Answer
Krishna says that unless He gives remembrance, the sense “I am this body” cannot remain constantly. But this does not mean He personally imposes bodily consciousness on someone. To understand the role of Paramatma, Srila Prabhupada gives a beautiful example.
Just as everything in a forest grows because of rain — rain is the common factor that nourishes all growth. Yet, a mango seed becomes a mango tree, and a jackfruit seed becomes a jackfruit tree. The rain is not responsible for producing mangoes or jackfruit specifically. Still, without the rain, neither would grow. The seed determines the outcome, but the rain enables it.
Similarly, the bodily concept of life is caused by our own ignorance and desire. But we cannot remain in ignorance unless Paramatma is present, permitting us to experience this illusory life. He is the constant factor. The entire material world is functioning in bodily consciousness — but how can spirit even touch matter? How can spirit perceive matter at all?
Spirit and matter are fundamentally different — like petrol and water. You may shake them together, but after some time they separate into two layers again. They do not truly mix. In the same way, spirit and matter cannot actually combine. Yet we experience, “I am this body.” How is that possible?
It is the Lord’s arrangement. If you want to remain in bodily consciousness, He permits it: “You want to identify with matter? All right, I will allow it.” And when you no longer want to remain in bodily consciousness, He is seated in the heart and gives remembrance: “You are not this body.”
So your desire is like the seed — mango or jackfruit — and the Lord’s sanction is like the rain that allows it to grow. The rain falls continuously; how it is utilized depends on the seed. In the same way, without the Lord’s mercy and sanction, nothing can operate in this material world. He remains in the background of everything.
