Book I / II – (viii)

The Teachings of the Masters

Without the Word, Sound or Eternal Song, the soul sees not. Where could she go? As she cannot fathom the mystery of "Word" she is wandering from place to place.

Kabir Sahib 

Mind hankereth after evil; through the Word the Master restraineth it.

Guru Teg Bahadur

Through the medium of the Word, soul doth cross the endless ocean of matter. Lowly Nanak, therefore, glorifies His Naam (the Word).

Guru Nanak, Ramkali M1

The Word is both earth and ether. These had their being through the Word. This Word expressed Itself in other aspects as well. The whole creation sprang up after the Word. Oh Nanak, the endless word is reverberating in each heart. 

Guru Nanak, Janamsakhi M1

The all-pervading Word has attracted all my mind. What else have I to think of? Communion of the soul with the Word creates everlasting Bliss. At-one-ment with the Lord procures the Essence of Joy and Peace.

Guru Nanak, Sri Rag M1

I am emancipated. The God-man has unfettered me. Through the communion of soul with the Word, I have gained the resplendent seat of honour. Oh Nanak! The All-pervading Naam or the Word dwelleth in the hearts of all. The company of the Gurumukhs procures communion with it. 

Guru Nanak, Malar M1

Far off, on the other shore, is my Beloved. The God-man's Word alone carries the soul across. In the company of the Saints, man is in bliss and never repents.

Guru Nanak, Tukhari M1

How can the ignorant get to the principle of union of soul with the Word? Without communion with the Word, soul comes and goes. Oh Nanak! The Gurumukh who is himself emancipated, is met by the merciful Writ of the Lord.

Guru Nanak, Maru M1

The creation and the ultimate dissolution of the universe is caused through the Word. Again, through the Word, it takes its existence anew. 

Guru Amar Das, Majh M3

By good luck, the Lord Consort has become ours. The Endless Song (the Word), resounding everywhere gives a clue to His Court. 

Guru Arjan, Bilawal M5

The Word made all the earthly and heavenly systems. 

Guru Arjan, Gauri M5

He is the true Saint, who talks about the secret of the Divine Word (Eternal Sound). Having scrutinized the Unknowable and the Unthinkable, He has realized the Bani (the Eternal Sound).

Tulsi Das 

Word is the lock and Word is the key thereto, With the chains of the Word, all are bound. The Lord resideth in the form of the Word, I bow my head at His Feet. 

Doolan Sahib 

Ever since I heard the Limitless Divine Song (Anhad) reverberating throughout, the indriyas (organs) have become tired of going out, and the mind has shed all its ramifications, all desires have been satisfied; like a madman, I have lost myself in the Word, and obtained complete Oneness with It. 

Charan Das 

The Sound of the Word is the prime cause of all. It is also the be-all and the end-all. The three regions and the fourth were made by It. The Word and the Spirit are of the same origin and both spring from the essence of the Nameless One. It is both the cause and the effect, and all were created by It. The Word is the preceptor as well as the disciple and is resounding in the heart of everyone. The Word is water and It is the fish also. Kabir speaks only of this Word. Nanak and Tulsi proclaimed the same Truth. The king and the minister, both are Word personified. Radha Swami (the Lord of the Spirit) says: My brave son, listen to It.

Swami Shiv Dayal Singh