# Guru & Disciple > [!summary] > *The relationship between guru and disciple is essential for spiritual progress. These analogies illuminate how the spiritual master guides, protects, and delivers the sincere student.* ## Physician & Patient ### Curing the Disease of Material Existence The spiritual master is like a physician who diagnoses the disease of material attachment and prescribes the medicine of devotional service. ![[sb/6/9/50#purport|physician]] —SB [[sb/6/9/50|6.9.50]] Purport See also: [[cc/madhya/20/90-91|Madhya 20.90-91]] ## Boat Captain ### Crossing the Ocean The guru is like a captain of a boat who helps the disciple cross the dangerous ocean of material existence to reach the spiritual shore. ![[sb/6/7/14#purport|boat]] —SB [[sb/6/7/14|6.7.14]] Purport ## Eye Ointment ### Opening Spiritual Vision The instructions of the spiritual master are like ointment applied to the eyes, removing the cataracts of ignorance and revealing the Lord. ![[sb/7/9/7#purport|eye]] —SB [[sb/7/9/7|7.9.7]] Purport ## Sun Dispelling Darkness ### Knowledge Removes Ignorance As the sun dispels darkness, the spiritual master's instructions dispel the darkness of ignorance from the disciple's heart. ![[bg/5/16#purport|sun]] —Bg. [[bg/5/16|5.16]] Purport ## Parent & Child ### Teaching and Protecting The spiritual master is like a parent who guides the child-like disciple with both discipline and affection, training them for mature spiritual life. ![[cc/adi/7/82#purport|parent]] —Cc. [[cc/adi/7/82|Ādi 7.82]] Purport See also: [[sb/4/12/40|SB 4.12.40]] ## Torch Bearer ### Leading Through Darkness The guru is like one carrying a torch through a dark forest, showing the path to those who would otherwise be lost. ![[sb/4/31/5#purport|torch]] —SB [[sb/4/31/5|4.31.5]] Purport ## Farmer & Seed ### Planting Devotion The spiritual master is like a farmer who plants the seed of devotion in the heart of the disciple and nurtures it to full growth. ![[cc/madhya/19/151#purport|seed]] —Cc. [[cc/madhya/19/151|Madhya 19.151]] Purport ## Transparent Medium ### Transmitting Light Unchanged The bona fide guru is like a transparent medium—he transmits the Lord's message without adding his own interpretation, just as clear glass transmits light unchanged. ![[cc/madhya/17/182#purport|transparent]] —Cc. [[cc/madhya/17/182|Madhya 17.182]] Purport *Complete reference: [[index/entries/analogies|Analogies Index]]* *See also: [[wiki/analogies/lord-devotee|Lord & Devotee]], [[wiki/analogies/knowledge-ignorance|Knowledge & Ignorance]]*