The three attributes and modes of influence of material nature—virtue, passion, and ignorance—manifest themselves as matter, knowledge, and action, and impose on beings of eternally spiritual nature conditions of cause and effect, making them responsible for their actions in matter. In truth, living beings are not meant to be conditioned by material energy, but when a false impression and false data arise within them that compel them to rule over material energy, it is the latter that places them under its yoke, thus forcing them to undergo the conditioning of the three attributes and modes of influence.

This external energy, or the Lord's material energy, veils the pure knowledge of living beings and plunges them into forgetfulness of their true spiritual identity, as well as of the eternal bond that unites them with Krishna. But this ignorance that constantly envelops them is such that it seems to exist from all eternity. These are the prodigious powers of material energy, which seems to be a manifestation of matter.

By this veil it casts over the scientist, material energy prevents him from seeing beyond material causes, whereas behind the manifestations of matter lies the action of three forces invisible to the soul conditioned by ignorance.

The first force plunges the incarnate spiritual being into the cycle of successive rebirths and deaths, with aging and its attendant illnesses.

The second force conditions the incarnate spiritual soul.

The third force governs its existence in matter.

They represent the material manifestations of causes and their effects, as well as the sense of responsibility felt by the being conditioned by material nature, the author of the action. These are the manifestations of material conditioning, and liberation from it constitutes the highest perfection for human beings.

The form of the material cosmos, where and how does it exist?

Master of all energies, Lord Krishna thus creates, by His own power, eternal time, the destiny of all beings, and the particular nature for which they were conceived, then reabsorbs them into Himself, separately.

In truth, the material galaxies where the Supreme Lord allows conditioned souls to act under His tutelage are successively created and then annihilated in an endless cycle.

In reality, material creation is akin to the formation of a cloud floating in the immensity of the sky, and the spiritual world represents this true sky, eternally pervaded by dazzling radiance.