dataSource

The data source object to which the DropDown is bound:

<select id="ddl" ></select>

<script type="text/javascript">

    $(function () {
        $("#ddl").shieldDropDown({
            dataSource: {
			    data: countries
		    },
		    textTemplate: "{name}",
		    valueTemplate: "{code}"
       });
    });

    var dataSource = $("#ddl").swidget().dataSource; // returns the dataSource to which the DropDown is bound

</script>