What is Dasvandh
Dasvandh, which literally means “tenth part”, is the tithing practice of contributing a portion of your earnings in the name of your Guru or spiritual source. The principle of Dasvandh is that if you give to the Infinite, Infinity, in turn, will give back to you. It is a spiritual practice through which you build trust in the ability of the Infinite to respond to the flow of love and energy that you give. This energy then expands tenfold and flows back to you in abundance.
Sikhs began bringing offerings during the time of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak (1469-1539) the founder of the Sikh Path. Guru Nanak promoted the concept and virtue of Dasvandh in his bani. He said,
ਘਾਲਿ ਖਾਇ ਕਿਛੁ ਹਥਹੁ ਦੇਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਰਾਹੁ ਪਛਾਣਹਿ ਸੇਇ ॥੧॥
ghaal khaa-ay kichh hathahu day-ay. naanak raahu pachhaaneh say-ay. (1)
One who works for what he eats, and gives some of what he has – O Nanak, he knows the Path. (1)
Guru Amar Das, the third Sikh Guru, started the formal tradition of a free kitchen and serving langar (blessed food) to everyone, as equals regardless of race, class, gender, faith and ethnicity. He called upon his Sikhs to bring a portion of their crops and earnings to share in the community kitchen.
During the time of the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan, the Sikh community fell upon difficult financial times. Sikh leaders became so concerned that they went to Guru Arjan for a solution. Guru Arjan knew the cosmic principle of Dasvandh would reverse the trend and multiply their prosperity. He instructed his beloved Sikhs that the solution was for every person to donate one-tenth of their time and earnings to the infinite therefore expanding their service and spiritual realm.
The Siri Singh Sahib has promoted the power of tithing, by giving your Dasvandh, as a way to connect with your highest self. He said,
“Give to God what belongs to God. It is called Das-vandh: One-tenth of your time, income, thoughts, projection, communication, belongings and one-tenth of every act. Every act is blessed in which one-tenth belongs to God.” ~ Siri Singh Sahib – Yogi Bhajan
Dasvandh or Dasaundh, literally means a “tenth part” and refers to the practice among Sikhs of contributing in the name of the Guru one-tenth of their earnings towards the common resources of the community. This is a form of seva or humble service which is highly valued in the Sikh system. The concept of dasvandh was implicit in Guru Nanak’s own Gurbani in the line: “ਘਾਲਿ ਖਾਇ ਕਿਛੁ ਹਥਹੁ ਦੇਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਰਾਹੁ ਪਛਾਣਹਿ ਸੇਇ ॥੧॥ One who works for what he eats, and gives some of what he has – O Nanak, he knows the Path (1)”
ਦਸਵੰਧ ਦਾ ਮਤਲਬ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ ‘ਦੱਸਵਾਂ ਹਿੱਸਾ’ ਅਤੇ ਇੱਕ ਸਿੱਖ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਆਮ ਸ੍ਰੋਤਾਂ ਵੱਲ ਆਪਣੀ ਕਮਾਈ ਦਾ ਦਸਵਾਂ ਹਿੱਸਾ ਪਾਉਣ ਨੂੰ ਗੁਰੂ ਅਤੇ ਸਿੱਖ ਵਿਚਕਾਰ ਦੇ ਪਿਆਰ ਅਤੇ ਉਸਦੀਆਂ ਸਿੱਖਿਆਵਾਂ ‘ਤੇ ਚੱਲਣਾ ਦਰਸਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਦਸਵੰਧ ਦਾ ਮਤਲਬ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਦਾ ਸਿੱਖ ਚਾਹੇ ਥੋੜਾ ਕਮਾਵੇ ਚਾਹੇ ਜ਼ਿਆਦਾ ਪਰ ਆਪਣੇ ਕਮਾਏ ਹੋਏ ਪੈਸਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਉਹ ਦੱਸਵਾਂ ਹਿੱਸਾ ਜ਼ਰੂਰ ਕੱਢੇਗਾ। ਦਸਵੰਧ ਦੀ ਧਾਰਨਾ ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇਵ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਦੀ ਤੁੱਕ “ਘਾਲਿ ਖਾਇ ਕਿਛੁ ਹਥਹੁ ਦੇਇ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਰਾਹੁ ਪਛਾਣਹਿ ਸੇਇ॥੧॥ ਵਿੱਚ ਪੂਰਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ।
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