Katha is the verbal explanation/discourse of Gurbani (the utterings of the Guru's) and our great history. Katha has been an integral part of Sikh practice since the revealed inception of Sikhism by Sri Guru Nanak Dev Jee.

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Jee and great Sikhs of his era performed Katha and it was and is still through Katha that many people gain knowledge about Sikhism and become enlightened. Katha is both a spiritual and historical discourse, it endows the listener with spiritual and worldly knowledge, and helps Sikhs along the path of Sikhi.

Sri Guru Amar Das Jee enlightens us about Gurbani Katha in the following manner,


ਪਉੜੀ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਕਥਾ ਸਰੇਸਟ ਊਤਮ ਗੁਰ ਬਚਨੀ ਸਹਜੇ ਚਾਖੀ ॥

Through the Guru's Teachings, they intuitively taste the sublime, exquisite and ambrosial sermon of the Lord. (SGGS Ang 87)


Gurbani Katha is also a form of Amrit, as the teachings verbally expressed in Katha make us reach this sublime stage of immortality. In the same manner that Naam/Gurbani is Amrit the discourse of this Naam/Gurbani is also Amrit as Sri Guru Amar Das Jee taches us in the above quotation.

The filth of our bad actions is removed by listening and practising the teachings of Katha, as Sri Guru Arjan Dev Jee explains to us


ਮਾਝ ਮਹਲਾ 5 ॥ ਕਥਾ ਸੁਣਤ ਮਲੁ ਸਗਲੀ ਖੋਵੈ ॥

Hearing Your Sermon, all filth is removed. (SGGS Ang 104)


Katha is not just expressed on a stage in a Gurdwara, it can exist in conversation and discussion as well, so all the above quotations are relevant if we are promoting the idealogy of Gurbani when we are discussing things. This Katha is described as the most supreme discourse to enter,


ਸਭ ਤੇ ਊਤਮ ਹਰਿ ਕੀ ਕਥਾ ॥

Highest of all is the Lord's Discourse. (SGGS Ang 265)


We will update Gurmat Vichar Section with Katha's from Paramjeet Singh Khalsa Anandpur Sahib, Bhai Esher Singh Hyderabad & many others on weekly basis (Every Monday). Please feel free to share your feedback at sewak@sikhisidak.com