# Lord & Living Entities > [!summary] > *The relationship between the Supreme Lord and the countless living entities is simultaneously one of identity and difference. These analogies illuminate how we are part of the Lord yet eternally distinct.* ## Sun & Its Rays ### Emanating from the Source As the sun emanates innumerable rays of light, the Supreme Lord emanates innumerable living entities. The rays are part of the sun yet distinct from it. ![[sb/3/25/17#purport|sun]] —SB [[sb/3/25/17|3.25.17]] Purport See also: [[sb/1/11/10|SB 1.11.10]], [[sb/3/7/9|SB 3.7.9]] ## Fire & Its Sparks ### Qualitatively One, Quantitatively Different As sparks emanate from fire and share its quality of heat and light yet are tiny compared to the fire, living entities share the Lord's spiritual quality yet are infinitesimal. ![[sb/3/28/41#purport|fire]] —SB [[sb/3/28/41|3.28.41]] Purport See also: [[sb/3/7/9|SB 3.7.9]], [[sb/6/9/42|SB 6.9.42]] ## Ocean & Its Drops ### Part of the Whole Living entities are like drops of ocean water—the same substance as the ocean but tiny in comparison. They can never become the ocean. ![[cc/madhya/18/112|ocean]] —Cc. [[cc/madhya/18/112|Madhya 18.112]] See also: [[cc/madhya/20/109|Madhya 20.109]] ## Gold Mine & Gold ### Same Nature, Different Magnitude As gold particles come from a gold mine and share its nature, living entities come from the Supreme and share His spiritual nature, though He is unlimited and they are limited. ![[sb/1/1/1#purport|gold mine]] —SB [[sb/1/1/1|1.1.1]] Purport ## Body & Its Parts ### Serving the Whole As the parts of the body are meant to serve the whole body, all living entities are meant to serve the Supreme Lord, the complete whole. ![[bg/5/7#purport|body]] —Bg. [[bg/5/7|5.7]] Purport See also: [[sb/4/31/14|SB 4.31.14]] ## Father & Children ### Source of All As children come from their father and inherit his nature, all living beings come from the Supreme Father and inherit spiritual nature. ![[cc/adi/7/121#purport|father]] —Cc. [[cc/adi/7/121|Ādi 7.121]] Purport See also: [[sb/2/10/45|SB 2.10.45]] ## Candle Lighting Candles ### Expansions of the Original As one candle lights many candles without diminishing, the Lord expands Himself into countless living beings without being diminished. ![[sb/6/9/45#purport|candle]] —SB [[sb/6/9/45|6.9.45]] Purport ## King & Citizens ### Provider and Dependents As citizens depend on the king for protection and prosperity, all living entities depend on the Supreme Lord for everything. ![[bg/13/3#purport|king]] —Bg. [[bg/13/3|13.3]] Purport *Complete reference: [[index/entries/analogies|Analogies Index]]* *See also: [[wiki/analogies/lord-devotee|Lord & Devotee]], [[wiki/analogies/lord-creation|Lord & Creation]]*