Entanglement in Modes of Material Nature
The philosophy of the Bhagavad-gītā rests on the understanding that the living entity, although eternal and spiritual, is currently entangled in a complex web of material energy known as the three modes of material nature: goodness, passion, and ignorance. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes these modes as the forces that dictate every aspect of a conditioned soul's existence, from their psychological disposition to their ultimate destination after death. To be entangled in the modes is to be a puppet in the hands of material nature, acting helplessly while imagining oneself to be free.
Mechanism of Control
Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently cites the verse prakṛteḥ kriyamāṇāni guṇaiḥ karmāṇi sarvaśaḥ (BG 3.27) to illustrate the illusion of the conditioned soul. The living entity thinks, "I am the doer," but in reality, acts are performed by the modes of nature.
Just as a man bound by ropes is forced to move according to the tugs of the controller, the soul is driven by the impulses of lust, greed, or knowledge born of the modes. This entanglement is so deep that "no one can refrain from doing something, not even for a moment."
- The bewildered spirit soul, under the influence of the three modes of material nature, thinks himself to be the doer of activities, which are in actuality carried out by nature.
- Actually, the living entity is not the performer of different activities. He is forced to act because he is situated in a particular type of body, conducted by some particular mode of material nature.
Determining Destiny
The specific combination of modes a person associates with determines their future. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the 8,400,000 species of life are simply manifestations of different mixtures of the modes. If one associates with the mode of goodness, they may be elevated to the status of a demigod or a brāhmaṇa. Association with passion leads to a middle status, often characterized by intense labor and greed. Association with ignorance degrades one to animal life or hellish conditions. This law is precise and inescapable: kāraṇaṁ guṇa-saṅgo 'sya—the cause of one's birth in a particular womb is their association with the modes.
- According to his association with the material modes of nature - goodness, passion and ignorance - a living entity gets a particular type of body.
- This is the material life, that knowingly or unknowingly we are infecting a particular type of modes of material nature, and our next body is being created. Karanam guna-sango 'sya sad-asad-janma-yonisu.
Varieties of Entanglement
The modes do not always act in isolation; they mix and compete for dominance, much like colors mixing to create new shades. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that sometimes passion is prominent, sometimes ignorance, and sometimes goodness. This creates the infinite variety of human and animal psychologies. For example, modern civilization is described as being heavily influenced by the modes of passion and ignorance, leading to a society of "cheaters and the cheated," driven by temporary material desires.
- The various modes of material nature do not work all at once. The interactions of these modes are exactly like seasonal changes. Sometimes there is an increment of rajo-guna, sometimes of tamo-guna and sometimes sattva-guna.
- In our country also there are many Birlas and such, accumulating money, money, money. They are greedy because infected with the quality, modes of nature, ignorance and passion.
Path to Freedom
Is there an escape from this rigorous control? Śrīla Prabhupāda offers the solution given by Lord Kṛṣṇa in the Bhagavad-gītā (14.26): engagement in unalloyed devotional service. Because Kṛṣṇa is nirguṇa (transcendental to the modes), those who take shelter of Him also become transcendental. Devotional service is not a material activity; it is the "spiritual mode" that cuts the knots of material attachment. A devotee, though appearing to be in the world, is like the sun reflected on water—unaffected by the agitation of the material medium.
- One who engages in full devotional service, who does not fall down in any circumstance, at once transcends the modes of material nature and thus comes to the level of Brahman.
- By understanding the science of devotional service in Sankhya philosophy, one can become free from the modes of material nature. The eternal self, after becoming freed from the spell of material nature, becomes eligible to enter into the kingdom of God.
Conclusion
Entanglement in the modes of material nature is the root cause of suffering in the material world. It forces the eternal soul into a cycle of birth and death, tossing it from one body to another. However, by understanding this science and taking to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, one can break free. As Śrīla Prabhupāda assures, "Transcendentally situated, the devotee becomes automatically free. He need not try to become free from the influence of the modes of material nature."
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Modes of Material Nature. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.