A gatha (Khatha) is a metric and often rhythmic, sealing verse in ancient Indian languages, Prakrit and Sanskrit. The word gatha was originally derived from the word gai from the Sanskrit / Prakrit, which means speaking, singing, terminating or imposing heaven. The word gatha can thus have different meanings: speech, verse or song. Most Jainistic and Buddhist texts written in the Prakrit consist of gathas (or verses / couplets).
In popular spirituality, gathas are used to increase attention to the present moment, mindfulness.
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