The potencies of Godhead operate as long as He wills, and lose all reality as soon as He withdraws them. Such potencies can be granted or withdrawn in a moment by the supreme will of the Lord.

Man does not know that beyond the laws of nature is the Supreme Lord, Krishna, the Supreme Preceptor, and that at His command the ever-inviolable laws of nature operate.

Whenever peace prevails in the world, one should know that it is due to the Lord's goodwill. Similarly, when society experiences some upheaval, this must also be seen as the Lord's supreme will to bring misguided human beings back to reason. Not a blade of grass moves outside the will of God.

Whenever there is a transgression of the order established by the Lord, conflicts and wars arise between humans and nations, as well as epidemics, in order to bring people back to reason and make them understand that they must live according to the teachings of Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

How can we escape material existence?

Material nature functions in two ways, by creating and by destroying; thus, the river of material nature flows both ways. Anyone who unknowingly falls into this river will be submerged and tossed about by its waves. Since the current becomes faster near the banks, they will be unable to escape. What benefit would there be in engaging in self-interested action in this river of maya?

One may be submerged by the waves of the river of maya, but one can also escape them by reaching the banks of knowledge and austerity. However, the waves become very violent near these banks. If we do not understand that the waves toss us here and there, and if we simply engage in self-interested action with fleeting fruits, what benefit will we derive?

Durga, the maya-sakti, is responsible for universal creation and destruction, and she acts under the direction of the Supreme Lord. When a living being falls into the river of ignorance, he is endlessly tossed to and from the waves; however, this same maya can also save him if he surrenders to Krishna, or if he becomes Krishna conscious. Krishna consciousness is synonymous with knowledge and austerity; indeed, a Krishna conscious person draws knowledge from the Vedic scriptures and must simultaneously engage in austere practices.

To achieve liberation from material existence, one must adopt Krishna consciousness; otherwise, what benefit can one derive from tirelessly pursuing the so-called progress of science?

If one is carried away by the waves of material nature, what help can a title of great scientist or eminent philosopher be?