Explanation:
In ordinary human beings, the soul or jeevatman is the partial controller of the external gross body because the gross body moves according to the will of the soul. This does not mean that the soul or para prakriti is the absolute controller of the inert gross body or apara prakriti. Both these are just like colleagues belonging to the same class of creation. The soul cannot control the gross body internally since the soul cannot rectify the damaged internal systems like heart, kidneys etc. of the gross body. The external control is just by cooperation as per the order of God. When the inert gross body is hit by another inert item like a huge stone, the soul is unable to control the falling of the stone and is unable to live in the (damaged) gross body. The soul runs away from the gross body in this situation, called as death. Therefore, even the external control is only partial as per the wish of God.
Note:
What is meant by the statement that the soul cannot control the gross body internally?
God has full control over the soul. The soul only has partial control over the inert gross body. Even the partial control of the soul over the gross body is only by the wish of God. Suppose a person suffers from paralysis as a punishment for some sin committed by him. His legs and hands are completely paralyzed. Even if the soul wishes, his legs and hands do not move. This means that even the external control has disappeared. This means that even the soul’s partial control over the inert gross body is not inherent of the soul. It is only by the will of God that the partial control over the gross body is given to the soul. What is this partial control? If soul wishes, the legs can move. But the heart, kidney and other organs are not controlled by the soul. When paralysis stikes a person, even the legs and hands do not move when commanded by the soul. This means that even the partial control can disappear and that the partial control was only by the will of God. So the soul and the inert gross body are just like colleagues and one does not inherently control the other. They are two separate items created by God. Some partial control of Y by X is given by God and is not inherent.
[1] Internal and external refer to the voluntary and involuntary functions of the nervous system. Internal organs function involuntarily, while faculties such as hands and feet work voluntarily. The soul cannot control the involuntary functions and hence its control over the gross body is partial.
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