Book II / II

Shabd is God and is Life-Principle

Before the creation, Shabd existed in Its latent form and as such had no name. In this state, It was something completely established in Itself and was thus known as Ashabd (sound-less), Anaam (nameless), Alakh (unutterable), Agam (inconceivable), Akeh (unutterable) and Akath (indescribable). When It came into manifestation, It was called Shabd or Naam.

Shabd when hidden was Anaam, Shabd in manifestation became Naam.

Swami Shiv Dayal Singh

Before its manifestation, there was no form whatsoever; nor was there any sun nor moon nor sky nor earth, for then the Shabd existed by Itself in a formless state. The essence of Shabd is Pure Consciousness. It is the active life-principle of the whole creation. It is the Guiding and Controlling Power behind all that exists. All manifestation is the result of Shabd and without It nothing exists. It is the very life-essence of everything. The Muslim Divines call it Jauhar (essence) and the Hindu Saints describe It as Mul (the root cause). It is the vital principle immanent in every form and permeating all, the visible and the invisible. It is the Causeless Cause, the eternal self-existing life, running endlessly in and out of time. It is the very soul of the Creative Power, all pervading even to the purely spiritual realm – Sat Lok. Shabd is the primal cause of both birth and dissolution.

Both birth and death come about by Shabd, rebirth too is because of Shabd. 

Guru Amar Das, Majh M3

Everything from beginning to end exists in Shabd. The physical elements, the subtle and ethereal powers and vibrations, the causal seeds and essences, one and all are from Shabd and nothing but Shabd personified. We live and have our very being in Shabd and ultimately dissolve into Shabd. All scriptures of the world tell us that Shabd is above the material and efficient cause and All-Controlling Power of the Universe.

He is all in all Himself and revels in His creation by supporting it by Shabd.

Guru Nanak, Basant M1

There is none like Thee in the entire creation, in Thy Word Thou art manifesting Thyself. Whatever Thou wishest, that comes to pass. 

Guru Ram Das, Asa M4