1328 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 3, Ch. 31
TRANSLATION

The human soul further prays: The living entity is put under the
influence of material nature and continues a hard struggle for existence
on the path of repeated birth and death. This conditional life is due to his
forgetfulness of his relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Therefore, without the Lord’s mercy, how can he again engage in the
transcendental loving service of the Lord?

PURPORT

The Mayavadi philosophers say that simply by cultivation of knowledge
by mental speculation, one can be liberated from the condition of
material bondage. But here it is said one is liberated not by knowledge but
by the mercy of the Supreme Lord. The knowledge the conditioned soul
gains by mental speculation, however powerful it may be, is always too
imperfect to approach the Absolute Truth. It is said that without the
mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead one cannot understand Him
or His actual form, quality and name. Those who are not in devotional
service go on speculating for many, many thousands of years, but they are
still unable to understand the nature of the Absolute Truth.

One can be liberated in the knowledge of Absolute Truth simply by the
mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is clearly said herein that
our memory is lost because we are now covered by His material energy.
Arguments may be put forward as to why we have been put under the
influence of this material energy by the supreme will of the Lord. This is
explained in Bhagavad-gitd where the Lord says, “] am sitting in everyone’s
heart, and due to Me one is forgetful or one is alive in knowledge.” The
forgetfulness of the conditioned soul is also due to the direction of the
Supreme Lord. A living entity misuses his little independence when he
wants tolordit over material nature. This misuse of independence, which is
called maya, is always available, otherwise there would be no independence.
Independence implies that one can use it properly or improperly. It is not
static; it is dynamic. Therefore, misuse of independence is the cause of
being influenced by maya.

Maya is so strong that the Lord says that it is very difficult to surmount
her influence. But one can do so very easily “if he surrenders unto Me.”
Mam eva ye prapadyante: anyone who surrenders unto Him can overcome
the influence of the stringent laws of material nature. It is clearly said here
that a living entity is put under the influence of maya by His will, and if
anyone wants to get out of this entanglement, this can be made possible
simply by His mercy.
