“The external energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead gives all conditioned souls what appears to be an opportunity to be happy within this material world, but that is maya; in other words, it is a dream that is never to be fulfilled.”
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This is from the Srimad-Bhagavatam 8.5.30
[This chapter of the Srimad-Bhagavatam is entitled “The Demigods Appeal to the Lord for Protection.” Included here is a genealogy of Manus—administrators of the universe—along with a narration of prayers by the demigods to the Supreme Person.]
TRANSLATION
No one can overcome the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s illusory energy [maya], which is so strong that it bewilders everyone, making one lose the sense to understand the aim of life. That same maya, however, is subdued by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who rules everyone and who is equally disposed toward all living entities. Let us offer our obeisances unto Him.
PURPORT (excerpt):
The prowess of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Visnu, certainly controls all living entities, so much so that the living entities have forgotten the aim of life. Na te viduh svartha-gatim hi visnum: the living entities have forgotten that the aim of life is to go back home, back to Godhead.
The external energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead gives all conditioned souls what appears to be an opportunity to be happy within this material world, but that is maya; in other words, it is a dream that is never to be fulfilled. Thus every living being is illusioned by the external energy of the Supreme Lord. That illusory energy is undoubtedly very strong, but she is fully under the control of the transcendental person who is described in this verse as paresam, the transcendental Lord.
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