Prabhupāda: He is born dependent because part and parcel of God. His constitutional position is dependent. Just like child. A child declares independence. What is the meaning of that independence? Danger. That's all. Simply inviting dangers. A child wants, "Oh, I don't care for my parents. I shall cross the road. I shall go everywhere." So if he is allowed to do that, that means he is simply inviting dangers. And if he remains under the protection of the parents, he is always safe.
So this living entity's declaring independence means he is insane, different kinds of insanity. He cannot be independent. Let him think very deeply that it cannot be independent. He is thinking independent of God, but he is dependent on his sense pleasure. That's all. On some intoxication. A voluntarily accept dependence of something māyā. That's all. Who is independent? Is there anyone independent? Nobody is independent. To think of independence is māyā. Best thing is that "I am dependent, and let me remain dependent in properly. Then I am protected." That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Devotee: Prabhupada, often when we . . .
Prabhupāda: So your question is answered? Material consciousness means thinking falsely independent. That is material consciousness. Falsely. He is not independent, but he is thinking falsely, "I am independent." This is māyā. Just like in dream he is falsely thinking there is a tiger. There is no tiger, but he is actuated by that false impression, "Oh, tiger is eating me. It has attacked me. Save me."
So this material existence means because he is insane, he is thinking there are so many problems, "The tiger is there. He is attacking me," this, that, "So many enemies, friends . . ." creating so many things. But they are all false. But he is attacked by that false hallucination. That's all. This is māyā.
Everyone is thinking, "Oh, there are so many problems I have to solve. I have to make this, that, this, so many." But he has no problem. He has no problem. His only problem is to . . . how to accept Kṛṣṇa. That's all. And Kṛṣṇa is so kind. He says, "Yes, you accept Me. Simply chant 'Kṛṣṇa,' I am yours. That's all." But my . . . I am so misfortunate that I cannot chant even. All problems solved simply by chanting "Kṛṣṇa."