Kabir, addressing this poem to a bairagi or recluse, says that the Lord who is free from all fears cannot be attained without divine fear in the devotee's heart. Divine fear has two aspects. The first is that the devotee might fail to achieve his object of union with God before the rare and brief opportunity of human birth comes to an end. This fear urges him on to utilize his time in devotion and spiritual practice, to walk firmly on the path and not be led astray by worldly attachments and cravings.

The second aspect is the fear that the devotee might do something by action or thought that offends or displeases his beloved Lord. This fear is an important aspect of divine love; it strengthens the devotee's love and keeps the flame of longing constantly burning in his heart. Kabir says that the devotee who has this true fear in him realizes God's Order.

The term hukam or 'order' has been used by the Saints to denote God's will, his plan, the wave of his grace or mauj his power in action — the Shabd or Word. It is through Shabd that the Lord pervades the entire creation, through Shabd He sustains it, through Shabd He regulates it and through Shabd He showers his love and grace; thus Shabd is his power, his will, his order, his love.

One who realizes God's Shabd or Order is rid of all fears for he becomes one with Him who is free from all fear. In the end Kabir says that one can attain the state of true detachment or freedom only through a perfect Master, and one can meet the Master only by the grace and mercy of the Lord.

No one has seen the Fearless One,
For the Fearless One cannot
Without fear be obtained —

So reckon I, Bairagi.

If one sees the King
Ever present within,
Then does he gain true fear;
When one realizes his Order,
He becomes free from fear —

So reckon I, Bairagi.

Do not practice hypocrisy
To please the Lord,
For in hypocrisy the world
Is already involved —

So reckon I, Bairagi.

The noose of craving
Ever tautens
And attachments consume
Your being —

So reckon I, Bairagi.

But he burns all worries,
He conquers his body
Who makes his mind dead —

So reckon I, Bairagi.

Without the Master
There can be no detachment,
Though men keep striving
And longing for it —

So reckon I, Bairagi.

Only through the Lord's grace
One meets the true Master;
Only then will he attain
The state of real detachment —

So reckon I, Bairagi.

This is the one prayer
Of Kabir at Thy feet:
Beloved Lord, ferry me
Across the dreadful sea —

So reckon I, Bairagi.

A.G., Maru, p. 1104
Anbhao kinai na dekhiā