Navakishora Mukunda at 07:36, 26 May 2026

2026-05-26T07:36:17Z

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			[[Category:Vanipedia Articles - Understanding What Is Materialism]]

	<div id="vani-provenance" style="display:none;" data-source="Vanipedia" data-author="Srila Prabhupada Vani Temple" data-license="CC BY-NC-SA 4.0" data-origin-url="{{fullurl:{{PAGENAME}}}}">This content is a part of Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani Temple. Source: https://vanipedia.org</div>		<div id="vani-provenance" style="display:none;" data-source="Vanipedia" data-author="Srila Prabhupada Vani Temple" data-license="CC BY-NC-SA 4.0" data-origin-url="{{fullurl:{{PAGENAME}}}}">This content is a part of Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani Temple. Source: https://vanipedia.org</div>

Anurag: Created page with "Śrīla Prabhupāda comprehensively explains the position and function of God's material nature. By studying his teachings, we discover that the material energy is not blind, how the universe is actually set into motion, the absolute supremacy of the Lord over His energies, and the only authorized method to escape material bondage.
TOC
=== The Inferior Energy of the Lord === The Supreme Lord possesses multiple potencies, broadly catego..."

2026-05-25T12:36:00Z

Created page with "Śrīla Prabhupāda comprehensively explains the position and function of God's material nature. By studying his teachings, we discover that the material energy is not blind, how the universe is actually set into motion, the absolute supremacy of the Lord over His energies, and the only authorized method to escape material bondage. <div class="toc-right">__TOC__</div> === The Inferior Energy of the Lord === The Supreme Lord possesses multiple potencies, broadly catego..."

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Śrīla Prabhupāda comprehensively explains the position and function of God's material nature. By studying his teachings, we discover that the material energy is not blind, how the universe is actually set into motion, the absolute supremacy of the Lord over His energies, and the only authorized method to escape material bondage.

<div class="toc-right">__TOC__</div>

=== The Inferior Energy of the Lord ===

The Supreme Lord possesses multiple potencies, broadly categorized into spiritual and material natures. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the material nature (''māyā'') is the inferior energy of the Lord, and despite appearances, it is never independent or blind; it operates with perfect intelligence under Kṛṣṇa's direct supervision.

* [[Vaniquotes:God has got two nature. One is called material nature and the other is called spiritual nature. So this cosmic manifestation which we experience is combination of material nature and spiritual nature. The material nature is called inferior nature|God has got two nature. One is called material nature and the other is called spiritual nature. So this cosmic manifestation which we experience is combination of material nature and spiritual nature. The material nature is called inferior nature.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The material nature has no separate existence without the Lord. Therefore, setting aside the Supreme Lord as the cause of all causes is the logic of aja-gala-stana-nyaya, or trying to milk the nipples on the neck of a goat|The material nature has no separate existence without the Lord. Therefore, setting aside the Supreme Lord as the cause of all causes is the logic of aja-gala-stana-nyaya, or trying to milk the nipples on the neck of a goat.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:You don't think material nature is blind. Material nature has got her intelligence, and she is taking intelligence from the Supreme Lord. And according to that she is supplying food or grains and everything|You don't think material nature is blind. Material nature has got her intelligence, and she is taking intelligence from the Supreme Lord. And according to that she is supplying food or grains and everything.]]

=== The Glance of Mahā-Viṣṇu ===

The material energy is naturally dormant and cannot manifest the cosmic creation on its own. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the process of creation begins only when Mahā-Viṣṇu glances over the unmanifested material nature, thereby impregnating it with the living entities and setting the physical laws into motion.

* [[Vaniquotes:He (Maha-Visnu) lies on the ocean of karana, from where He glances over His material nature, and the mahat-tattva is at once created|He (Maha-Visnu) lies on the ocean of karana, from where He glances over His material nature, and the mahat-tattva is at once created.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Material nature is connected with the Personality of Godhead by His glance over her and nothing more|Material nature is connected with the Personality of Godhead by His glance over her and nothing more.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:When the Lord throws His transcendental glance over the material nature, then only can the material nature act, as a father contacts the mother, who is then able to conceive a child|When the Lord throws His transcendental glance over the material nature, then only can the material nature act, as a father contacts the mother, who is then able to conceive a child.]]

=== The Supreme Controller ===

Because the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the source and creator of the material nature, He is never subjected to its stringent laws. Śrīla Prabhupāda uses flawless logic to explain that the creator cannot be controlled by His own creation, establishing Kṛṣṇa's eternal supremacy over ''māyā''.

* [[Vaniquotes:The Supreme Personality of Godhead can do anything and everything He likes, because He is not under the control of the material nature; indeed, material nature is controlled by Him|The Supreme Personality of Godhead can do anything and everything He likes, because He is not under the control of the material nature; indeed, material nature is controlled by Him.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:If I am creator of something, so I cannot be under that particular thing which is created. It is logical. So therefore, because the Supreme Brahman, or Bhagavan, is the creator of this material nature, He cannot be under the control of maya|If I am creator of something, so I cannot be under that particular thing which is created. It is logical. So therefore, because the Supreme Brahman, or Bhagavan, is the creator of this material nature, He cannot be under the control of maya.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The whole thing (system of creation) is controlled ultimately by the Supreme Lord, and there is no independence either of the material nature or of the living entity|The whole thing (system of creation) is controlled ultimately by the Supreme Lord, and there is no independence either of the material nature or of the living entity.]]

=== Surrendering to Overcome Illusion ===

Conditioned living entities frequently attempt to conquer material nature through scientific advancement and technological exploitation. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that these attempts are futile; because material nature is an agent of Kṛṣṇa, the only way to escape its crushing grip is to surrender directly to the Supreme Lord.

* [[Vaniquotes:The scientist is trying to avoid God, independent by science. That is not possible. We are under the grip of the material nature. Material nature means the agent of Krsna|The scientist is trying to avoid God, independent by science. That is not possible. We are under the grip of the material nature. Material nature means the agent of Krsna.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The Bhagavad-gita says that one can be freed from the control of the material nature by surrendering unto the Supreme Lord, but if there is no surrender, then the living entity will never be able to control the material nature|The Bhagavad-gita says that one can be freed from the control of the material nature by surrendering unto the Supreme Lord, but if there is no surrender, then the living entity will never be able to control the material nature.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:After creating or impregnating the conditioned souls into the womb of material nature, He (the Lord) gave His directions in the Vedic wisdom as to how such conditioned souls can return home, back to Godhead. BG 1972 purports|After creating or impregnating the conditioned souls into the womb of material nature, He (the Lord) gave His directions in the Vedic wisdom as to how such conditioned souls can return home, back to Godhead.]]

=== Conclusion ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda clearly defines the subordinate, yet incredibly powerful, position of God's material nature. As the inferior, external energy of the Supreme Lord, ''māyā'' possesses no independent ability to act or create. It is only by the transcendental glance of Mahā-Viṣṇu that the dormant material nature is awakened and injected with the living entities, setting the grand cosmic manifestation into motion. While the Supreme Lord remains the absolute controller—eternally free from the influence of His own material creation—the rebellious living entities are tightly bound by its stringent laws. The illusion of modern civilization is the belief that material nature can be conquered through science and independent endeavor. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that the only factual method to escape the grip of this formidable energy is to surrender to Kṛṣṇa, the supreme master of all natures.

=== 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 [[Vaniquotes:Category:God%27s_Material_Nature|God's 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.

(See our [[Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles|Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles]])

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<div id="vani-provenance" style="display:none;" data-source="Vanipedia" data-author="Srila Prabhupada Vani Temple" data-license="CC BY-NC-SA 4.0" data-origin-url="{{fullurl:{{PAGENAME}}}}">This content is a part of Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani Temple. Source: https://vanipedia.org</div>

Understanding God's Material Nature - Revision history

Navakishora Mukunda at 07:36, 26 May 2026