The living entity in material nature follows the ways of life, enjoying the three modes of nature. This is due to his association with material nature. Under the influence of material desire, the living entity acquires a particular type of body, and in all cases, the living entity thinks himself to be the master of his circumstances, yet he is under the influence and control of material nature. One has to rise, therefore, above the three material modes and become situated in the transcendental position. One who understands this philosophy concerning material nature, the living entity, and the interaction of the modes of nature, is sure to attain liberation.

Everything is but a combination of the living entity and material nature. One who can see that all activities are performed by the body, which is created of material nature, and sees that the self does nothing, actually sees. Whatever one is supposed to do, either for happiness or distress, one is forced to do because of the bodily constitution. The self, however, is outside these bodily activities. Those with the vision of eternity can see that the imperishable soul is transcendental, eternal, and beyond the modes of nature. Despite contact with the material body, the soul neither does anything nor is entangled. Those who see with eyes of knowledge can understand the process of liberation from bondage in material nature. 

Material nature consists of three modes: goodness, passion, and ignorance. When the eternal living entity comes in contact with nature he becomes conditioned by these modes. Because he has become conditioned by the material world, he is acting under the spell of the three modes of material nature. Because living entities have different kinds of bodies, in terms of the different aspects of nature, they are induced to act according to that nature. The mode of goodness, being purer than the others, is illuminating, and it frees one from all sinful reactions. Those situated in the mode of goodness become conditioned by a sense of happiness and knowledge. The mode of passion is born of unlimited desires and longings, and because of this, the embodied living entity is bound to material fruitive actions. The mode of ignorance is the delusion of all embodied living entities. The results of this mode are madness, indolence, and sleep, which bind the conditioned soul.

In the mode of goodness, by the development of knowledge, one can understand what is what, but the mode of ignorance is just the opposite. The mode of goodness conditions one to happiness. The mode of passion conditions one to fruitive action. The mode of ignorance, covering one’s knowledge, binds one to madness. Sometimes the mode of goodness becomes prominent defeating the modes of passion and ignorance. Sometimes the mode of passion defeats goodness and ignorance. At other times ignorance defeats goodness and passion. In this way, there is always competition for supremacy. The prominence of some certain mode of nature is manifested in one’s dealings and activities. If one wants, he can develop, by practice, the mode of goodness and thus defeat the modes of ignorance and passion. One can similarly develop the mode of passion and defeat goodness and ignorance. Or one can develop the mode of ignorance and defeat goodness and passion.

Although there are these three modes of material nature, if one is determined he can be blessed by the mode of goodness, and by transcending the mode of goodness, he can be situated in pure goodness, a state in which one can understand the science of God. By the manifestation of particular activities, it can be understood in what mode of nature one is situated. In the mode of goodness, one can see things in the right position. One becomes cleansed inside and outside, and symptoms of happiness appear. When there is an increase in the mode of passion the symptoms of great attachment, fruitive activity, intense endeavor, and uncontrollable desire and hankering develop. When there is an increase in the mode of ignorance, darkness, inertia, madness, and illusion are manifested. The result of pious action is pure and is said to be in the mode of goodness. But action done in the mode of passion results in misery, and action performed in the mode of ignorance results in foolishness. From the mode of goodness, real knowledge develops; from the mode of passion, greed develops; and from the mode of ignorance develop foolishness, madness, and illusion. 

If a certain percentage of the population develops the mode of goodness, then there is the possibility for peace and prosperity all over the world. Otherwise, if the world is devoted to the modes of passion and ignorance, there can be no peace or prosperity. There is an opportunity for men in the modes of ignorance and passion to be elevated to the mode of goodness. But one who does not take advantage of this opportunity will certainly continue in the lower modes.