of such an effort is only the effort itself; there is no other gain. Speculative efforts always end in exhaustion. It is sometimes explained, by way of example, that there is no point in beating the rice bale since the grain has already been extracted from it. Likewise, the mere practice of speculation is not enough to free us from material slavery, because the cause of it remains. We must first neutralize the cause; only then will the effect be wiped out.
The Lord gives us the solution: “It is possible to attain liberation if one seriously performs the service of devotion and if one listens for a long time to words about Me or emanating from Me. Whoever fulfills his prescribed duties in this way will not be affected by any of his actions, and will be freed from material defilement.”
Listening to the glories of the Sovereign Lord cleanses the heart of all defilement caused by the influence of the three attributes of material nature. Regular and continuous listening (to the words and teaching of God) reduces the effects of contamination from lust and greed, that is, from the desire to dominate material nature, and when lessen these defilements, one establishes oneself in virtue. This is the level of spiritual realization. Thus we can establish ourselves at the absolute level, which amounts to freeing ourselves from the chains of matter. To be free from material slavery, it is enough to surrender to God, and to take the firm resolution to serve him with love and devotion, for eternity. The key to liberation is love for Krishna, God, the Supreme Person.
In the Bhagavad-gita (Words of Krishna, Christ, God, the Supreme Person), the Lord teaches that whoever knows the absolute of his coming and his deeds will return to him, to his kingdom, when the time comes. leave his material body. So just really understanding the mystery of the Lord’s appearances in this world is enough to free us from material bondage. His advent and his actions, which He manifests for the good of all, cannot therefore be ordinary. Their character is mysterious, and is only revealed to those who take the time to examine the subject in depth with a very spiritual devotion. This is how we free ourselves from the bondage to matter. Covered by darkness (ignorance of all data relating to God and absolute truth), the conditioned soul forgets his relationship with the Supreme Lord and becomes overwhelmed by attachment, hatred, pride, ignorance and the mistaken conception of his identity, the five forms of illusion that lead to material slavery.