Everything Works Because of the Soul's Presence (Srila Prabhupada)

Hare Krsna to all
Pranams
All glories to Srila Prabhupada

Srila Prabhupada has several times explained that religion and philosophy must go together, otherwise religion without philosophy is merely sentiment, and philosophy without religion is only speculation. So below in part of one lecture, he explains a very nice way to understand the Bhagavad Gita verse 2.47

Hare Krsna
Damaghosa das

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750909SB.VRN Lectures 229551/530501 ...Because the master has withdrawn the sight power. You can be happy with your decoration of the eyes, but you cannot see. So actually I do not see. Just like I have got this spectacle. The spectacle does not see; I am seeing. Similarly, with my eyes I am not seeing; Krsna is seeing. Because Krsna is seeing, therefore I am seeing.

This is the Vedic version. You will find in Upanisad. Because the Supreme Brahman is seeing, therefore we are seeing. Because Brahman is walking ... There are many evidences. Just like this ear. Now I am hearing with this ear. You are also hearing. But when I am unconscious, this ear is there, and you call me, "Mr. Mr. Sir," but I cannot hear. The machine is there. Why you cannot hear?

Therefore the Brahman [the soul] is withdrawn. So sarvam khalv idam brahman. Everything is working because the Brahman [soul] is there. Otherwise it will not work, simply machine. This body, because Brahman, the soul, is there, it is working. And as soon as the soul is out of this body, it is lump of matter. They are thinking the brain is working. The brain is not working. Brain is a machine. Just like typing. You are typing. The machine is not typing.

You are typing. Unless there is touch of Brahman, nothing can work. So when we realize this, that is called brahma-bhutah prasannatma, when we understand that "I am simply instrumental." That is also explained in the Bhagavad-gita. Bhramayan sarva-bhutani yantrarudhani mayaya. Actually we are under the direction of Krsna, and he has given us this machine, this body, and we are wandering throughout the whole universe...

(Bg 2.47 You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty.)

Bg 13.21 Nature is said to be the cause of all material activities and effects, whereas the living entity is the cause of the various sufferings and enjoyments in this world.

Bg 13.24 One who understands this philosophy concerning material nature, the living entity and the interaction of the modes of nature is sure to attain liberation. He will not take birth here again, regardless of his present position.

... As soon we take birth, there is father. Either you take birth as a snake or you take birth as a human being, without father and mother there is no question of birth. So father and mother you will get in every birth. But krsna guru nahi mile bhajaha e aya(?): Krsna and guru will not be available in every birth. That is a very important thing. You cannot get Krsna in the form of a snake or a cat and a dog, but you can get Krsna in the form as a human being.