ÿþ<HTML><HEAD><TITLE>KATH&#256</TITLE> <style type="text/css"> .BODY { background-color: #EAF1F7; background-image: url('images/gtbh.jpg'); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: center; color: #0066CC;} .C1{text-align: justify;color: #0066CC;FONT-size: SMALL;FONT-family: Tahoma;} .BIB{text-align: center;color: #000099;FONT-size: SMALL;FONT-family: Tahoma;} .CONT{text-align: right;color: #FF0000;FONT-size: SMALL;FONT-family: Tahoma;} </style><META NAME="keywords" CONTENT="KATH"> <META http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"></HEAD> <BODY class="BODY" oncontextmenu="return false" ondragstart="return false" onselectstart="return false"> <FONT ALIGN="JUSTIFY" FACE="Tahoma"> <p class="C1">&#65279KATH&#256 is the noun form of the Sanskrit word <i>kath</i>, meaning to speak, describe, narrate or interpret. In religious terminology, <i>kath&#257</i> stands for exposition, analysis and discussion of a passage from a scripture. It involves a full-length discourse on a given text, with a proper enunciation of it and elucidation with anecdotes, parables and quotations, of the underlying spiritual and theological doctrines and ideas. Since scriptural utterances and verses were generally pithy and aphoristic, they needed to be expounded for the laity and there emerged in the Indian tradition forms such as, <i>&#7789&#299k&#257</i> (paraphrase), <i>&#347abd&#257rtha</i> (gloss) and <i>bh&#257&#7779ya</i> (commentary), with <i>pram&#257&#7751as</i> or suitable authoritative quotations from religious and didactic works to support the thesis or interpretation. These three modes of elucidation converge in the Sikh <i>kath&#257</i> which is verbal in form. <i>Kath&#257</i> of the Upani&#7779ads, the <i>Bh&#257gavadg&#299t&#257</i> and Pur&#257&#7751as and of the epics, the <i>Ram&#257ya&#7751a</i> and the <i>Mah&#257bh&#257rata</i>, has continued to be delivered from the rostrum. But in Sikhism it has become institutionalized as part of service at major religious assemblies.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The tradition of <i>kath&#257</i> in Sikhism has its formal beginning in the time of Gur&#363 Arjan (1563-1606), who compiled the Sikh Scripture, Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib, and who is said to have ordained Bh&#257&#299 Gurd&#257s, who had transcribed the Holy Volume, to expound briefly and precisely, daily a hymn which had been read from the Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib. The <i>masands</i>, i.e. <i>sa&#7749gat</i> leaders, appointed by the Gur&#363s, started delivering <i>kath&#257</i> in a like manner at local gatherings. Since <i>&#347abda</i> forms the essential base of Sikh spirituality and religion, correct interpretation of the sacred text is of the utmost importance. Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh (1666-1708) is said to have himself instructed Bh&#257&#299 Man&#299 Si&#7749gh in the explication of the Holy Writ. From Bh&#257&#299 Man&#299 Si&#7749gh originates what is known as the Gi&#257n&#299 school of interpretation of <i>gurb&#257&#7751&#299</i>. The performance of <i>kath&#257</i> has continued in the Sikh system over the centuries. There are numerous institutions, classical as well as modern, training scholars in the art. <i>Kath&#257</i> is generally delivered in the presence of the Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib. The <i>kath&#257k&#257r</i>, the performer, will in fact recite reverentially the hymn he proposes to expound from the Holy Book itself. The choice may have been premeditated or utterly impromptu. To describe the format, which certainly allows for variations, after a well-punctuated, clean, melodious and rhythmic recitation of the hymn, its central theme is brought into focus and explained. Then, the difficult words are explicated and verse-wise paraphrase of the entire <i>&#347abda</i> is given. Care is taken to sustain the context and point out the relevance of each verse to the main argument. This is followed by a thematic analysis of the hymn, bringing out its spiritual and doctrinal significance. Notice may also be taken of its literary graces. To support his interpretation, the <i>kath&#257k&#257r</i> quotes, all from memory, passages from the religious texts, and anecdotes from the lives of the Gur&#363s. Before concluding the discourse, the argument is summed up and the original text recited again. At <i>kath&#257</i> session in <i>gurdw&#257r&#257s</i> are also expounded major Sikh historical works such as <i>Sr&#299 Gur Prat&#257p S&#363raj Granth</i> and <i>Panth Prak&#257sh</i>. But this happens generally in the afternoons, outside the morning and evening services.</p> </font> <p class="BIB"> BIBLIOGRAPHY<p class="C1"><ol class="C1"><li class="C1"> K&#257hn Si&#7749gh Bh&#257&#299, <i>Gurmat M&#257rta&#7751&#7693</i>. Amritsar, 1962<BR> <li class="C1"> Man&#299 Si&#7749gh, Bh&#257&#299, <i>Sikh&#257&#7749 d&#299 Bhagat M&#257l&#257</i>. Amritsar, 1955<BR> </ol><p class="CONT">T&#257ran Si&#7749gh<br></p><BR> </font><img src="counter.aspx" width="1px" height="1px" alt=""></HTML></BODY>