Kṛṣṇa is spiritual, and His śakti, His energy, is also spiritual. But when it is covered by avidyā it is called material. Actually, in the higher sense, there is no material energy. It is covered only. Just like sunshine, when it is covered by the cloud, there is light, but the light is not so strong, so in the material world we cannot feel the energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. We are forgetful.
Therefore so many people, those who are covered by this material energy, they say: "There is no God" or "God is dead," "You are God, I am God," "God is loitering in the street," so many theories of God. That is due to our covering of the knowledge how to appreciate God. The difficulty is that we do not follow the direction of the śāstras, therefore we are misguided. As I was speaking the other day, because we have forgotten Kṛṣṇa for time immemorial, therefore these books are there.
- ataeva kṛṣṇa veda purāṇa karilā
- anādi bahirmukha jīva kṛṣṇa bhuli gela
- (CC Madhya 20.117)
Bahirmukha. Bahirmukha means those who are trying to be happy by adjustment of this material energy. They are called bahirmukha. Na te viduḥ svārtha-gatiṁ hi viṣṇuṁ durāśayā ye bahir-artha-māninaḥ (SB 7.5.31). This is their misconception, hope. They are hoping against hope.