# Bondage > [!summary] > *The soul is bound by attachment, desire, and karma. These analogies reveal how bondage works and why it is so difficult to escape without the Lord's help.* ## Chains and Shackles ### Bound by Attachment Material attachments are like chains binding the soul—golden chains (wealth) or iron chains (poverty) are still chains. ![[sb/4/29/35#purport|chains]] —SB [[sb/4/29/35|4.29.35]] Purport ## Crocodile's Grip ### Caught by Māyā Material entanglement is like the grip of a crocodile—once caught, one cannot escape by one's own strength. Only calling on the Lord can save us, as Gajendra demonstrated. ![[sb/8/2/30#purport|crocodile]] —SB [[sb/8/2/30|8.2.30]] Purport See also: [[sb/8/3/17|SB 8.3.17]] ## Silkworm in Cocoon ### Self-Created Bondage The conditioned soul is like a silkworm that creates its own cocoon and becomes trapped within it—bound by the very desires it spun. ![[sb/5/14/28#purport|silkworm]] —SB [[sb/5/14/28|5.14.28]] Purport ## Thorns Pricking ### Desires that Hurt Material desires are like thorns—they attract but ultimately cause pain. The camel eating thorns tastes its own blood and thinks it sweet. ![[sb/2/3/19#purport|thorns]] —SB [[sb/2/3/19|2.3.19]] Purport ## Fire and Fat ### Desires Increase by Indulgence Trying to satisfy material desires by indulgence is like pouring fat on fire—it only makes the fire burn more intensely. ![[sb/9/6/48#purport|fire]] —SB [[sb/9/6/48|9.6.48]] Purport ## Itching Disease ### Temporary Relief, Increased Suffering Sense gratification is like scratching an itch—it gives momentary relief but ultimately makes the condition worse. ![[sb/5/14/29#purport|itching]] —SB [[sb/5/14/29|5.14.29]] Purport ## Bird Caught in Net ### Trapped by Attachment The soul trapped by family attachment is like a bird caught in a net—the more it struggles in the wrong direction, the more entangled it becomes. ![[sb/5/14/29#purport|net]] —SB [[sb/5/14/29|5.14.29]] Purport ## Well Covered by Grass ### Hidden Danger Attachment to woman (or sense gratification) is like a well covered by grass—one falls in without seeing the danger until it's too late. ![[sb/6/18/41#purport|well]] —SB [[sb/6/18/41|6.18.41]] Purport ## Rope Binding ### Karma's Tight Hold The soul is bound by the ropes of karma—actions and their reactions—which cannot be cut except by transcendental knowledge and devotion. ![[sb/4/29/35#purport|rope]] —SB [[sb/4/29/35|4.29.35]] Purport *Complete reference: [[index/entries/analogies|Analogies Index]]* *See also: [[wiki/analogies/maya|Māyā]], [[wiki/analogies/material-world|Material World]], [[wiki/analogies/liberation|Liberation]]*