On the other hand, one who is completely absorbed in unwavering devotional service to Krishna transcends the three attributes and modes of influence of material nature: virtue, passion, and ignorance, and thus attains the spiritual level.

Truly, by practicing the loving and devoted service one offers to Krishna, one immediately attains the spiritual level, beyond the influence of the three attributes mentioned above and their attendant consequences.

The root of ignorance is material consciousness, which must be absolutely annihilated by spiritual consciousness, also called Krishna consciousness.

Let us not forget that we must absolutely reduce to ashes the root of ignorance, which is the primary cause of material existence.

What does it mean to be “dead” while still alive?

Anyone whose thoughts, words, and deeds do not lead them to turn to religion, and even more so to God, who is not led by their ritual religious practices to choose renunciation of sense pleasure and materialism, or whose renunciation does not lead to God consciousness and devotional service to Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, must be considered dead, even if they are still breathing and living.

As the Lord teaches, any action that does not ultimately lead to devotional service is a cause of bondage in this material world. Unless a human being gradually rises to the level of devotional service from their natural activity, they are little better than a corpse or a grave. Action that does not promote the development of Krishna consciousness, also called God consciousness, must be considered useless, because it has no real interest.

Are humans responsible for the suffering they endure?

We classify three types of existence according to the influence exerted by the three attributes and modes of influence of material nature: virtue, passion, and ignorance.

Thus, living beings can be classified as peaceful, feverish, and giddy, or as happy, unhappy, and somewhere in between, or as virtuous, impious, and semi-religious. We can deduct from this that, in the next life, these three kinds of material influences will continue to act in a similar manner. The influence of the three attributes of material nature and its consequences are visible in the present life.