The Shabd cannot be spoken or written

The inner Shabd is super-conscious and infinite. It can neither be heard by the outer ears nor spoken, nor can it be written. It is the unwritten law and the unspoken language. It is beyond speech or writing and is in an unmanifest language. It is independent, but everything is sustained by It. It pervades everything. It can be experienced only by the soul. The conscious­ness or soul merges into the super-consciousness, Shabd.

The Gurus in the Line of Guru Nanak describe It as the true Word or Shabd which is imperishable.

Through the True Word one realises the truth. Through the True Word one sings the praises of the Lord.

Prabhati M1, 1342-8

The Gurbani says that one should give up all cleverness, and should devote oneself to the True Word and merge in It.

He who contemplates on the feet of the Master gives up all cleverness. He meditates on the True Word.

Sri Rag M5, 51-2

Oh friend, sing the praises of the Lord. Always love the True Word.

Basant M5, 1192-14

It cannot be comprehended by the gross senses.

It is seen without eyes and heard without ears.

Majh Var M1, 139-2

It is to be seen without the outer eyes and is to be heard without the outer ears. Writing about the Shabd Maulana Rumi says:

He may be a Turk, a Kurd, a Parsi or an Arab, but he experiences that Sound without ears or lips.

The Rishis (sages) in the Upanishades, have described It as Pranav – that which can be heard by the soul. In other words, it is One that does not need the tongue or the lips or the palate to sing it. It is singing by itself.

Kabir Sahib says that the Shabd is formless, that It cannot be uttered by the tongue, and that It can be realised only by the inner self.

Everyone talks about the Shabd, but it is formless. It cannot be spoken. The soul alone can realise It.

Hazrat Bahu in describing the Shabd also says that the tongue is powerless to speak of the Kalma (Word) which is the same thing. It cannot express It.

One recites the word orally; He does not do it with the heart. When it is recited with the heart, the tongue cannot express it.

He again says that the Master has taught us a lesson which is learned without being taught, and which is heard without closing the ears.

My Master and Guide has taught me the lesson, that is being heard without being recited. Without closing the ears, It is heard without any effort.

Maulana Rumi describes it beautifully saying:

Oh Lord, lead me to the region where your Word is ringing without words, by itself. Oh God, show me that region where the letterless Word is resounding.

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