The material world is temporary and full of misery. It operates under three modes: goodness, passion, and ignorance, as explained in the Bhagavad-gita (7.14). These modes condition the soul and create the illusion of separate existence from the Supreme. The Bhagavad-gita (8.15-16) describes the material world as a prison where souls suffer due to forgetfulness of their spiritual nature. The Bhagavad-gita (13.8-12) and (14.5-9) further elaborate on these three modes. Perfect Questions Perfect Answers (Chapter 4) compares the material world to a prison.

One transcends material nature by fixing consciousness on the Supreme. The Bhagavad-gita (2.45) teaches that one should rise above the three modes of nature, and (7.14) explains how to transcend material nature through devotional service. This requires understanding the difference between matter and spirit, controlling the senses, and engaging in devotional service. The Bhagavad-gita (14.26) and (15.5-6) describe the spiritual world as eternal and full of bliss. The goal is not to improve material conditions but to return to the spiritual world.