This is one of the most profound metaphysical statements in the Gita. Krishna explains that all activities, in every respect (karmāṇi sarvaśaḥ), are actually being carried out (kriyamāṇāni) by the modes or qualities of material nature (prakṛteḥ guṇaiḥ). However, the soul whose mind is utterly bewildered by the false ego (ahaṅkāra-vimūḍhātmā) foolishly thinks to itself: 'I am the doer' (kartāham iti manyate).