Calling upon the devotee to adopt the practice of Shabd, Kabir explains what Saints mean by this term. Shabd is the power of the Supreme Being that has created the creator of the three worlds, Kal or the negative power. Even this world of illusion has also come into being from the power of Shabd or the divine Word and is sustained by it. It is the form in which the Lord pervades the entire creation.

Although most scriptures, holy men and schools of philosophy talk about Shabd, they are not aware of its true nature and identity. Its secret is in the hands of the Saints or perfect Masters and it can be experienced, not spoken, expounded upon or analyzed. Kabir distinguishes this divine Word or Shabd from the words that can be spoken, written and read. The written words can point to the real Word, can extol its merits, but cannot take its place.

Men try to obtain Shabd through renunciation, austerities and yogic practices. But Kabir says that these paths and practices can never open the gates of Shabd. True detachment and desirelessness come as a natural result of the practice of Shabd, and when the disciple goes within and contacts Shabd, he develops true love for the Lord.

Apply yourself, O friend,
To the practice of Shabd —
The Shabd from which even
The creator came into being;
Imprint that Shabd
In your heart, O friend.

The Vedas and scriptures
Extol the merits of Shabd —
The Shabd that sustains
All shabds in the world.
Men, sages and gods
Sing its praises
Yet its mystery they know not.

Imprint that Shabd
In your heart, O friend.

Shabd is the Master,
And listening to Shabd
One becomes a disciple;
But rare are they who know
The true meaning of Shabd.
Shabd is the real Master,
Shabd is the disciple's soul too;
Only he knows this
Who goes within
And realizes the Shabd.

Imprint that Shabd
In your heart, O friend.

Between Shabd and shabd
There is a vast difference;
Churn the primal Shabd
And realize the Truth, O friend.
Who does not taste
This true Shabd,
His life, O Kabir,
His achievements,
Are all a waste.

Satt Kabir ki Shabdavali ¹, p. 33:69
Sādho shabd sādhanā keejai

A rare slave of the Lord
Contemplates on His Shabd.
The secret of Shabd
Is with the Master:
Test it on the touchstone within.

Men hear about Shabd
And varied garbs
They adopt to gain it;
But he who hears Shabd itself
Becomes a true lover.

The six philosophies
Elaborate on Shabd,
But he who hears Shabd itself
Becomes truly desireless.

Vedas and scriptures
Sing the praises of Shabd,
All claim to know its merits;
Hermits and ascetics
Expound upon Shabd,
But not one of them
Obtains its secret.

Even this world of delusion
Through Shabd came into being;
All that is,
Is the expansion of Shabd.

But from where
Does Shabd emanate?
On this, Kabir,
Few contemplate.

Satt Kabir, p. 132:325
Santo koi jan shabd bichāre