# Analogies Śrīla Prabhupāda is a master of analogy, making abstract spiritual truths tangible through everyday images. These collections organize his analogies in two ways: by the source image used, and by the spiritual concept explained. --- ## By Source *What imagery does Prabhupāda draw from?* ### Nature - [[wiki/analogies/sun|Sun]] — knowledge, the Lord's presence, illumination - [[wiki/analogies/moon|Moon]] — phases, reflection, gentle light - [[wiki/analogies/fire|Fire]] — transformation, purification, the holy name - [[wiki/analogies/ocean|Ocean & Water]] — the Lord, consciousness, liberation - [[wiki/analogies/sky-clouds|Sky & Clouds]] — pervading, covering, weather - [[wiki/analogies/light-darkness|Light & Darkness]] — knowledge vs ignorance ### Living Beings - [[wiki/analogies/animals|Animals]] — birds, bees, elephants, snakes, dogs, deer, frogs - [[wiki/analogies/trees|Trees]] — banyan, two birds, seed to tree - [[wiki/analogies/flowers|Flowers]] — lotus, bee, offering, fragrance ### Human Life - [[wiki/analogies/vehicles|Vehicles]] — chariots, boats, crossing ocean - [[wiki/analogies/city|City]] — nine gates, kingdom, governance - [[wiki/analogies/buildings|Buildings]] — foundation, temple, prison - [[wiki/analogies/medicine|Medicine]] — physician, disease, cure - [[wiki/analogies/government|Government]] — king, servant, law - [[wiki/analogies/family|Family]] — parent, child, marriage - [[wiki/analogies/food|Food]] — nourishment, taste, prasādam ### Substances - [[wiki/analogies/gold|Gold & Gems]] — the soul, spiritual nature, touchstone - [[wiki/analogies/dreams|Dreams]] — illusion, transmigration, awakening --- ## By Concept *What spiritual truths do analogies explain?* ### The Lord - [[wiki/analogies/lord-devotee|Lord & Devotee]] — bee/flower, kitten/mother, servant/master - [[wiki/analogies/lord-living-entities|Lord & Living Entities]] — sun/rays, fire/sparks, father/children - [[wiki/analogies/lord-creation|Lord & Creation]] — spider/web, dreamer/dream, artist/painting ### The Soul - [[wiki/analogies/soul-body|Soul & Body]] — driver/car, bird/cage, clothes changing - [[wiki/analogies/soul-supersoul|Soul & Supersoul]] — two birds, two friends, sun illuminating - [[wiki/analogies/transmigration|Transmigration]] — changing bodies, dreams, fire leaping ### Material Existence - [[wiki/analogies/material-world|Material World]] — forest, prison, ocean of misery - [[wiki/analogies/maya|Māyā]] — cloud covering sun, crocodile, mirage - [[wiki/analogies/bondage|Bondage]] — chains, crocodile's grip, silkworm - [[wiki/analogies/karma|Karma]] — seed/tree, echo, debt account - [[wiki/analogies/three-modes|Three Modes]] — colored glass, ropes, food types - [[wiki/analogies/time-death|Time & Death]] — serpent, ripened fruit, wheel ### Spiritual Life - [[wiki/analogies/knowledge-ignorance|Knowledge & Ignorance]] — sun dispelling darkness, lamp, awakening - [[wiki/analogies/guru-disciple|Guru & Disciple]] — physician/patient, boat captain, torch bearer - [[wiki/analogies/mind-senses|Mind & Senses]] — chariot/horses, wild horses, tortoise - [[wiki/analogies/association|Association]] — iron in fire, crystal, sandalwood - [[wiki/analogies/holy-name|The Holy Name]] — fire, medicine, sun rising - [[wiki/analogies/devotional-service|Devotional Service]] — watering root, creeper, touchstone - [[wiki/analogies/liberation|Liberation]] — crossing ocean, waking from dream, freed bird - [[wiki/analogies/spiritual-world|Spiritual World]] — sun without darkness, home, eternal garden --- ## Complete Reference For the comprehensive alphabetical list of all 900+ analogies with scripture references: **[[index/entries/analogies|Complete Analogies Index]]** ---