In this material world, struggle for existence, manaḥ-ṣaṣṭhānīndriyāṇi prakṛti-sthāni karṣati (BG 15.7), we are getting entangled in this struggle, implicated, this man does not understand. That is why the Lord is explaining again and again that give up the bodily conception of life. So the question which was asked, kṣetra-kṣetrajñayor jñānaṁ (BG 13.3), kṣetra means where we perform our activities. Just like the farmer has land and in that land he produces goods according to his capacity. According to the effort he puts in, he gets the result. Similarly this body is the kṣetra, field, and the person who works on this field is that is the self, kṣetra-kṣetrajñayor jñānaṁ yat taj jñānaṁ (BG 13.3).
Jnana means, this is jnana yoga from the Thirteenth chapter, so this much knowledge one must have that I am not this body, I have to give up this body, this has been explained by the Lord in the second chapter. Dehino 'smin yathā dehe (BG 2.13), one must always be aware of this fact that I am not this body. This body has been given to me for working. According to our karma, to do our activities the Lord gives us this body. This body cannot be had according to our choice. If we ask the Lord to give us the body of a king, no! According to your karma or action, you will get a body. You will get a body according to your desire. Just wishing for a kind of body will not work, one has to become qualified for that type of body. Just like it is said in English, First deserve then desire. One must be qualified also. Just be wishing it will not happen.
Material nature will give you a body. Material nature, māyā, Durgadevi is material nature. It is stated in the scriptures that Durgadevi does not act independently. We worship Durga, and ask, Mother please give me lots of wealth, fame, beautiful wife. We perform Durga worship and ask for all this. But she cannot give all this on her own will Durgadevi. This is stated in the scriptures. So Durgadevi is one the energies, sṛṣṭi-sthiti-pralaya-sādhana-śaktir ekā chāyeva yasya bhuvanāni bibharti durgā (Bs 5.44), Durgadevi the energy, on her own can create, preserve and dissolve, that is her power, sṛṣṭi-sthiti-pralaya-sādhana-śaktir ekā chāyeva yasya bhuvanāni bibharti durgā (Bs 5.44). Durgadevi maintains and rules this material world as a superintendent.
But how does she do this? Icchānurūpam api yasya ca ceṣṭate sā (Bs 5.44) Durgadevi works in accordance with the will of the Supreme Lord only. She does not work independently but under the order of the Supreme Lord.
- icchānurūpam api yasya ca ceṣṭate sā
- govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi
- (Bs 5.44)
This is stated in the Brahma samhita.