The nature of the universe from "summary" of Bhagavad-Gita As It Is by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The universe is the total material energy, and living entities are struggling here within it. Somehow or other, they are trying to lord it over material nature, and for this reason, they are suffering. The conditioned soul is always attracted by the modes of material nature, but the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, gives him the opportunity to enjoy the modes of material nature. When a conditioned soul is serious about getting out of the clutches of the material modes, and is eager to be restored to his original Krsna-consciousness, it is said that he is situated in the mode of goodness. In that condition, he may be able to understand the truth of the living entity. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna, is the master of all living entities, and the entire universe. The living entities are His eternal fragmental parts. The conditioned souls are struggling due to forgetfulness of their eternal relationship with the Supreme Lord. This forgetfulness is the root cause of all sufferings in the material world. The living entities are entangled in material existence due to their desire to lord it over material nature. They are trying to exploit the resources of material nature for their sense gratification. However, in doing so, they only bring about their own suffering.
The material world is a temporary manifestation, which exists for some time and then disappears. It is created by the energy of the Supreme Lord, and when the cosmic manifestation is dissolved, the living entities enter into the body of the Supreme Lord, where they remain until the next creation. In this way, the material world is constantly changing, and the living entities are forced to undergo the cycle of birth and death. However, those who are Krsna conscious can transcend this cycle of birth and death, and attain the eternal abode of the Supreme Lord.
The nature of the universe is such that it is constantly changing, and the living entities are struggling within it. However, by understanding the true nature of the universe and their relationship with the Supreme Lord, the living entities can attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Krishna consciousness is the process by which one can awaken their eternal relationship with the Supreme Lord, and attain the ultimate goal of life.
