In medieval India people used to keep parrots as pets and teach them to repeat one of the many names of God. This was looked upon as a pious act. Kabir, using the parrot as an analogy, tells man to repeat ceaselessly the Lord's name because no one knows when and where death will strike, putting an end to the rare opportunity of human birth. Along with the technique of simran or repetition, the Master also gives the 'essence of truth', the divine sound, to the disciple. He urges the disciple to give up his pride, ego and base inclinations, and devote himself to the practice of Shabd, the sound current. Only Shabd will break the bonds of transmigration and make liberation of the soul possible. But man cannot achieve this through his own efforts; the grace, guidance and company of a perfect Master are essential.

Repeat, O parrot,
Constantly repeat the Lord's name,
For the cat, with gaze fixed on you,
Is purring avidly.

Don't garnish your body
And go flaunting about;
Give up your ego and base tendencies,
For your Master has given you
The Essence of Truth.

Constantly repeat the Lord's name;
The cat of death has its eyes on you.

Always be in the company of Saints
And enjoy with them the bliss
Of everlasting springtime.
Without their grace
You will never be free
From the unyielding chains
Of birth and death,
Even though you may struggle
Eon after eon.

Repeat constantly the Lord's name,
For the cat has its gaze fixed on you.

Says Kabir: My mind overflows with bliss,
For I have met the Master
Of boundless glory.

Repeat, O parrot, the Lord's name;
The purring cat has its gaze
Avidly fixed on you.

K.G., p. 162:381
Hari boli soovā bār bār