Text 13] The Activities of Maharaja Priyavrata 25
TRANSLATION

My dear Priyavrata, by the order of the Supreme Personality of
Godhead, all living entities accept different types of bodies for
birth and death, activity, lamentation, illusion, fear of future
dangers, and happiness and distress.

PURPORT

Every living entity who has come to this material world has come here
for material enjoyment, but according to his own karma, activities, he
must accept a certain type of body given to him by material nature under
the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As stated in
Bhagavad-gita (3.27), prakrteh kriyamanani gunaih karméni sarvosah:
everything is being done by prakrti, material nature, under the direction
of the Supreme Lord. Modern scientists do not know why there are
varieties of bodies in 8,400,000 forms. The fact is that all these bodies
are ordained for the living entities by the Supreme Personality of
Godhead according to the living entities’ desires. He gives the living en-
tities freedom to act as they like, but on the other hand they must accept
a body according to the reactions of their activities. Thus there are
different types of bodies. Some living entities have short durations of
life, whereas others live for fantastic durations. Every one of them.
however, from Brahma down to the ant, acts according to the direction of
the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is sitting in everyone’s heart.
As confirmed in Bhagavad-gita (15.15):

sarvasya caham hrdi sannivisto
mattah smrtir jidnam apohanam ca

‘| am seated in everyone’s heart, and from Me come remembrance.
knowledge and forgetfulness.” It is not a fact, however. that the
Supreme Personality of Godhead gives direction to certain living entities
in one way and other living entities in another way. The truth is that
every living entity has a certain desire, and the Supreme Lord gives him
a chance to fulfill it. The best course, therefore. is to surrender unto the
Supreme Personality of Godhead and act according to His desire. One
who does so is liberated.
