Answer
See, this is what I explained. Even though the Lord is transcendental to material nature and does not directly touch matter, He operates through His agencies and energies. Consider a simple example: if you are the managing director running a factory with many employees, you are not involved in the day-to-day activities. Yet the entire system originates from you. You establish the management structure, the rules and regulations, and the overall objective — production. Everyone contributes toward that objective. If someone performs well, they receive promotion, more responsibility, and greater authority.
Similarly, material energy itself is arranged in such a way that everything functions according to karma. It is not an artificial or accidental system. If human beings today can create AI systems where you ask a question and receive a response, why can God not establish a far more perfect, real “intelligent” system? In the Second Canto, it is explained that intelligence can be understood as a direct manifestation of the Supreme Lord’s guidance.
This is what we must understand: the Supersoul is present as the background of everything. Without Him, nothing can function. Even this body cannot function without His presence. He is there — not always manifest in a visible personal interaction, but present as the sustaining and guiding principle. A personal, reciprocal relationship with Him becomes manifest especially for devotees. Karmīs, however, generally relate only to the system He has established — the law of karma, time (kāla), and material nature — rather than to Him personally. Time governs everyone’s power and powerlessness; it governs intelligence and the loss of intelligence.
The moment we turn toward Krishna and begin to surrender, the Supersoul becomes actively involved in our lives. Otherwise, He does not interfere; He allows the established system of karma and time to operate. That is the meaning of saying that everyone follows His path. For those who do not wish to surrender, He has set the path of karma, and kāla takes care of them.
A devotee gradually begins to see that nothing is separate from Krishna. By changing perspective, Krishna becomes active in one’s life. As one becomes a devotee, Krishna personally guides the person and ultimately brings them to a spiritual master.
