Chapter 12 mentions that saints are 'the Agastya for the ocean of worldly existence.' What does this analogy imply about their role?

The analogy in Chapter 12 comparing saints to Agastya, the sage who drank the entire ocean, is deeply symbolic. This comparison suggests that saints have the immense power to absorb and overcome the vast 'ocean of worldly existence' for their followers. Just as Agastya consumed the ocean, saints help their devotees transcend the overwhelming challenges, attachments, and suffering of worldly life. Chapter 12 also compares them to the sun that dispels the darkness of ignorance, reinforcing their role as guides who remove obstacles and bring enlightenment to those who are lost.