# Light & Darkness > [!summary] > *The contrast between light and darkness provides fundamental imagery for understanding knowledge and ignorance, the Lord and māyā.* ## Sun Dispelling Darkness ### Knowledge Destroys Ignorance As the rising sun immediately dispels all darkness, transcendental knowledge destroys the darkness of ignorance in the heart. ![[bg/5/16|sun]] —Bg. [[bg/5/16|5.16]] See also: [[bg/10/11|Bg. 10.11]] ## Lamp in Dark Room ### Spiritual Master's Guidance The spiritual master is like a lamp in a dark room—revealing everything clearly that was hidden in darkness. ![[sb/6/1/15#purport|lamp]] —SB [[sb/6/1/15|6.1.15]] Purport ## Candlelight vs Sunlight ### Limited vs Full Knowledge Material knowledge is like candlelight—limited illumination. Transcendental knowledge is like sunlight—full illumination everywhere. ![[sb/4/22/27#purport|candlelight]] —SB [[sb/4/22/27|4.22.27]] Purport ## Shadow and Light ### Māyā and Kṛṣṇa As shadow is the absence of light, māyā exists only where the Lord's light is not recognized. Turn to the light, and the shadow falls behind. ![[sb/3/25/27#purport|shadow]] —SB [[sb/3/25/27|3.25.27]] Purport ## Torch Bearer ### Leading Through Darkness The spiritual master is like one carrying a torch through darkness—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 ## Night and Day ### Two Different Conditions Ignorance and knowledge are like night and day—completely opposite conditions that cannot coexist in the same place. ![[bg/2/69|night]] —Bg. [[bg/2/69|2.69]] ## Lamp in Windless Place ### Steady Meditation The mind in meditation is compared to a lamp in a windless place—steady, unwavering, not flickering. ![[bg/6/19|steady lamp]] —Bg. [[bg/6/19|6.19]] ## Effulgence of the Lord ### Source of All Light The spiritual world needs no sun, moon, or electricity—everything is illuminated by the Lord's bodily effulgence. ![[bg/15/6|effulgence]] —Bg. [[bg/15/6|15.6]] *Complete reference: [[index/entries/analogies|Analogies Index]]* *See also: [[wiki/analogies/sun|Sun]], [[wiki/analogies/knowledge-ignorance|Knowledge & Ignorance]], [[wiki/analogies/maya|Māyā]]*