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Paath orPath (Punjabi: ਪਾਠ(Gurmukhi)), from theSanskrit patha which means reading or recitation, is, in the religious context, reading or recitation of the holy texts. InSikhism, comprehension of what is being read is considered more important than ritual recitationGuru Granth Sahib.
Paath is the recitation ofGurbani. However it is considered lower than gurbani vichar/discussion.
It can also be called prayers of some instances. It may be done individually or in a group; it can be the recitation of one’sBanis or any part of theSiri Guru Granth Sahib, alone or with others listening or reciting along. The person reciting Gurbani should pronounce every syllable correctly so that the Naad, the sound current may be produced and affect the consciousness of the one reciting and the one listening.
Gurbani may be recited in the Sadh Sangat at any time, whether or not one is in the presence of Siri Guru Granth Sahib. A beautiful form of recitation in a group is to divide into groups of men and women with each reciting an alternate sutra. (A sutra is a complete line of poetry.) In the Gurmukhi each sutra is separated by two vertical lines (//). Gurbani should be recited rhythmically and meditatively.
Reading of certain banis is part of aSikh’snitnem or daily religious regimen. Paath of these prescribed texts is performed from a handy collection, called gutka (missal or breviary) or from memory. Three of the banis,Guru Nanak’sJapji andGuru Gobind Singh’sJaap Sahib andAmrit Savaiye — constitute theSikhs mandatory morning paath or devotions, and two —Rehras andKirtan Sohila — evening paath. Individuals add certain other texts as well such asSabad Patshahi 10,Anand Sahib andSukhmani.
The paath is also performed individually and more particularly insangat from theGuru Granth Sahib itself. The Holy Volume is ceremonially installed under coverlets on a decorated seat resting on a raised platform, with a canopy above, and is opened by the paathi or reader who sits reverentially behind. Usually, another person stands in attendance, waving thefly-whisk over the Holy Book. The paathi should have bathed and be dressed in clean clothes.
Besides the reading of one single hymn to obtain vak orhukamnama (lesson or command for the day) or of some passages, three forms of complete paath of theGuru Granth Sahib are current:
Even where the limit is fixed and it exceeds a week, it will be called a sadharan path ...
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)Oral recitation of Gurbani or nitnem is also called path and has been discussed earlier in the section on Sikh worship. There are two types of path of the Guru Granth Sahib arranged by Sikhs: Akhand path and Sahaj paath.
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