गोविन्द भाष्य (श्रील बलदेव विद्याभूषण - अचिन्त्यभेदाभेद वेदान्त ब्रह्मसूत्र भाष्य सटीक)

efforts, the Supreme Personality of Godhead gives him facility to act in a certain
way. Therefore the previously stated objection is not valid.
The pious and impious deeds of the individual spirit soul are like different
seeds that sprout into different kinds of plants. The Supreme Personality of
Godhead is like the rain that falls on these seeds and makes them grow. Therefore
in this situation is the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the instrument by which
these seeds of karma bear fruit. The seeds of various trees, vines, and other plants
are the specific cause of these plants, and the rain that makes them grow is the
general cause. If no raincloud brings water there will not be any variety of sweet
flowers or other plants. If there is no seed there will not any flowers or plants
either. In this way the Supreme Personality of Godhead gives the results of the
pious and impious deeds performed by the individual spirit soul. Even though
dispatched by another, a person is still the performer of the actions he does.
Therefore it cannot be said that the individual spirit soul does not perform actions.
Why is that? The sūtra explains: "Because then orders and prohibitions are not
without meaning." The word "ādi" (beginning with) in this sūtra means that the
Supreme Personality of Godhead gives mercy and punishment according to the
pious and impious actions of the individual spirit souls. If that interpretation is
accepted, then the orders and prohibitions of the scriptures are not without
meaning. If the Supreme Personality of Godhead actually forces the individual
spirit soul to act piously or impiously, and the soul is like a rock or a log and has
no independence, then the orders of the scripture to perform pious deeds and
avoid impious deeds are all worthless and should be rejected.
The scriptures say that when He is merciful the Supreme Personality of
Godhead engages the individual spirit soul in pious activities so he may be
elevated, and when He withdraws His mercy the Supreme Personality of Godhead
engages the individual spirit soul in impious activities so he may go to hell. If this
means that the individual living entity has no choice, and pious and impious deeds
are forced on him by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, then the Supreme
Personality of Godhead is cruel and unjust, a monster. Therefore it must be
concluded that the individual spirit soul does have free will, and is responsible for
his actions, although he does not have the power to transfer his desire and will
into concrete action unless the Supreme Personality of Godhead permits. In this
way everything is explained.
Adhikaraṇa 17
The Individual Spirit Soul Is Part and Parcel of the Supreme Personality of
Godhead
Introduction by Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa