# Material World > [!summary] > *The material world is described through vivid analogies that reveal its true nature—a place of temporary residence, not our real home. These images help us understand why we must seek liberation.* ## Forest ### Lost in the Wilderness Material existence is compared to a dense forest where the conditioned soul wanders, attacked by wild animals (sense desires) and thorns (problems), unable to find the way out. ![[sb/5/13/1#purport|forest]] —SB [[sb/5/13/1|5.13.1-19]] Purport See also: [[sb/5/14/1|SB 5.14.1]] ## Prison ### Bondage and Restriction The material world is like a prison house where the soul is confined due to past sinful activities, supervised by the Lord's agents. ![[sb/3/15/33#purport|prison]] —SB [[sb/3/15/33|3.15.33]] Purport See also: [[sb/1/2/23|SB 1.2.23]], [[sb/2/7/50|SB 2.7.50]] ## Ocean of Misery ### Vast and Difficult to Cross Material existence is like a vast ocean filled with waves of misery. Without the boat of the Lord's lotus feet, one cannot cross it. ![[bg/4/36#purport|ocean]] —Bg. [[bg/4/36|4.36]] Purport See also: [[sb/4/22/40|SB 4.22.40]], [[sb/10/2/30|SB 10.2.30]] ## Desert ### Barren and Illusory The material world is like a desert where the thirsty traveler chases mirages of happiness that can never satisfy. ![[sb/5/14/6#purport|desert]] —SB [[sb/5/14/6|5.14.6]] Purport See also: [[sb/2/2/6|SB 2.2.6]] ## Banyan Tree ### Deeply Rooted, Hard to Cut Material existence is compared to a banyan tree with roots going upward (to the spiritual world) and branches going downward. It must be cut with the weapon of detachment. ![[bg/15/1|banyan]] —Bg. [[bg/15/1|15.1-4]] See also: [[sb/3/25/11|SB 3.25.11]] ## Merry-Go-Round ### Repetitive Cycling Life in the material world is like riding a merry-go-round—going around and around, up and down, but never actually getting anywhere. ![[sb/2/2/2#purport|merry-go-round]] —SB [[sb/2/2/2|2.2.2]] Purport ## House Built on Sand ### Without Solid Foundation Material enjoyment is like a house built on sand—it appears solid but will inevitably collapse. Only spiritual life has a real foundation. ![[sb/5/14/5#purport|house]] —SB [[sb/5/14/5|5.14.5]] Purport ## Forest Fire ### Suffering Arising Spontaneously Problems in material life are like forest fires—they arise without anyone setting them, spreading uncontrollably and causing unavoidable distress. ![[sb/5/13/6#purport|forest fire]] —SB [[sb/5/13/6|5.13.6]] Purport See also: [[bg/2/7|Bg. 2.7]], [[sb/5/14/13|SB 5.14.13]] ## Reflection in Water ### Unreal Appearance Material existence is compared to a reflection—it appears real but has no actual substance. The reality lies elsewhere. ![[sb/2/9/1#purport|reflection]] —SB [[sb/2/9/1|2.9.1]] Purport *Complete reference: [[index/entries/analogies|Analogies Index]]* *See also: [[wiki/analogies/maya|Māyā]], [[wiki/analogies/liberation|Liberation]], [[wiki/analogies/bondage|Bondage]]*