The conventional (scientific) view or understanding of the material world is based on the perception that objects are moved by physical forces.   We tend to believe  these forces can be analyzed and understood, and that, using his intellect, Man can use the physical forces to realign/exploit the material world to suit his requirements.  Such a state would endow man with physical comforts and a state of existence in which he can be the master of the world.

According to the scientific viewpoint, the physical world can be transformed using the very forces that nature has provided us, such as light, heat, electricity, magnetism, gravity, atomic forces etc.

The Puranas consider all physical phenomena to be "Maya".  Though the Vedas do provide guidance on using the material world for sustenance and self protection,  these are considered only the means to the end objective of intellectual advancement.

The Puranas consider the material world as an unwanted distraction to the thought process.  Having acheived the minimum required comfort levels to sustain the physical form, the Puranas require the individual to turn to his inner self and work towards the process of synchronization of the Atma, and the mind with the Paramathma. 

In other words, to surrender the reins of control of the thought process completely to the ultimate owner of the supreme knowledge, which will elevate the state of the individual to attain Moksha and, ultimately,  merge with Easwara.

The more that one thinks about it, the more we realize that the material world exists only to expose our ignorance, expose our miniscule place in the universe, and thereby turn us away from itself and into our true self. 

It is to be understood as a reflection and used as a teaching tool that enables us to learn about ourselved.

It exists to demonstrate Easwara's power of creation, as well as the role of the Jiva Atma in the grand scheme of thngs. 

It also serves to  demonstrate,  by its magnitude, that to pursue any objective over our lifetime, other than the attainment of the Paramathma, through our only "REAL" posession, (our "OWN" thought process), will be a wasted effort.

 

The Puranas describe the material world through a series of narratives and stories about different characters, their ambitions, their limitations, and how they initially succumb to the temptations offered by the external world, but ultimately realize that the meaning of their experiences is to make them turn towards the Paramathman.

The Puranas view of the material world is dramatically illustrated when Krishna (as a baby) opens his mouth to yawn and Mother Yashoda is captivated when she looks inside and sees the entire universe within His mouth.  After a moment, Krishna wipes out the entire event from Mother Yashoda's mind. 

The core idea is that the illusion of the universe is in the mind.  There is no matter that exists beyond the forces of the mind. The external world is a product of the conscious mind. It does not have an existence of its own.

We seek Truth and in doing so,  we wade  through many phenomena, including the material world, which is the most deceptive.  For a perceived object to be classified as REAL, one of the key factors according to the Puranas, should be Permanence (ever constant and unchanging), which, our perceived world does not possess. 

The mind  perceives all physical objects as REAL.  In fact, material objects are the primary source of the mind's reality check over its own existence.  Why the Physical world appears "REAL" is because it appears to flow in an indepedant manner (probably due to our apparant inability to control it).  The Puranas take the path, that if we learn to control our minds, the external world will fall into place, and will not bother us any longer.

The Paramathma describes the external world with one word: MAYA (or ILLUSION). This is the exact opposite of our "common"/"natural" perception, that, the external world is "real" and our inner self is "unreal".

THE PURANAS CLARIFY THE MEANING OF MAYA BY EXPLAINING THAT THE PHYSICAL EXTERNAL WORLD IS A TEACHING TOOL EMPLOYED BY THE PARAMATHMA, TO INDUCE THE CORRECT DIRECTION TO THE THOUGHT PROCESS,  AND TO ENABLE IT TO DEVELOP THE CAPABILITY TO EXPLORE ITS OWN INNER SELF. 

REALIZATION OF THE REALITY OF THE SELF AND THE ILLUSION OF THE PERCEIVED WORLD IS ONE OF PARAMATHAM's PRIME OBJECTIVES.

The truth is that the external world is the  effect of MAYA caused by our KARMA (which is a fixed sequence of events).

"Mind over Matter" is the undertone of the entire Puranas.  

The ideas and the philosophy  exchanged between Krishna Paramathma and Arjuna,  and between Asuras and Devas (Eg. Indira and Akrura), all point to the physical setting and physical events as a means  to realization of the highest truths.

The message is that when realization elevates the thought process to sublime levels, then, Human perception is no longer bounded or limited by the material world which is comprised of Objects, Time, and Space (all of which represent transcience, and confine and bind the human mind into physical limitations).

The Physical world is a transient object of learning.  The Paramathma propounds that we do not waste our time in pursuing temporary pleasures and phenomena.  He wants us to seek  the permanent.

The material world is depicted as unreal and illusory for the reason that it is transient.  The individual is required to develop the capability to recognize this transience and move the atman towards the conflict free, timeless world of Easwara.

The Puranas are a complete departure from the conventional materialistic approach that forms the core of most individuals primary objective on Earth.  The conventional “common sense” approach trusts the material world and its events,  much more than the inner world of Atma,  and the Mind. 

Most of us have made it our unending quest to understand, master and control the material world for the perceived well being that accumulation of material wealth is supposed to bring. 

We however see numerous examples in modern life of wealthy people simply wanting more wealth and always being engaged in its pursuit.  

The Puranas present the material world in two ways.  One is that for the seeker of the ultimate truth, the material world does not offer any solutions. 

The material world is structured to go around in circles that are never ending.  The seeker would be pursuing an endless cycle of cause and effect, each time believing that he has reached the truth, but in reality only remaining or coming back to his starting point.  This is described as the delusion produced by the Maya of the material world. 

The second point is that the material world and the events that are observed by us is actually a product of our conscious mind.  The Puranas are categorical that it is the inner world that can be controlled, following which the external material world will align itself with the objectives of the inner self and will support and sustain the furtherance of the higher goals and aspirations. 

If the mind is let loose to pursue the pleasures and temptations offered by the external world, then the inner self will degenerate  and stray away from the path of self realization.

The material world is depicted as ever changing, never permenant.  So also the perceived comforts and pleasures offered by the environment are only fleeting and transient.