# Family > [!summary] > *Family relationships—parent and child, husband and wife—provide intimate imagery for understanding our relationship with the Lord.* ## Father and Children ### Lord and Living Entities As a father is the source of his children but remains a separate person, the Lord is the source of all living entities but remains supreme and distinct. ![[bg/14/4|father]] —Bg. [[bg/14/4|14.4]] See also: [[sb/1/2/26|SB 1.2.26]] ## Mother's Affection ### Lord's Compassion A mother's affection for her child is unconditional. The Lord's compassion for living entities is even greater—He desires their welfare always. ![[sb/5/18/9#purport|mother]] —SB [[sb/5/18/9|5.18.9]] Purport ## Child Learning from Parent ### Disciple Learning from Guru As a child naturally learns from parents, the sincere student naturally learns from the spiritual master through humble service and inquiry. ![[bg/4/34#purport|child]] —Bg. [[bg/4/34|4.34]] Purport ## Wealthy Father's Son ### Soul's True Heritage A wealthy father's son is the natural heir to the father's property. The soul, as part of the Supreme, is heir to spiritual happiness. ![[sb/4/22/24#purport|heir]] —SB [[sb/4/22/24|4.22.24]] Purport ## Lost Child Finding Father ### Soul Returning to Lord A lost child finding his wealthy father experiences great joy. The soul returning to the Lord experiences the supreme happiness of returning home. ![[sb/4/30/34#purport|lost child]] —SB [[sb/4/30/34|4.30.34]] Purport ## Family Attachment ### Bird Caught in Net Attachment to family without God consciousness is like a bird caught in a net—the more one struggles, the more entangled one becomes. ![[sb/5/14/29#purport|net]] —SB [[sb/5/14/29|5.14.29]] Purport ## Faithful Wife ### Soul's Devotion to Lord As a faithful wife serves her husband with love and dedication, the devoted soul serves the Lord without selfish motivation. ![[sb/3/23/1#purport|wife]] —SB [[sb/3/23/1|3.23.1]] Purport ## Joint Family ### Universal Brotherhood In Vedic culture, the joint family lives together harmoniously. Similarly, all living beings are one family under the Supreme Father. ![[sb/5/18/12#purport|joint family]] —SB [[sb/5/18/12|5.18.12]] Purport *Complete reference: [[index/entries/analogies|Analogies Index]]* *See also: [[wiki/analogies/lord-living-entities|Lord & Living Entities]], [[wiki/analogies/guru-disciple|Guru & Disciple]], [[wiki/analogies/bondage|Bondage]]*