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

Wednesday
,
8
May
2019

How Can Bithal Exist There?

Jasleen Kaur reflects on a Sabad by Bhagat Namdev to help her through some questions she has had during Mental Health Awareness Month: how can the Divine exist in places or situations that we feel are devoid of the One?

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Sunday
,
1
September
2019

Who is good, Who is bad?

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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Monday
,
4
May
2020

Whatever will be, will be (Part 2)

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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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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