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Guru Granth Sahib
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ਜਪੁ | Jup
ਸੋ ਦਰੁ | So Dar
ਸੋਹਿਲਾ | Sohilaa
ਰਾਗੁ ਸਿਰੀਰਾਗੁ | Raag Siree-Raag
Gurbani (14-53)
Ashtpadiyan (53-71)
Gurbani (71-74)
Pahre (74-78)
Chhant (78-81)
Vanjara (81-82)
Vaar Siri Raag (83-91)
Bhagat Bani (91-93)
ਰਾਗੁ ਮਾਝ | Raag Maajh
Gurbani (94-109)
Ashtpadi (109)
Ashtpadiyan (110-129)
Ashtpadi (129-130)
Ashtpadiyan (130-133)
Bara Maha (133-136)
Din Raen (136-137)
Vaar Maajh Ki (137-150)
ਰਾਗੁ ਗਉੜੀ | Raag Gauree
Gurbani (151-185)
Quartets/Couplets (185-220)
Ashtpadiyan (220-234)
Karhalei (234-235)
Ashtpadiyan (235-242)
Chhant (242-249)
Baavan Akhari (250-262)
Sukhmani (262-296)
Thittee (296-300)
Gauree kii Vaar (300-323)
Gurbani (323-330)
Ashtpadiyan (330-340)
Baavan Akhari (340-343)
Thintteen (343-344)
Vaar Kabir (344-345)
Bhagat Bani (345-346)
ਰਾਗੁ ਆਸਾ | Raag Aasaa
Gurbani (347-348)
Chaupaday (348-364)
Panchpadde (364-365)
Kaafee (365-409)
Aasaavaree (409-411)
Ashtpadiyan (411-432)
Patee (432-435)
Chhant (435-462)
Vaar Aasaa (462-475)
Bhagat Bani (475-488)
ਰਾਗੁ ਗੂਜਰੀ | Raag Goojaree
Gurbani (489-503)
Ashtpadiyan (503-508)
Vaar Gujari (508-517)
Vaar Gujari (517-526)
ਰਾਗੁ ਦੇਵਗੰਧਾਰੀ | Raag Dayv-Gandhaaree
Gurbani (527-536)
ਰਾਗੁ ਬਿਹਾਗੜਾ | Raag Bihaagraa
Gurbani (537-556)
Chhant (538-548)
Vaar Bihaagraa (548-556)
ਰਾਗੁ ਵਡਹੰਸ | Raag Wadhans
Gurbani (557-564)
Ashtpadiyan (564-565)
Chhant (565-575)
Ghoriaan (575-578)
Alaahaniiaa (578-582)
Vaar Wadhans (582-594)
ਰਾਗੁ ਸੋਰਠਿ | Raag Sorath
Gurbani (595-634)
Asatpadhiya (634-642)
Vaar Sorath (642-659)
ਰਾਗੁ ਧਨਾਸਰੀ | Raag Dhanasaree
Gurbani (660-685)
Astpadhiya (685-687)
Chhant (687-691)
Bhagat Bani (691-695)
ਰਾਗੁ ਜੈਤਸਰੀ | Raag Jaitsree
Gurbani (696-703)
Chhant (703-705)
Vaar Jaitsaree (705-710)
Bhagat Bani (710)
ਰਾਗੁ ਟੋਡੀ | Raag Todee
ਰਾਗੁ ਬੈਰਾੜੀ | Raag Bairaaree
ਰਾਗੁ ਤਿਲੰਗ | Raag Tilang
Gurbani (721-727)
Bhagat Bani (727)
ਰਾਗੁ ਸੂਹੀ | Raag Suhi
Gurbani (728-750)
Ashtpadiyan (750-761)
Kaafee (761-762)
Suchajee (762)
Gunvantee (763)
Chhant (763-785)
Vaar Soohee (785-792)
Bhagat Bani (792-794)
ਰਾਗੁ ਬਿਲਾਵਲੁ | Raag Bilaaval
Gurbani (795-831)
Ashtpadiyan (831-838)
Thitteen (838-840)
Vaar Sat (841-843)
Chhant (843-848)
Vaar Bilaaval (849-855)
Bhagat Bani (855-858)
ਰਾਗੁ ਗੋਂਡ | Raag Gond
Gurbani (859-869)
Ashtpadiyan (869)
Bhagat Bani (870-875)
ਰਾਗੁ ਰਾਮਕਲੀ | Raag Ramkalee
Ashtpadiyan (902-916)
Gurbani (876-902)
Anand (917-922)
Sadd (923-924)
Chhant (924-929)
Dakhnee (929-938)
Sidh Gosat (938-946)
Vaar Ramkalee (947-968)
ਰਾਗੁ ਨਟ ਨਾਰਾਇਨ | Raag Nat Narayan
Gurbani (975-980)
Ashtpadiyan (980-983)
ਰਾਗੁ ਮਾਲੀ ਗਉੜਾ | Raag Maalee Gauraa
Gurbani (984-988)
Bhagat Bani (988)
ਰਾਗੁ ਮਾਰੂ | Raag Maaroo
Gurbani (889-1008)
Ashtpadiyan (1008-1014)
Kaafee (1014-1016)
Ashtpadiyan (1016-1019)
Anjulian (1019-1020)
Solhe (1020-1033)
Dakhni (1033-1043)
ਰਾਗੁ ਤੁਖਾਰੀ | Raag Tukhaari
Bara Maha (1107-1110)
Chhant (1110-1117)
ਰਾਗੁ ਕੇਦਾਰਾ | Raag Kedara
Gurbani (1118-1123)
Bhagat Bani (1123-1124)
ਰਾਗੁ ਭੈਰਉ | Raag Bhairo
Gurbani (1125-1152)
Partaal (1153)
Ashtpadiyan (1153-1167)
ਰਾਗੁ ਬਸੰਤੁ | Raag Basant
Gurbani (1168-1187)
Ashtpadiyan (1187-1193)
Vaar Basant (1193-1196)
ਰਾਗੁ ਸਾਰਗ | Raag Saarag
Gurbani (1197-1200)
Partaal (1200-1231)
Ashtpadiyan (1232-1236)
Chhant (1236-1237)
Vaar Saarang (1237-1253)
ਰਾਗੁ ਮਲਾਰ | Raag Malaar
Gurbani (1254-1293)
Partaal (1265-1273)
Ashtpadiyan (1273-1278)
Chhant (1278)
Vaar Malaar (1278-91)
Bhagat Bani (1292-93)
ਰਾਗੁ ਕਾਨੜਾ | Raag Kaanraa
Gurbani (1294-96)
Partaal (1296-1318)
Ashtpadiyan (1308-1312)
Chhant (1312)
Vaar Kaanraa
Bhagat Bani (1318)
ਰਾਗੁ ਕਲਿਆਨ | Raag Kalyaan
Gurbani (1319-23)
Ashtpadiyan (1323-26)
ਰਾਗੁ ਪ੍ਰਭਾਤੀ | Raag Prabhaatee
Gurbani (1327-1341)
Ashtpadiyan (1342-51)
ਰਾਗੁ ਜੈਜਾਵੰਤੀ | Raag Jaijaiwanti
Gurbani (1352-53)
Salok | Gatha | Phunahe | Chaubole | Swayiye
Sehskritee Mahala 1
Sehskritee Mahala 5
Gaathaa Mahala 5
Phunhay Mahala 5
Chaubolae Mahala 5
Shaloks Bhagat Kabir
Shaloks Sheikh Farid
Swaiyyae Mahala 5
Swaiyyae in Praise of Gurus
Shaloks in Addition To Vaars
Shalok Ninth Mehl
Mundavanee Mehl 5
ਰਾਗ ਮਾਲਾ, Raag Maalaa
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Dasvandh - Please Give To The Asia Quake Fund !
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<blockquote data-quote="Archived_Member16" data-source="post: 14058" data-attributes="member: 884"><p><span style="color: blue"><strong>“You hear a lot of strange things about tithing ( dasvandh in Sikhism ). Some say it is a church ( religious ) tax, and they expect me to pay it and that is the end of it. Others say that when I give God one-tenth of my income, He blesses the nine-tenths that is left to the extent that the nine-tenths now goes as far as the whole thing used to go. This isn’t really true, is it? Suppose a farmer had 100 bushels of corn in the barn and he decides to plant 10 bushel in the ground. What multiplies? Is it the 90 bushels that he has left in the barn? Oh, no. All of us ‘farmers’ know it is the 10 bushels you put in the ground that multiplies. Similarly, it is the 10 percent you give to God that multiplies.” </strong></span></p><p><span style="color: blue"></span></p><p><span style="color: blue"><strong>— Stanley Tam (1915-), American businessman and philanthropist </strong></span></p><p><span style="color: blue"></span></p><p><span style="color: blue"><strong><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="color: #000000">=================================================================================</span></span></span></strong></span></p><p> <span style="color: blue"></span></p><p><span style="color: blue"><strong><span style="font-size: 18px">DASVANDH</span> or Dasaundh, lit. a tenth part, refers to the practice among <a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dS%26amp;article%3d214%26amp;lastArt%3d393');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">Sikhs </span></a>of contributing in the name of the <a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dG%26amp;article%3d176%26amp;lastArt%3d222');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">Guru </span></a>onetenth of their earnings towards the common resources of the community. This is their religious obligation a form of <a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dS%26amp;article%3d137%26amp;lastArt%3d393');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">seva </span></a>or humble service so highly valued in the <a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dS%26amp;article%3d195%26amp;lastArt%3d393');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">Sikh </span></a>system. The concept of dasvandh was implicit in <a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dG%26amp;article%3d176%26amp;lastArt%3d222');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">Guru </span></a>Nanak's own line: "ghali khai kichhu hathhu dei, <a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dN%26amp;article%3d21%26amp;lastArt%3d125');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">Nanak </span></a>rahu pachhanahi sei He alone, 0 <a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dN%26amp;article%3d21%26amp;lastArt%3d125');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">Nanak, </span></a>knoweth the way who eats out of what he earneth by his honest labour and yet shareth part of it with others" (GG, 1245). The idea of sharing and giving was nourished by the institutions of <a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dS%26amp;article%3d80%26amp;lastArt%3d393');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">sangat </span></a>(holy assembly) and langar (community kitchen) the <a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dG%26amp;article%3d176%26amp;lastArt%3d222');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">Guru </span></a>had established. In the time of <a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dG%26amp;article%3d176%26amp;lastArt%3d222');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">Guru </span></a><a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dA%26amp;article%3d107%26amp;lastArt%3d278');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">Amar Das, </span></a><a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dN%26amp;article%3d21%26amp;lastArt%3d125');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">Nanak </span></a>III, a formal structure for channelizing <a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dS%26amp;article%3d195%26amp;lastArt%3d393');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">Sikh </span></a>religious giving was evolved. He set up 22 man/Is or districts in different parts of the country, each placed under the charge of a pious <a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dS%26amp;article%3d195%26amp;lastArt%3d393');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">Sikh </span></a>who, besides preaching <a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dG%26amp;article%3d176%26amp;lastArt%3d222');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">Guru </span></a>Nanak's word, looked after the sangats within his/her jurisdiction and transmitted the disciple's offerings to the Guru. As the digging of the sacred pool, <a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dA%26amp;article%3d138%26amp;lastArt%3d278');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">amritsar, </span></a>and erection in the middle of it of the shrine, <a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dH%26amp;article%3d11%26amp;lastArt%3d100');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">Harimandar, </span></a>began under <a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dG%26amp;article%3d176%26amp;lastArt%3d222');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">Guru </span></a><a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dR%26amp;article%3d44%26amp;lastArt%3d141');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">Ram Das </span></a>entailing large amounts of expenditure, <a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dS%26amp;article%3d214%26amp;lastArt%3d393');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">Sikhs </span></a>were enjoined to set apart a minimum often per cent (dasvandh) of their income for the common pool, <a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dG%26amp;article%3d176%26amp;lastArt%3d222');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">Guru </span></a>ki Golak (q.v.). <a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dM%26amp;article%3d114%26amp;lastArt%3d242');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">Masands, </span></a>i.e. ministers and tithecollectors, were appointed to collect <a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dK%26amp;article%3d82%26amp;lastArt%3d269');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">kar bhet </span></a>(offerings) and dasvandh from <a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dS%26amp;article%3d214%26amp;lastArt%3d393');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">Sikhs </span></a>in the area they were assigned to, and pass these on to the Guru.</strong></span></p><p><span style="color: blue"></span></p><p><span style="color: blue"><strong>Dasvandh has since become part of the <a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dS%26amp;article%3d195%26amp;lastArt%3d393');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">Sikh </span></a>way of life. The custom bears parallels to Christian tithes requiring members of the church to pay a tenth part of the annual produce of their land or its equivalent in money to support it and the clergy, and to Muslim zakat requiring assignment of 2.5 per cent of one's annual wealth for the welfare of the destitute and the needy. Classical Indian society had no set procedure for regulating donations or charities, though references are traceable such as those in Parasar Rishi's writings urging the householder to reserve 1/21 part of his income for Brahmans and 1/31 part for the gods. The Upanisads and the Bhagavadgita commend "true alms" given with a sense of duty in a Fit place and at a fit time to a deserving person from whom one expects nothing in return. DasvandA is, however, to be distinguished from <a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dD%26amp;article%3d28%26amp;lastArt%3d217');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">dan </span></a>or charity. It essentially attends to the needs of the community and contributions are made specifically for the maintenance of its religious institutions such as gurdwaras and <a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dG%26amp;article%3d183%26amp;lastArt%3d222');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">guru ka langar </span></a>and projects of social welfare and uplift.</strong></span></p><p><span style="color: blue"></span></p><p><span style="color: blue"><strong>The custom of dasvandh was codified in documents called rahitnamas, manuals of <a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dS%26amp;article%3d195%26amp;lastArt%3d393');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">Sikh </span></a>conduct, written during the lifetime of <a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dG%26amp;article%3d176%26amp;lastArt%3d222');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">Guru </span></a><a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dG%26amp;article%3d70%26amp;lastArt%3d222');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">Gobind Singh </span></a>or soon after. For example, <a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dB%26amp;article%3d161%26amp;lastArt%3d373');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">Bhai </span></a><a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dN%26amp;article%3d38%26amp;lastArt%3d125');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">Nand </span></a>Lal's <a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dT%26amp;article%3d17%26amp;lastArt%3d118');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">Tankhahnama </span></a>records: "Hear ye, <a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dN%26amp;article%3d33%26amp;lastArt%3d125');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">Nand Lal, </span></a>says <a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dG%26amp;article%3d70%26amp;lastArt%3d222');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">Gobind Singh, </span></a>one who does not give dasvandh and, telling lies, misappropriates it, is not at all to be trusted." The tradition has been kept alive by chosen <a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dS%26amp;article%3d214%26amp;lastArt%3d393');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">Sikhs </span></a>who to this day scrupulously fulfil the injunction. The institution itself serves as a means for the individual to practice personal piety as well as to participate in the ongoing history of the community, the <a href="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dG%26amp;article%3d176%26amp;lastArt%3d222');" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">Guru </span></a>Panth.</strong></span></p><p><span style="color: blue"></span></p><p><span style="color: blue"></span></p><p><span style="color: blue"><strong><em>References</em></strong></span></p><p><span style="color: blue"><strong>1. Sher Singh, The Philosophy of Sikhism. Lahore, 1944</strong></span></p><p><span style="color: blue"><strong>2. Gopal Singh, A History of the Sikh People. Delhi, 1979</strong></span></p><p><span style="color: blue"><strong>3. Avtar Singh, Ethics of the Sikhs. Patiala, 1970</strong></span></p><p><span style="color: blue"><strong>4. Nripinder Singh, The Sikh Moral Tradition. Delhi, 1990</strong></span></p><p><span style="color: blue"><strong>5. Cole, W. Owen and Piara Singh Sambhi, The Sikhs: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices. Delhi, 1978 W.S.</strong></span></p><p><span style="color: blue"></span></p><p><span style="color: blue"><strong>Source:<span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="color: #000000"> <a href="http://thesikhencyclopedia.com" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff">http://thesikhencyclopedia.com</span></a></span></span></span></strong></span></p><p><span style="color: blue"></span></p><p><span style="color: blue"></span></p><p><span style="color: blue"></span></p><p><span style="color: blue"></span></p><p><span style="color: blue"></span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Archived_Member16, post: 14058, member: 884"] [COLOR=blue][B]“You hear a lot of strange things about tithing ( dasvandh in Sikhism ). Some say it is a church ( religious ) tax, and they expect me to pay it and that is the end of it. Others say that when I give God one-tenth of my income, He blesses the nine-tenths that is left to the extent that the nine-tenths now goes as far as the whole thing used to go. This isn’t really true, is it? Suppose a farmer had 100 bushels of corn in the barn and he decides to plant 10 bushel in the ground. What multiplies? Is it the 90 bushels that he has left in the barn? Oh, no. All of us ‘farmers’ know it is the 10 bushels you put in the ground that multiplies. Similarly, it is the 10 percent you give to God that multiplies.” [/B][/COLOR] [COLOR=blue] [B]— Stanley Tam (1915-), American businessman and philanthropist [/B] [B][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000]=================================================================================[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/B] [B][SIZE=5]DASVANDH[/SIZE] or Dasaundh, lit. a tenth part, refers to the practice among [URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dS%26amp;article%3d214%26amp;lastArt%3d393');"][COLOR=#0000ff]Sikhs [/COLOR][/URL]of contributing in the name of the [URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dG%26amp;article%3d176%26amp;lastArt%3d222');"][COLOR=#0000ff]Guru [/COLOR][/URL]onetenth of their earnings towards the common resources of the community. This is their religious obligation a form of [URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dS%26amp;article%3d137%26amp;lastArt%3d393');"][COLOR=#0000ff]seva [/COLOR][/URL]or humble service so highly valued in the [URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dS%26amp;article%3d195%26amp;lastArt%3d393');"][COLOR=#0000ff]Sikh [/COLOR][/URL]system. The concept of dasvandh was implicit in [URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dG%26amp;article%3d176%26amp;lastArt%3d222');"][COLOR=#0000ff]Guru [/COLOR][/URL]Nanak's own line: "ghali khai kichhu hathhu dei, [URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dN%26amp;article%3d21%26amp;lastArt%3d125');"][COLOR=#0000ff]Nanak [/COLOR][/URL]rahu pachhanahi sei He alone, 0 [URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dN%26amp;article%3d21%26amp;lastArt%3d125');"][COLOR=#0000ff]Nanak, [/COLOR][/URL]knoweth the way who eats out of what he earneth by his honest labour and yet shareth part of it with others" (GG, 1245). The idea of sharing and giving was nourished by the institutions of [URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dS%26amp;article%3d80%26amp;lastArt%3d393');"][COLOR=#0000ff]sangat [/COLOR][/URL](holy assembly) and langar (community kitchen) the [URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dG%26amp;article%3d176%26amp;lastArt%3d222');"][COLOR=#0000ff]Guru [/COLOR][/URL]had established. In the time of [URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dG%26amp;article%3d176%26amp;lastArt%3d222');"][COLOR=#0000ff]Guru [/COLOR][/URL][URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dA%26amp;article%3d107%26amp;lastArt%3d278');"][COLOR=#0000ff]Amar Das, [/COLOR][/URL][URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dN%26amp;article%3d21%26amp;lastArt%3d125');"][COLOR=#0000ff]Nanak [/COLOR][/URL]III, a formal structure for channelizing [URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dS%26amp;article%3d195%26amp;lastArt%3d393');"][COLOR=#0000ff]Sikh [/COLOR][/URL]religious giving was evolved. He set up 22 man/Is or districts in different parts of the country, each placed under the charge of a pious [URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dS%26amp;article%3d195%26amp;lastArt%3d393');"][COLOR=#0000ff]Sikh [/COLOR][/URL]who, besides preaching [URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dG%26amp;article%3d176%26amp;lastArt%3d222');"][COLOR=#0000ff]Guru [/COLOR][/URL]Nanak's word, looked after the sangats within his/her jurisdiction and transmitted the disciple's offerings to the Guru. As the digging of the sacred pool, [URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dA%26amp;article%3d138%26amp;lastArt%3d278');"][COLOR=#0000ff]amritsar, [/COLOR][/URL]and erection in the middle of it of the shrine, [URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dH%26amp;article%3d11%26amp;lastArt%3d100');"][COLOR=#0000ff]Harimandar, [/COLOR][/URL]began under [URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dG%26amp;article%3d176%26amp;lastArt%3d222');"][COLOR=#0000ff]Guru [/COLOR][/URL][URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dR%26amp;article%3d44%26amp;lastArt%3d141');"][COLOR=#0000ff]Ram Das [/COLOR][/URL]entailing large amounts of expenditure, [URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dS%26amp;article%3d214%26amp;lastArt%3d393');"][COLOR=#0000ff]Sikhs [/COLOR][/URL]were enjoined to set apart a minimum often per cent (dasvandh) of their income for the common pool, [URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dG%26amp;article%3d176%26amp;lastArt%3d222');"][COLOR=#0000ff]Guru [/COLOR][/URL]ki Golak (q.v.). [URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dM%26amp;article%3d114%26amp;lastArt%3d242');"][COLOR=#0000ff]Masands, [/COLOR][/URL]i.e. ministers and tithecollectors, were appointed to collect [URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dK%26amp;article%3d82%26amp;lastArt%3d269');"][COLOR=#0000ff]kar bhet [/COLOR][/URL](offerings) and dasvandh from [URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dS%26amp;article%3d214%26amp;lastArt%3d393');"][COLOR=#0000ff]Sikhs [/COLOR][/URL]in the area they were assigned to, and pass these on to the Guru.[/B] [B]Dasvandh has since become part of the [URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dS%26amp;article%3d195%26amp;lastArt%3d393');"][COLOR=#0000ff]Sikh [/COLOR][/URL]way of life. The custom bears parallels to Christian tithes requiring members of the church to pay a tenth part of the annual produce of their land or its equivalent in money to support it and the clergy, and to Muslim zakat requiring assignment of 2.5 per cent of one's annual wealth for the welfare of the destitute and the needy. Classical Indian society had no set procedure for regulating donations or charities, though references are traceable such as those in Parasar Rishi's writings urging the householder to reserve 1/21 part of his income for Brahmans and 1/31 part for the gods. The Upanisads and the Bhagavadgita commend "true alms" given with a sense of duty in a Fit place and at a fit time to a deserving person from whom one expects nothing in return. DasvandA is, however, to be distinguished from [URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dD%26amp;article%3d28%26amp;lastArt%3d217');"][COLOR=#0000ff]dan [/COLOR][/URL]or charity. It essentially attends to the needs of the community and contributions are made specifically for the maintenance of its religious institutions such as gurdwaras and [URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dG%26amp;article%3d183%26amp;lastArt%3d222');"][COLOR=#0000ff]guru ka langar [/COLOR][/URL]and projects of social welfare and uplift.[/B] [B]The custom of dasvandh was codified in documents called rahitnamas, manuals of [URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dS%26amp;article%3d195%26amp;lastArt%3d393');"][COLOR=#0000ff]Sikh [/COLOR][/URL]conduct, written during the lifetime of [URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dG%26amp;article%3d176%26amp;lastArt%3d222');"][COLOR=#0000ff]Guru [/COLOR][/URL][URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dG%26amp;article%3d70%26amp;lastArt%3d222');"][COLOR=#0000ff]Gobind Singh [/COLOR][/URL]or soon after. For example, [URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dB%26amp;article%3d161%26amp;lastArt%3d373');"][COLOR=#0000ff]Bhai [/COLOR][/URL][URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dN%26amp;article%3d38%26amp;lastArt%3d125');"][COLOR=#0000ff]Nand [/COLOR][/URL]Lal's [URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dT%26amp;article%3d17%26amp;lastArt%3d118');"][COLOR=#0000ff]Tankhahnama [/COLOR][/URL]records: "Hear ye, [URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dN%26amp;article%3d33%26amp;lastArt%3d125');"][COLOR=#0000ff]Nand Lal, [/COLOR][/URL]says [URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dG%26amp;article%3d70%26amp;lastArt%3d222');"][COLOR=#0000ff]Gobind Singh, [/COLOR][/URL]one who does not give dasvandh and, telling lies, misappropriates it, is not at all to be trusted." The tradition has been kept alive by chosen [URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dS%26amp;article%3d214%26amp;lastArt%3d393');"][COLOR=#0000ff]Sikhs [/COLOR][/URL]who to this day scrupulously fulfil the injunction. The institution itself serves as a means for the individual to practice personal piety as well as to participate in the ongoing history of the community, the [URL="http://javascript<b></b>:ol('http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief%3d%26amp;tgt%3dG%26amp;article%3d176%26amp;lastArt%3d222');"][COLOR=#0000ff]Guru [/COLOR][/URL]Panth.[/B] [B][I]References[/I][/B] [B]1. Sher Singh, The Philosophy of Sikhism. Lahore, 1944[/B] [B]2. Gopal Singh, A History of the Sikh People. Delhi, 1979[/B] [B]3. Avtar Singh, Ethics of the Sikhs. Patiala, 1970[/B] [B]4. Nripinder Singh, The Sikh Moral Tradition. Delhi, 1990[/B] [B]5. Cole, W. Owen and Piara Singh Sambhi, The Sikhs: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices. Delhi, 1978 W.S.[/B] [B]Source:[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000] [URL="http://thesikhencyclopedia.com"][COLOR=#0000ff]http://thesikhencyclopedia.com[/COLOR][/URL][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/B] [/COLOR] [/QUOTE]
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