Love for the Master is of vital importance on the path of the Saints. But it is not easy to love the Master because it requires complete annihilation of ego on the part of the disciple. He has to merge his will in the will of his Master and his identity in the personality of the Master. Kabir gives the examples of the rainbird, the deer, the sati and the warrior to illustrate the quality of love that is essential on this path and says that without developing this one-pointed, self-effacing love for his Master, a disciple will not gain his objective of God-realization.

It is hard to love the Master;
But without loving him, brother,
You will not gain your end.
Without love your soul will suffer
Misery and pain, over and again.

As the rainbird loves the drop of rain —
'My love, my love' she fervently calls,
Day and night parched with thirst,
Yet craves no water save that of rain —
So love your Master, O friend,
Or else your object you will not gain.

As the deer loves music —
He forgets himself and rushes
Towards the source of his love;
Listening enrapt he loses his life,
Yet never shrinks from the hunter's knife —
So love your Master, O friend,
Or else your object you will not gain.

As the sati loves her husband —
Unruffled by the blazing fire,
She follows the path of death
That her husband has trod,
And without a trace of fear
She gladly enters the flames —
So love your Master, O friend,
Or else your object you will not gain.

As a warrior treasures valour —
Dauntless, he takes to the field,
Boldly he faces the attack;
He is cut to pieces,
Yet to the enemy
He never shows his back —
So love your Master, O friend,
Or else your object you will not gain.

Give up all concern for safety,
All hope for physical well-being,
And fearlessly sing the glory of his love.
It is hard to love the Master;
But without loving him, brother,
Your object you will not gain.

Listen, says Kabir, listen, my friend,
Without such love for the Master
The gift of human birth
Will be lost,
Lost in vain.

K.S., I:50
Guru se lagan kathin hai bhāi