Madhvaon Brahma Sūtra 2.1.23

Though a spiritual existence, the soul being depend- ent (and powerless) like stones, etc., it is not possible for him to act independently (i.e., to be an absolute agent). For the text in the Maha Bharata says, '* Just as . a man having a settled and definite purpose makes a wooden doll dance or as a man sets his own limbs and fingers in motion, O king, so does the Almighty Lord cause these creatures to act. ”