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

Monday
,
10
April
2023

Countdown to Vaisakhi 2023: Jasleen Kaur

“Vaisakhi historically is a time of harvest and transformation, and it’s a time of breaking certain bonds, breaking certain ideas that have kept us down in some way, understanding that we’re part of a larger community with a larger role in the world..."

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Wednesday
,
29
March
2023

Understanding the Crackdown In Panjab & Protests in Diaspora

Join Harinder Singh and Jasleen Kaur as they discuss the larger Sikh context around the latest events in Panjab.

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Thursday
,
16
March
2023

Explore Sabads On the Theme of Birth & Naming Ceremony

The Guru Granth Sahib Project is pleased to launch the annotation of four separate Sabads (compositions) revealed by Guru Arjan Sahib on the theme of Birth.

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Thursday
,
16
February
2023

Explore Thiti (Mahala 5) [Part 2]

The Guru Granth Sahib Project is pleased to launch the annotation of pauris (stanzas) nine to seventeen of the composition Thiti by Guru Arjan Sahib under Rag Gauri. Gauri is a rag (musical mode) of serious nature, which evokes a thoughtful...

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Thursday
,
19
January
2023

Explore Thiti (Mahala 5) [Part 1]

The Guru Granth Sahib Project is pleased to launch the annotation of the first eight stanzas of the Composition Thiti by Guru Arjan Sahib under Rag Gauri. Gauri is a rag (musical mode) of serious nature, which evokes a thoughtful and reflective mood.

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Thursday
,
15
December
2022

Explore Bhagat Ramanand

The Guru Granth Sahib Project is pleased to launch the annotation of one Sabad by Bhagat Ramanand under Rag Basant. Rag Basant is a season-specific rag (musical mode) that evokes the spring season's joy, excitement, and cheerfulness.

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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

Monday
,
11
October
2021

Exploring Death in Salok Mahala 9

Death is a thing we all must do. But we are deeply afraid of it. How do we form a relationship with death? This article explores Salok Mahala 9 as Guru Teghbahadar Sahib helps us confront our fear of death and understand the lessons death...

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Wednesday
,
21
July
2021

Miri-Piri: The Spiritual-Political Sikh Doctrine

Miri comes from Perso-Arabic “Amir” or “Emir” and signals political power. Piri comes from the Perso-Arabic “Pir” and signals spiritual power. Miri-Piri encapsulates the Political-Spiritual doctrine in Sikhi, rooted in both the worldly and the timeless...

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Friday
,
14
May
2021

Reflecting on Time, One Becomes the Willing-Servant

A reflection on the play of past, present, and future, the play of creation, and the importance of Remembrance.

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Thursday
,
1
October
2020

Circles of Influence, Circles of Abuse

Healing and accountability in the wake of allegations old and new

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Wednesday
,
9
September
2020

Sikhi & Sexuality

Sexuality is a confusing and often avoided topic. It is generally relegated to being a "private" matter, and therefore not openly discussed or engaged with, even within close circles and small communities.

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Thursday
,
7
November
2019

Sikhi & Abortion

Abortion as defined by the the Oxford dictionary is a “deliberate termination of a human pregnancy, most often performed during the first 28 weeks of pregnancy.” Abortions have long been performed and long been the subject of considerable debate.

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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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