# Flowers > [!summary] > *Flowers with their beauty, fragrance, and relationship with bees and gardeners provide gentle imagery for understanding devotion.* ## Lotus in Water ### Devotee in World Like a lotus that grows in water but remains untouched by it, the devotee lives in the material world but is not affected by it. ![[bg/5/10|lotus]] —Bg. [[bg/5/10|5.10]] See also: [[sb/4/22/26|SB 4.22.26]] ## Bee and Flower ### Devotee and Lord The bee is attracted to the lotus flower for its honey. Similarly, the devotee is attracted to the lotus feet of the Lord for the nectar of devotion. ![[sb/1/16/32-33|bee]] —SB [[sb/1/16/32-33|1.16.32-33]] ## Flower Offering ### Devotion Accepted Even a simple flower or leaf offered with devotion is accepted by the Lord. He receives the love, not the material value. ![[bg/9/26|offering]] —Bg. [[bg/9/26|9.26]] ## Flower Blooming ### Heart Opening to Lord As a flower blooms when the sun rises, the heart of the devotee blooms when the Lord's mercy shines upon it. ![[sb/3/25/21#purport|blooming]] —SB [[sb/3/25/21|3.25.21]] Purport ## Lotus Feet ### Object of Meditation The Lord's feet are compared to lotus flowers—soft, beautiful, and the object of devotees' constant meditation and service. ![[sb/1/2/7#purport|lotus feet]] —SB [[sb/1/2/7|1.2.7]] Purport ## Garland Strung Together ### Devotees Connected Devotees are compared to flowers strung together on a garland—individually beautiful, but together creating something offered to the Lord. ![[sb/4/22/6#purport|garland]] —SB [[sb/4/22/6|4.22.6]] Purport ## Flower Without Fragrance ### Knowledge Without Devotion A beautiful flower without fragrance is incomplete. Similarly, knowledge or renunciation without devotion lacks essential value. ![[sb/1/5/12#purport|fragrance]] —SB [[sb/1/5/12|1.5.12]] Purport ## Garden of Varieties ### Spiritual Diversity The spiritual world is like a garden with unlimited flower varieties—all beautiful, all fragrant, all pleasing to the Lord. ![[cc/madhya/8/74#purport|garden]] —Cc. [[cc/madhya/8/74|Madhya 8.74]] Purport *Complete reference: [[index/entries/analogies|Analogies Index]]* *See also: [[wiki/analogies/trees|Trees]], [[wiki/analogies/lord-devotee|Lord & Devotee]], [[wiki/analogies/devotional-service|Devotional Service]]*