Jasleen Kaur

Research Associate

Jasleen Kaur is a Research Associate at the Sikh Research Institute. She has received a Religious Studies B.A./M.A. from the University of Virginia, focusing on South Asian Religions through the lens of literature and poetry.

She is one of the commentators and transcreators of The Guru Granth Sahib Project. She is passionate about projects that create comfortable spaces for community members of all ages and backgrounds to engage in dialogue and learn from one another. She also loves singing in her free time, whether on stage with her friends or alone in her kitchen.

She hopes to go back to school to pursue a Ph.D. in either religious ethnography or history and fulfill her dream of teaching and learning from others.

Jasleen Kaur resides with her family in the United States.

Videos

Tuesday
,
26
November
2024

Explore Patti (Mahala 3)

The essence of this composition is revealed in the stanza of rahau (pause). In it, worldly accounting (entanglements) is described as useless.

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Thursday
,
17
October
2024

Explore Patti (Mahala 1)

Patti is a poetic form based on the Gurmukhi alphabet. Historically, students used a wooden tablet, known as patti in Panjabi, to practice writing the alphabet. The Guru Granth Sahib includes many compositions based on the alphabet.

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Thursday
,
22
August
2024

Explore Chaubole

Chaubole is typically described as a poetic form governed primarily by meter and lines, usually four, as a song with four segments, or as a verse containing four languages.The theme of the Chaubole composition by Guru Arjan Sahib is love.

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Saturday
,
13
July
2024

Exploring Death in Salok Mahala 9

Explore some of the major themes of Guru Teghbahadar Sahib’s bani as contained in Guru Granth Sahib.

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Thursday
,
20
June
2024

Explore Vanjara

This composition is revealed by Guru Ramdas Sahib (1534-1581 CE) in Rag Sirirag and is recorded on pages 81-82 of the Guru Granth Sahib. It has six stanzas of five lines each. With every stanza, there is an additional stanza of rahau of two lines.

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Thursday
,
25
April
2024

Explore Alahania (Mahala 3)

Just like the Alahania revealed by Guru Nanak Sahib, this composition revealed by Guru Amards Sahib also illustrates the impermanence of the material world and inspires the mind towards a perpetual connection with IkOankar (the Divine).

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Podcasts

Friday
,
20
June
2025

The Sidak Impact: Jasleen Kaur & Manmit Singh

2-time Sidaker Manmit Singh joins Jasleen Kaur to reflect on connection, community, and their deepening relationship with Asa ki Var, a guiding light through threads of hope and hopelessness.

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Wednesday
,
11
June
2025

Explore Rag Ramkali & Rag Maru

Rag Ramkali evokes compassion, and Rag Maru is associated with enthusiasm and zeal.

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Saturday
,
31
May
2025

The Question That Went Viral

Join Gurpartap Singh, Harinder Singh, and Jasleen Kaur as they discuss Gurpartap’s reflections on his interaction with Gandhi. How can we understand the context Gurpartap centered in his questions? How does Gurpartap feel about Gandhi’s response?

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Friday
,
30
May
2025

The Sidak Impact: Jasleen Kaur & Poznma Kaur

SikhRI researcher, Jasleen Kaur discusses the value of Sidak with alumni, Poznma Kaur.

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Thursday
,
29
May
2025

Explore Var Sat (Mahala 3) 2/2

In this composition, Guru Amardas Sahib highlights that IkOankar (the Divine) is the Creator of all existence. It portrays how individuals who cling to temporary possessions and relationships remain trapped in the cycle of birth and death.

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Wednesday
,
14
May
2025

Explore So Purakhu

So Purakhu is a collection of four Sabads, the source of Infinite-Wisdom, out of which Guru Ramdas Sahib has revealed two Sabads, and one each by Guru Nanak Sahib and Guru Arjan Sahib.

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Articles

Friday
,
1
March
2019

Akal Takht Sahib: Timeless Sovereign Throne

Akal Takht Sahib (Timeless Throne Sovereign) commands the worldly moral authority of the Sikhs, functioning as the institutional manifestation of the Miri-Piri (Political-Spiritual) doctrine as envisioned by the Gurus.

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Tuesday
,
27
February
2018

Preparing to Bloom

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Friday
,
25
January
2019

When will Sikhs have their #MeToo movement?

In 2006, Tarana Burke founded the #MeToo movement to help survivors of sexual violence, particularly young women of color from low-income communities find the language to talk about their experiences, build systems of support, start conversations...

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Wednesday
,
20
February
2019

ਸਾਗਰ ਮਹਿ ਬੂੰਦ // Ocean in the Drop

In SikhRI’s new monthly blog series, Sabads previously transcreated for the Sabad of the Week podcast will be revisited, with the offering of an individual understanding and perspective on the application of the Sabad’s message in daily life.

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Thursday
,
21
February
2019

Sikh Values Are Not American Values

The National Sikh Campaign's slogan is one of assimilation and nationalism in an aim to combat the negative impact a post-Trump America has had on the Sikh community, but at what cost?

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Monday
,
1
April
2019

The Realm Without Sorrow

In this series, Sabads previously transcreated for the Sabad of the Week podcast will be revisited, with the offering of an individual understanding and perspective on the application of the Sabad’s message in daily life.

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Presenting at Upcoming Events

Sat
,
Jul 12

Vanjara: From Worldly Trader to Spiritual Seeker

Khalsa School, Glen Rock Gurudwara

This presentation explores Guru Ramdas Sahib’s Vanjara, situating it within its cultural framework and lived experience. We will reflect on the composition's foundational themes and their relevance to our daily...

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