though he is the passive performer of all activities, how can
there be freedom for the soul as long as material nature acts on him and
binds him?

PURPORT

Although the living entity desires freedom from the contamination of
matter, he is not given release. Actually, as soon as a living entity puts
himself under the control of the modes of material nature, his acts are
influenced by the qualities of material nature, and he becomes passive. It
is confirmed in Bhagavad-gita, prakrteh kriyamanani gunaih: the
living entity acts according to the qualities or modes of material nature.
He falsely thinks that he is acting, but unfortunately he is passive. In
other words, he has no opportunity to get out of the control of material
nature because it has already conditioned him. In Bhagavad-gita it is also
stated that it is very difficult to get out of the clutches of material
nature. One may try in different ways to think that everything is void in
the ultimate issue, that there is no God, and that even if the background
of everything is spirit, it is impersonal. This speculation may go on, but
actually it is very difficult to get out of the clutches of material nature.
Devahiiti poses the question that although one may speculate in many
ways, where is liberation as long as one is under the spell of material
nature? The answer is also found in Bhagavad-gita (Bg. 7.14): only one
who has surrendered himself unto the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord
Krsna (mam eva ye prapadyante) can be freed from the clutches of maya.

Since Devahiiti is gradually coming to the point of surrender, her
questions are very intelligent. How can one be liberated? How can one be
in a pure state of spiritual existence as long as he is strongly held by the
modes of material nature? This is also an indication to the false meditator.
There are many so-called meditators who think, “I am the Supreme Spirit
Soul. 1 am conducting the activities of material nature. Under my direction
the sun is meving and the moon is rising.” They think that by such
contemplation or meditation they can become free, but it is seen that just
three minutes after finishing such nonsensical meditation, they are im-
mediately captured by the modes of material nature. Immediately after
his high-sounding meditation, a ‘‘meditator” becomes thirsty and wants
to smoke or drink. He is under the strong grip of material nature, yet he
thinks that he is already free from the clutches of mdyda. This question of
Devahiiti’s is for such a person who falsely claims that he is everything,
